True BR,

Last nights game certainly made Richmond and Carlton look more like making the 8 than StKilda and Geelong. God what an awful game.

_________________
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit"
- Aristotle

So Ryan, how much money did you lose on Thursday night?

_________________
Premierships: 1869, 1871, 1873, 1874, 1875, 1877, 1887, 1906, 1907, 1908, 1914, 1915, 1938, 1945, 1947, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1987, 1995.

"GIBBS."

Can't simulate playing flankers/ruckman in key positions over the pre-season. Our key players need fitness.

Structure comes with Jamo, Bower/Watson, Kreuzer, Henderson and Waite available to choose from in our spine. All of a sudden Robbo's long bombs become contested by big men and the amigos can play there role, Jamo keeps Jack to 3-4 goals by playing tight

We had our whole spine missing but our effort was certainly not spineless given we won in the last quarter with i player down, 3 tired interchange, 15 point defecit and our reputation on the line.

Cometh the hour
Cometh the man.

Good for us it wasn't just the man JUDD, but a host of supporting cast like Curnow, Armfield, Murphy, Scotland, Simpson, Gibbs, Robinson, Warnock and even Hampson (who reminded me of Paul Salmon with those long leads and height no one could match).

Great effort team. Great comeback. Thanks for the 4 pts...and the relief.

Having looked at that 3rd Q again, I just can't see a lack of effort, and I could see a heap of luck for Richmond and an amazing lift from the Tigers across the board. The pill was all of the sudden slippery and we didn't adapt quick enough. We just couldn't hold that slippery footy; that's all it really was imo...and maybe...probably... we took the foot off the pedal too.

Great first game for Duigan. I thought he was strong, head over the ball and ran well; breaking the lines and creating a goal being the highlight (of things to come). Laidler was quicker than I had anticipated, and his defensive work was very good (one exception) and his kicking...wow. Lastly Curnow. Just as I expected. Fantastic. Covered heaps of ground. We've discovered a gem.

IMO if Robinson and Curnow keep that work rate up they are going to keep out McLean Ellard and Joseph from what I saw.

AS soon as the rain started in the 3rd, that's when the wheels fell off in the 3rd. But we regrouped; thank god for 3 qtr time breaks to halt the onslaught. Why couldn't our on field leaders do something to quell the onslaught? Says something about our onfield leadership, or we were too buggered or something like that?

We'll get better for the outing; no doubt

My only criticism was bombing the ball into the forwardline, especially after Waite was down and no Hendo, and the issue I had that there was no ruckmen presenting either. That would not work against the Saints or Cats, so we have to find another way to goal. Betttts and Garlett should not be flying for the ball and getting crunched in packs; they are the crumbers. Walker has to learn that his goals come from being on the run. He should lead more, run more, present more and he has the engine to cover more ground and work his opponent over. I hope some one tells him that.

Everyone had the bloody yips in front of goal. It wasn't just Hampson. It was Warnock, Judd, Murphy, Waite, Walker, Simmo....I really hope Simmo finds his kicking boot of 4 years back, because he's lost that side of his game. He's not kicking with confidence imo. But the reality is that Waite Walker and Hampson are not reliable kicks at goal, and the way we are set up at the moment, they are going to be having a few shots at goal from hard work done upfield. They have to stop wasting opportunities. Tex needs to put his head down and bum up and stop showing off and trying to be 'da man' with his attitude (kick it high to me, me ...me) and his flying for MoY.

Well done to White, but as I stated before the game, White is not the right match up for Jack R, and the only one available to match him for size was Watson, and Setanta was next in line for size, but he was injured too. Watson hasn't a got preseason under his belt, but seems to be doing fine amongst the big boys, and Jack had an interupted preseason. That was the match up for Jack imo.
Sorry but TBird was lost a lot, and lagged a bit, but I was rapt that when he was heading sideways (like the Saints and Cats do but don't get criticised), at the last second he'd straighten up and kick down the guts. I don't know if that's the right choice, but I know that's what supporters and critics of TBird want to see. So what does that say about the way Cats and Saints play? I'm at a loss as to whatTbird has to do to win admirers. I think his days are over, because he has been maligned by the MC.

Like Stamos, I wasn't impressed with Scotto's first 3 Q's. He's a favourit of mine, but I thought he was coasting a bit, and then in the last showed everyone what he can bring to the table, and usually does.

Lucas is very rusty, and not the same kid I saw last year when he was running really well and the ball was sticking. Needs to find touch and get on with his natural god given ability. Carrazzo looked a bit underdone too. I too am in favour of Carrazzo being a ball hunter in the midfield rather than plating the link man. He has the strength the size and the experience to help out Robinson, Curnow in the guts. He is not a great kick, so why play that role of play maker?

Waite's brain snap with the kick.....what an idiot. What does this guy think he is? Suspend him for the Suns game so we can get rid of his carry over points and teach him a lesson for trying to test the Review Panel's patience. Prized flower...and no longer my favourite player...although still in my top 5....when he's behaving himself.

I really like the way Gibbs was allowed to play outside role, and be given the room to use his footy skills; great move.
Armfield's pace just goes to show everyone how important pace is in the modern game....Garlett and Betts showed us a different pace and those 2 were great contributors. I know some say Garlett was a bit quiet, but I reckon some of his leads were not honored, but at least he was presenting, and his pressure on the ball carrier, like Betts is uncanny and he kicks goals when we really need them.

