A TALE OF TWO GAMES

[Binmans PA 25,890]

Can someone please, please, please tell Jamar NOT to handball to someone three inches away from him whose got an opponent breathing down their neck?

We've got too many whose first instinct is to handball, rather than kick. If they were handballing to a player in space, that'd be alright. But alas, McKenzie (who I'm a big rap for) and Jamar are far too predictable when they have it.

[Binmans PA 25,890]

Morton is actually showing signs. I don't bloody believe it.

I want to believe, but I don't because I don't want to have hope for him only for him to turn awful.

Although...maybe he actually gets it? The other players are struggling, but the game plan has clicked for him?

Showed great signs in 2009 too. I hope he keeps on improving, because I believe he definitely has something to offer, if he can become a physical player and better spreader.

[Chook 14,388]

And when Moloney turns it around, I suppose you critics are going to just say nothing.

People have VERY short memories.

He won't - at least not against a good team. I'm sure he'll pick up the three votes against GWS and GC, but that's not something he should be hanging his hat on.

[Sir Why You Little 34,405]

And when Moloney turns it around, I suppose you critics are going to just say nothing.

People have VERY short memories.

When has Moloney ever turned it around??

Still waiting...the Gold Coast are beating Fremantle right now...we are a very bad football team & must trade very aggressively later this year.

[Dee Fan 3,247]

Would 'young Col' still have any trade value later this year? And forget the '2 games into returning' stuff. He plays like he's resuming most of the games he plays. A bit of a Narcissus complex perhaps...too much in love with his own reflection. Simply doesn't do the hard yards regularly enough and impose himself on a game. Carlton might be interested or even the Swans who have a great track record in transforming players. ATM he's average at best and a new start might be a winner both ways depending on the deal.

I think that if a side was close he would, he has ability and in a good side he might just be able to use it to advantage he seems to me at times as if it's lll too hard and in a side like say Geelong it wouldn't be.

His game today was typical of him and to suggest, as a poster did, that he is working his way back is just ludicrous; that's Col he is probably a bit small for a key position and a bit slow for the midfielder so maybe a third tall in a Geelong or Carlton side would suit him.

[Lil_red_fire_engine 10,132]

And when Moloney turns it around, I suppose you critics are going to just say nothing.

People have VERY short memories.

What do you mean when Moloney turns it around. When has he ever offered anything defensively? He is a one way player and even then he is B-Grade at best. His winning a Bluey and Brownlow votes in our wins says more about where we were at then than it does his status as a decent player.

In saying that the game was really lost today by our half forwards offering no defensive pressure or chase back through the middle. Sylvia, Bail and Howe in particular played lazy football.

Edited May 5, 2012 by big_red_fire_engine

[GRUN DEE 69]

We are way too slow!!! Geelong killed us on the rebound. Nobody looked like getting near them when chasing.

Need too bring in pace. Bennell & Blease need to be played. Sellar out for Martin or Watts. Maybe even try a Davis.

We have too many slow players who get hurt on the rebound. Magner, Moloney, Bate, Trengove, Garland, McKenzie and Jones. I think McKenzie & Jones could be the exception. Others way too slow!!!

[Binmans PA 25,890]

You are obviously easily satisfied. I don't care how many games we are in to a "new contested ball, defensive, elite structure" we were very ordinary today and if you can't see that then i suggest you have a look at the replay.

We are sooo slow it is embarrassing; both by foot and hand.

Moloney and Sylvia were both ordinary today and I would suggest that that's par for the course for Moloney when we play a superior side and not far off for Sylvia.

Open your eyes, the Football Department have and that's why Moloney is no longer in the leadership group.

It's not about slowness necessarily, although Moloney certainly lacks pace. It's about muscular power and endurance. Get that and all of a sudden, even the most ordinary list can compete at a high level. It means structures hold up.

I thought the only decent commentator on the TV was Malthouse. He mentioned this lack of fitness effectively, when noting our deficiency in leg power.

Moloney is a large offender when it comes to accountability though. When you play a jigsaw puzzle like the press, with stringent structures, even one player can throw an entire team of 18 off kilter.

