POST MATCH DISCUSSION

[Akum 2,660]

West Coast are going to smash any side that can't match up to their strengths. Mobile tall forwards, fast tall defenders, and they just get first use of the ball so much through their rucks.

The Dogs had Minson, but they were similarly mismatched last week.

The problem was that we both didn't move the ball forward fast enough (for obvious reasons) and we panicked and made stupid errors. You can't coach against that.

This was a bad match-up for us early in the year. We'll get better as the year goes on.

But if we're this bad against them in Round 22 (hopefully with a semblance of a forward line by then), we're stuffed.

[DemonOX 8,791]

Funny just watched "http://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/2014-03-30/ahg-car-winner"

If u listen to the first couple of mins u hear Roos saying "this is Paul Roos from the sydMelbourne footy club".

He nearly forgot where he was at!!

Edited March 30, 2014 by DemonOX

[Return to Glory 8,435]

Is it too early to look at next years draft? Surely we are a lock for 1 & 2.

Look, in some ways you've got to laugh.... Don't you?

[DemonOX 8,791]

Although I'm gutted I did like to hear what Roos was saying in his pressor.

It was something like "there are non negotiables and players will go back to casey to work on it and if they don't they won't play"

There will be some nervous players.

Expect changes next wk.

Also liked this "Ive got to leave this club in a much better position than when I arrived. Thats my goal and that hasnt changed"

Don't worry Roos will be here for a long time.

Edited March 30, 2014 by DemonOX

[Bobby McKenzie 2,385]

every one has buttons.....

someone find his and ...push push push

Watts is not suited to playing a body contact sport. He frustrates the hell out me.

He is so soft and continually gets bullyed off the ball.

Very short memory Toorak.

[waikikkamukau 62]

http://www.afl.com.au/ladder

Didn't take us long to resume our traditional ladder position

Yep it's not called tanking though remember!

[Deecisive 1,709]

Nat Jones was fabulous today as usual, Cross was excellent and dunn was pretty good too. We have a lot of players knocking up good stats based on the old keepings off strategy, so they are in many ways nothing stats. I dont think we can blame the lack of a forward line, we had the ball often enough in our forward 50 and just kept kicking it straight to west coast players, if we had actually hit our own players we would have had a much healthy score. we must have had 10 goals kicked against us from p*ss poor turnovers again. poor skills and bad habits are still very much there. Players mark on the wing and start to look inside and backwards before looking forward, I dont know how many times we took the ball from a reasonably good attacking position back into the eagles 50. hmmm does that count as a 50 entry for them? we are too slow at moving forward, I dont know how many times players had the ball and players down field were leading towards them and ignored. the constant holding the ball up until the opposition has all our players covered so we would go back as the safe option. It was just stupid, as is our inability to man up. West coast players were running around all day without players on them, their uncontested count was ridiculous. Trenners needs to sit in a forward pocket, he just does not have the run to be a midfielder or on ball player just not capable of chasing and too often does not deliver the ball well or turns it over.

[1964nowMORE 489]

Rapt with Dunn, had a good year last year and has come forward even more. A bit of Ted Richards about him, better kick.

We desperately need 2 players to straighten us up, not only tall players but tall players who can crunch a pack. We only have 3 of them on our list, Dawes, hogan and Clark. Fitzy is tall but plays smallish. Maybe Gawn can go here also.

Till we get 2 real bigs in we are stuffed.

[Demon Jack 6,907]

Never thought we had much of a chance with this one. Without a proper forward target, we don't seem likely to kick a winning score. I like Fitzy but he probably should've sat this one out. Pederson doesn't offer much up forward and may see the rest of his career running on Casey Fields. I actually wouldn't be against the idea of playing Garland forward when he comes back.

Also, Nate Jones sitting on top of the overall disposal count for the league after the first two rounds...Champ. Hope he can soldier on.

[John Crow Batty 8,863]

Having the ball so much and only scoring 4 goals and a few behinds on a perfect football day does not compute. Below par for any second rate forward line in a regulation smashing. Classic chicken and the egg problem. What comes first, the structure or the personel? WTFK's

[Harrisonrules 273]

Peter Jackson said pre game the cultural problems were very deep. SO WHAT WERE THEY?

What was so bad?

My take is a completely different view. We have recruited a total bunch of hacks who continue to sook and underperform.

If these guys are so mentally damaged, then they should give the game away. It is appalling to turn up to the MCG to watch such garbage. The list is totally uncompetitive and sub par at AFL level.

Poor Roosy has stuff all to work with.

Damm those bastards who were in charge of this club and recruiting. ( with exception to the late JS )

The only sooks I've seen or heard in this club or those on Demonland.

Your own rant is emotional unintelligent rubbish. I would suggest you are the one who needs a break.

[DeeZee 7,378]

And only six goals against the saints last week......if this game plan is based on defence, why do we still lose by so much?

Cant defend or attack WTF

[Damo 3,355]

We could knock off Carlton given Dawes Viney and Garland are back in 2 weeks.

I think we are behind in players and con-testability, but if the planets align and they believe in themselves, it could happen.

Im waiting till then.

[Deano74 156]

We could knock off Carlton given Dawes Viney and Garland are back in 2 weeks.

I think we are behind in players and con-testability, but if the planets align and they believe in themselves, it could happen.

Im waiting till then.

From watching Carlton the other night, we wont come close even with the ins you suggest.

[DeeZee 7,378]

One good thing....we won the contested ball today.....a glimmer of hope, especially against a side like the Eagles.

