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Messages - ElwoodBlues1

1
The Sports Desk / Re: God help me - the Test Cricket thread
Quote from: Gointocarlton – on
Quote from: ElwoodBlues1 – on

In Test cricket you defend the good balls and score off the bad balls, in the shorter formats you are trying to score off every delivery.
The above is really the guts of it right ?
Yep....problem is players get paid more to try and score off every ball under the guise of entertainment and a lot of punters want fast food cricket in the time poor world of modern living. Test cricket is becoming more of a novelty and some countries are prioritising short format cricket ie Sth Africa because they cant get local sponsors for the long game but can get Indian IPL owners to invest in the SA short format game so they can keep feeding players to the IPL.
England prioritised white ball cricket in New Zealand rather than having a proper warmup schedule in Australia and paid the price for a lack of preparation here for the Ashes.
2
The Sports Desk / Re: God help me - the Test Cricket thread
Quote from: Gointocarlton – on
As a person who know SFA about cricket, I have always wondered why a T20 or One Day Style of go the tonk is never applied in Test cricket. Or why players who are guns (bowling and batting) in the short forms are no good in the longer form. I guess the English team demonstrated it but I still cant work out the "differences" in skill set. Can the aficionados (Proff or EB) provide some simple dot points for me explaining or pin pointing the nuances (apart from the obvious length of the games) of Test and Short form Cricket.
In Test cricket you defend the good balls and score off the bad balls, in the shorter formats you are trying to score off every delivery. So Test cricket requires batsman to have good technique to defend the good deliveries unlike short format cricket where you can be a park cross batted slogger and still have success. Leaving a good ball is seen as a skill in Test cricket but a sin in the shorter formats, Australian batsman in the old days would spend some time playing County cricket or Lancashire League cricket as Professionals to tighten their techniques against the moving ball. There seems less of that these days as the County system employs less overseas professionals and is also favouring the shorter formats where the money is important. The wickets being produced for the different formats are also different with the shorter formats requiring flatter even bounced pitches with no movement" while ideal test matches start off with greeners strips initially that flatten out then turn later and help the spinners so every facet of the game is on display unlike the shorter formats where batting holds sway through the contest. The Sheffield Shield system in Australia has produced well coached players with good technique over the years and this is where the English have fallen behind in their love of the shorter format money spinning formats imho which of course are all in part connected to the IPL where players who do well in their countries domestic short format comps get picked up by Indian IPL teams.
Of course some players can play across the different formats with success but when a wicket favours the bowlers these days you quickly see who the real test players are. eg David Warner made the move from the short format game to test cricket and had success everywhere but in England where technique is king, but on the green seaming wickets he failed miserably.
Unfortunately the game is dominated by money now at all levels and pitches favouring bowlers are frowned upon and curators made accountable if games end early and the wicket requires serious technique and grit to survive on.
Bazball is an example of where short format cricket meets test cricket and vs mug nations its had success playing the style what your initial question alluded too but has failed vs the better schooled test nations like Australia and India who still teach solid technique at a young age.
Good technique is... solid basics like a balanced stance, head over the ball, and precise footwork(forward and back) with crucial mental attributes: patience, temperament, and the ability to concentrate for long periods to tire bowlers and build big scores.
3
Blah-Blah Bar / Re: Shawny’s concerns about Victorian and Australian Governments
From Jillian Segal's Envoy report:
2.1 From October 2023 to September 2024, antisemitic incidents surged by 316%, with over 2,000 cases reported – threats, assaults, vandalism and intimidation. In October and November 2023 alone, episodes increased over 700% compared to the previous year, reflecting incitement by those with extremist views and misinformation in the media and online. These figures exclude much of the hate online, where antisemitism has exploded. Notable incidents include the firebombing of Melbourne’s Adass Israel Synagogue, firebombing of a childcare centre adjacent to a Synagogue and school, firebombing of cars in residential areas and the repeated targeting with graffiti of Jewish schools and places of worship. In February 2025, ASIO Director General Mike Burgess declared antisemitism Australia’s leading threat to life.

