Anyone go?

Reports?

I was there for the first hour. For what it's worth, I thought we looked good - sharp, kicking accurately, etc. Same drills. They looked in very good spirits. Lots of press there. Moloney was doing laps.

Im hoping they were positive and upbeat - that might be a sign that things will 'click' eventually.

I am still believe that it takes more than a couple of competitive games for things to click. The pre-season doesn't show too much because there isn't the pressure felt in a real game. Having said that, repetition is the key to the success of most training and they're certainly doing that. I haven't seen any sign that members of the playing group are not giving their all. It would make no sense for them not to put in. If they are eventually shown to be not up to it, they will undoubtedly be replaced.

Interesting. I recently watched the replay of last week and thought our generAl play in the first half was ok. We showed some confidence before the avalanche started. It provides some hope perhaps the season isn't a right off yet. I still think this seasons story is yet evolve. I still watch to see what his coaching grouP can do.

I agree, BP. It's way too early to write off the season. There are far too many examples of teams initially struggling to come to terms with a new way of playing and eventually coming good.

Thanks guys

Interesting. I recently watched the replay of last week and thought our generAl play in the first half was ok. We showed some confidence before the avalanche started. It provides some hope perhaps the season isn't a right off yet. I still think this seasons story is yet evolve. I still watch to see what his coaching grouP can do.

Agree too. Shocking umpiring sapped our confidence, gave them 5 soft goals, robbed us of a couple and then in the second half they ran over us, Our players wilted in the heat against a better opponent in the second half and with all hope gone surrendered meekly. Had we had the breaks we may have lasted a bit longer and had a smaller defeat. Contested possession was our way in the first half.

Interesting sidelight, Dermie on Fox league teams showed Hams in the Grimes/Waters incident take a large step lowering his body just before the tackle but then throw his head back as if hit in the jaw before the Melbourne player touched him. Other clubs are doing this and getting frees. Dermie called it cheating and that it should be stamped out by the umpires. I am sure the first time we try it we will see it outlawed.

Then we should try it. The sooner it is outlawed the better. Players lowering their head is just asking for injury

I'm old enough to remember Neil Sachse. Never want to see something like that again that again

Agree too. Shocking umpiring sapped our confidence, gave them 5 soft goals, robbed us of a couple and then in the second half they ran over us, Our players wilted in the heat against a better opponent in the second half and with all hope gone surrendered meekly. Had we had the breaks we may have lasted a bit longer and had a smaller defeat. Contested possession was our way in the first half.

Interesting sidelight, Dermie on Fox league teams showed Hams in the Grimes/Waters incident take a large step lowering his body just before the tackle but then throw his head back as if hit in the jaw before the Melbourne player touched him. Other clubs are doing this and getting frees. Dermie called it cheating and that it should be stamped out by the umpires. I am sure the first time we try it we will see it outlawed.

There was also a time (in the second or third quarter) when Kerr was already ducking his head before a tackle was laid. I don't think he got the free kick but I have no doubt that he and the Eagles players were well aware of how the umpires were interpreting these tackles and it was a case of playing professionally in the circumstances. Whether you call it cheating or something else it worked on a day when our tackling was generally poor to start with and quite a few of the decisions against us were legitimate.

Yeah, I think although it can be seen as technically cheating, it is more playing to conditions.

Green tried to kill Shuey in the first quarter, then Bail did the same.

It seemed to me West Coast just adjusted to our poor tackling and how the game was being umpired.

WE set the precedent early in the match.

Webjet!

Edited April 14, 201213 yr by José Mourinho