I am looking for a decent outcome. But it will be interesting to see how we handle things.
Not happy!
The gap between us and the good sides is still huge, we need a massive draft/trade period at the end of the season.
Docherty would be further in front than Black Caviar in the B&F, he was outstanding again today.
Actually our back 6 is almost as good as any going around, but our midfield is thin and slow and our forward line non existent.
The gap between us and the good sides is still huge, we need a massive draft/trade period at the end of the season.
Docherty would be further in front than Black Caviar in the B&F, he was outstanding again today.
Actually our back 6 is almost as good as any going around, but our midfield is thin and slow and our forward line non existent.
I would agree with this.
When will they announce that Casboult's report has been withdrawn and Hartigan charged with acting?
That should have cost us a goal but for a poor kick and Hartigan deserves to be punished and others deterred from cheating.
The useless pr1ck made out he was mortally wounded after a glancing blow to his shoulder.
The gap between us and the good sides is still huge, we need a massive draft/trade period at the end of the season.
Docherty would be further in front than Black Caviar in the B&F, he was outstanding again today.
Actually our back 6 is almost as good as any going around, but our midfield is thin and slow and our forward line non existent.
Our back six are not as good as any going around because they cannot hit targets, and they are dragging Weitering down as each week goes by! We are turning Jacob Weitering into Jack Watts.
Our Mids get plenty of the ball, but most of them are panic merchants.
We have no natural forwards, we don't talk, we don't do the team things that make a forward line work. The biggest offender at the moment is Everitt, he's a liability because he takes opponents to the contest then hangs back leaving team-mates doing all the work. Three or four weeks running now he has played like he is 165cm not 195cm! Today I saw him take an opponent to the fall of the ball, then pull out leaving SOJ in his second game to deal with two opponents, Everitt needs to go! It's stuff like that which prevents Jaksch getting a game, it is not what they do it is what they don't do that counts!
I think 1AW might pull the pin this season, he is playing like he is looking for a highlight reel, he isn't doing the hard things like he use to do!
Our back six are not as good as any going around because they cannot hit targets, and they are dragging Weitering down as each week goes by! We are turning Jacob Weitering into Jack Watts.
I couldn't disagree more.
The only weak link is Rowe, who is good overhead defensively but his ball handling under pressure is suspect.
Plowman is improving steadily and looking like a 100 game player, Weitering will be very good and Docherty, Tuohy and Simpson are as good as any group of running backs in the AFL.
Not forgetting Ciaran Byrne, who has shown more in his handful of games than many top 20 draft picks ever do.
The biggest offender at the moment is Everitt, he's a liability because he takes opponents to the contest then hangs back leaving team-mates doing all the work.
We need to remember that this is Everitt's third club and that we got him cheap, he's never been a gun player and never will be.
I couldn't disagree more.
The only weak link is Rowe, who is good overhead defensively but his ball handling under pressure is suspect.
Plowman is improving steadily and looking like a 100 game player, Weitering will be very good and Docherty, Tuohy and Simpson are as good as any group of running backs in the AFL.
Not forgetting Ciaran Byrne, who has shown more in his handful of games than many top 20 draft picks ever do.
We need to remember that this is Everitt's third club and that we got him cheap, he's never been a gun player and never will be.
Very harsh on Rowe, he is the only player of height down there rest are 190-193 size, gets the best forward most weeks, though our running defenders show some quality , he is alone at his end most weeks. When we had a fit Jammo, he had experienced help, now Weitering , positive , but looks a little done in atm , Plowman, again serviceable and young , Simmo & 2e very good. Against teams like the crows with many tall forward option we / he will be up against it
The Bad
- Too many passengers - Walker, Everitt, Casboult, Sumner, Lamb, Thomas, SOS (partly excused because of his youth and abysmal delivery to the fwd line.
- We were terrible below our knees today, the number if times we fumbled trying to pick the ball up was ridiculous.
- Too many turnovers - we picked off Adelaide players at will, on two occasions, we kicked it straight to three Crows players.
- Kerridge, I have said before, is getting worse by the game.
- Gibbs may have had abit of the footy but they were the most useless possessions I have seen in a while.
- Krueser and Phillips had 4 marks between them. They were schooled today by Sauce.
The Good
- Army's first half
- SOS's first goal
Something has happened since we strung those wins together, either fatigue has caught up with our players or we have put the cue in the rack for the year (dont want to use the T word but...). I have seen two games live this year, this one and the Geelong game and there were two completely different teams/attitudes out there.
Oh well, just another bump in the road I guess. We were lucky with to come away with just a 10 goal loss, Adelaide were pretty terrible in parts. They should have well and truly reamed us.
Go Blues.
The gap between us and the good sides is still huge, we need a massive draft/trade period at the end of the season.
Docherty would be further in front than Black Caviar in the B&F, he was outstanding again today.
Actually our back 6 is almost as good as any going around, but our midfield is thin and slow and our forward line non existent.
Tick
I couldn't disagree more.
The only weak link is Rowe, who is good overhead defensively but his ball handling under pressure is suspect.
Plowman is improving steadily and looking like a 100 game player, Weitering will be very good and Docherty, Tuohy and Simpson are as good as any group of running backs in the AFL.
They are very ordinary ball users, they can miss a target 30m away by 15m, and do so regularly. Effort A, effectiveness and efficiency C-, today Adelaide scored several times when our defenders distributed the ball directly to the opposition despite not having any physical contact from an opponent.
