17th Premiership wrote:
Firstly, we should be wary off what other teams are being praised for - this shifts and turns entirely on results which are likely most affected by other things.
e.g. Bulldogs are being praised for their player versatility now but were being questioned on the same point over the past few seasons. I don't think Crippa is much chop as a forward - for starters, his set shot kicking is terrible.
The Saints had leapfrogged the Dees just last year, after the Dees leapfrogged them the year before (or maybe it was the year before that). The Dees list wasn't much chop and their midfield was full of one-paced players. That was a whole 10 games ago.
We are playing very well for longer periods in matches than last year but still unable to slow things down or stem the tide when the opposition gets on top. Still, we haven't lost by more than 5 goals. Against top teams Bulldogs, Port, Richmond and Brisbane. We should have beaten the Dogs but couldn't hold it together when they lifted. We definitely should not have lost to the Pies but that was their best match for the year when their intensity was highest and their best players on the park. But we should have won.
I see us progressing but more like Melbourne and StK have over the past few years than the Lions who suddenly jumped to top 4 a couple of years ago (which they couldn't sustain through the finals - and I note that Teague spoke about us aiming to be a top 4 team which is correct; and then being criticised b/c we need to be a top 8 team first...).
We are applying good intensity for most of the time this season and yesterday we added some great composure until half way through the third. After that, I felt we lifted the foot off the gas just a little and the mistakes crept in (sloppy handballs and kicks) and then it just got worse from there. These are things we can fix although requires mental fortitude. And more fitness from more players.
Finally, the scores for Vs against is a bit misleading. Yes, we have let through a lot but, again, we have not once been smashed. Unlike Geelong, West Coast, Richmond or Port Adelaide.
I don't think we should drop Williams if fitness, rather than injury, is his issue. He will be better for the run. However, he should play mostly off half back until he proves himself fit enough to run out a game on the ball. I'd give Stocker more of a go in the middle. I'd bring in TDK for JSOS and possibly give Casboult a couple of weeks to rest his knee. And I'd include 2 of Dow, SPS, and Murphy. We should only drop Cripps if he has an injury that will improve with a week or two rest. Otherwise, he needs to work through this. He definitely looks out of sorts - I was expecting him to lift us over the line in the last quarter but he just couldn't manage it.
For me:
Out: JSOS (concussion), Gibbons, Newnes, Casboult
In: TDK, Dow, SPS, Newman
(And Setterfield for Cripps if Cripps needs a break.)
Williams goes to Half Back, Stocker joins the midfield rotation with Walsh, Cripps, Dow, SPS, & Cunningham (who has looked good but now needs to get more of the ball).
PS. I am not expecting Dow to come in and be the difference just yet. Some are talking him up as the messiah b/c he got a few clearances in the early stages of last week. That was good but he needs to be able to do that for 4 quarters and with good disposal.
Nice post.