THE DROUGHT IS OVER by George on the Outer - POST MATCH DISCUSSION

[Wadda We Sing 10,685]

So many great observations on here....well done to Demonland as well..

[DemonDave 1,089]

5 hours ago, Red and Bluebeard said:

What do people think about the "8 behind the ball at the bounce (or throw up)" setup? This seemed a refinement of the diamond defence, when there were two back flankers running into the square. Now it seems we have the half-forwards starting on the half-back line as well, and all four running forward. Didn't do much good in the first quarter, but later it came into its own.

This! Was the most eye opening tactic I've seen for some time.  Without wading through the game day thread amazed no-one else has bought this up. 

At times in the 2nd & 3rd quarters we even had a 9 man backline for centre bounces.  Having just watched the replay on tv I'm amazed none of the so- called expert commentators picked up on this tactic, and certainly if you only watched it on tv the camera angles have no indication as to just how often this was happening. Would love to see the behind the goal camera footage of this setup. 

[Demon Disciple 12,122]

8 hours ago, PaulRB said:

He does a bloody good strutt...

Reminds of Mick Jagger!

[Demon Disciple 12,122]

7 hours ago, Danelska said:

I want to flag Weidemans attack on the ball in the air - quite frankly he isn't delivering on the outcomes consistently as yet , my word though, he will. He glides, yet attacks with oomph - the sure hands will develop.

He reminds me of Lloyd leading to the ball (minus the gaping mouth and grass toss)

[Bobby Clark 121]

36 disposals, 14 contested possessions, 9 clearances & 7 tackles. 

88.9% disposal efficiency. 

Clayton Oliver ??

[Deestroy All 14,266]

I can't sleep so I'll jot down my thoughts on the game. 

 

That first quarter was killing me at the time. Here we go again type stuff. The backline looked panicked and horrible, the mids doing [censored] all to stop it getting down there. 

But watching the replay, in a much calmer state, we really only played 10 bad minutes of footy. That's all it takes for 4 goals to be piled on in modern footy. 

I thought that was Jones' best ever captains game, ironically enough. Showed real leadership, just looked determined and turned the game. Nice left foot on him now too. 

Oliver is just a freak. I don't mean because he's ginger, I mean a footballing freak. Also because he's ginger. Those hands, he's like Magic Johnson out there. That lofted handball over his shoulder to Jones who goaled on his left was just footy porn. As gifted a footballer as I've seen. Don't forget the start of his pre-season - looked out of shape, drink driving incident, and was struggling with hayfever. What a turnaround. 

Gawn does what Gawn says he's gunna do. Said he needed to get one back on Hickey, and he [censored] smashed him. It was like having one extra player at every stoppage because of his taps.

Jordan Lewis, lol. Thanks Hawthorn. 

I thought Bernie was his old self. I don't like him in the backline at all but this was one of his better days down there. Made mistakes, everyone did, but he far outweighed them with the good that he did. Was really smart without the ball, helped steady the shaky backline. 

Jetta. I feared he wouldn't get a game, thank [censored] he did. He's our best defender. One of our most reliable players. To think Melksham could've taken his spot makes me feel ill. I thought Melksham was terrible. How he supposedly went at 93% is beyond me. Was like a deer in the headlights and gave away stupid frees. A year out is no excuse for mine, considering how every other Bomber or ex Bomber played this round. 

I thought Tom McD was very good after quarter time. Some brilliant defending moments and that great mark near CHF. I still close my eyes when he has ball in hand though. Oscar really struggled, I like Oscar, but give me Frost. 

Petracca is awesome to watch. He will turn games on their head. Needs to lower the eyes more but geez he's exciting when he gets it. 

Was happy with Watts' game. I've always said he needs to jump at a pack or 2 and he did that. Loved hearing Goodwin mention that after the game too, so it's obviously been addressed. His ball use was good as usual. 

Hannan, what an exciting debut! What a nightmare to match up on. Young Dale Thomas ish. 

I've been a Neal-Bullen critic, but he was quite good. I'd still replace him with a fully fit Kent though even on that performance. 

Hogan was brilliant. Love the strings to his bow moving him up field. Has great hands for a tall. Looks set for a huge year. 

 

That'll do. 

[censored] yeah footy!

[Lucifers Hero 39,779]

3 hours ago, DemonDave said:

This! Was the most eye opening tactic I've seen for some time.  Without wading through the game day thread amazed no-one else has bought this up. 