We need to remember that this is Everitt's third club and that we got him cheap, he's never been a gun player and never will be.
He doesn't get cut slack for being an experienced three club player, he is expected to deliver more than a newbie but he regularly delivers less.
On the upside I only watched the first half. Took the young fella to his first league game today, so three generations of blues fans sat in a row. After a hotdog and a few cheers and boos it was a good time to go at half time.
Vast skill difference today. We worked hard at times to get the pill but poor execution means our disposals take a second longer to hit a target, if they make it. So we are constantly under pressure. I agree with other posts about our back six doing ok. Rowe is still a worry with the ball, but they are doing ok with some good rebound at times. But it stops with a weak midfield, so our attempts going forward are sloppy, more so with a static forward line. Kerridge and wright are stop gaps until they are displaced by better players. That's the hope anyway, but with the lack of depth there is not much pressure for spots right now.
Walker is just about done, as is everitt, whose contribution is so limited we are half a man down from the first bounce. Seems thomas got a calf injury too, so he is likely out for a while. Well done armfield, who found himself in the right places. It's a lesson in keeping mobile as a forward for then opportunities will come.
The gap between us and the good sides is still huge, we need a massive draft/trade period at the end of the season.
Docherty would be further in front than Black Caviar in the B&F, he was outstanding again today.
Actually our back 6 is almost as good as any going around, but our midfield is thin and slow and our forward line non existent.
Exactly.
But we all knew that right from the start.
We are half a season into a 3-4 year rebuild. Nobody thought we would win 6 games this season when the season started.
It won't get a whole lot better for a while either. We need to move another 12 or so players on and that can't be done in one hit.
SOS has got a hell of a load on his shoulders right now. So have the MC.
I hope they are all up to it.
I'm not too bothered by todays result. The way the Crows are going it could easily have been a lot worse.
Game went to script...Army gave us some highlights early and Jack got his first goal and then they took over...even though they only looked in second gear.
Good learning game though and the Crows forwards work hard to get into space better than any other team....good video to show our blokes how its done.
The Casboult as the only marking target plan has probably seen its last day and I'd expect Jones or Jaksch to be included next week.....Everitt and Walker are also done.
Always fun to watch Daniel Talia do well......first thought always go to Kane Lucas....I thought I had let it go but dont think I ever will... :(
No need to dwell on this game as its all part of the up and down journey and its onto the trade/draft period for us....
Turnovers, turnovers, turnovers......relentless turnovers.
Cannot believe we went into this game with the same forward line from last week. Cannot believe Bolton doesn't think another permanent tall forward is required......Liam Jones must be mighty pissed right about now.....
I'm not upset or bitter & twisted by todays result, I expected us to lose, they are a class above us all round.
I thought the 'measured' difference between the two teams was around 7-8 goals so for them to win by 10 says to me that they played a better game than expected. They did have a huge carrot to play for though, a huge jump up the ladder into 3rd place, they saw us as good cannon fodder and took the opportunity when it was presented.
For us, well it wasn't a pretty day at the office but as I've said all along, the win/loss ratio really means jack-crap this season, it's the onfield effort and development of the young players is all that matters.
Silvagni showed he has a future as long as he trains hard and maintains his work ethic. Weitering had a 'down' day but he has shown more than many a first-year player so he is excused from scorn tonight, he may be tiring from a long season though.
There were a few seasoned senior players who let us down today with poor foot skills and/or decision-making, others were just not sighted for the majority of the match. These players will be dispensed with as soon as suitable replacements are sought or retirement catches up with them, which ever comes first. I don't need to name names, I've listed them so many times previously that you should all be able to recite them from memory.
Entering season 2016, no-one expected us to win a game due to being wooden spooners last year plus going through such a large turnover of players. It came as a major shock to many that we snaffled six wins but facing up to serious finals contenders late in the season makes finding another win very difficult.
Games like today will happen occasionally for us in this development phase, it's how we learn from them which is the key. We just have to keep persisting and learning our craft, there may not be a lot of joy between now and the end of the season but realistically, we have exceeded all expectations already.
Bring on the off-season so we can offload 12-14 more players and bring in some classy big-bodied grunt mids and a couple more genuine key position players because that has to be the recruiting focus.
Interesting quote by Bolton:
"The Crows on turnover really hurt us, particularly in the second half," Blues coach Brendon Bolton said. "Overall they would have kicked 10 or 11 goals from turnover."
We lost by 10 goals, so it really hammers home where it was won and lost. Basically poor teams turnover the ball and good teams maintain possession - we don't have the class across the park yet.
The game may well have gone to script, but we look so far off the pace.....it has to be more than raising eyebrows. These past few weeks have shown me that Marc Murphy is clearly the most important player in this team & is in fact, more of a captain than a lot of us have ever given him credit for. We have been bordering on inept ever since he got injured.
.....and if I have to watch Kreuzer get absolutely schooled in the ruck YET AGAIN......it's gotten beyond a concern now, as his direct opponent YET AGAIN vies for B.O.G. honours, who YET AGAIN gives his team an armchair ride @ the centre clearances & who YET AGAIN also hurts us on the scoreboard. Is there a worse, more ineffective AFL ruckman right now? I don't think so.
Interesting quote by Bolton:
"The Crows on turnover really hurt us, particularly in the second half," Blues coach Brendon Bolton said. "Overall they would have kicked 10 or 11 goals from turnover."
