P.S. IMO we also lack one more extractor in the stoppages to assist Jones, Cross and Vince on the rotations. Hopefully Viney can become the 4th man here. And to pull off a Geelong fast break overlap style of attack we're going to need some decent toe and passing by foot in this team. Hopefully the changes this week will help a little in that regard. Once we're playing this overlap style effectively and for approx 80% or so of game time, instead of possession style from last 2 weeks for about 80% of game time and we get a Hogan and Dawes into the mix, i believe we will start to show some major improvement on the scoreboard and might even win the odd match against lessor opponents. Maybe even one or 2 surprises later in the season against the odd middle rung team.

I think the team lacks 22 extractors.

Because that's is what needs to happen. Extract the digit and play football.

ENYAW i think there is much truth to this but i also think it lies somewhere "between the ears" and what OD is alluding to ie., that you can't make a silk purse etc.

Apart from their inability/lack of coolness/awareness under heat to execute under pressure, there are some major issues the bulk of our team just hasn't shown, not since at least 2006 or so anyway. There have been some minor break outs, where i've seen signs, like the first 15 minutes or so of the first quarter against the Saints this year and one other match where we almost beat the Saints going back a year or 2 (can't recall which year or round but it was under Neeld's nightmare reign).

• We haven't been able or capable of producing the shear all out animal aggression and attack on the ball and ball carrier that we see from many of the top teams on a regular basis that pressures them into regular turnovers (this could be a youth issue but hey, i feel that's a cop out...the Saints were as inexperienced as us!).
• This is very much linked to the above, we just don't hunt the footy or opposition in numbers like other top teams do, nor do we run in waves from the back half, nor spread quickly enough from stoppages, nor lead up and back enough to provide targets further up the field like top teams do over the course of a match for at least roughly 3 out of the 4 quarters (ie., enough of it to ensure they have a good chance of staying in a game or winning it).
• We don't take enough risks in play generally. That is, we prefer to try and maintain possession. There's very few desperation acts ( such as punching/kicking/slapping ball forward along the ground or at a ball up contest). Nor do we run the ball (bouncing) and drawing the opposition to create the overlap all that often (the stats so far this season bear that out). Given we don't yet have the precision skills by foot when looking to break the press, this usually results in most possessions being either a switch kick to an easy free man, either sideways or backwards in the back half, or a quick panic handball (often when under little or no pressure) to basically anyone within cooee, even if he is standing still or about to be wrapped up, often resulting in a turnover and quick fast break goal/score to the opposition.
• We seem to rarely cover the sweeper (+1) effectively in the center bounce, which usually allows that free man (should he gain first possession) an easy first disposal, which will then more often than not result in a quick pass, bomb or running play forward into our defensive 50, placing huge pressure on our defense too often when there's a center bounce. The opposition often manage to knock it towards (or we knock it towards) their sweeper. I have yet to see us effectively cover the +1 through the middle. This scenario also plays out in ball ups/stoppages around the ground at times (but not all the time, sometimes we manage the +1 or +2 and win the contests around the ground, but not very often and less so through the center bounce). Usually we just don't match up effectively at stoppages and lose the numbers game, often resulting in first clean possession/clearance by the free man or men, and hence sometimes an easy score by the opposition as they run away from stoppage. I would suspect most of goals scored against us are from center bounce clearances, and turnovers in our back half.

The mental area that concerns me is our inability (seemingly) to convert the mind. To become the HUNTER.... and not the hunted.

We have done nothing in the last 7 seasons and now 2 matches, to warrant being the hunted, so i'm not sure why they appear (at least from what i can see) to be in that mode on game day.

Maybe some of them, with the usual exceptions like the Jones Boy, just couldn't give a damn and are happy to take their pay cheque each week?

One thing i know for sure, unless we somehow mentally switch on to become the HUNTER and Roos/Jones somehow bring out the animal aggression in this mob, this team will remain at or near rock bottom.

P.S. IMO we also lack one more extractor in the stoppages to assist Jones, Cross and Vince on the rotations. Hopefully Viney can become the 4th man here. And to pull off a Geelong fast break overlap style of attack we're going to need some decent toe and passing by foot in this team. Hopefully the changes this week will help a little in that regard. Once we're playing this overlap style effectively and for approx 80% or so of game time, instead of possession style from last 2 weeks for about 80% of game time and we get a Hogan and Dawes into the mix, i believe we will start to show some major improvement on the scoreboard and might even win the odd match against lessor opponents. Maybe even one or 2 surprises later in the season against the odd middle rung team.

Gee RN I hope there are others who agree with you otherwise I know nothing about the game.

A very good analysis of the outcome of the lack of confidence I reckon.

I think that a lot of the timidness came about because they were inexperienced with small bodies easily knocked off the ball and crucified in some of the tactics adopted by previous coaches. Not having any toughened bodies around prepared to support them they developed the timidness which does not equate with the game. Yes they must toughen up but as a unit and support each other to be a tougher team.

Dont know that I can express my thoughts too clearly as it is pretty complex but thanks for making me think. I will always support the team as I have seen worse times and will watch as closely as I can to see if any of the issues you have highlighted are improved.

listening to wayne carey today on radio he said he had a conversation with roos and wouldnt mention all of the conversation but said that the team would go into games last year knowing they couldnt win and saying they wouldnt win and with teams they could beat they would say there a chance.

They have no confidence and im not sure how you get that back into them. Thats Roos's job to perform a miracle.

bout time we raised the issue of a mid season draft with the AFL.....

why waste a whole season to get rid of the rubbish?

I think the team lacks 22 extractors.

Because that's is what needs to happen. Extract the digit and play football.

So funny made my day Chippy hahhahahahaha

"Dees woes could be in their heads"

I seriously doubt that.

Yesterday I watched Casey

Two players Trengove, Toumpas played serviceable games but not top five games IMO

These two are top ten selections both should be stand outs be Casey level.

They were not.

They were both shown up by Jetta who is on the Rookie list.

He was the one yesterday that said I should be in the side next week.

It screams NGE to me.

Now I admit Toumpas is three games into his second year but Trengove should be tearing it up at Casey this is the VFL .

While there may be a loser syndrome at the MFC I still believe the major problem is lack of ability.

Trengove is not Top level AFL ability IMO.

He is an average half forward sad perhaps but that is the way I see it and he has a lot of mates on the MFC side

"Dees woes could be in their heads"

I seriously doubt that.

Yesterday I watched Casey

Two players Trengove, Toumpas played serviceable games but not top five games IMO

These two are top ten selections both should be stand outs be Casey level.

They were not.

They were both shown up by Jetta who is on the Rookie list.

He was the one yesterday that said I should be in the side next week.

It screams NGE to me.

Now I admit Toumpas is three games into his second year but Trengove should be tearing it up at Casey this is the VFL .

While there may be a loser syndrome at the MFC I still believe the major problem is lack of ability.

Trengove is not Top level AFL ability IMO.

He is an average half forward sad perhaps but that is the way I see it and he has a lot of mates on the MFC side

Sure ability is a factor, but these guys seriously need a win, any win. Their confidence and self esteem must be near zero.

I don't have the answer, if indeed there is one....but they have seriously forgotten how to win.

Sure ability is a factor, but these guys seriously need a win, any win. Their confidence and self esteem must be near zero.

I don't have the answer, if indeed there is one....but they have seriously forgotten how to win.

First you have to have the ability they don't The list is the worst in the competition.

is testosterone a banned wada substance?

could do with a large dose all around