Have been trying to hold fire on Ratts, but if he said that he's lost me.

Pivotal moments in the game where we didn’t take our opportunities, they got a few free kicks go there way and then had all the moment.

At the 24 minute mark of the second quarter we led by 14 points. The bombers managed 4 goals until half time. 4 goals from the 24 minute mark until half time. IIRC one came as a result of a holding the ball decision not paid on their half forward flank, and then them somehow getting a free.

Prior to this Houlihan had missed a set shot while Judd had missed one on the run. Instead of going in at half time 3-4 goals up we went in down by 3 points.

Letting those goals in late in the quarter left is demoralising, look at the effort they came out with in the second half.

Our forward line functioned poorly if we had to slow our ball movement. Early in the game when we broke from half back and moved it with pace, Judd was able to hit Fevola who had so much space to run into. From then on we struggled to move the ball with any purpose, often moving the ball very slowly from defence.

So when we did move the ball in after some time we would bomb it to Fevola or Setanta – initially it looked ok with Setanta giving Lovett-Murray trouble but then Fletcher was moved off Fisher and on to Setanta. He knew – like thousands of us do, that the ball was going to Fevola more often than not, so left his man (Setanta) and created a two on one.

Often the forward line was that disorganised that if Setanta was in prime position to mark Fevola would try to take the hangar and spoil Setanta and vice versa.

There were occasions where our players realised the long kick was the best option – twice when Setanta had space behind him, the other with Eddie having space behind him. Defenders can do very little in these situations so it was good to see Fisher wheel around and bomb it to Betts while Grigg did the same with Setanta.

On the occasion we didn’t mark it, there was little to no forward pressure applied. Whether it was due to having 3 talls (Fevola, Fisher and Setanta) or a lack of effort/application, our chasing was pathetic. They were allowed to stroll out of defence with ease, often having another player running for the overlap. We seemed to be outnumbered at so many contests.

Moving the ball out of defence was woeful – it seems we have the inability spread with any speed. IMO Hawthorn are the best at it…if one of their players wins the ball in defence the wingmen/midfielders gut run to get on their own. Surely if you want the ball in your hands you understand that you have to get off your opponent…you have to run to space. So if we had the ball in the back pocket the player with the ball occasionally coughed it up as they didn’t want to bomb it long. Our kickouts were abysmal, and our defence of there kickout was woeful. Often Fletcher would chip to himself then bomb it long where a cluster of 2-3 players was. If they didn’t mark it, they would have more players at ground level to give themselves a better chance of winning the ground ball. They would then switch the ball into the middle – why would you not flood this area? Their ball movement is predictable yet we seemed to still give them space in this area of the ground.

Also seem once paced in the midfield although its hard to look quick when you don’t have the ball. We could do with some more pace to add to Simpson/Judd.

The worst aspect of the game however were the levels of desperation/hunger. We didn’t want it enough tonight while their hunger was evident from the beginning. Don’t know whether it is leadership, maturity/experience or coaching, but surely in such a big game your effort would at least be equal to the opposition. Most times you can’t win if you don’t have the desperation.

It showed in the Bombers tackling – our defenders and midfielders were almost always under pressure yet we seemed to apply little pressure to them.

I’m guessing they broke a shitload of tackles based on what I saw.

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"You are being watched. The government has a secret system. A machine that spies on you every hour of every day. I know because I built it." - Finch

But it is a worry if the coaching staff cant get them motivated for a game against a traditional rival in fron of 83 thousand.....

BTW - we have been pushed to the wings all season leaving the corridor open for counter attacks and blunting Fev. Really peed off we dont try to change this.

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TC suffers from the social media illness - the death of respect and constructive discourse by keyboard.

Can you name them BV?

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"You are being watched. The government has a secret system. A machine that spies on you every hour of every day. I know because I built it." - Finch

Sure would. The Bombers are that far ahead of us and its due to him but what would you know

His praise for Fischer was re "making Fletcher accountable", not moving the ball on quickly BTW. Ratts was obviously gutted, but again it looks like he's still learning. I'm not sure how much longer the club can wait for the L plates to come off.

well, thats just dandy!!!! wot a crap epilogue to a complete disaster!!!! he was doing so well recently

lets just hope its not serious in any way, he's a good kid

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my last one was rubbish

Was a key reason why we could not build a decent lead when we dominated.