We lost by 10 goals, so it really hammers home where it was won and lost. Basically poor teams turnover the ball and good teams maintain possession - we don't have the class across the park yet.
And a lot of them were abysmal turnovers too......especially late in the 2nd quarter. Just rubbish football......
Is it time we tried Kruezer as part time rucking onballer?
in the seconds
He doesn't get cut slack for being an experienced three club player, he is expected to deliver more than a newbie but he regularly delivers less.
I was only pointing out that we got Everiit from Sydney for a straight swap of our pick 32 for their pick 39, in other words for almost nothing.
He was only just turned 25 when he played his first game for Carlton and had no injury history to speak of, so obviously other clubs didn't rate him very highly.
He delivers about what could reasonably be expected, which is why he's no longer at Footscray or Sydney.
His best is better than average, his worst is terrible.
The game may well have gone to script, but we look so far off the pace.....it has to be more than raising eyebrows. These past few weeks have shown me that Marc Murphy is clearly the most important player in this team & is in fact, more of a captain than a lot of us have ever given him credit for. We have been bordering on inept ever since he got injured.
.....and if I have to watch Kreuzer get absolutely schooled in the ruck YET AGAIN......it's gotten beyond a concern now, as his direct opponent YET AGAIN vies for B.O.G. honours, who YET AGAIN gives his team an armchair ride @ the centre clearances & who YET AGAIN also hurts us on the scoreboard. Is there a worse, more ineffective AFL ruckman right now? I don't think so.
A game like that helps you make up your mind on players future's, some of our blokes didnt contest well enough and as you suggest we look a bit rudderless without Murphy with only Simpson and Rowe providing any real leadership...
Jacobs like Talia continues to bite us on the Ar$e and I have also made the point about Kruezer's recent lack of impact on games compared to his opponents...Hickey, Grundy and now Jacobs have had nearly BOG's vs us in recent games and the club need to look at another ruckman like Tom Downie from GWS to partner Philips for the future..
Interesting quote by Bolton:
"The Crows on turnover really hurt us, particularly in the second half," Blues coach Brendon Bolton said. "Overall they would have kicked 10 or 11 goals from turnover."
We lost by 10 goals, so it really hammers home where it was won and lost. Basically poor teams turnover the ball and good teams maintain possession - we don't have the class across the park yet.
When we had a great run for 7 games our disposal and ball movement was really good. Problem is often attitude.
59-51 inside 50s but 30-15 scoring shots. Need to play another key forward to help Levi.
59-51 inside 50s but 30-15 scoring shots. Need to play another key forward to help Levi.
I have no doubt the coaches know this, which is why I raised the big T question.
A game like that helps you make up your mind on players future's, some of our blokes didnt contest well enough and as you suggest we look a bit rudderless without Murphy with only Simpson and Rowe providing any real leadership...
Jacobs like Talia continues to bite us on the Ar$e and I have also made the point about Kruezer's recent lack of impact on games compared to his opponents...Hickey, Grundy and now Jacobs have had nearly BOG's vs us in recent games and the club need to look at another ruckman like Tom Downie from GWS to partner Philips for the future..
Our problem with our ruckmen is they are no good when they have to share. That's because they are no good when they are not on the ball. Go back a few weeks when Kreuzer was the lone ruckman, he was a different player. He was considered a hero in our wins. Brilliant in our win against the Pies, a hero against port, and outstanding against Geelong with 11 tackles. Bring Phillips back to share duties and our ruck division turns to crap. The difference between Kreuzer the lone ruckman and the one who shares ruck duties are light years apart. We know how to get the best out of Kreuzer and Casboult, our best ruck combination, but we don't go down that path. We prefer to travel the path of failure at match committee level. Good teams play to their strengths. We did when we won 6 games from 7 but now we are back to playing to our weaknesses like early in the year when we couldn't kick a goal to save ourselves. What part of that simple equation doesn't the club get.
Like I said I mostly blame the selection committee.
59-51 inside 50s but 30-15 scoring shots. Need to play another key forward to help Levi.
Levi needs to find some form in the VFL, 7 touches, 3 frees and a 50m conceded are woeful numbers and it's the second time in a fortnight, in fact he's only reached double figure possessions once in his last 6 games.
There comes a time.
59-51 inside 50s but 30-15 scoring shots. Need to play another key forward to help Levi.
Yes, Jaksch in, Phillips out. Drop Everitt and Walker and bring in a couple of runners.
59-51 inside 50s but 30-15 scoring shots. Need to play another key forward to help Levi.
And we did there for a while until Bolton, in his 'wisdom', decided to drop him for no apparent reason......
Levi needs to find some form in the VFL, 7 touches, 3 frees and a 50m conceded are woeful numbers and it's the second time in a fortnight, in fact he's only reached double figure possessions once in his last 6 games.
There comes a time.
No, he needs help up forward. He cannot be expected to be the one key forward against an entire defence in a crappy team. That would get most down except the very best, especially one who came off an injury that was supposed to keep him out for much of the year. If you drop him then you still have one key forward one out against the opposition defence. Would do nothing. Play two of them then you spread the defence and it allows Casboult to get up the ground and get his hands on it as it comes out of defence taking a defender with him. He's a confidence player. If he gets his hands on the ball early he generally plays pretty well. Right now we are doing our best to kill his confidence.
