Critical NAB Match

[H_T 3,049]

Are, agenda's. Yours, or the clubs. Is it about winning nab games in February, or is it sifting through the kids to see who we'll blood this year?

IMO the clubs not really Trialing, against our opposition, so much as trialing against our own, to find out who is ready to step up, & who's not ready, yet.

I can see method in the percieved madness of playing weak forwardlines ATMO, to deliberately put pressure on our young mids & defence to see whos coping, & who's sticking to the defensive structures under pressure.

The best way to tell which youngsters are about right to take on the AFL challenge.

Now we are within 3/4 weeks of the season proper, I think we'll see the real side slowly take shape, & form slowly emerge. raising the excitement stakes & inspire the doubters.

Make no mistake,,, we not going to make the 8, not close. But 7/8 wins is not out of the Q?...

Preseason starts this week.

I think you're on the right track. Or on Moloney's descriptive "track/line" from the B&F night anyway. As are the FD.

No wonder they are struggling to get the membership up when they are answering questions from supporters, we have discussed this before but let the club do there job rather than answer your questions...

Agree. The club would be looking at various avenues to increase membership numbers. And as far as their track record goes, well it speaks for itself. They've done a fantastic job in a few tough years having broken previous membership tally's in succession.

Pretty much the same reasons I used to justify why I don't consider it to have been tanking last year, but now that that isn't an issue they haven't occurred to me (shame on me).

Same wavelength E25.

[Keyser Söze 0]

You made this point earlier, and I think Deevoted addressed it pretty well.

When you look at our recruiting record in the last three years, we have almost exclusively drafted players who have (or at least are touted as having) very clean disposal skills. Much more so than Danniher/CAC, Bailey/Prendergast seem loathe to draft kids with question marks over their disposal. Problem is, no matter how skilled a rookie is, they are bound to make some shocking disposal errors as they adjust to the tempo of AFL; this may make them look poorly skilled, but can be a due to a host of other factors; i.e. you can be a very good kick but panic and rush your disposal, and absolutely shank the kick as a result. This kind of thing happens often to first/second year players, with very few exceptions, and since we've got a team full of them, it's neither surprising nor alarming.

It isn't a matter of "knowing how to kick"; most of these kids have had the basics of kicking drilled into them since Auskick, and if by this stage they need Robbie Flower to come in and teach them how to kick, our entire recruiting department should be sacked and we should begin our rebuild again from scratch. It's more a matter of becomming familiar enough and comfortable enough with the physical and mental pressure of AFL football to make sound, confident decisions, and for that to happen, we're going to have to sit through a few more games like the last two.

I think its worth elaborating on this:

It isn't a matter of knowing how to kick; it's a matter of knowing where to kick it to.

A lot of turnovers aren't necessarily because the kick is going nowhere near the targeted player, but due to defenders being able to cover them when maybe at TAC level they wouldn't get there.

The speed of the game at the next level and the greater ability of the individual players means that the decision making process needs to be retooled for AFL level. For some it happens quicker than others.

Either way, having the skills to execute the correct decision is the important thing.

Poor decision-making and poor skills both lead to poor kicking. Often the 2 causes are confused.

In my mind a shank doesn't count as it is an aberration or confidence-related and will be fixed in time (eg. Maric of late)

[jayceebee31 768]

I think its worth elaborating on this:

It isn't a matter of knowing how to kick; it's a matter of knowing where to kick it to.

A lot of turnovers aren't necessarily because the kick is going nowhere near the targeted player, but due to defenders being able to cover them when maybe at TAC level they wouldn't get there.

The speed of the game at the next level and the greater ability of the individual players means that the decision making process needs to be retooled for AFL level. For some it happens quicker than others.

Either way, having the skills to execute the correct decision is the important thing.

Poor decision-making and poor skills both lead to poor kicking. Often the 2 causes are confused.

In my mind a shank doesn't count as it is an aberration or confidence-related and will be fixed in time (eg. Maric of late)

Your point re kicking maybe valid. However we need good coaching to develop these kids.However my major disappointment is the perceived lack of fitness and ruthlessness. Furthermore, players like Jurrah seems to be very much out of form and unfit.

[Keyser Söze 0]

Your point re kicking maybe valid. However we need good coaching to develop these kids.However my major disappointment is the perceived lack of fitness and ruthlessness. Furthermore, players like Jurrah seems to be very much out of form and unfit.

Perceived by who? You??

You've lost touch with the reality of the NAB Cup.

[Rogue 585]

No preseason game is 'critical' but if there was one that was it'd be the game that I assume is in Casey in a week and a half.

A nice showing at our south-eastern 'campus' and some momentum going into round 1 - for both the team and the supporters - would be nice.