Clearly the Government, ASIO, the AFP have had the information but Albanese has refused to act and protect Jewish citizens in this country.Think I read that 70% of Jews in Australia vote Liberal which isnt unexpected and thats probably going to spiral upwards after recent events. Its been clear that the ALP and the Greens are anti Israel and pro Palestinian, so Albanese has been in no hurry to act until now of course when under the media and world spotlight. 50% of Jews left Nazi Germany pre war so it will be interesting to see if we get a significant exit from Australia now its unsafe for them. 
4
Blah-Blah Bar / Re: Shawny’s concerns about Victorian and Australian Governments
Quote from: Lods – on
Sussan Ley is embarrassing with some of her appearances in recent days.
 ::)


Not as embarrassing as Albanese, Wong and Burke. The only polly with any credibility has been Chris Minns from NSW imo.
Minns has been prepared to break ALP ranks and call for a Royal Commission along with the Federal Opposition and has been able to negotiate support from NSW opposition leader Kellie Sloane for security and gun control reforms. Albanese and crew have been too busy avoiding responsibility and are more interested in deflecting criticism, accountability and trying to shore up votes by making token disingenuous appearances which have been met with the appropriate response from the Jewish community who can see through them like a sheet of ultra clear glass.
5
The Sports Desk / Re: God help me - the Test Cricket thread
Quote from: dodge – on
Swepdon, if you want a leggies, Rocciocelli (sp) WA is having an excellent shield session.

England batting properly except for their horrible get out shots when they ran out of patience looked much more threatening than the first two tests.

AUS team for boxing day - In: Smith, Neser, Murphy. Out: Inglis (for Smith), Cummins (rested), Lyon (inj).  Green lucky - too many changes, Usman lucky - boys club means he survives instead of Ingliss.  Unlucky again - Webster.
Agree on the Ins and the reasoning.
I reckon Bethell will come into the top 6 for England and they may rest Carse for one of Potts or Fisher who are both more traditional county line and length seam bowlers. McCullum has two years to run on his contract at decent money so it's going to be an expensive decision to sack him.
I'd expect a more likely outcome to be that he develops bazball version 2 which will be a throttle back from what we have seen over the past couple of years.
Plenty of criticism back in England about the lack of county cricket played by the incumbent test players who play a lot of white ball cricket but don't turn out for the longer game either by choice or by fixturing of short format tournaments either home or overseas. Darren Lehmann who coaches Northants says he hasn't seen a selector or key personnel at any of their games or had a phone call about any of his players.
McCullum has been running his own boys club and I reckon that's going to change when England return home..
6
Blah-Blah Bar / Re: Shawny’s concerns about Victorian and Australian Governments
Quote from: DJC – on
The bottom line is that the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant, the former Minister of Defense of Israel, alleging responsibility for the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts during the Gaza war.  Even in war there are lines that aren't crossed by civilised countries or their leaders. 

A subsequent UN Commission of Inquiry called for genocide charges to be added to the warrant after finding the Israeli government guilty of multiple violations of the 1948 Genocide Convention.

The ICC also issued an arrest warrant for Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif but it was later learned that he had been killed in an Israeli airstrike.

Just as all Jews aren't Zionists or Israelis, very few Palestinians are Hamas.  Israel's Palestinian genocide is a disproportionate response to Hamas terrorism.
That's no excuse to bring their wars to Australia.Last time I checked Bondi beach wasnt connected to the Gaza strip.
Same with these pro Palestinian demonstrations where Australian Flags are burnt and ISIS flags are flown, it's got nothing to do with Australia and we are not a battleground for religious holy wars.
Albanese by his own admission hasn't done enough, sat on his Envoys report for 5 months and now we are having to look over our shoulder every time we shop at Westfield or Myer during the Christmas period. NSW police now want Rifles so they have more firepower...too little , too late from Albo and now our once safe country is  a war zone.
7
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: List Building - More than one way to skin a cat
Quote from: Lods – on
So when he started we were 16th
From memory SOS took care of the 2019 draft so 2020 is probably his.

