Is the Swans game from last year equal our optimum?

[Guest DeesPower]

We were all delighted when we saw Dean Bailey's game plan in action versus the Swans last year. It was a delight.

Nothing has come close since. Was it an " Indian Summer". I'm very afraid it might have been the high point of our revival, never to be repeated.

Certainly this year rather than looking like an emerging high performance side, we have looked mediocre at best, and there is nothing emerging which would suggest a turnaround any time soon. I am predicting a bloodbath mid year with 8 losses on the trot, and then only a further two for the year.

We do not have the bottle in my view to do any better sadly.

I hope I am wrong but I suspect I am if anything being optimistic optimistic. From here I can see our only additional win being the Suns in round 23 and given where we are that is by no means certain.

[The Great One 99 125]

It is true that we have not looked at our best this year. But the facts are we have won 2.5 out of 4 games. I know this sounds like an easy answer, but it is the truth. Things can change very quickly in football, and if we are winning games and not playing well, it can only be seen as a good thing. We should be thankful that the draw we have this year has given us the opportunity to be in this position.

It will only take one good performance, such as the one against the Swans last year, to maybe stir up the confidence and get us playing like we all know that we can. We have built it, soon it will come.....I hope.

[deeflog 679]

From here I can see our only additional win being the Suns in round 23 and given where we are that is by no means certain.

that is a ridiculous comment. We are a better team than going through a 24 game season 3-20-1.

Some improvement will need to be found, but i am certain we will break our Norf hoodoo, crows at the G is a real chance, Saints we must be rated a chance, tigers round 14, Port round 17, Eagles round 21, tigers again round 22 and to follow that GC and Port

[45HG 1,559]

It often gets overlooked how woeful Sydney were that day.

[The Great One 99 125]

It often gets overlooked how woeful Sydney were that day.

Stop spoiling the illusion

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

As stated above, we're simply not playing our best at the moment. The main problem is that we seem to lull for about quarter of a match. At other times we have soundly beat each side we've played. With some consistency and momentum we will fix this. It is what we all know this comes with a young side, which we still are, despite what some seem to think. Don't think they aren't working on it.

A big group of players are playing well below their best. By and large, they will improve. My top 8 for the side that actually threatens is Grimes, Trengove, Scully, McKenzie, Jurrah, Watts, Frawley and Morton. Of those 8 players only Trengove and Jurrah have delivered signifigantly and we all know that we will get much more from that group not just later this year but well beyond. Others like Green, Sylvia and Davey are currently our best players and we all know they can lift a gear.

As discussed elsewhere, we have some tactical issues to work around. This is part of the game and its not just on the coaches but on the players to be able to implement. Don't forget Bailey is a developing coach also.

It is still on the cards to be looking at 5.5 wins 1.5 losses

[dee-luded 2,959]

We were all delighted when we saw Dean Bailey's game plan in action versus the Swans last year. It was a delight.

Nothing has come close since. Was it an " Indian Summer". I'm very afraid it might have been the high point of our revival, never to be repeated.

Certainly this year rather than looking like an emerging high performance side, we have looked mediocre at best, and there is nothing emerging which would suggest a turnaround any time soon. I am predicting a bloodbath mid year with 8 losses on the trot, and then only a further two for the year.

We do not have the bottle in my view to do any better sadly.

I hope I am wrong but I suspect I am if anything being optimistic optimistic. From here I can see our only additional win being the Suns in round 23 and given where we are that is by no means certain.

There was more Leadeship on the List last year. We appear a little rudderless this year as we wait for some leaders to step up. Green stepped up last week finally and we need Aaron to step up, as well as Morton.

We can't just rely on Beamer and Jamar on their own. Frawley is well under done, and Dunn is not showing 'Leadership'. Martin is just finding where he left off from 2009! So there are quite a few who need to fill the Void of Junior McDonald, and Miller/Bruce, etc.

[Guest DeesPower]

There was more Leadeship on the List last year. We appear a little rudderless this year as we wait for some leaders to step up. Green stepped up last week finally and we need Aaron to step up, as well as Morton.