When did we start winning games and hitting the scoreboard this year, when we played one ruckman and a second key forward.
And we did there for a while until Bolton, in his 'wisdom', decided to drop him for no apparent reason......
Yes, decided one key forward and two rucks was the way to go again, you know, the structure we had the first 4 games of the year when 7 goals was hard work.
The gap between us and the good sides is still huge, we need a massive draft/trade period at the end of the season.
Docherty would be further in front than Black Caviar in the B&F, he was outstanding again today.
Actually our back 6 is almost as good as any going around, but our midfield is thin and slow and our forward line non existent.
Very clear on today's performance just how far behind we still are.
However, as Blue4life noted, our back 6 held up very well in circumstances that some other cubs would not have. Perhaps we could do with another strong body, or maybe some run and pace (Ciaran Byrne), but our defence really did a job on their direct opponents.
That there was almost no pressure in the midfield or in the forward line is another issue entirely.
Very clear on today's performance just how far behind we still are.
However, as Blue4life noted, our back 6 held up very well in circumstances that some other cubs would not have. Perhaps we could do with another strong body, or maybe some run and pace (Ciaran Byrne), but our defence really did a job on their direct opponents.
That there was almost no pressure in the midfield or in the forward line is another issue entirely.
Agree with B4L on that point for sure.
Yes, decided one key forward and two rucks was the way to go again, you know, the structure we had the first 4 games of the year when 7 goals was hard work.
Even if you play 2 rucks you still need 2 key forwards minimum.
Even if you play 2 rucks you still need 2 key forwards minimum.
Agree, always must play 2 key forwards without fail.
It was evident to me today that the blokes we have making up the numbers are just making up the numbers. Sumner, Thomas, Lamb, Walker, Everitt, Kerridge and, to a lesser extent, Plowman don't do enough and that places far to much pressure Gibbs, Cripps, Simpson, Docherty, Rowe and Weitering.
I watched Kreuzer closely today and I can't believe how people are underestimating his contribution and importance to the team. Kreuzer was bashing and crashing, laying tackles and creating opportunities for his team mates will Jacobs was sloping off down the ground looking for an easy possession. Apart from his three gaols (one of which was a charity), Kreuzer and Phillips neutralised Jacobs and Jenkins was a non-event in the ruck. However, both Kreuzer and Phillips are being played out of position as part time key forwards and that's where their game drops away. We really need sort out a ruck/forward combination that doesn't involve resting a ruckman in a key forward role.
That brings me to Casboult. He worked his butt off today for little reward. The defence was able to double team him with ease and the delivery was poor. We desperately need to play another key forward that is a genuine marking target and will demand a quality tall defender. We desperately need a quality small forward too but I imagine SOS's shopping list is quite full already.
The umpiring today was incredibly hard to follow. While the tallies were pretty close, Adelaide's free kicks routinely changed the course of the play and gifted them goals. Not that it would have changed the result but we should have been a couple of goals clear at half time.
Armfield was great early and pretty good throughout the game. If he hadn't inexplicably passed twice he could have had six goals for the game.
On the bright side, at least we got to talk finals for one week...lol!
Prefer to be able to do that once than not at all. Just shows how much can change in just a few weeks. That's both the few weeks before round 11 and the few weeks after round 11. They say it's a long time in politics, it's also a long time in football.
DJC, being at the ground could you determine what role Everitt and Walker played today (I don't count SOJ in this)... what role are they playing in the forward set up? Why were they constantly out of position when the ball was worked forward? Where was Lamb in the set up, isn't he supposed to be the specialist deck level option?
IMO opinion I'd play a larger marking tall (Jaksch or Jones) to provide a focal point because neither of the above are supplying a consistent marking target, deck level ball winning ability or pressure on the ball carrier exiting defence. Personally I'd play Jaksch because he runs at the ball carrier.
I realise he hasn't been setting the world on fire but Boekhorst might give us a point of difference as well in the forward half.
Agree, always must play 2 key forwards without fail.
Strangely enough Hawthorn seem to manage with only one, and calling Gunston a key forward at 193cm and 85kg is a bit of a stretch.
That said, I'd have Gunston on his own ahead of Casboult and Jones as a pair all day every day.
I'd say that Everitt is a certainty to be dropped after antihero gutless performance. Except I said the same thing last week and he still got a game.
Walker is gone. Skills, workrate, game awareness - all gone. Deserves his 200 but the pin needs to be pulled.
I'd like to see how Sumner goes after a proper pre-season, same with Plowman. Yeah Sumner drops in and out of the game but he does put in effort.
Far too many times I watched a mid - Curnow, Gibbs - just hack it forward even though they must have known that there was no one there but Adelaide players. On the other hand, they always seems to have the time to lower their eyes.
Sign up Army for another 12 months. The guy is an inspiration, even if his brain fades are frustrating.
Strangely enough Hawthorn seem to manage with only one, and calling Gunston a key forward at 193cm and 85kg is a bit of a stretch.
That said, I'd have Gunston on his own ahead of Casboult and Jones as a pair all day every day.
Probably not worth much, but this is Hawthorn's officially listed forward line for this round :
HF
Luke Breust, Kaiden Brand, Jack Gunston
F
James Sicily, Ben McEvoy, Paul Puopolo
Walker is gone. Skills, workrate, game awareness - all gone. Deserves his 200 but the pin needs to be pulled.
^^^ This.....