2020 11th
2021 13th
2022 9th
2023 5th-prelim
2024 injury hit and still finished 8th
2025-all the drama in the world and still finished 11th

That's terrible list management...building a prelim side.
He should be sacked.
People have short memories ::)  ::)

The last two years have actually been backwards for obvious (to most) reasons.
So we do need and have a change in emphasis, we need to cover some losses and get back on track....but by no means a major rebuild.


Stkilda made the eight in 2020 and 2023 and no one would call them successful.
Your idea of success is setting the bar very low. Supporters are being conditioned to accept mediocrity, finishing 11th would have triggered a Navy Blue Royal Commission back in the glory days but like the Saints making the eight for us is to be celebrated like a premiership now unfortunately. In fact Stkilda tried the same tactics as us this past draft/trade period when in 2019 they brought in Howard, Butler,Jones, Ryder and Hill as readymade players and as we know with limited success, triggering a fresh rebuild. A similar outcome for us wouldn't surprise...
8
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: List Building - More than one way to skin a cat
Quote from: Lods – on
That's one of the problems I see.
Folks are living in the past...and tarring the current list management, which is a work in progress, on past failures.
What we've done for the last twenty five years has little bearing on what we've done in the last two years.
If you look at our list at the start of 2024 we had the KPP's nailed down and good ruck stocks.
We set about filling the gaps.
Priorities would have turned to better ball users and a bit of pace.
But then injuries and other issues hit us hard, offers came for our KPPs, season ending injuries happened, mental health issues and player divisions fractured the list.

Have a look at the side we, as a  forum, picked at the beginning of the year.
Then look at what happened to it in terms of games played.
Then tell me if even half those things didn't occur we would have still finished 11th.
The list management hasn't been as bad as some people think.
The luck and other issues have been worse than most people realise.




Nick Austin has been at the club for six years, remind me when we started rebuilding?
You want Austin and crew judged on the last two years only?, so I would presume that initial rebuild has been declared a failure and we are starting again given you say we are a work in progress?
9
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: List Building - More than one way to skin a cat
Quote from: Lods – on
Seriously. ::)
Kruddler makes some valid arguments that on the face of things may make many people question the club list management direction.

But to suggest that  he does so without the full resources, effort and background knowledge that the club possesses isn't lazy...it's a fact.

I think the problem is that in presenting a lot of information contrary to the club's direction it is also presented as a 'fact' rather than an opinion.

I'm truly sorry if the 'club knows a little more' about the draftees' hits a nerve. It's just something I happen to believe...and yes it may not always end in a desired outcome, but that doesn't mean multiple options haven't been explored. It's like an iceberg...we only see the tip and the final result.


Not always is a stretch of the truth, try " never", 20-30 years of failure tells the story of a club who failed to embrace the draft from day one and whose list management strategies have been ineffective for the majority of the time.
Krud like any other supporter is vindicated in being skeptical of any List Management decisions and at least provides detail and background to his theories rather than the clubs lack of accountability hidden under a Navy Blue blur of PR and spin. How does having access to more resources give the List Management at the club any credibility when clearly the results dont back up that implication? and in fact having more access to greater resources only makes their performance even more questionable over the journey.
11
The Sports Desk / Re: God help me - the Test Cricket thread
Quote from: LP – on
I see England's constant complaining has managed to influence the 3rd Umpire and sway the benefit of the doubt in their favour, Boland and Carey unlucky not to have Root's wicket in the 10th over, or ripped off from another perspective.