We can't just rely on Beamer and Jamar on their own. Frawley is well under done, and Dunn is not showing 'Leadership'. Martin is just finding where he left off from 2009! So there are quite a few who need to fill the Void of Junior McDonald, and Miller/Bruce, etc.

Quite. Our off seasons decisions are very costly. If I had to put the finger on what is the difference between this year and last, it is that we "wasted" Bruce and McDonald. I think even tho we want to play the kids, this will be seen as axmistake because we will go so much further back this year for want of their experience, and hence our ability to win games. No point in sticking to the purity of the gameplan if at the end of the year you are not there cos you don't win any games

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

Quite. Our off seasons decisions are very costly. If I had to put the finger on what is the difference between this year and last, it is that we "wasted" Bruce and McDonald. I think even tho we want to play the kids, this will be seen as axmistake because we will go so much further back this year for want of their experience, and hence our ability to win games. No point in sticking to the purity of the gameplan if at the end of the year you are not there cos you don't win any games

Tapscott and Gysberts wouldn't be playing if those two were still there

[rpfc 28,967]

We were mediocre against WCE last year. And Hawthorn. And Carlton. And Geelong. And Adelaide. And St Kilda. And Port.

But we are an 'emerging performance side'?

Whatever that means...

We are a side that is going to have months like the one we have just had.

We are not a good side.

Get over it.

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

I hope I am wrong but I suspect I am if anything being optimistic optimistic. From here I can see our only additional win being the Suns in round 23 and given where we are that is by no means certain.

Well that's just stupid... And what's more the Sydney game wasn't the only game. The Brisbane game was thrilling to watch too... in fact that was the first time we saw what the side could do. What's more there were other games around this time where we looked potent. Dogs, Crows, Tiges, Port games all ring a bell.

The bad news is we're running at 30%.... The GOOD news is WE'RE RUNNING AT 30%!!!! We have, probably, more improvement in us than ANY side in the AFL right now, besides maybe the Saints, Roos and perhaps Crows. When we see that improvement, which we will, we will start to scare a few sides... The best part is we're playing THAT badly and due to our draw, and a bit of luck, it hasn't hurt us in the W/L columns...

[bananas 428]

A month after we beat Sydney we lost consecutive matches to Port and North, who are both worse teams than Sydney by a fair distance.

That Sydney game was great, but it was just one of those days when everything came together for a young, enthusiastic team. If you think we should be playing like that every single week, you're kidding yourself. It definitely ain't gonna happen any time in the next 3 years (at least).

[Rogue 585]

A month after we beat Sydney we lost consecutive matches to Port and North, who are both worse teams than Sydney by a fair distance.

That Sydney game was great, but it was just one of those days

Indeed. It was an extreme, just like some of the horrible losses were an extreme.

[P-man 13,367]

C'mon lads and ladies. This thread could have at least waited til after we play Wet Toast. If we get humped by them, bring out the doom and gloom forecasts. Until that stage let's just see what kind of effort we come up with..

[Kento80 83]

C'mon lads and ladies. This thread could have at least waited til after we play Wet Toast. If we get humped by them, bring out the doom and gloom forecasts. Until that stage let's just see what kind of effort we come up with..

Agree to a certain point, but let's just remember that they have been playing really well so far. Part of my problem is that a team who I think have less talent than us, like west coast, have come ahead in leaps and bounds. Esssendon have come ahead in leaps and bounds. Us?

[mauriesy 7,431]

I suspect I am if anything being optimistic.

No, you're not. You're being the extreme pessimist.

[rpfc 28,967]

No, you're not. You're being the extreme pessimist.

He's being extremely something...

[hardtack 10,984]

No, you're not. You're being the extreme pessimist.

Perhaps he has that syndrome that must not be mentioned.

West Coast next week will be a great indicator as to how we intend to approach the rest of the season, I would think. After having a break where, hopefully, the Dees have been working on their mental attitude as well as the physical aspects of their game, if we can come out firing and catch the Eagles by surprise on their home turf (no easy ask for any side this year), then that could set the tone for the rest of our season.

