After all the teeth gnashing and great fury from the less intelligent posters on here some things need to be considered. The following events happened yesterday that influenced the result, none of which were ratt's fault
Collins making numerous errors, ok we picked him but thats the extent of the selectors fault.
Simpson's on the full - simple skill error that cost us
Garlett playing on, we wouldn't be discussing this if he had have settled after marking
JR stepping over the line kicking in
Laidler (I think) stepping out of bounds while kicking
Hampson and Henderson underperforming, despite numerous opportunities they didn't step up
Inaccurate kicking early.

The only thing you can really complain about is using the sub so late, despite how badly we played we still didn't lose.

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Between our dreams and actions lies this world

KK, what about allowing Fletcher to play completely unaccountable football for the first half? And also kicking directly towards him.
Agree though, we made some shocking errors while they barely made any.

Fletcher played a very good game. Essendon* make it difficult to make him accountable. He is very football intellegent and the game has changed in a way that favours him.

The only problem i have with Ratts is that he seems to have put a team together that has too many unreliable players in the team.

Your argument is flawed and the mistakes made by players on the field are not mutually exclusive with the coaching. Good sides minimise those mistakes with a well drilled gameplan where all players have belief in it and each other. Watch Essendon* play and see how they know exactly what to do as soon as they win possession. 4 years under Ratten and nobody has been able to articulate what our structures are. 4 weeks under Hird and most media can explain the difference since last year

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If I want your opinion, I'll give it to you!

Club, you just have to stay with him (tag if you like), like Maxwell, right from the start. It`s a no brainer. Too many times he didn`t have an opponent.

Then you lose a player from your zone. Then he goes and stands in the corridor or leading the tagger in the way of Waite. He starts messing with our forward attacks.
He is a top notch player. Reads the play beautifully and has reach and a long kick.

I agree what we tried on him didnt work. THat may have something to do with two talls on our forward line not giving anything at all and the dons applying pressure and rushing our kicks inside fifty.

Surely the appalling foot skills going in to the F50 have to be allocated somewhat to the coaching staff? That first quarter was abominable - one kick out of how many I50 entries, lets say 10, actually went to the advantage of our forwards?

.........?


kindest regards tommi

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that'siti'mnotchangingthistagain......!

I wish people would realize its not winning/losing/drawing. I expected to win yesterday but even if we had have won from what i saw I would have not walked away happy (except for beating Essendon*). The reason is because I think we should be top 6 at least - but that means we have to start playing 4 quarters of ruthless/balanced football. We never seem to get it all right. The defense was much better this week. The attack was woeful for the same reasons (I think) as last week and against Richmond. Wrong selections.

For me this year is about how we can become better. If we don't Ratts will be sacked. I'd actually rather he made it cos I loved Ratts as a player. I'd love to seem him hold the cup aloft.
He must make improvements in this team and I think that means his selections must improve. His and the whole selection committee. For his sake, he must. Carlton will be around next year and, if Essendon* is anything to go by, a change in coach will not set us back any time at all. But I'd like Ratts to make it. So he must bite the bullet:

I think Hampson is not working - but I see that with Cas out perhaps we have no other alternatives - still if it ain't working don't keep it the same and do it harder - change it.
Maybe Waite can relieve Warnock for a few minutes each quarter, Maybe Hendo, Maybe Bower - I do not know I just know Hampson is not working.

Betts has struggled. How many weeks do we allow him to struggle? Why not try someone else? Must we have some players who play regardless of form? Is that smart? And for how long?

Is Carrots instructed not to run past? Can you have that instruction? Must we accept his kicking or is it time to bite the bullet? Do we wait a year or two?

Are we an in and under player short? Ellard?

A runner short - Armfield?

Not worried about Hendo - first game back but 2 of those in a row and surely he'd have to get dropped to get his fitness/touch back.

Was really pleased with White so can Watson play as a marking target? Can White? He seemed to make a difference when he went forward for a time yesterday (if he did go forward, I thought he did but it may have been the sun in my eyes ) .