It's a bit like watching a Geelong or Hawthorn football game!
re Root: That ball hit the ground imo and was the right decision,batsman has to get the benefit of any doubt.
 Carey himself should have been out yesterday but the technology got it wrong but its all part of the game and generally the decisions even out over the series.
12
The Sports Desk / Re: God help me - the Test Cricket thread
Quote from: Professer E – on
Green is the most over rated, over hyped player in memory
Tend to agree, talked about as a future captain but is struggling to maintain his place in the team. No doubt got talent but doesnt deliver often enough to warrant the automatic selection status he seems to hold.
Has managed to find his way into the senior player inner sanctum where once you are in and connected its very hard to lose your place in the team/squad. 
13
Blah-Blah Bar / Re: Shawny’s concerns about Victorian and Australian Governments
Quote from: Thryleon – on
Quote from: Gointocarlton – on
Once again the inevitable happens thanks to our weak as piss namby pamby in denial governments. When asked a pointed question by a report last night, Albo fill his shorts. Pathetic.

I havent been following.  Whats happened now?

Was it in relation to the Bondi thing?

I think we need to treat those situations a little differently.  Activism, violence, and potential co-ordination between extremists groups.  Hard to pin this on a local government for anything here.


Governments have been pandering to protesters/activists and allowing a underlying anti semitic tone to develop in the community.
States and the Federal Government have been weak in cracking down on this political unrest between these opposing factions, its got nothing to do with Australian Politics and those pursuing their agendas through terrorism need dealing with more severely and made an example of to deter future attacks. Albanese needs to stop making policy to get re-elected and start protecting the community and make the country secure from these nutcase radicals bringing their politics and problems to Australia.
14
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: Pick our team in parts - Part 4 - 5 on the bench
Quote from: DJC – on
Quote from: ElwoodBlues1 – on
Brisbane get away with Morris at FF because they have a red hot midfield delivering dimes.
We have a history of trying to cheat with non specialist players in key roles but always avoid fixing the underlying problems.
Cripps, Walsh, Hewett,Acres, Ollie etc will still be doing the majority of the delivering so nothing will change.
Haywood will find the ball lobbed on his head like Charlie did and same with Harry.
HOK is a good colt and will have his moments but as Freo have found out with the talented Luke Jackson, playing him forward as a tall forward works best as a shock tactic not as a regular event.
Hampson and Kruezer are a reminder of trying to cheat ending in disaster.

You've not watched the training sessions and seen how our ball movement is very different and quite precise?  Florent, Smith, Ison, Byrne, Hayward, Chesser, etc rarely miss a target and it's apparent that sharpening our kicking skills has been a major off-season focus.

Skull has always played as a key forward/ruck in the VFL.  His 10.6 from 9 games last season helped propel him into the seniors and his 3.4 from his three games was a decent return.  Time will tell if he is to emulate Paul Salmon, Charlie Dixon, Sam Darcy, Riley Thilthorpe and other ruckmen who succeeded as key forwards.
Training and the VFL are a lot different to senior footy when the pressure is on.
Those players you mentioned are not in the same parish as what Morris has giving him the ball. Three of them haven't played a game and you failed to address the issue of our main midfield group still doing the majority of the work including delivery. I'd expect Ison, Byrne and Chesser to start in the VFL and Voss to stick with his experienced players initially given the reality that he is coaching for his future.
15
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: Pick our team in parts - Part 4 - 5 on the bench
Brisbane get away with Morris at FF because they have a red hot midfield delivering dimes.
We have a history of trying to cheat with non specialist players in key roles but always avoid fixing the underlying problems.
Cripps, Walsh, Hewett,Acres, Ollie etc will still be doing the majority of the delivering so nothing will change.
Haywood will find the ball lobbed on his head like Charlie did and same with Harry.
HOK is a good colt and will have his moments but as Freo have found out with the talented Luke Jackson, playing him forward as a tall forward works best as a shock tactic not as a regular event.
Hampson and Kruezer are a reminder of trying to cheat ending in disaster.