IMO it is poor effort by the coaching team if they can't get players up and inspired for a pivotal game against an arch rival. And it not the first time this season.

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Scott, things aren't as happy as they used to be down here at the unemployment office. Joblessness is no longer just for Philosophy majors - useful people are starting to feel the pinch.

We looked really good against the Aints because we tackled, chased and played on at every opportunity. Hard to beleive that we couldn't bring that tonight. It just keeps getting back to Ratts.........that's his job.

It has nothing to do with whether the Bombers have taken into account leg speed in individual players better than us rather the fact that we have seemed to place too much faith in too few. We have too few running players because we thought the midfield just consists of the elite few instead of flowing into the flanks, pockets and the bench. You're right in as far as leg speed on the track doesn't necessarily translate to the playing field but most of the players picked in question were never going to play as additional ball-winning types.

Tough times ahead as we don't want to make things worse in any attempts to find a cure-all.

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Just because I'm offended, doesn't mean I'm wrong.

Bannister's skills under pressure were so bad that it made wish Russell was back in the side

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Ecclesiastes 1:4, "One generation passes away, and another generation comes: but The Blues abide forever."

I agree tonight anything Ratts had in mind wasnt given a chance to work because the team just wasnt switched on. Having said that Knights has developed a good well drilled even side. They had four or five at every contest. Still managed to push players back and always had an open forward line. The extra pace in his team allows him to spread his zone wider. They kicked straight at goal. Kicked the ones we were missing.

Our efforts sucked tonight. We didnt handle the ball well. OUr backlines inexperience stood out and terrible mistakes were made.
We also let the umpire get to us. The umps made some mistakes and got them a few at the end of the second but we are not school kids. We should be able to stay switched on.

Seeing them cheer the woman beater made me sick.

Why is it we cant win games that we're supposed to win ?


Essendon* Rd 3 - we were favourites to win - we lose

Freo - once again we were favourites to win - we lose

Essendon* again tonight - revenge for losing by 4 points earlier this year should have been enough motivation to win - we get flogged !!!

And then the Bulldogs, Hawthorn & Saints games, the odds were against us and we have a win and 2 great games with honourable loses !!!!!!!


So going by this trend, we play Freo next week,,,,reckon odds will be against us and we win. Following week we play Richmond and do I dare say we prob willl be favourites for that game,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,please not against them !!!!!!!

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BRING BACK PERFORMANCE BASE PAYMENTS !!!

What's the saying?!
be careful what you wish for!

i think he will be next week after the insipid effort displayed tonight by far too many.

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The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help.

Ronald Reagan

this thread is better than the blues played tonight

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*(grow - fun - gah)

Yeah but whatabout your whataboutism.

Enlighten us on Ratts gameplan. Essendon* is a young side. Knights is an inexperienced coach.

Why did we drop the bundle? Surely we had just as much incentive tonight!

I know - that is the irony of it all

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Ecclesiastes 1:4, "One generation passes away, and another generation comes: but The Blues abide forever."

Usual suspects got us: Monga, Lucas, Morefrees & Lovett & a couple of stupid 50m penalties.

Happens every time we play the scum but we never do anything about it


I wonder if the Big Jack @#$%&! up had anything to do with our mindset

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Cheats never prosper (except in the AFL)

ABSOLOUTELY DISGUSTING

I am usually very positive on here even after losses but tonight was crap.

Here are some things i got out of tonight, and i do not give a crap if i offend anyone.

RATTEN is not a long term coaching option. I love him but he is struggling.

COACHING STAFF every time we play Essendon* they are way too fast for us and what do we do? Keep Bannister in the side and drop Garlett.

NICK STEVENS, what a downhill skier. What i mean by this is, he loves it when we are up and going and he is getting easy kicks but as soon as the going gets tough he is outta there.

STEVEN BROWNE, very very average footballer. Not up to AFL standard.

JORDAN BANNISTER, the match committee should all resign for giving him a game this year let alone 2. He has no future and is average at best.

Why against Essendon* have we not got guys like Garlett or Yarran, Robinson or Russell in the side? All have pace but no we dont care.

I have not been this frustrated as a Carlton supporter for a long time, even worse than when we were winning the wooden spoons.

The guys should be disgusted at honouring Kade Simpson this way.

There I am done.

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Blue boy thru and thru