I love the way Caro had a very subtle (most wouldn't have even noticed it) dig at how this was yet another example of how selfish and arrogant Essendon have been. Baby Blues have had to train this week not knowing whether they were in or out, putting end of year celebrations/operations/etc. on hold.
That's ok cheats - you just take your time holding the whole competition to ransom. Don't mind us. We'll just wait patiently twiddling our thumbs.
Gameplan: how many times did the players force themselves to stop going the inside option, look up and have to WAIT for options along the boundary, before kicking Hail Marys to a Ready Bombers defence. I understand that the coach has a plan, but FFS the trust has to go both ways that if a player sees an opportunity to go inside that he should have license and clearance to do so. It kills me to see any of our player's natural instincts dulled down for the sake of a gameplan when we KNOW we do not have the cattle. Might as well go full out attack next week. Hell, at least it won't be dull.
Entire post was great Woodstock. Spot on. This ^^^ particularly resonates. Definitely seems to be a dislocation between what MM wants and what the players are capable of (or want). No wonder he goes so ballistic when Eddie, et al., try and do the cute instead of the team thing. Guess it took Lyon 18 months to get the Freo players singing from the same hymn sheet but, gee whizz, no comparison between the lists when it comes to talent.
Might have to get myself to that AGM. Still not sure what my voting rights are or whether en masse we can wield much influence.
Someone on another forum stated they'd heard that Luke Sayers didn't want the top job because of career commitments at PwC. That's disappointing as I reckon he's the success oriented, driven type of individual we need at the helm. But if that's the truth behind his reasoning then I'd say "feck off". Being on the board at Carlton is not supposed to be a hobby or a gig you use to tart up your resume. In fact, that sort of attitude (if true) simply mirrors the on field malaise we witness from most of the players every other week - i.e. "it's all too hard".
Three other observations from yesterday's game (blood pressure coming down ... slowly).
1. Betts remonstrating with the umpire and telling him he was just trying "to get inside his [opponent] head". My old man always told me that if you argue with the umpire or get involved in sledging it's a sign that you're not concentrating or are 100% focused on the game. He was right.
2. Ryder's mark to kick that goal which put them in front made me wonder - when was the last time Warnock took an overhead mark?
3. Just watching that abysmal mixup between Simpson and McInnes again - sorry to say that was Simmo's fault (notwithstanding he shouldn't have had to crumb the ball in the first place because of McInnes' terrible panic attack). All he had to do was take one step to his left - McInnes at least was doing the right thing and trying to shepherd him to go that way.
That's a good question. I thought it was Gibbs but I think he was on Watson for a large part of the night.
Irony - thy name is Carlton. I see that Pagan is quoted in today's paper as saying the AFL have learnt their lesson via the Carlton salary cap punishment and won't ever go so hard at any other team again.
Gosh, that's lucky. AFL: "Er, sorry old chaps. We fully didn't expect to push you into the crap for 20 years. No hard feelings, eh what."
Choked under pressure? Missing when the going got tough? I think we need to get one thing straight. There was very little pressure tonight. And it certainly wasn't that tough.
Perfect example - why did McInnes elect to punch that ball instead of mark?
Once again, we beat ourselves. We're nowhere near good enough on so many levels - can't kick, can't (don't wanna) run, can't tackle. Fairly basic requirements.
Gibbs missed that last kick he had for goal because he felt pressure, Casboult panicked and turned the ball over under pressure, handpassing to no one after he had a chance to kick the footy....McInnes punched instead of marked because of the perceived pressure. Graham didnt think to kick the ball along the boundary because he was under pressure and kicked it back to the corridor...
The pressure is mental and we fell apart like we always do vs teams who have this hold on us.....
"Felt" or "perceived" pressure? I'm not disagreeing with you. How did it come to this? No poise, no crisp handling, no confidence of forethought in knowing how to constructively dispose of the ball even before you take possession. All lacking. This debate about recruitment versus development is a furphy BECAUSE IT'S BOTH.
