Re: AFL Rd 9 2023 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Western Bulldogs
Reply #94 –
Perplexed. Confused. But perhaps there is a method in all this madness/oddness.
The mixed messages coming out of the club require clarification with the members and supporters. We're not mugs, you know. And FFS get the players on the same page and only give a gig to those who are.
And we played the first half like a club mired in mixed messages, or messages too complex to comprehend and implement.
Benefit of the doubt: I wonder if there is a concerted effort to alter culture, which is painfully slow and the process is still confusing some and some just aren't up to it. But there seems to be a mentality to persist with this process until we get it right more often than not. We tend to finish years poorly, maybe we're focussed on turning that around and not start the season with all guns blazing? Hence a greater focus on building... whatever the cost - long view.
MC: Okay, clowns, time to ease in some better forward line footy IQ, and future talent. Corey Durdin needs serious Magoo time. Replacement? A couple I can think of. Ed should be the Skipper of the Magoos, no more senior footy. (Carroll/Binns/Kemp perhaps even Fogarty as well need senior footy exposure). Seeing as how finals are no longer a priority, get the best out of our future... now.
I hear the CEO thinks we're top heavy. Agree. But... 4 of our talls are out of form, either in the contest or disposal/shots on goal wise. Weiters and H chief among them: between the lugholes. TDK is out of the side and probably has a between the lugholes issue as well. And Young is lacking confidence: again, between the lugholes.
Acres: WTF... you're a senior player, your kicking disposal is a liability under pressure. Get with the program... more instinct, less thinking. Ditto, Crippa.
Authority: Too many of our blokes lack authority in their disposal. For an example of what to do, watch Cottrell and Owies... instinctual, quick decisions and extreme effort. Great example was Cottrell getting the aggott at HF and looking for the best option (no skies balls - kick and hope!), immediately passed to Owies (who makes very good position) - goal. These two blokes are both dangerous when they get the bag of air. Newman also has instinct and authority, as do Doc, Charles... even Cerra, Kennedy, McGovern, Walsh, Acres, Pitto, JSOS, Cincotta & Saad display boldness and authority with the way they go about it.
Leadership/Discipline: Weiters and Cripps concern me. Leadership is not only about trying to set an example, it's much more. We're seeing far more and better leadership from Doc, Newman, Walsh, Cottrell, JSOS and Owies. The goal should be to have a team of leaders... every player accepting and displaying commitment and ownership of their game and their vital part in the process, and sacrificing self if needed to help (demand from) others that very same commitment and ownership.
Effort can't be questioned but every possession and disposal should be valued and held as a premium... that will lead to efficiency, and that will feed confidence/scoreboard pressure.