It's a trite old saying, but footy really is a confidence game, and I'm hoping they took something out of that last quarter against the Suns - I get the feeling they were cruising in that 3rd quarter and after having a rocket put up them at three quarter time, came out firing; obviously not being privy to what was said in the huddle, I'm hoping at least, that was the scenario.

Also, as Junior's name keep cropping up as someone who is being very sorely missed for his on-field leadership, can someone please remind me how many games he played last year and how we performed in those games where he was absent? (that's a serious question by the way). And I'm sure that some bemoaning Bruce's move were probably among those rubbishing his performances last year.

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

Also, as Junior's name keep cropping up as someone who is being very sorely missed for his on-field leadership, can someone please remind me how many games he played last year and how we performed in those games where he was absent? (that's a serious question by the way). And I'm sure that some bemoaning Bruce's move were probably among those rubbishing his performances last year.

16 games

with him - 6w-10l

without him - 2w-3l and a draw

[hardtack 10,984]

16 games

with him - 6w-10l

without him - 2w-3l and a draw

Thanks C&B - so it's fair to say that he wasn't really missed too much in those 6 games.

[Jack son 5 162]

Esssendon have come ahead in leaps and bounds. Us?

Based on what? Becuase they made the pre-season Grand Final. Yes, watching thier game against the saints, they moved the ball well. But, I still believe our players (at thier best) would beat thier players (at thier best). They just have a little more consistancy at the moment. Midfield - Melb, Backline - Melb, Forwards - Ess, Rucks - Melb.

It's only round 4. As previously stated, lets see what happens when we travel west next Thursday.

We will also get a look at where Essendon are at on Monday. I think they will get handed a reality check.

Who would have thought last year we would have come 1 goal from Pies and Dogs after our hiding from the Hawks.

Consistancy comes from playing Games. MFC are closer than you think.

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

We will also get a look at where Essendon are at on Monday. I think they will get handed a reality check.

Really looking forward to it

Might even attend the match just to laugh at them

[P-man 13,367]

Really looking forward to it

Might even attend the match just to laugh at them

I'll laugh harder if their golden boy Hurley ends up going to GWS as is the latest from the rumour mill. All their "we got Hurley, you got Watts" [censored] will come home to roost a little earlier than anticipated.

[Kento80 83]

Based on what? Becuase they made the pre-season Grand Final. Yes, watching thier game against the saints, they moved the ball well. But, I still believe our players (at thier best) would beat thier players (at thier best). They just have a little more consistancy at the moment. Midfield - Melb, Backline - Melb, Forwards - Ess, Rucks - Melb.

It's only round 4. As previously stated, lets see what happens when we travel west next Thursday.

We will also get a look at where Essendon are at on Monday. I think they will get handed a reality check.

Who would have thought last year we would have come 1 goal from Pies and Dogs after our hiding from the Hawks.

Consistancy comes from playing Games. MFC are closer than you think.

They drew with Carlton, lost by 5 pts to Sydney, smashed the Saints by 52pts and smashed the Dogs by 55pts. Based on that, it is pretty simple. Just have a look at how they fared last year. Equally, it is not the result, but how you go about it. I hate the Bummers and I hate that a team, which I actually said is not as talented as ours, has reacted so well to coaching. Our team unfortunately does not seem to react to our coaches as well. We have an ok record so far this year (and I hope this keeps improving), but the way we have gone about it has been very ordinary. It is a glaring difference between the two, you just have to watch to see it.

[45HG 1,559]

Thanks C&B - so it's fair to say that he wasn't really missed too much in those 6 games.

It's Mckenzie who I really think we miss - he's out engine IMO. Last year when he played, 8 wins a draw and 10 losses. Without him 3 losses. One of those was the first game against North. Obviously he's just part of a team, but in a way I think he's a little more than that. I think we'll see an increase in performance when he comes back.