Some of the attitude displayed in this thread is extremely naive and trigger happy. If you thought our performance was going to be a quick turn around on the back of 3 young players then you need to get a grip. Yes, we had a more productive preseason than last, but we lost our leading goal kicker last year as well as Robinson and Garlett, who were best 22.
Our core group are slow to react, have poor disposal under pressure, and are getting to the end of their career. Expect more of the same.
Whilst I'm not optimistic at all, there's truth in this. Plus, we all love to hang sh*t on Ninthmond but they did win 9 games in a row at the end of last season. Most times you'll find such momentum is carried forward to the next season. After the first q., they looked all right. They might be top 4 this year.
Just depressing to see the same patterns emerge. Opposition teams seem to just 'know' that, if they run rampant for 20 minutes or so, we'll just fold.
So many times tonight we were caught on the hop by the rebound. There's only one reason for it - laziness. And stupidity. Two reasons - laziness, stupidity, and a culture of individuality over team. Ugh ... amongst the many reasons for our poor performance tonight were such things as - laziness, stupidity, a culture of individuality over team, lack of a cohesive game plan, and an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope.
When I heard about it I wondered why it wasn't punched through then when I saw the the delayed telecast after I think the was dying too much to knock it through from the initially marking contest. It was still 4 to 5 metres out and dropping fast making it hard to punch through. Whether it could've been rushed after that when it was bouncing around it's hard to say.
Yeah, having had another look I think Watson was right to try and mark it, but Wood then should have rushed it through. Can't criticise either too much, I thought they both played well.
But it's another example of how we just don't have enough poise and 'smarts' in these situations.
And what's with Bryce being too tired to kick the ball further later in a match?!? Poppycock. It was into the wind, so maybe that held it up. But taking the 'too tired' argument to its logical conclusion - grand final, siren sounds, scores level, player to kick from right on 50. Doesn't make the distance? Oh well, can't be too surprised/disappointed. He would have been really tired. Geez, if people are willing to put up these excuses then we've become a much more mediocre club than I thought.
Same old spuds stank it up in that 2nd quarter. 13th is where we're at. Very strange atmosphere here at the ground. 80% CheatsFC supporters. Have not heard one barb thrown out there about their cheating ways. Is that the same for all their matches?!? Hope they play a final in Perth so the crowd can make Timmy cry again.
It just seems that every time we start to think "we've turned the corner", the players think they've "turned the corner" and (call it what you like)...."get ahead of themselves" ...and lose that notion that they still have to work just as hard for a win.
When it started to go a bit pear shaped on Friday there seemed to me the impression that it was all a bit hard to maintain the effort.
A smart committed side might not have won, or even got close....but they could surely have lessened the size of the defeat.
The Hawks are a classic example of what to do when things are not going your way at half time in a footy match. The approach to the work rate. Ignore their skills.
Absolutely. Did you see Roughead's tackle on Selwood in the third quarter? Fair, but full of intent and mongrel, and I'm sure no coincidence that it was effected upon Selwood. They are the sorts of "rallying cries" that we are sadly lacking. Who could have/would have done that for us? Robinson and Bell are willing but don't have the finesse.
Tonight was an opportunity for a lot of players to stand up and prove themselves but wow were we terrible! At least I can happily get over the fact that players like Lucas and a lot of others are gone and be happy they are because they lack ticker and desire. We have a lot of players who cant make an impact. I cant believe players can sit there and watch Murphy get belted from pillar to post and not one player flew the flag in any way again. Without alot of list changes we will finish bottom 4 next year again we have too many players who can run with players but heaven help us if they win the ball they are counter productive. I have only posted once before and was shot down in flames when I said Gibbs should be captain and I tell you now and I don't have the privilege of being able to go to every game but he is by far our best option and our best player not to mention someone who gives a crap about the club.
Not only did we get belted physically, at one stage I saw Docherty (I think) help a Port player to his feet by pulling him up by the jumper. I'm all for sportsmanship but gee whizz we lack mongrel.
I want Tuohy played higher up the ground eg on a wing because his defensive positioning is currently embarrassing.
It's true. Ours is a unique game with many nuances, subtleties and "grey areas". He first played the game at 20. Can't possibly be expected to have the same feel for the game as someone who started in the under 10's and attended/watched games growing up. The goal they got with 4 seconds to go (2nd q?) was because he was caught out of position.
Interesting presser by Mick. Basically blokes are stuffed and we are always against sides up for top 4 so basically.. we are basically fighting quality sides with a lot on the line.
So depressing. That used to be us - we'd be the perennial top 4 side. Tonight again showed how far off we are from achieving this. Put a guy who's playing his 1st to 5th game in a side like Swans or Cats and they'll get shown how to hunt like a lioness does with her cubs. Put 'em in our side and they'll see panic, turnover, demoralising red time goals, poor decisions, lack of shepherding, no awareness, poor field positioning, and so on.
I'd love to see the secret formula that decides whether Melbourne gets a priority draft pick. 'Coz if they get one, we should get 2.
Let's hear it for the non-controlling umpire ... ---------------------------------------------------------
The AFL admits a decisive free kick that helped Geelong pip Carlton on Friday night was incorrect.
The Blues held the lead for most of the second half at Etihad Stadium, only to hand it over with three minutes remaining when Allen Christensen kicked the match winner.
The non-controlling umpire, stationed approximately 50m away from the ball, awarded the decisive free kick to Christensen.
Umpires boss Hayden Kennedy admitted on Saturday it was wrong for Brendan Hosking to penalise Sam Docherty's crucial spoil.
With the kicking of Yarran last night, I just wonder if he had a jab to cope with his calf? He messed up too many kicks for there not to be reason.
Didn't mess up the goal from 50 after running the previous 50 and burning off Varcoe who's one of the fastest players in the league. Fantastic goal. THAT'S how you [should] beat Geelong.
- however -
I went purple with rage when he went to ground after that 1 on 1 marking contest in the last q. So he's never going to the hard in and under type player. I accept that. But he's done exactly the same thing at a crucial stage in a previous game last year. FFS, all he has to do is steel himself, bring it to ground, and keep his feet. No-one's gonna catch him if he can do that. Then, after that marking contest, he limps around like a kid showing his Dad watching on the fence that he's injured.
Mil, Dawson has been holding forwards by both arms since the day dot... but the umps are blind too it. It has been a blight on the game for years. I've been to games and heard him referred to as the "backpack" (it goes around both arms and over the shoulders...).
I just can't get over the holding of Judd by the arms off the ball.
At one stage the commentators were lauding Fyfe's resolve to attack the ball, but he only got there first because he pulled Juddy by the wrist to off-balance him. And not just in last night's game - happens regularly. Obviously a ploy because it's harder for the umpires to spot someone being held by the wrist/forearm than it is a jumper. Needs to be the next 'grey' area to be addressed by the umpires.
