Watch Collingwood

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

I've never been a big Bailey fan, his reliance on pushing forwards deep into defence has cost the team dearly but against West Coast I wasn't so annoyed with him (despite the fact no forwards were in the forward line!).

I was annoyed with the effort from players.

I've mentioned this before, but I feel it needs to be highlighted. 90% of the reason that Collingwood are so good is because they work hard and they work smart. They never stop running, never. They don't just run to where the ball is, they run to where the ball is going to be. They have Swan and Pendlebury who are stars but pound for pound much of their list isn't amazing. What really annoyed about Melbourne on Thursday night was their lack of effort.

- Players caught flat footed

- Players not protecting teammates with the ball

- Lack of second, third, fourth or fifth efforts

- Inability to tackle (Morton's attempted tackle on Kerr was one of the most pathetic efforts I have seen from any footballer)

- Not running hard enough

- Not running to the right positions

- Players simply taking that extra 0.5 of a second to react, by which time the opposition already have the ball

The one thing from Bailey I would like to see change straight away is to go back to man-on-man football. At least that way it would force the players to show some accountability and it simplifies their role.

As professional athletes there is no reason why the players should not run themselves into the ground each week. If they can't keep running, then they need to improve their fitness.

I am still amazed by Dane Swan, he is a bit chubby (for a footballer), has tiny legs and doesn't have the silkiest skills. Then I look at a player like Sylvia who is lean, strong, fast and has very good skills. But the player that never stops, the player that is quicker, stronger and always racks up more possessions is Swan, not Sylvia.

Much of it is mental, and maybe that comes back to Bailey but unfortunately the signs were there against the Gold Coast and Brisbane. Melbourne need to watch Collingwood, not their tactics or their "press", but the way that they never stop running, never stop working for each other and never stop trying.

[agent_orange 0]

I've never been a big Bailey fan, his reliance on pushing forwards deep into defence has cost the team dearly but against West Coast I wasn't so annoyed with him (despite the fact no forwards were in the forward line!).

I was annoyed with the effort from players.

I've mentioned this before, but I feel it needs to be highlighted. 90% of the reason that Collingwood are so good is because they work hard and they work smart. They never stop running, never. They don't just run to where the ball is, they run to where the ball is going to be. They have Swan and Pendlebury who are stars but pound for pound much of their list isn't amazing. What really annoyed about Melbourne on Thursday night was their lack of effort.

- Players caught flat footed

- Players not protecting teammates with the ball

- Lack of second, third, fourth or fifth efforts

- Inability to tackle (Morton's attempted tackle on Kerr was one of the most pathetic efforts I have seen from any footballer)

- Not running hard enough

- Not running to the right positions

- Players simply taking that extra 0.5 of a second to react, by which time the opposition already have the ball

The one thing from Bailey I would like to see change straight away is to go back to man-on-man football. At least that way it would force the players to show some accountability and it simplifies their role.

As professional athletes there is no reason why the players should not run themselves into the ground each week. If they can't keep running, then they need to improve their fitness.

I am still amazed by Dane Swan, he is a bit chubby (for a footballer), has tiny legs and doesn't have the silkiest skills. Then I look at a player like Sylvia who is lean, strong, fast and has very good skills. But the player that never stops, the player that is quicker, stronger and always racks up more possessions is Swan, not Sylvia.

Much of it is mental, and maybe that comes back to Bailey but unfortunately the signs were there against the Gold Coast and Brisbane. Melbourne need to watch Collingwood, not their tactics or their "press", but the way that they never stop running, never stop working for each other and never stop trying.

But even so, it is generally a symptom of greater problems. I am sure that Collingwood players can work hard because they know the plan and know what they are supposed to be doing. Equally, I am sure that probably practice these things at training. It is upto the coach to make sure everyone is playing to the same intensity and doing the same thing.

Compare essendon last year to this year, lazy and not motivated last year, switched on this year. The only thing that has changed there is the coach.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

But even so, it is generally a symptom of greater problems. I am sure that Collingwood players can work hard because they know the plan and know what they are supposed to be doing. Equally, I am sure that probably practice these things at training. It is upto the coach to make sure everyone is playing to the same intensity and doing the same thing.

Compare essendon last year to this year, lazy and not motivated last year, switched on this year. The only thing that has changed there is the coach.

Like I said, I'm not a big Bailey fan but just thought that the individual efforts of most players (incidentally Watts was one of a few who didn't give up) was not acceptable at any level of football and all the blame should not be directed at Bailey.

[agent_orange 0]

Like I said, I'm not a big Bailey fan but just thought that the individual efforts of most players (incidentally Watts was one of a few who didn't give up) was not acceptable at any level of football and all the blame should not be directed at Bailey.

True but at the same time, you have to ask why our players seem to playing with little heart. I think that is the question that needs to be answered. I am not sure anyone at the club really wants to answer it. Stynes deflection of the players and Greeny needing to lift is obvious. But is the leadership within the coaching staff strong enough or respected enough to get the players to lift?

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

True but at the same time, you have to ask why our players seem to playing with little heart. I think that is the question that needs to be answered. I am not sure anyone at the club really wants to answer it. Stynes deflection of the players and Greeny needing to lift is obvious. But is the leadership within the coaching staff strong enough or respected enough to get the players to lift?

All valid points and it is hard to say. Bailey has never struck me as coach who can lift and inspire a team.

In a roundabout way hopefully some good comes from the result last Thursday because all it takes is one bad game for things to go back a long way.

[Harrisonrules 273]

I've never been a big Bailey fan, his reliance on pushing forwards deep into defence has cost the team dearly but against West Coast I wasn't so annoyed with him (despite the fact no forwards were in the forward line!).

I was annoyed with the effort from players.

I've mentioned this before, but I feel it needs to be highlighted. 90% of the reason that Collingwood are so good is because they work hard and they work smart. They never stop running, never. They don't just run to where the ball is, they run to where the ball is going to be. They have Swan and Pendlebury who are stars but pound for pound much of their list isn't amazing. What really annoyed about Melbourne on Thursday night was their lack of effort.

- Players caught flat footed

- Players not protecting teammates with the ball

- Lack of second, third, fourth or fifth efforts

- Inability to tackle (Morton's attempted tackle on Kerr was one of the most pathetic efforts I have seen from any footballer)

- Not running hard enough

- Not running to the right positions

- Players simply taking that extra 0.5 of a second to react, by which time the opposition already have the ball

The one thing from Bailey I would like to see change straight away is to go back to man-on-man football. At least that way it would force the players to show some accountability and it simplifies their role.

As professional athletes there is no reason why the players should not run themselves into the ground each week. If they can't keep running, then they need to improve their fitness.

I am still amazed by Dane Swan, he is a bit chubby (for a footballer), has tiny legs and doesn't have the silkiest skills. Then I look at a player like Sylvia who is lean, strong, fast and has very good skills. But the player that never stops, the player that is quicker, stronger and always racks up more possessions is Swan, not Sylvia.

Much of it is mental, and maybe that comes back to Bailey but unfortunately the signs were there against the Gold Coast and Brisbane. Melbourne need to watch Collingwood, not their tactics or their "press", but the way that they never stop running, never stop working for each other and never stop trying.

It's called preparation and strategic coaching. If we don't do it its because the coaching doesn't understand.

[Felix 92]

It's called preparation and strategic coaching. If we don't do it its because the coaching doesn't understand.

I would say the coaches have no ideas. Watts interview post game he mentioned that they can into the game very prepared... Goes to show, the coaching staff are not on the ball.