Choked under pressure? Missing when the going got tough? I think we need to get one thing straight. There was very little pressure tonight. And it certainly wasn't that tough.
Perfect example - why did McInnes elect to punch that ball instead of mark?
Once again, we beat ourselves. We're nowhere near good enough on so many levels - can't kick, can't (don't wanna) run, can't tackle. Fairly basic requirements.
Huge fan here. As someone else said, they were the soundtrack to my youth which just tends to weave itself into the fabric of your life. Must say I'm jealous of Zed's avatar (said whilst laying claim to an unblemished record of heterosexuality, not that ...).
What are you trying to say about my sexuality, Iva? Feel free to use EM as your avatar as well. Its one of the default options on the new site. I'm happy to change to something a bit more masculine... I'm sure I can dig out a pic of George Michael or Prince
Back OT, I was a massive Queen fan in my youth. Liked them even more after their epic soundtrack to the film "Highlander". Some great tracks in that.
Zed, you misunderstand me - I was being genuine. Didn't mean to cast aspersions or cause offence. Didn't even know there were standard avatar's we could choose from with the new site. If I'd have seen Freddie was an option I would have snaffled it. Not for the first time my smart-arsed comments have backfired. And for the record, I'm a fan of George and Prince too!
Huge fan here. As someone else said, they were the soundtrack to my youth which just tends to weave itself into the fabric of your life. Must say I'm jealous of Zed's avatar (said whilst laying claim to an unblemished record of heterosexuality, not that ...).
Great doco that, and have you seen the one exclusively about Freddie - 'The Great Pretender'? I'm fascinated by people who climb to the top, regardless of the field - sports, science, music, whatever. You can say what you like about Freddie but he was superhumanly brave the way he was committed to extracting every last ounce of energy from his AIDS-wracked body to produce material for the band knowing he was close to the end. If that was me I'd be curled up in bed with my hot water bottle and the blinds drawn, sign on the door saying "No visitors".
And of course, their songs are very clever inasmuch as different lyrics can be applied to real life situations and news items. Every time I hear another tidbit about CheatsFC I find myself singing 'Hammer to Fall' ...
Oh ev'ry night and every day A little piece of you is falling away But lift your face the western way Build your muscles as your body decays yeah
Toe your line and play their game yeah Let the anaesthetic cover it all Till one day they call your name You know it's time for the Hammer To Fall
Said it before and I'll say it again - what an enigmatic side we are! More than a few players playing for their future and it showed.
Poor old Mick has been under siege somewhat, but I thought he scored a '9' today. Waite to the backline, Murphy swapping to and from the wing to break the tag, Tuohy under instructions to bomb a goal to break the line, Cotchin well held, Mitch showing much more composure.
Hopefully what we saw today was a sign that the players are starting to "get it". Still not perfect, but much, much better.
Is it true that our fans booed Murphy & Waite to such an extent that Waite flipped them the bird ??
Murph, Waite, and Hendo all received bronx cheers late in the game. I suspect Hendo's (after taking the mark) was more a result of the ball actually being delivered to him in an acceptable manner. Didn't see Waite flip our supporters the bird. If he did it could have been to anyone - he's an angry, angry young man.
Watched Murphy closely today given he's been copping it from all and sundry. What struck me most was his total lack of awareness and confidence when he's required to run the other way. No idea where to position himself and is usually caught betwixt and between - half heartedly running towards the opposition player with the ball but then seemingly changing his mind and peeling off to try and cover someone else downfield. He's outta sorts big time.
Do you know during the game I blurted out to my mate "Fkn Pagan he's killing this side" without even realising what I said!
There are certainly some similarities emerging. Seems to be an air of "dispiritedness" (if that's a word). Players lack confidence. Basic skills are shot. No noticeable game plan. Lots to be worried about.
Feel free to use EM as your avatar as well. Its one of the default options on the new site. I'm happy to change to something a bit more masculine... I'm sure I can dig out a pic of George Michael or Prince