[dees64 104]

??? Do you really mean that?

??? Do you really mean that?

Why people continue to defend our lazy & soft players is beyond me! For every good game they play they play 6 poor ones,. look at the ease of how the ball game out of our back line & geelong scored.

We are sitting at 0-6 & look like being 0-11, have not played finals since 06 & the same players continue to play soft football.

[Binmans PA 25,890]

Can someone please tell Mark Jamar to stop winning the hitout to noone!

It's frustrating I agree. But an element of it has to be directed at our lack of line breakers. A Judd would love Jamar's service. He'd be quick to it and we'd don't have any of those.

Having said all that, it appears from the sidelines that our rucking situation and our set up at stoppages requires further work. It can't help with our poor level of endurance though.

[deestar 159]

No, no, no - Stef Martin is a step in the wrong direction........

Martin offers plenty .... So glad demonland arm chair selectors don't have a say in the 22.

[Sir Why You Little 34,405]

Why people continue to defend our lazy & soft players is beyond me! For every good game they play they play 6 poor ones,. look at the ease of how the ball game out of our back line & geelong scored.

We are sitting at 0-6 & look like being 0-11, have not played finals since 06 & the same players continue to play soft football.

Words of wisdom.

[Binmans PA 25,890]

Concur with the comments on Morton. I'm enjoying his development under Neeld and co. His strength and attack on the ball and man is impressive. He may become a player after all.

Why has Trengove gone backwards? I don't believe it's pace. He has leg speed to be better than he is playing. Neeld has been good for Jones and Morton, so I believe Trenners will come good too.

Trenners was decent today. Couple of lovely passes and second in the possession count for us (PS - it was great to see our two co captains and Clark as the leading ball winners). I think he's had an incredibly ordinary start to the season, but hopefully he's turned a corner today. He's great by both feet, under pressure.

Edited May 5, 2012 by AdamFarr

[rpfc 27,386]

Some of you are reacting as if the opinion "we are not a very good team" is news to you...

We were good in areas today (in the clinches, one-on-ones) and poor in others (spread from a stoppage, keeping the ball in the forward 50, skills), we were overawed for much of it but willing and hungry too.

The key difference that ruins us, and this is why we struggle even against a young Geelong, is that they are bred to TRUST their team mate to win the footy, beat their bloke, make that shepard. Malthouse touched on this quite a bit, our players get sucked into contests, and don't have a releasing handball, or leave their bloke to go up with Frawley to beat Hawkins and let their opponent get the crumb.

They have to respect the role of their team mate and trust them to do their job and be their for them where they can actually be of use; on the defensive side in space, at the foot of the contest, or sheparding to give their player space.

Edited May 5, 2012 by rpfc

[Binmans PA 25,890]

Sellar did good things v Dogs, but not so good today. Martin is a loose canon, but sometimes it works (lacks the discipline that Neeld demands) I want Martin to develop his game. I am a supporter (of Martin), but Sellar does a lot of stuff that fits the game plan... However, today he had a poor game (as poor as Watts last week)

I would have thought Martin's basketballing background would be perfect the zonal like structures of the modern game. I'd point to his lack of natural footballing nous that catches him out at times. Being in front, where to run and gather etc.

[Beachball 20]

I don't post very much but what I saw today that killed us was Geelong players running off into open spaces and Melbourne players still standing where they were and not chasing their man ergo the Geelong players had plenty of men in open positions to pass the ball to. It amazed me that the coaches didn't do something about this as it allowed Geelong to run and run with nobody chasing them. Until the players learn to follow there men no matter where they go we will continue to lose.

[Binmans PA 25,890]

And when Moloney turns it around, I suppose you critics are going to just say nothing.

People have VERY short memories.

Cannot recall a game where he's been standout against good opposition. Particularly when we don't play at the 'G. His mentality is systematic of a pea-hearted culture that has been allowed to fester.

Fortunately, Davey seems to be making some strides away from this.