At times in the 2nd & 3rd quarters we even had a 9 man backline for centre bounces.  Having just watched the replay on tv I'm amazed none of the so- called expert commentators picked up on this tactic, and certainly if you only watched it on tv the camera angles have no indication as to just how often this was happening. Would love to see the behind the goal camera footage of this setup. 

Richardson didn't wake up to it either.  Or if he did he didn't do much about it.

It looked like they expected us to play the 'normal zone' defense which they drive trucks thru and get easy goals out the back.  It didn't happen and they didn't know how to handle it.  They looked as if it was all too hard until Roo went off and they came out of their shell.  Seeing him go down must have stung them into action.

Edited March 25, 2017 by Lucifer's Hero

[KingDingAling 3,757]

A team with Jones, Oliver, Viney, Brayshaw, all running through the middle, its going to be one of fiercest midfields in modern day footy. The way some of these guys hit the contest, it can turn a game. Breaks the opposition down. Something to look forward to. I thought Nathan Jones was unbelievable yesterday. It was a real leaders game. He lifted big time. I think we will match up well against most teams.

[Webber 10,468]

8 hours ago, Maldonboy38 said:

ANB surprised me. He always came across as one of those poor players too good for VFL, not good enough fofr AFL. His game today was very impressive. He added some real grunt and his disposal was clean. Could not drop him on that form. 

And I know Weideman is young, but once he starts clunking a few he will be something special. 

And to see Watts flying for marks was excellent. His marking is not great, but his attempts caused 2 goals and it means his player has to fly with him.

Both Watts and Hogan were getting pulled down in the marking contests. It's a sneaky method that's very hard for the umps to see in packs, but happened three times to Watts that I saw. 

[Biffen 12,943]

Goodwin took my advice and started the forward flanks off the half back line.It gives the mids more running options and /or tacklers if we lose the bounce.

Lets the mids take the ball forward with momentum, not timidly.

Frost will make us a better side when he gets on.

Does anyone think ANB keeps his spot? 

I am spewing about young Joel Smith though we have about 7 more half backs in rehab.

The inclusion of Frost and Hibberd soon will increase the speed of our attack.

Having Kent,VDB,Tyson,Harmes,Pederson Frost,Hibberd waiting to come back in plus JT,Spencer shows our incredible depth .

Now Hannan has shown he can play.

We finally have about 30 decent players to pick from (injuries permitting).

[Josh 1,420]

2 hours ago, Bobby Clark said:

36 disposals, 14 contested possessions, 9 clearances & 7 tackles. 

88.9% disposal efficiency. 

Clayton Oliver ??

3 votes C Oliver. 31 effective disposals is HUGE. 

[Demon_JB 1,385]

Oliver has been my favourite player before he even played, and time and time again he proves it. Not sure if many of you watch the way he goes about his footy, but players of his ilk and skill do not come around often.

The way he grabs the ball mid air and fires off a handball before landing is nothing short of art. The way he picks up a ball and instantly throws his hands in the air and handballs over his head to a player running into space is mouth watering. He runs from content to contest bullocking his way through. Honestly, Clayton Oliver is the perfect mixture between grunt and sublime skill. He will be our become our most elite mid and one of the best players in the AFL. Watch this space.

[Dante 2,739]

I thought that Jones hauled is back in to the game in the second when he did a couple of bursts through the centre and drilled it in to the forward line.  I think the Saints tried to rough us up a bit in the first and that set us back a bit, we came back at them after that and rattled them.

Loved Hogans game today, good on the air and on the ground, the real package.

Jetta was great all day, as were Lewis, Vince and Clarrie, anyone that thinks Vince isn't up to it anymore should watch the replay. Big Max, think that makes up for last year. ANB could very easily kicked 4 today, Hannan was sensational for a first gamer, I can understand why they picked him.

God it was hot and steamy there today, the lighting is terrible and my eyes were stinging from the badly ventilated stadium, it was almost impossible to see what was happening up the other end.  

Great game by the boys today, I thought they'd win and they did, we are not last years team and I think the Saints thought we were.

How good will Hunt be, he's got the strut sure enough, but as long as he keeps playing like he does, good on him, Trac has a bit of that too.

Can hardly wait for next week's game.

 

 

[Deestar9 1,617]

10 hours ago, poita said:

Outstanding result today, well done to the boys. Our play in the second and third quarters, in an important game, was as good as we have seen for a decade. To bounce back after a horrible first quarter was really pleasing. Our senior players really led the way in keeping a steady ship, and the others followed. It would be nice to see that kind of resilience on a regular basis.