Who else can we try?

I want to see improvement. I expect it this year. We all do. But I am seeing the same tendency of this club to just keep going on the same way.

I hope the axe falls on 3/4 players - I hope those players then go back and show they have the right stuff

I just am sick of a forward line out of whack.

I think this list is so close it ain't funny but we must still get everything right. Are we doing that? Are those injuries just hurting us too much?

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This type of slight is alien in the more cultured part of the world - Walsh. Its up there with mad dogs, Englishmen and the midday sun!

this thread?

I doubt sitting on the sidelines that Ratts is in any sort of position to call positional moves or game day tactics he appears to be doing a mentoring role to me

I would say someone in the box is making most of the calls
Seeing the Tv only ever zooms into Ratts on the bench it would be interesting to see who is controlling the match day

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If you allow the Government to change the Laws in an emergency
They will create an Emergency to change the Laws

Excellent point my man.

and this too..




everybody's talking 'bout dissin ratts,hatin ratts, sakcin' ratts, down on ratts.....
all bg's sayin.....
is give Ratts a chance. (bloody wait til the end of year will yas???)

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That’s not a political statement — it’s a harsh reality, and we must act,” she said. “He is a clear and present danger to the things that keep us strong and free. I support impeachment.”

I blame him (and Riley) for the way our midfield spreads like dry treacle. The flow on effect from that is enormous. Look what happened up forward when the midfield actually got into gear and spread: goal fest.

Look what happens when there's a stoppage and it comes back more towards tactical instruction: congested nightmare, with a ruck tap straight down that everyone's looking for.

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29 different attributes,
And only 7 that you like;
20 ways to see the world,
Or 20 ways to start a fight.

Ratts about to be interviewed on 3AW.

Would appreciate it if anyone can provide a summary. I've heard he was 'happy' with the draw.

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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."

Didn't seem that way in the press conference, which you can watch on afl.com.au

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29 different attributes,
And only 7 that you like;
20 ways to see the world,
Or 20 ways to start a fight.

Some points he made:
Happy with performance.
Players review his performance- Gibbs and Murphy stood in front of playing group and pointed out what they like and don`t like about his coaching.
Happy with Gibbs` development.
Said Waite went back too far but that`s what they practice at training to slow the play down and gain composure.
Said he got too pumped up against main rivals and is trying to keep a more even approach for every game.(but then said his emotions were running high yesterday)
Spoke with Duigan after Coll` game and said he responded really well.
Excited by Yarran.

great interview!!!
most interesting thing he said was..the midfield group appraised him,and the feedback was given by Gibbs and Murphy.
What they like..don't like..what could be better..what is crap etc.
Ratts said everybody gets appraised, and everyone can do better.
That is how they will grow and challenge themselves as a group.
They told him another time that he was too tense before big rival games, and he changed his behaviour.
He was happy with the defence group.
especially Duigan, who he had personally challenged after Collingwood.
He loved White's game..and Jammo.
He brought the sub on late because Warnock had an injury worry, and they weren't sure what would happen there..also..no too early so they could keep the advantage with 3 rotating on bench.
Praised Essendon*'s grit and determination.

Had the feeling they have bonded well as a group and coach.

ps. Jimmae...other teams are only putting their tough players right in the mid...and using players like our Murph/Gibbs to spread wide and go.
I heard Dermie addressing this last week.
it is being talked about a fair bit, and you'd reckon we will pick it up pretty soon???

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That’s not a political statement — it’s a harsh reality, and we must act,” she said. “He is a clear and present danger to the things that keep us strong and free. I support impeachment.”

I'd love to know the context of that statement because on face value it looks ridiculous.

credit to Ratts and the MC for sticking with Duigan

Makes sense and explains why hampson was used in most of the centre bounces in the 4th. Seems the coaches have more information than some know it alls on talkback and this site.