Overall a good result, and hopefully we learned a lot about our list, our gaps, our depth and got rid of the cobwebs.

We have a lot to look forward to with the return of Bower next week along with Henderson (if Waite's rubbed out), Jamison the week after, , along with the much anticipated return of Kreuuuuuuzer, Watson may also break into the teamand of course the class of Houlihan...and McLean and Ellard pressuring Curnow, Robinson and Carrazzo for their spot in the team.

But most of all we fought back for the 4 points.....against the ferals.

Thank god the footy's back.

_________________
Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Again fell asleep watching this crap StKilda dish up!
I was under the impression "genius Lyon" was going to make them more attacking!!!
The only thing that makes me happy is that they are gooonnnneeeee......and footy will be better for it.

TL; DR......except for this bit:



HELL YES!

_________________
And so while others miserably pledge themselves to the pursuit of ambition and brief power, I will be stretched out in the shade, singing.

Kaptain Kouta....I know you are artistic, creative and hip: and I'm not.

So tell me what does "TL; DR" mean?

Tel lim he's dreamnin.....perhaps?

_________________
Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Really, really, really, really salient post. IMO POW

_________________
1945 - End of round 3 Carlton was last.

Last round Carlton made the final four for the first time.

Eventual premiers.

That's what I'm talking about!

After watching last nights game, our game , our preseason games and collingwood and st kilda last year i get the impression that long bombing into the forward line is tactic that goes hand in hand with the forward press. Gone are the days of clearing out the fifty leaving space for the full forward.
I am seeing a lot more of the attacking team players inside their own fifty. 50's are more congested than ever. I reckon the idea is to not get out marked. Anything else is a win for the attacking side. A forward mark = shot at goal. A crumbing shot on goal if possible if it hits the ground. A stoppage with the press in place or congestion that makes it near impossible for the opposition to clear on their terms.
In my opinion this is the plan. Walker going for screamers is more Walker making sure the op dont mark it. Same with betts.
In the third quarter the tigers got more players back to our last player to makes sure they won the ball. Our press was lame and our effort to stop them on the way out was about 10% less than the first half and last quarter. We also lost loads of contested ball leaving our inexperienced defence open.

I do agree that when we forced a turn over and had the tigers on the break with an open forward line we didnt us the ball well and often made the wrong decisions by foot or players lead to where loose players were. We need to get on top of that.

Last nights game as well as our game also showed that it is very hard to keep up the press and zones for 4 quarters. THis will open up a lot of games and shows that the 3 interchange rule could be a winner.

Too Long; Didn't Read

_________________
WADA medical director Dr Alan Vernec describes Essendon* FC drug case as biggest scandal in team sport the world of sport has seen. #WC2WB

#GUILTY

I was watching last nights game and was thinking the same thing. Richmond will surprise a few sides this year and have some good kids. Lets face it the game should been over at quarter time had we kicked straight. Why is it that everyone loves to kick the boots into Carlton? I dont get it.

WE'RE GONE! WE'RE JUST GONE! Oooh, shadow. Oooh, envy.

Wrong club...

Mitch Robinson had a good game but gee alot of his disposals are rubbish. Love his hit en hard style of grunt work but needs to polish up his kicking if he is ever going to be a star of the game.

_________________
You heard it here first!

Robbo would've been suited to the game as it was 30 years ago. Before rule changes and "Saints footy" came along and destroyed everything.

_________________
WADA medical director Dr Alan Vernec describes Essendon* FC drug case as biggest scandal in team sport the world of sport has seen. #WC2WB

#GUILTY

just imagine if you didnt have your spine , how hard it would be to walk around - let alone win a game of footy

_________________
*(grow - fun - gah)

Yeah but whatabout your whataboutism.

If you watch the game again a lot of Mitch's bad kicks are because he has not had the space, mainly due to winning his own ball and getting it out of danger. Granted he needs to lower his eyes when kicking inside 50.

_________________
Koperek.

Everyone had their bombing moments...it seemed to be our plan...??

_________________
The problem will be made. for the solution to be sold, to your face before your eyes, tolerance is now the new danger

and when we did bomb it in long our smalls went up as well as Hampson!

_________________
Koperek.

Not sure if this has been posted anywhere but this is something guys like Bartlett may have missed

Our Back 6 at the start of play

Duigan - 0 games
Laidler - 2
White - 6
Yarran - 22 as forward
+
Thornton - 161
Russell 93

So thats 4 guys with a total of 8 games as AFL defenders. And the 1st time those 4 have played together in an AFL game infront of 60,000 fans

Puts it into a bit more perspective I think.

Regards Cazzesman

_________________
Ricky Gervais - “Everyone has the right to hold whatever beliefs they want. And everyone else has the right to find those beliefs f***ing ridiculous.”

Ive changed my tune a bit since Thursday night.
I think we underestimate just how much we were dominating that game for 3.5 out of 4 qtrs.
I was very impressed with Curnow.. just makes the McLean trade hurt even more knowing we couldve added a valuable first rounder to throw into the mix.

Areas we NEED to improve to ensure we arent once again a bubble team:
* goal kicking- its patently obvious that many of our forwards have absolutely no confidence when they line up for goal
* decision making- this comes from the coaching staff. Repetitive game simulation drills need to be ramped up- still too many players pick the wrong option with the ball.
* lack of talk: This was most prevalent when we have a 2-1 advantage, both of our men would go up for a contest leaving nobody on the ground for the crumb.

Love the look of Laidler. Seems a very steady hand in defence..