....hopefully soon as Curnow/McKay are ready, I'd expect Walker to get the 'tap on the shoulder' & that'd be it for him. Period.
Strangely enough Hawthorn seem to manage with only one, and calling Gunston a key forward at 193cm and 85kg is a bit of a stretch.
That said, I'd have Gunston on his own ahead of Casboult and Jones as a pair all day every day.
Gunston, O'Brian, Sicily + 2 ruckmen
Strangely enough Hawthorn seem to manage with only one, and calling Gunston a key forward at 193cm and 85kg is a bit of a stretch.
That said, I'd have Gunston on his own ahead of Casboult and Jones as a pair all day every day.
Not all sides are as brilliant as Hawthorn and we don't know how much it will cost them in September with Roughhead, although Sicily and O'Brien have stood up pretty well. In their premiership years that had Buddy and Roughy, Roughy and Hale, who did play the dual roles well, and last year, Roughy and Shoenmakers, who had a great year, with help from Hale. The Bulldogs a few years ago used to manage on none but were found out in the bigger finals.
When you're not Hawthorn then one isn't enough, unless you wish to compare us to Hawthorn....lol.
We've kicked a grand tally of 7 goals total in a past 3 second halves combined.....awesome.
Yes, Jaksch in, Phillips out. Drop Everitt and Walker and bring in a couple of runners.
I'd have Jaksch and Jones both in along with Gowers and one of Buckley or Boekhorst...
I'd have Jaksch and Jones both in along with Gowers and one of Buckley or Boekhorst...
Might have to. Levi might get a holiday as I think he has been fined twice already.
DJC, being at the ground could you determine what role Everitt and Walker played today (I don't count SOJ in this)... what role are they playing in the forward set up? Why were they constantly out of position when the ball was worked forward? Where was Lamb in the set up, isn't he supposed to be the specialist deck level option?
IMO opinion I'd play a larger marking tall (Jaksch or Jones) to provide a focal point because neither of the above are supplying a consistent marking target, deck level ball winning ability or pressure on the ball carrier exiting defence. Personally I'd play Jaksch because he runs at the ball carrier.
I realise he hasn't been setting the world on fire but Boekhorst might give us a point of difference as well in the forward half.
Everitt played on the wing for most of the game. He ran with MacKay for quite a bit and had a few stints in forward line. All of his possessions were collected between back pocket and just outside the forward 50.
Walker spent a bit of time on the wing too but played mainly as a forward. At times he was playing as the second key forward but mainly as the third tall. He made good position a couple of times but was generally swamped by defenders.
Lamb was around and about but doesn't seem to be able to hit the contest as the ball comes to ground. He seems to get into space occasionally but doesn't do a lot.
I'd bring in Jones and Jaksch with the latter as a swingman. Gowers would be at halfback and Boekhorst would be wing/half forward. Out would go Lamb, Sumner, Everitt and Thomas. Weitering might be better for a spell too.
As mentioned on the radio call, we started each qtr in fine style then faded away. You'd have to think that when others work so hard to get it forward and it comes back with interest that effort will wane (sometimes that is due to poor disposal and sometimes because we just aint got the cattle).
And here's the dilemma, focus on the future or winning as they do appear to be two different directions in some regards? Clearly we do better with two tall forwards as evidenced when Jones was running around with Levi... it took some pressure off Levi and gave the defence something else to think about, and Jones did hit the scoreboard. BUT, perhaps the club has decided that Jones and Jaksch won't be at PP next year so why invest game time into them... preferable to get time into Charlie and Harry when ready. Kreuzer and Phillips don't do very much when resting forward. Who knows what the MCs reason is for not giving either Jones or Jaksch a call up. Like the seniors those two also have to contend with pretty ordinary disposal from up field.
And what about Thomas, Walker and Everitt? For different reasons each was a liability today. Who replaces those three?
Lamb and Sumner were patchy today (though both do look like being very good for our future) with the lack of a pre season taking its toll.
And Kerridge needs loads of work on his disposal... it has become just about normal place now that when he's involved in the play we expect fumbles and below parr disposal skills to be displayed.
Fortunately most supporters can see the vast improvement in endeavour and that there really does seem to be a game plan/strategy in place, it's just that our 'bottom 6' in any given game are just so off the pace and dragging others down with them.
Yep, early days in the rebuild and another big culling has to take place at season's end.
Sumner is not good enough and will take Tutts place as a back up player in 2017.
I don't mind Lamb but dont see him as that potent small forward but goes ok.
Thomas and Walker look like they're on their last legs...
Everitt is a decent footsoldier but is horrible when not in form
We all love the Cas but like Everitt just woeful when out of form.
Kerridge is hard at it and I admire his style of play but ball handling and skills not at AFL standard.
Big Sauce took Kreuzer to the cleaners.. Kreuzer really should have won that battle but got out rucked and goals kicked on him.. just not good enough.
Sumner is not good enough and will take Tutts place as a back up player in 2017.
I don't mind Lamb but dont see him as that potent small forward but goes ok.
Sumner is OK and is a certainty baring injury.
Lamb was a liability today.
What they both need is more quality around them, get some hard, fast bodies around them and blokes who can pull the trigger on time and they will both go up a level.
Sumner is a banana...
Sumner is a banana...
Sumner, like Plowman, will be most valuable with a proper pre-season.