[Craig Drinker 179]

Great to see another positive post- I think we have gone backwards. Getting belted by Fremantle and then by 40 points by Essendon and running out of puff does not give me confidence for the start of the year. However beating Geelong convincingly like Richmond did gives confidence to all and momentum for the year ahead. We need to get a win shortly. Also we need to get our players co ordinated in a team. With only 4 weeks to go we need to get cohesian.

The Red team had a win over the White team in the Intra club and yet your not satisfied!

[Deeoldfart 8,109]

You made this point earlier, and I think Deevoted addressed it pretty well.

When you look at our recruiting record in the last three years, we have almost exclusively drafted players who have (or at least are touted as having) very clean disposal skills. Much more so than Danniher/CAC, Bailey/Prendergast seem loathe to draft kids with question marks over their disposal. Problem is, no matter how skilled a rookie is, they are bound to make some shocking disposal errors as they adjust to the tempo of AFL; this may make them look poorly skilled, but can be a due to a host of other factors; i.e. you can be a very good kick but panic and rush your disposal, and absolutely shank the kick as a result. This kind of thing happens often to first/second year players, with very few exceptions, and since we've got a team full of them, it's neither surprising nor alarming.

It isn't a matter of "knowing how to kick"; most of these kids have had the basics of kicking drilled into them since Auskick, and if by this stage they need Robbie Flower to come in and teach them how to kick, our entire recruiting department should be sacked and we should begin our rebuild again from scratch. It's more a matter of becomming familiar enough and comfortable enough with the physical and mental pressure of AFL football to make sound, confident decisions, and for that to happen, we're going to have to sit through a few more games like the last two.

Agree completely two sheds, and being part of an inexperienced and (currently) ordinary team, must make it all the more difficult for the youngsters..

[jayceebee31 768]

The Red team had a win over the White team in the Intra club and yet your not satisfied!

true- I was there barracking for both -As you said at least I saw a WIN for HALF OF TEAM .BEST PLAYERS WERE TOP UP.S FROM CASEY. Go Scorpion's Go.

[jayceebee31 768]

Perceived by who? You??

You've lost touch with the reality of the NAB Cup.

My knowledge of the NAB cup has shown me that teams that play well in the NAB cup such as North,Port Melbourne, Freo have generally done very well in the season itself. The NAB cup is part of the pre season getting the plyers ready for the season itself. We have done very well so far haven't we. Overall I think we have been diappointing.And by gee I hope we improve dramatically.I think Adelaide will win by more than 4 goals.If we won that would be a dramatic improvement similar to Richmond thrashing Geelong. Would give us real confidence -- boost for all including you and me.I also have another whom agrees with me Junior our honest captain-http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,26796141-5018851,00.html .

Lastly,DemonsHQ states Next weekend is a huge one for Demon fans. NAB Challenge Match on Saturday 13/3 at Casey Fields, followed by Family... http://bit.ly/d56k87 This is the match that I want to see improvement, Scorpion's with a top up of MFC players.(ONLY RASSIN )

[jayceebee31 768]

I wouldn't be too concerned about running out of legs, we were coming off a 5 Day break after playing in high temperatures in Western Australia.

I understand your point but we have been training since the 7th October.Just on 4 months or 17 weeks.I can understand Jamar, Scully and others that have had an interupted pre season.Others I thought it showed a major concern.

[Wolfmother 182]

My knowledge of the NAB cup has shown me that teams that play well in the NAB cup such as North,Port Melbourne, Freo have generally done very well in the season itself.

Shows your knowledge is very limited since Geelong 2009 was the only team to do the double since Essendon in 2000.

The fact Carlton won it 2007 and end up 15th

Geelong won it 2006 and end up 10th

You need to lighten up and see the side as rebuilding rather than trying to lay the boot in whilst the team is down.... If you're someone who loves the club I would hate to see those that despises us ??

[45HG 1,559]

My knowledge of the NAB cup has shown me that teams that play well in the NAB cup such as North,Port Melbourne, Freo have generally done very well in the season itself.

Excuse me?

[Sir Why You Little 37,310]

My knowledge of the NAB cup has shown me that teams that play well in the NAB cup such as North,Port Melbourne, Freo have generally done very well in the season itself.

Hold it Hold it....When Have Port Melbourne or Freo done well in an AFL Season?? Seriously JC 31 you need to lie down and do some deep breathing meditation...and don't think about free agency or you will explode!!

[jayceebee31 768]

Hold it Hold it....When Have Port Melbourne or Freo done well in an AFL Season?? Seriously JC 31 you need to lie down and do some deep breathing meditation...and don't think about free agency or you will explode!!

