I was pumped for the big game on Monday, and thought we were a realistic chance of upsetting the Pies. We had played well against some top teams in the few weeks prior to this game and had been showing some real good signs, and i was still unconvinced with the form of the Pies.

I left the game like most filthy at what i had just witnessed the Demons dish up.

Upon reflection of the game, and watching the first 2 and a half quarters again on replay, a few things began to nag away at me. I know players never go out with intentions to lose a match, but if tanking exists, it can be masterminded by the coaching staff(eg. The masterstroke not to go anywhere near TJ in the famous Blues vs. Dees Rnd 22 match).

It has already been pointed out that the second half of our draw is much easier than the first half, with i believe close to a half dozen winnable games. If we are conspiring to win no more than 4 games, turning with 2 wins already in the bank would have seen us skating in dangerous territory.

So here are some questions that i pose.

Firstly, at the selection table. I was all for dropping Miller, but why did we not replace him with another power forward, like Newton or Martin who could at least provide a leading or marking target, that would have forced the Pies to have made a decision on who Presti blankets. Pretty easy for the Pies to go Presti on Robbo, Harry to Bate and then there is no one left to cover. It was also pointed out in another thread that in first Pies game, Miller was sensational early before knocked out. Watts was never going to play forward, so he was not a option.

Secondly, it was clear the Jmac was not fit. I had been advocating we play some sought of defensive midfeidler like a Dunn or Bartram to cover the likes of Swan, Pendles and Davis. Instead, we decide to let Swan coming off 48 possesions in his previous game, to amass 13 touches and a goal in the first quarter before we decide to throw the skipper on him. Lucky for us the game was already over. Oh, and Pendles racked up 39 touches.

And my last question, what was going on with our defensive matchups. If James Frawley is good enough to match up on a Buddy Franklin and hold him goalless in the second half, or start on the Eagles most dangerous forward in LeCras, why would he start on Lockyer? I can think of four more dangerous forwards(Anthony, Didak, Cloke and Dick), that Chip could have played on before Lockyer. We also had our best zone off defender in Rivers running up to a wing, chasing Clokes tail, and a five gamer in Grimes on the Pies most dangerous mid in Didak.

Was it just a bad day for our coaching staff? Were we out coached? Or is there more going on here?

Whats most disappointing is the fact that we really went out to play and to win and just got smashed.

It wasnt a game were we went out to experimental as such we really went all out i felt. At least that was the plan wasnt it.

I posted in another thread that I felt DB (/FD) played an un-called misere. Stand by that.

Lol. it wasnt tanking. Miller was dropped because he played so damn poorly the week before and he simply had to be dropped. Watts was included as a crowd puller and Lockyer is heaps more dangerous than Brad Dick. When Brad Dick kicks 5 you know you've had a dirty day. enough said

Lol. it wasnt tanking. Miller was dropped because he played so damn poorly the week before and he simply had to be dropped. Watts was included as a crowd puller and Lockyer is heaps more dangerous than Brad Dick. When Brad Dick kicks 5 you know you've had a dirty day. enough said

NO... NO... NO

I posted in another thread that I felt DB (/FD) played an un-called misere. Stand by that.

I look forward to our kids getting games under their belt, & the introduction of further draftees to the AFL cauldron this season. Jurrah, McNamara, McKenzie, poss' Hughes...

I have no Qualms regarding ladder position ATM, in '09..

Bring-on some great selections in this our last, early selections @ the draft table.

If I, for just one, have to suffer this pain this year, as I have for many decades, then I want it to count in the strongest possible way @ the National Draft...

I look forward to our kids getting games under their belt, & the introduction of further draftees to the AFL cauldron this season. Jurrah, McNamara, McKenzie, poss' Hughes...

I have no Qualms regarding ladder position ATM, in '09..

Bring-on some great selections in this our last, early selections @ the draft table.

If I, for just one, have to suffer this pain this year, as I have for many decades, then I want it to count in the strongest possible way @ the National Draft...

Exactly, weve copped the pain, a little bit more to ensure we can build the right foundations to avoided being in this situation for a long time will be worth it.

Play the kids and lets see what weve got.

NO... NO... NO

Huh? Are you saying it was tanking, Miller was dropped because he played well, and Watts was included as a crowd dropper?

I look forward to our kids getting games under their belt, & the introduction of further draftees to the AFL cauldron this season. Jurrah, McNamara, McKenzie, poss' Hughes...

I have no Qualms regarding ladder position ATM, in '09..

Bring-on some great selections in this our last, early selections @ the draft table.

If I, for just one, have to suffer this pain this year, as I have for many decades, then I want it to count in the strongest possible way @ the National Draft...

Agreed, OHHHH god how I agree !!!!!

Melbourne just play the kids, out with the old and in the new give em a go!

Dees for 2010

To answer your question: No, we're not tanking. We're just not good enough.

allowing morton to be dragged to full back for 3/4s was terrible also. as soon as we put him in the centre we got run, and he got ball.

i have no problems with him playing of a HBF, whether to provide drive or to teach him the defensive side of the game, but he should never be kept on the last line, it surprised me that we put up with it all day.