Getting a little worried our premiership hopes are fading. ;D
Getting a little worried our premiership hopes are fading. ;D
:))
Just back from the G. First game I have seen live this year due to ill health and work. Had a great vantage point and I had a good hard look at our group.
Top 4 team playing a BOTTOM 4 team.....Cannot believe the game has changed so much. You can waffle on about forwards as much as you like but the game now is basically a rolling scrum played inside half a ground and when the ball is in won its a major sprint to get clear up forward...
Observations -
Backline was a positive; considering our midfields lack of pressure I believe they can hold their heads up. Simmo is unbelievable.
Midfield tried but was overrun by more skill and BIGGER bodies. Thought Cripps tried hard and Curnow was his usual self. MK tried his arse off and cannot have people bagging him. Gibbs, not to sure today.
Forward line is not really a forward line as they don't set up that way. Levi tried hard but wasnt really a day for forwards!!!! Armfield great effort.
Going forward -
Glad I'm not the coach.
Need a class Ruckman...
Need a couple of line breaking midfielders who can spot a target
Goodbye Mr Everett....surely that was it today
Silvani will be great, some of his efforts today wow.
Not all doom and gloom, we have a great coach with limited cattle.......need SOS to go hard again with the draft and trade. Reckon we will turn over another 10 or so next year.
56 now and 1995 is starting to fade, be
Endeavour - thought the team tried hard all day
Skill - excruciating, particularly when it needed to be good
This is the best thing that could've happened to us.
Makes the hard but right list management decisions SOS and Bolts have to make so much easier, separates the men from the boys, and doesn't tempt us to overestimate our list ala 2004 after an unexpected 10 win season.
Hoping to see kids like C. Curnow, Jacksh, Gowers, DVR, Cunningham and McKay in the last few months of the season.
Would rather expose them to AFL than persist with never weres and has beens like Everritt, Walker and Levi
Just back from the G. First game I have seen live this year due to ill health and work. Had a great vantage point and I had a good hard look at our group.
Top 4 team playing a BOTTOM 4 team.....Cannot believe the game has changed so much. You can waffle on about forwards as much as you like but the game now is basically a rolling scrum played inside half a ground and when the ball is in won its a major sprint to get clear up forward...
Observations -
Backline was a positive; considering our midfields lack of pressure I believe they can hold their heads up. Simmo is unbelievable.
Midfield tried but was overrun by more skill and BIGGER bodies. Thought Cripps tried hard and Curnow was his usual self. MK tried his arse off and cannot have people bagging him. Gibbs, not to sure today.
Forward line is not really a forward line as they don't set up that way. Levi tried hard but wasnt really a day for forwards!!!! Armfield great effort.
Going forward -
Glad I'm not the coach.
Need a class Ruckman...
Need a couple of line breaking midfielders who can spot a target
Goodbye Mr Everett....surely that was it today
Silvani will be great, some of his efforts today wow.
Not all doom and gloom, we have a great coach with limited cattle.......need SOS to go hard again with the draft and trade. Reckon we will turn over another 10 or so next year.
56 now and 1995 is starting to fade, be
Went tall last year so next we have to load up on midfielders.
This is the best thing that could've happened to us.
Makes the hard but right list management decisions SOS and Bolts have to make so much easier, separates the men from the boys, and doesn't tempt us to overestimate our list ala 2004 after an unexpected 10 win season.
We are ok against sides our standard or lower but this big 6 week stretch of really hard games will give us a chance weekly to see our weaknesses unfold before us.
We are still 3 or 4 drafts away from having a list that can get us to the very top. I fear there will be significantly more pain for us in the next 2 seasons.
The ruck and midfield are where we go missing way, way too often.
To focus on the forward line is the easy cheap cop out.
Best forward line in the comp would be crap# when the get the 4th rate delivery that our mids deliver.
The I50 count means jack when we're so so slow to get it in there then target the Bolt who has 2 or 3 hanging off him.
Bad coaching and poor team selections - makes life hard.
I'm not upset or bitter & twisted by todays result, I expected us to lose, they are a class above us all round.
I thought the 'measured' difference between the two teams was around 7-8 goals so for them to win by 10 says to me that they played a better game than expected. They did have a huge carrot to play for though, a huge jump up the ladder into 3rd place, they saw us as good cannon fodder and took the opportunity when it was presented.
For us, well it wasn't a pretty day at the office but as I've said all along, the win/loss ratio really means jack-crap this season, it's the onfield effort and development of the young players is all that matters.
Silvagni showed he has a future as long as he trains hard and maintains his work ethic. Weitering had a 'down' day but he has shown more than many a first-year player so he is excused from scorn tonight, he may be tiring from a long season though.
There were a few seasoned senior players who let us down today with poor foot skills and/or decision-making, others were just not sighted for the majority of the match. These players will be dispensed with as soon as suitable replacements are sought or retirement catches up with them, which ever comes first. I don't need to name names, I've listed them so many times previously that you should all be able to recite them from memory.
Entering season 2016, no-one expected us to win a game due to being wooden spooners last year plus going through such a large turnover of players. It came as a major shock to many that we snaffled six wins but facing up to serious finals contenders late in the season makes finding another win very difficult.
Games like today will happen occasionally for us in this development phase, it's how we learn from them which is the key. We just have to keep persisting and learning our craft, there may not be a lot of joy between now and the end of the season but realistically, we have exceeded all expectations already.