Thanks for your advise- I meant Port Adelaide. Sorry about that--and I appreciate your personal concerns.And by the way --you all should read NAB Cup Match Report by William from the West

[Sir Why You Little 37,310]

Thanks for your advise- I meant Port Adelaide. Sorry about that--and I appreciate your personal concerns.And by the way --you all should read NAB Cup Match Report by William from the West

Hey i can tell by what you write, you are a most passionate supporter of the MFC mate-We do not want to lose you because of NAB Cup Games...

[jayceebee31 768]

Hey i can tell by what you write, you are a most passionate supporter of the MFC mate-We do not want to lose you because of NAB Cup Games...

I might have been wrong when I said the match against Freo was critical re membership to get to 31000 it might have been real advantageous if we played well. However it will be critical if we blasted by a half a side in Adelaide and nearly suicidal if we got wacked at Casey the following week--Do you agree??

[H_T 3,049]

I think it might be important to have a strong showing at Casey the following week (if it is in fact at Casey) with regards to membership and the season launch; I don't think it is suicidal though. I think it is unnecessary to be over dramatic regarding practice matches full stop.

Fwiw, Round 1 is more important than any practice match. However, a strong showing in the last NAB practice match would be a good indicator or provide a good platform going into Round 1.

[Keyser Söze 0]

I might have been wrong when I said the match against Freo was critical re membership to get to 31000 it might have been real advantageous if we played well. However it will be critical if we blasted by a half a side in Adelaide and nearly suicidal if we got wacked at Casey the following week--Do you agree??

Not at all.

You still don't get it.

[Sir Why You Little 37,310]

I might have been wrong when I said the match against Freo was critical re membership to get to 31000 it might have been real advantageous if we played well. However it will be critical if we blasted by a half a side in Adelaide and nearly suicidal if we got wacked at Casey the following week--Do you agree??

No, i would be far more interested in what happens in the first 5 rounds at the MCG. One good performance at the 'G and all the NAB Cup form will be instantly forgotten.

Practice games are just that. Players maybe out of position or still practicing training drills.

Yes it would be great to get a win for morale over the next 2 weeks, but it is never critical. Round 1 is when the journey begins-Nab Cup shall always be no more than a dress rehearsal.

[H_T 3,049]

Not at all.

You still don't get it.

This would have to be in response to JCB I take it, not my post ?

[jayceebee31 768]

I think it might be important to have a strong showing at Casey the following week (if it is in fact at Casey) with regards to membership and the season launch; I don't think it is suicidal though. I think it is unnecessary to be over dramatic regarding practice matches full stop.

Fwiw, Round 1 is more important than any practice match. However, a strong showing in the last NAB practice match would be a good indicator or provide a good platform going into Round 1.

Agree with some of your points- 3 years ago we played North at Casey, got belted, when we were trying to gain momentum. This was start of the rot we have had to go through since. We need to get our playing group together and practice as one to form the nucleus of our best 22 against Hawthorn. However, I truthfully feel it would be disastrous to cop two more beltings of 40 points or more.

[Keyser Söze 0]

This would have to be in response to JCB I take it, not my post ?

Yeah, thought I'd save the space taken up by quoting him since it was going in straight after (much like you did), but you beat me to the punch.

I'll edit it.

Edited.

[Keyser Söze 0]

Agree with some of your points- 3 years ago we played North at Casey, got belted, when we were trying to gain momentum. This was start of the rot we have had to go through since. We need to get our playing group together and practice as one to form the nucleus of our best 22 against Hawthorn. However, I truthfully feel it would be disastrous to cop two more beltings of 40 points or more.

So the 3 years of finishing at the bottom of the ladder was because we lost that game against North at Casey?

Come on, stop being so melodramatic.

It wouldn't be ideal to lose, but it won't kill the club.

No matter what happens now, once the dees start consistently winning, those in Casey will get right behind the dees.

Sure, it'd be nice for that to happen sooner than later, but if it takes a bit of time (as it will), it won't be the end of the world.

[jayceebee31 768]

Yeah, thought I'd save the space taken up by quoting him since it was going in straight after (much like you did), but you beat me to the punch.

I'll edit it.

Edited.

I might just have to get together with you two fine blokes-HT & Keyser Soze and sought you out. Let's meet and have a chat..Others must be getting sick of it..How about training at 10am at the Junction Oval tommorrow. I will see if C.C will go referee.

[Keyser Söze 0]

I might just have to get together with you two fine blokes-HT & Keyser Soze and sought you out. Let's meet and have a chat..Others must be getting sick of it..How about training at 10am at the Junction Oval tommorrow. I will see if Chris Connolly could go referee.

Only if it's in the octagon.

Sorry to disappoint, but I'm getting the keys to my new house tomorrow.

Far too much on the schedule already, I'm afraid.