[Binmans PA 25,890]

Not today, nor last week. Has improved considerably - and didn't shirk. Not jogging up and down the wing - right in it, and a few long kicks to the forwards.

No one other than Clark played well, but Morton is a keeper at the moment.

Shirked once today. Needs to eradicate that from his game, but has vastly improved his attack on the ball. His tackle on the edge of the centre square at one point was greatly encouraging.

[Dee Fan 3,247]

Some of you are reacting as if the opinion "we are not a very good team" is news to you...

We were good in areas today (in the clinches, one-on-ones) and poor in others (spread from a stoppage, keeping the ball in the forward 50, skills), we were overawed for much of it but willing and hungry too.

The key difference that ruins us, and this is why we struggle even against a young Geelong, is that they are bred to TRUST their team mate to win the footy, beat their bloke, make that shepard. Malthouse touched on this quite a bit, our players get sucked into contests, and don't have a releasing handball, or leave their bloke to go up with Frawley to beat Hawkins and let their opponent get the crumb.

They have to respect the role of their team mate and trust them to do their job and be their for them where they can actually be of us; on the defensive side in space, at the foot of the contest, or sheparding to give their player space.

We ran around today like headless chooks and seemed to be off our opponents by 5 to 10 metres when we were supposed to be playing one on one football. I understand what Malthouse was saying, but we were beaten for the ball and we were too slow and if you don't have the ball you can't get it to a team mate and if you're too slow you can't catch your opponent.

We need some players in the side with a bit of leg speed so teams like Geelong can't just take their time disposing of the ball, we need to put doubt in their mind so Blease, Bennell and Nicholson may be options. I'm not saying that they are the answer but they do have some speed and we desperately need that.

[highroller 112]

seriously though how good is Clark lol - as optimistic as i was i dont think i can beleive how good he is so far

[Binmans PA 25,890]

We are way too slow!!! Geelong killed us on the rebound. Nobody looked like getting near them when chasing.

Need too bring in pace. Bennell & Blease need to be played. Sellar out for Martin or Watts. Maybe even try a Davis.

We have too many slow players who get hurt on the rebound. Magner, Moloney, Bate, Trengove, Garland, McKenzie and Jones. I think McKenzie & Jones could be the exception. Others way too slow!!!

Garland is not slow...neither is Trenners. Lacks endurance.

[Grapeviney 8,810]

so sick of watching groups of melbourne players - usually midfielders - all go after the one man, who can then dispose of it by hand to one of the four or five opposition players who are left unattended as a result. they're able to whisk the ball away from contests time after time because of this..

i understand this is part of our stronger attack on the player / contest but they're struggling to get it right a lot of the time

[sue 8,409]

Can someone please tell Mark Jamar to stop winning the hitout to noone!

and not to a player so close to him that he provides another obstacle for the receiver to dodge.

[maximum bob 462]

"Fortunately, Davey seems to be making some strides away from this."

Davey's lifted because he's dropped the strides too often...from an economic rationalist perspective.

[Binmans PA 25,890]

Some of you are reacting as if the opinion "we are not a very good team" is news to you...

We were good in areas today (in the clinches, one-on-ones) and poor in others (spread from a stoppage, keeping the ball in the forward 50, skills), we were overawed for much of it but willing and hungry too.

The key difference that ruins us, and this is why we struggle even against a young Geelong, is that they are bred to TRUST their team mate to win the footy, beat their bloke, make that shepard. Malthouse touched on this quite a bit, our players get sucked into contests, and don't have a releasing handball, or leave their bloke to go up with Frawley to beat Hawkins and let their opponent get the crumb.

They have to respect the role of their team mate and trust them to do their job and be their for them where they can actually be of us; on the defensive side in space, at the foot of the contest, or sheparding to give their player space.

Well said. Noted this as another insightful comment from Malthouse. It's getting sucked into contests that makes a lot of our players look slow too. Decision making and discipline with adherance to structures is what's going to lead to improvement. West Coast showed that even with an ordinary list (one that looked pathetic in 2010), if everyone plays team football and plays their roles, you win more games than you loose.

Edited May 5, 2012 by AdamFarr