Bring on the off-season so we can offload 12-14 more players and bring in some classy big-bodied grunt mids and a couple more genuine key position players because that has to be the recruiting focus.
Precisely...
Went to the game.
We held our own for a half and then outclassed as you'd expect given our respective positions. I agree with many that our backs were OK. Weiters might need a rest. Docherty, Simmo, 2e were solid against a tough outfit. Plowman is developing well.
When our mids aren't given great service (although effort looks high and I think Phillips athleticism will serve him as he develops), and their efficiency subsequently lags, and so it goes on to the "forwards". We really will struggle to score. Levi worked his butt off and did all that could be expected from his class. Dre, Thomas (injured), and Walker looked underdone, as did Lamb at times.
Cripps, Curnow, and Gibbs were solid. Will be better with some hardened speed added to the mix per SOS ingenuity.
Jack and Sumner gave good effort. Looking forward to both in coming years.
Loved watching young Jack slot his first. Army was at his best again, his celebrations are so much fun. Hopefully this inspires the young guys.
In all, this is keeping it real for a club in rebuild mode.
I too am looking forward to seeing some forward structure, which will take time. Hopefully the remaining rounds will see others given a chance, and some game time together for the draftees and guns.
Go Blues.
Went to the game.
We held our own for a half and then outclassed as you'd expect given our respective positions. I agree with many that our backs were OK. Weiters might need a rest. Docherty, Simmo, 2e were solid against a tough outfit. Plowman is developing well.
When our mids aren't given great service (although effort looks high and I think Phillips athleticism will serve him as he develops), and their efficiency subsequently lags, and so it goes on to the "forwards". We really will struggle to score. Levi worked his butt off and did all that could be expected from his class. Dre, Thomas (injured), and Walker looked underdone, as did Lamb at times.
Cripps, Curnow, and Gibbs were solid. Will be better with some hardened speed added to the mix per SOS ingenuity.
Jack and Sumner gave good effort. Looking forward to both in coming years.
Loved watching young Jack slot his first. Army was at his best again, his celebrations are so much fun. Hopefully this inspires the young guys.
In all, this is keeping it real for a club in rebuild mode.
I too am looking forward to seeing some forward structure, which will take time. Hopefully the remaining rounds will see others given a chance, and some game time together for the draftees and guns.
Go Blues.
A voice of reason.
I think in his media conference following the game this BB comment said it all... "We're relying on too few to get the job done at the moment."
Just back from the G. First game I have seen live this year due to ill health and work. Had a great vantage point and I had a good hard look at our group.
Top 4 team playing a BOTTOM 4 team.....Cannot believe the game has changed so much. You can waffle on about forwards as much as you like but the game now is basically a rolling scrum played inside half a ground and when the ball is in won its a major sprint to get clear up forward...
Observations -
Backline was a positive; considering our midfields lack of pressure I believe they can hold their heads up. Simmo is unbelievable.
Midfield tried but was overrun by more skill and BIGGER bodies. Thought Cripps tried hard and Curnow was his usual self. MK tried his arse off and cannot have people bagging him. Gibbs, not to sure today.
Forward line is not really a forward line as they don't set up that way. Levi tried hard but wasnt really a day for forwards!!!! Armfield great effort.
Going forward -
Glad I'm not the coach.
Need a class Ruckman...
Need a couple of line breaking midfielders who can spot a target
Goodbye Mr Everett....surely that was it today
Silvani will be great, some of his efforts today wow.
Not all doom and gloom, we have a great coach with limited cattle.......need SOS to go hard again with the draft and trade. Reckon we will turn over another 10 or so next year.
56 now and 1995 is starting to fade, be
Well put , you are right it is a running scrum these days , not a fan either, look like a bunch of buffalo running over the plains. Few positional players , lots of inbetweeners & pretend mids. No wonder we have no natural goal kickers. Bunch of "Jack of all trades " and masters of none . I realise we are the first year of a rebuild etc , but what about the year its self? I know it will sound like " Back in my day rant " but the football in the 80's was good, 90's sped it up , had the attributes that made our game great & distinctive , great high marking, running , positions, with flair. Then the 00's came , zones of this and every description , change this , change that mould every player so they can play 20 possies , we lost so many skills we dont see any more. Pheeew needed that , several have said in the various threads , about being a forward in our set up would be a tough ask, and so right. Can see another major shake up late this year , but please lets get players for roles to balance the team , not a bunch of multi taskers like we have now in abundance.
I think in his media conference following the game this BB comment said it all... "We're relying on too few to get the job done at the moment."
Code for "Plenty of list changes to come for next year".
Attended the game, froze to death and had to move to the ground level to get out of the weather - getting too old for sitting out in the cold wind and rain these days!
No real surprises, the game and result went pretty much to expectations and have been covered already on here with depth of analysis. We must now be patient as the rest of the year plays out and the final sheep/goat sorting is done prior to trade/draft periods. Hopefully we can spike up for a couple of more wins along the way but we are seeing pretty much what you get with the team atm. I'll be going to the WCE game where my mate thinks we may have a look in - we'll see.
Enjoyed seeing Army kick his goals and of course Jack getting his.
Noticed Eddie and Sauce being very very friendly with Bryce at the end of the match, wonder if they're on a recruiter's spotting fee? ;)
Code for "Plenty of list changes to come for next year".
Yup!
