Ratts has really had an outstanding first year as coach, couldn't have expected any more from him.

The sailor man has been very quite also. Must be hard bagging the coach after every loss and then having to shut up after every win.

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Between our dreams and actions lies this world

Too true Kerna!

I can see why some are frustrated by Ratts. That's fair enough. But they aren't very even-handed about it which is where I have the problem. For instance, bag the guy when we lose by all means... but when we win, then I reckon a few of them need to acknowledge that Ratts has had a pretty good game. And on here this year I have seen Woosha and Malthouse held up as paragons of good coaching... but Ratts has a 3-0 record against those guys. No doubt Ratts has made some mistakes and is learning. But he clearly got it right at selection on Thursday night, and he clearly got his match ups spot on yesterday (Sedat acknowledged only 2 Bulldogs winners on the day), so those with the knives out for Ratts should also be prepared to admit that he got it right on the field yesterday. They probably won't of course...

Im not quiet... he listened to me...

his over possession game is crap!!!.. we won the game attacking them... and Kreuzer kicks goals of hes allowed to ...


If we bring the ball up slowly the defensive half of the opposition is chockers...

We didnt give them that opportunity.... and they dont really play like that....

So we attacked and we were direct and we won!!!

If we go back to an over possession game against the Crows we will fall into their hands.....

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So Synners...

the fact that ratts listened to you and played the game you wanted... you'd have to admit that he coached pretty well yesterday then?

Geelong rack up more possessions than any other team I care to remember - admittedly they are better users of the ball but maybe thats an experience thingy

As far as I can tell Geelong have developed a game plan designed to beat the flood/zoning.

They basically handball around drawing in opposition players closer and closer to the ball until they burst the ball quickly over the congested area and into space.

Needs a lot of skill and balls of steel though.

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Maybe you have forgotten the full speed ahead approach taken by pagan last year Synbad?

We were all out attack last year and couldnt stem the tide when the ball came back the other way and therefore proceeded to have 100 + pts scored against us for nearly an AFL record number of times.

Sure Ratten has designed a game plan that is higher in possession but it was in response to the constant floggings prior to him becoming coach.

We havent been flogged once this year and have been in matches right to the end in almost every game, I think his decision to make this game plan change is absolutely on the money.

How this may adapt moving forward depends on a lot of things, like player and ball movement improvement, but he has stopped the rot and given the boys a belief in themselves to always fight to the finish rather than see a 37 pt deficit as a time to put up shutters.

Ratts will no doubt fine tune the possession game plan over time to get a better balance of attack and defence but surely given where we were to where we are is reason enough to smile.

Credit where credit is due Synners

Oh no you don't. Not away from me anyway. Not gunna say it. You know what I mean

Drop Stevo. Ha. Good one.

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"You will always miss 100% of the shots you don't take"- Michael Jordan

Good question dannyboy.

Consistency will make him great. And finishing his career at the Blues won't hurt either.

Just on Ratts & co's coaching yesterday & so far, IMO, what I saw yesterday was as good a structure from the team on field as any I've seen this year.

Our defensive structures were excellent, set well & adhered to by the players. If you do this in the back half as good as we did yesterday, it causes the opposition to either try going wide to a contest or run it through the middle, which the Bullies are no slouches at either, but you need pace in the midfield to stop/catch them, which we had yesterday & we did not let up.

Then the offensve setup needs to be in place to benefit from the turn overs resulting from the defensive pressure & yesterday from what I saw, it was.

For all of the above it still needs the right players in the right place at the right time & that job is completely up to Ratts & co. They have to know where to put their "cattle". From what I have seen in the past few weeks, it appears to me they are quickly learning this & revelling in the fact that we are starting to have our "cattle" up to speed & in form.

Seems Ratts & co are starting to fine tune their roles/jobs & learning at a rate that would match the kids' progression so far.

For mine, an outstanding coaching job yesterday & so far this season.

8.5 out of ten.

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"You will always miss 100% of the shots you don't take"- Michael Jordan

I actually think two things here.

1) We have a better team just by having JKudd in the midfield
Pagan didnt have Stevens
This allows Murphy more freedom along with Murph being one year older...
GIBBS!!!

Secondly.... eerybody is a year older... so youre going to have a better side anyway.....

But over possession hasnt won us any games.. in fact each time we have done it weve falled down....

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You should know kk, you ATTACKED the great man WIGGINS last week How are YOU feeling today? .

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Was very happy for him yesterday.

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Between our dreams and actions lies this world

I actually owe Ratts and the MC an appology. I had a crack at them pre game for the selections, and, although I still think they selected the wrong side, we still had a win and that's all you can ask.

I agree that Ratten's done a fair-good job considering he's got Judd and Kreuz plus the natural progression of Gibbs (outstanding) and Murphy.

8 wins to date and probably another 2 for a total of 10 is a good result.

I'd expect 14 next year.

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Well said Duke, you can put me right along side those comments!

You havent produced any reasonable response to the need to adjust from all out attack which was obviously a failed game plan. It is shallow to suggest that the team was just going to get better regardless of who was at the helm.

The passion, determination and SPIRIT that our players now possess is directly contributable to Ratts and co. As is the the lack of 100pt thrashings and a much improved percentage. Personnel on the field is one thing but it is not the only reason for victory, the old cliche of 'champion team versus team of champions' etc... It must be hard for you to savour our success and improvement if you are so disappointed with the shit coach we have.

You fail to give Ratts any credit and thats up to you, but who would you have chosen to coach and why?

Ratts.........






















tossbag.

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ratts has been awesome for us and i wouldn't swap him for any other coach now. while sometimes some of his tactical moves and some of the structure he employs irritates me, i doubt whether anyone could have connected with our players and gained greater respect from them than what ratts has. it is just so great to see the obvious belief and determination in the team that they can do anything and that they are all playing for one another.

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Last edited by true_blue3 on Mon Sep 26, 1981 5:07 pm; edited 92 times in total

Great stuff by Ratts and the MC.

This week using Fisher as a lead up player to use his marking power and he's not in a position to shoot at goal.

Eddie being used as another rotation through the mid field.

Gibbs getting the opposition star and given them a flogging each week.

Used Kruez lightly but effectively against the Dogs.

Worked out with Judd to have him get more handball recieves not Judd always in there dishing it out.

Great coaching.

AND MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL THE PLAYERS PLAY FOR HIM!!!

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I support the Navy Blues whatever happens!

I love these qualifications like "considering the natural progression of Gibbs and Murphy".

Has anyone watched Adam Cooney this year, or Robert Murphy?
The Bulldogs have improved as much as Carlton this year so lets stop writing down Rattens abilities because he has improving players.
Every team has youngsters with natural progression.

Credit where its due.

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Looking forward to seeing our potential realised.

Ah yes... but has Carrazzo Stevens Scotland Simmo Waite Fisher etc improved????

The ones with the lesser organic growth still in them???

Or are we improving because we have kids naturally improving and Judd???

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