Just have to use it better, and get some reliable targets.

[Dee Fan 3,247]

Nat Jones was fabulous today as usual, Cross was excellent and dunn was pretty good too. We have a lot of players knocking up good stats based on the old keepings off strategy, so they are in many ways nothing stats. I dont think we can blame the lack of a forward line, we had the ball often enough in our forward 50 and just kept kicking it straight to west coast players, if we had actually hit our own players we would have had a much healthy score. we must have had 10 goals kicked against us from p*ss poor turnovers again. poor skills and bad habits are still very much there. Players mark on the wing and start to look inside and backwards before looking forward, I dont know how many times we took the ball from a reasonably good attacking position back into the eagles 50. hmmm does that count as a 50 entry for them? we are too slow at moving forward, I dont know how many times players had the ball and players down field were leading towards them and ignored. the constant holding the ball up until the opposition has all our players covered so we would go back as the safe option. It was just stupid, as is our inability to man up. West coast players were running around all day without players on them, their uncontested count was ridiculous. Trenners needs to sit in a forward pocket, he just does not have the run to be a midfielder or on ball player just not capable of chasing and too often does not deliver the ball well or turns it over.

Couldn't agree more, they ran and attacked all day while we stagnated and waited for a team mate to take a risk, too many players afraid to take the game on. Terlich is like a kamikaze pilot when he has the ball in general play but I reckon I saw more movement in the statues outside the ground when he was taking the kick ins.

Why is it that our better skilled players have no pace and our faster players have no skill.

[olisik 4,060]

Is it too early to look at next years draft? Surely we are a lock for 1 & 2.

Look, in some ways you've got to laugh.... Don't you?

Is it too early to look at next years draft? Surely we are a lock for 1 & 2.

Look, in some ways you've got to laugh.... Don't you?

Picks 1 2 and 3.

1 (PP), 2 (Last on ladder) and 3 (Frawley compo) I would say.

[Sir Why You Little 37,032]

I hope Lynden Dunn plays 22 games this year. He and Nate Jones were the only guys who put 4 Quarters together.

[Jaded No More 68,901]

I don't want to make any judgements because I was tracking this game on an iPad at an airport lounge. But I don't understand how we are still this genuinely horrific that we can lose by so much on our home ground.

Heartbreaking.

[Sir Why You Little 37,032]

I don't want to make any judgements because I was tracking this game on an iPad at an airport lounge. But I don't understand how we are still this genuinely horrific that we can lose by so much on our home ground.

Heartbreaking.

The players do not care enough to work as a team. Our senior players are the worst offenders.

And are too slow in reaction.

Same old rabble. I suggest you watch Roos' press conference. No spin. The axe will fall without improvement.

[P-man 13,366]

Is it too early to look at next years draft? Surely we are a lock for 1 & 2.

Look, in some ways you've got to laugh.... Don't you?

Yep, I was laughing today. What's the alternative? Crying?

[Guest]

This game was deeply concerning.

I didn't freak out too badly in round 1 as there was one reason why we lost that: the forward line was non existent. We beat the Saints in most places except the scoreboard.
Today, we edge the Eagles in certain statistical areas (not like last week but as far as total possessions go, we win). However, the hesitation, horrific skill errors, second guessing and lack of football smarts going into the forward fifty were just appalling. There was way more to fix today compared to round 1.
Roos is 2 games into his career and I do have some concerns about the succession plan and how long he plans to hang around the club overall. However, it's too early to say what his tenure will be like. It's no different to when Neeld was coach in 2012 or Bailey's first year as coach in 2008. We need to give him the benefit of the doubt. He definitely has the record to back him up.
I will say this in Roos' defense. The playing group cannot claim that he has come in overly negative or has been overly harsh. If anything he has been as accommodating as possible. In his 8 years at Sydney, I can only remember him going off his tree once or twice. If he swings the axe, it's not because he is reactionary. It's because he does genuinely see cause for concern.

Edited March 30, 2014 by Colin B. Flaubert

[Real Demon 232]

All sorts of anger and frustration watching the game at the G today..............thank you Nathan Jones for not making the entire afternoon a waste of time.............absolute respect for the way he goes about it week in week out, regardless of the scoreboard!

[P-man 13,366]

All sorts of anger and frustration watching the game at the G today..............thank you Nathan Jones for not making the entire afternoon a waste of time.............absolute respect for the way he goes about it week in week out, regardless of the scoreboard!

I've run out of words to describe him. He's a hero in my eyes. Nothing short of it.

[RalphiusMaximus 6,046]

Well, I caught the second half after work, which appears to have been our better half.

The thing that is really getting to me at the moment is our complete and utter unwillingness to shepherd. It's a basic skill that every player on every team should have and know how to use, but time after time we see our players give off a little handball and then rather than putting their body in to create space for their teammate they run away to try to get another cheap possession and leave their teammate to be tackled. I haven't seen a single player do this properly this year.

On to the little of good from today:

Dunn really looked good playing a more attacking role. He had two or three assists from his long and accurate kicking and was one of the few players we had who was willing to back himself to get the kick right and attack.

I know he's copping a lot of flack for his poor disposal, but at the end when we were totally stagnant, Bail took it on himself to run out of traffic instead of getting us into the circle of handballing death again. His ball use was sub-par when he did kick, but he ran hard and broke the lines and at least gave us a glimpse of decent play. If we'd had more players willing to back themselves rather than just haning the responsibility off to a teammate the score would have been a lot more impressive.