Re: VFL Rd 14: Northern Blues vs Geelong
Reply #33 –
There is one point that is a bit left field I would like to make about the game. In a lot of ways, there is more in yesterday's game for Carlton than Geelong. While Geelong won by 11 goals, their problems relate to their lack of run out of defence. They won so easily because of their mid-field dominance and big forwards, and they were too strong in close and ran too hard for the smaller and younger Northern Blues players. Their problem is Mackie, Enright and Bartels down back, all are very good to champion players. There was nothing in Geelong seconds to deal with this problems, so they are going to have to trade the likes of Vardy, Stanley and others to get half back flankers. At least with Carlton we have the likes of Curnow, McKay, Byrne Cunningham ahe can make a difference, while Buckley, Jaksch, Jones, Korcheck, Graham and Gowers could make a difference. That is one positive to take from the game.
I think you're right.
From early in the 2nd qtr to late in the last it was a pretty even contest. Jaksch loose in defence stopped some of the ease at which they were kicking goals - at one stage I thought it was the Casey game all over again only we didn't have a dominant mid yesterday like we did against Casey - Graham.
Curnow started the game at FF but the delivery to him was so seldom and so awful that he was given time on ball. From memory the only time Curnow had a chance was later in the game when Gowers shot a brilliant left footer to him that was lace out to a good lead. There were a few times when we actually looked good... chain of handpasses out of defence, good kicks to good leads but then it all fell apart on delivery to our forwards. Much like the seniors.
At least these passages of encouraging play gave us the impression that there is a game plan in place; a good game plan. We just aint got the folks to deliver it properly, yet. Our turnovers at times were unbelievable. Big Kreuz was sitting for a while near us and even he couldn't prevent the occasional groan at some of the horrible mistakes.
JEZA - I think I understand your confusion. The club has talked of him needing to be consistent to get a senior gig and on paper he's been just that (at VFL level). There must be another reason for him being on the nose that we're unaware of. Personally, I'd like to see him harder at the contest... seems a mark and kick dude who lacks physical flexibility and mental aggression.