Well put , you are right it is a running scrum these days , not a fan either, look like a bunch of buffalo running over the plains. Few positional players , lots of inbetweeners & pretend mids. No wonder we have no natural goal kickers. Bunch of "Jack of all trades " and masters of none . I realise we are the first year of a rebuild etc , but what about the year its self? I know it will sound like " Back in my day rant " but the football in the 80's was good, 90's sped it up , had the attributes that made our game great & distinctive , great high marking, running , positions, with flair. Then the 00's came , zones of this and every description , change this , change that mould every player so they can play 20 possies , we lost so many skills we dont see any more. Pheeew needed that , several have said in the various threads , about being a forward in our set up would be a tough ask, and so right. Can see another major shake up late this year , but please lets get players for roles to balance the team , not a bunch of multi taskers like we have now in abundance.
It always looks like a Juniors game where the Ump has to keep telling everyone, "Come on boys spread out now"
Teams with fast hands in close quarters look good.
Yes Blue P so much prefer the positional game , I bet there are many oterhs that feel the same, well had my rant for the day lol
No surprises - Levi banned for 1 week :
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-07-11/casboult-banned-for-stomach-strike-lycett-fined
No surprises - Levi banned for 1 week :
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-07-11/casboult-banned-for-stomach-strike-lycett-fined
Blessing in disguise.....forces BB's hand into bringing in another forward option(s)
I actually thought Levi slapped his arm then the Hollywood acting took over. ::)
I actually thought Levi slapped his arm then the Hollywood acting took over. ::)
Looked like a glancing blow to me. What puzzled me though is why the 50m was paid. Levi didn't infringe on the bloke with the ball, it was off the ball if you like, does the 50m still apply after the report?
Looked like a glancing blow to me. What puzzled me though is why the 50m was paid. Levi didn't infringe on the bloke with the ball, it was off the ball if you like, does the 50m still apply after the report?
As I understand a report is automatically a 50m under the current rules, if is wasn't paid 50m it would be a mistake.
As I understand a report is automatically a 50m under the current rules, if is wasn't paid 50m it would be a mistake.
Cheers LP, they got it right then, my bad.
Was at the game so here is my 2 cents on a few players:
Simpson: Must re sign this guy for 2 years contract. Only true leader we have - should be captain IMO. Was going off at defenders and half forwards not coming up the ground enough. Love seeing a player who plays for the jumper.
Kruezer: B grade ruckman at best ability wise, but tries his heart out so big pass for me. His ground work pressure, tackling and 1%ers are first rate. Our mids need his big frame in the contest and i think he would be sorely missed if we didn't have him
Gibbs: How do you get over 30 touches yet be one of our worst players - Heard on the radio after the game he went at just over 30% efficiency! Amount of time he kicks the ball forward without looking is amazing. Must have been over 10 times he kicked directly to the opposition hacking it forward.
Plowman: Really knows how to defend under pressure - Positions himself perfectly when the ball is coming in high and he is one on one. Watches the ball not just his opponent. Great long term trade.
As others have noted defence is looking quite sound dont mind the ruck set up with Kruezer and Phillips but mids lack outside run and forwards are non existent.
Was at the game so here is my 2 cents on a few players:
Simpson: Must re sign this guy for 2 years contract. Only true leader we have - should be captain IMO. Was going off at defenders and half forwards not coming up the ground enough. Love seeing a player who plays for the jumper.
Kruezer: B grade ruckman at best ability wise, but tries his heart out so big pass for me. His ground work pressure, tackling and 1%ers are first rate. Our mids need his big frame in the contest and i think he would be sorely missed if we didn't have him
Gibbs: How do you get over 30 touches yet be one of our worst players - Heard on the radio after the game he went at just over 30% efficiency! Amount of time he kicks the ball forward without looking is amazing. Must have been over 10 times he kicked directly to the opposition hacking it forward.
Plowman: Really knows how to defend under pressure - Positions himself perfectly when the ball is coming in high and he is one on one. Watches the ball not just his opponent. Great long term trade.
As others have noted defence is looking quite sound dont mind the ruck set up with Kruezer and Phillips but mids lack outside run and forwards are non existent.
BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG.
I said that about Gibbs in my review also, the most useless 30 odd possessions I have ever seen.
Rowe is also now watching the ball more than what he used to. Agreed, back 6 look good (although Weiters had one he'd like to forget) but there is only so much they can do when the errors and poor efforts occur up the ground far too often. Basic skill error and effort type stuff. How many goals from turnovers? 10 or something? The number of times we fumbled the ball trying to pick it up off the ground and then lost it was ridiculous on Sunday. Anyway, this week is another week, who knows what can happen?
Go Blues
BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG.
I said that about Gibbs in my review also, the most useless 30 odd possessions I have ever seen.
Rowe is also now watching the ball more than what he used to. Agreed, back 6 look good (although Weiters had one he'd like to forget) but there is only so much they can do when the errors and poor efforts occur up the ground far too often. Basic skill error and effort type stuff. How many goals from turnovers? 10 or something? The number of times we fumbled the ball trying to pick it up off the ground and then lost it was ridiculous on Sunday. Anyway, this week is another week, who knows what can happen?
Go Blues
One of the major culprits IMO is Kerridge. Even when he gets clean possession his delivery is not that great and he rarely hurts the opposition. He may appear to be working hard but he's relatively ineffective . Put that together with Gibbs' efforts then add in Everitt and Walker and you begin to see the problems. There are other weak links too I might add!