bluechampion wrote:
It reminded me of the Sydney game, actually, in that we played open, expansive footy early and looked good doing it. We scored heavily and the only reason the Hawks didn't is because they missed some easy shots at goal (which the Swans didn't - they didn't miss). Then, as the game progressed, it tightened up and the more physically mature team was able to work their way into the ascendancy by locking it in their half of the ground for long periods.
Unlike the Swans game, we fought it out better yesterday.
But in a game of small margins, there were a few moments that stood out:
Murphy missing everything when he snapped at goal late.
O'Brien not taking the time to have a proper shot at goal from deep in the pocket.
Walsh missing on the run after he intercepted the pass in defence.
SPS hand-balling back to Newman only for Wingard to intercept.
Two bad attempts to switch: In the 2nd (?) Jones took a mark on the half-back line and quickly switched to Weitering back in the goal-square, but there was no-one to switch to. Weitering got called to play on and went long down the line to a Hawks intercept. The other one where Jones got called to play on (because there was nothing happening up-field) and was harassed off his kick. Jones played well otherwise.
We bombed it long out of defence a lot late, but we barely took a contested mark all day.
We bombed it into attack late, but we barely took a contested mark all day.
We dominated when we ran the ball, but we ran out of run as the game went on.
Given where our team is at and the evenness of the contest and the competition, you need everything to go right to win the close-ones. Losing three players doesn't help. The umpiring 50/50s going against you doesn't help.
I'm frustrated by the loss, but realistic. We played very well early - as well as I can recall us playing. We're not the real deal yet, but it's exciting to see the team play and see what they could be.
I've pretty well stuck up for Murph over his career but that kick was absolute garbage (might have been 3rd quarter). He could have steadied things as the hawks were coming.
Could say a lot of things here but 2 quick comments ...
Must learn to never ever lose when 6 goals up (sh@t ourselves)
Once we learn the above we must learn how to come back if/when we find ourselves 6 goals down
and remember he missed a sitter in the gold coast game when he dribbled a shocker at a bunch of players in the goal squre - could have won it for us then also.