Oliver and Petracca were fantastic. Jones superb. Max had a great last three quarters. Oscar and Vince were very good after poor starts. Hogan and Garlett did a great job of taking their chances when they came. Hannan looked right at home at that level. Really everyone made a contribution, with the likely exception of Melksham who was very poor. A tough way for Smith to start his career, but he will be back, no doubt at all.

Next week will be a good test, to not only beat Carlton, but to beat them well. I have no doubt we are ten goal better side than the Blues if we play properly throughout.

And finally, to see Nick Riewoldt go down like that, particularly with the game decided, was very sad. He is a true champion, and I hope his career isn't over.

Were you at the game? Melksham was definitely not "poor". Go watch a replay 

[stevethemanjordan 6,952]

5 hours ago, A F said:

Nah. He was ordinary early on, but worked himself into the game. Amazing what a bit of midfield and half forward pressure will do for one-on-ones inside defensive 50.

 

He was god-awful.

He didn't work himself into anything.

He generally made mistake after mistake after mistake the entire match.

Fact.

 

 

[old dee 23,790]

Hmm not manny Lids around in the last 12 hours!

[Gorgoroth 12,950]

@Macca tripleM said during the last he had had 43 hit outs 20 to advantage, so not sure home many more were to advantage after the 43 but it was at least 20.

insane numbers.

[Dr. Gonzo 24,215]

9 hours ago, brendan said:

It's funny how you see a game live and don't check stats, no way I would have thought clary had 35 touches I actually thought he barely touched it and I thought jones was brilliant and got us back into the game I'm looking forward to watching replay to get a better idea on it 

There's been a lot of love for Oliver and he was very good, but I thought Petracca was outstanding. Could haunt the Saints for the next decade.

[Bring-Back-Powell 14,819]

6 hours ago, A F said:

I'll probably get pummelled for this, but I felt Vince continued to make some real rookie errors. He's far too fancy at times.

He did some good things, but his position in the best 22 remains one of the most intriguing subplots of 2017 for me.

I don't think he'll been seen until round 4 or 5 through suspension.

[Demon trucker 1,800]

I have been saying all along st. K,  is overrated, last season they had a easy draw they had the drug users 2 times, Carlton twice, and us twice at their home ground, the drug users won't be crap this year,  Carlton will be crap, we won't lose to Carlton Jordan will not let us slip next week, the hawks lost last night because instead of Lewis willing them over the line,  he was in the red and the blue doing it for the good guys.

[furious d 464]

3 minutes ago, old dee said:

Hmm not manny Lids around in the last 12 hours!

I'm keeping the lid on old. This thread is mis titled too. Sure we broke "a" drought, but "the" drought has been going since 1964 and it's not over yet. My lid will come off when we're up by more goals than there is minutes left in the game that will break the only drought I'm worried about. You won't hear a "relax we've got this" from me before then. Not even this week, we're still fickle till we prove otherwise and we can only do that with time and wins.

Doesn't mean I can't enjoy the win though, and enjoy it I did. 

[640MD 3,376]

3 hours ago, Deestroy All said:

That first quarter was killing me at the time. Here we go again type stuff. The backline looked panicked and horrible, the mids doing [censored] all to stop it getting down there. 

 

I thought that was Jones' best ever captains game, ironically enough. Showed real leadership, just looked determined and turned the game.

Jordan Lewis, lol. Thanks Hawthorn. 

I thought Bernie was his old self.

Jetta.  He's our best defender. One of our most reliable players.

 

To think Melksham could've taken his spot makes me feel ill. I thought Melksham was terrible.

I thought Tom McD was very good after quarter time. Some brilliant defending moments and that great mark near CHF.

Oscar really struggled,. 

Petracca is awesome to watch.  

Was happy with Watts' game. . 

Hannan, what an exciting debut! 

Hogan was brilliant. Love the strings to his bow moving him up field. Has great hands for a tall. Looks set for a huge year. 

 

 

  Agree  mostly   but I liked Melksham's attack on the ball and player  I liked so many things after quarter time,   no real passengers after 1st quarter,  even Oscar picked up a bit,

not enough if others are fit but better,  he might keep improving at Casey  he is not a lost cause.

The depth of players all striving to get into the main game, amazing,   bring on next week a real chance to string some 2 or more games together.  Lets not think about the end of 2016   I told a Bulldog mate, Its always going to be a good year when Collingwood lose the first match.   Did not realise how good,       Go Dees  !!!

[Dr. Gonzo 24,215]

7 hours ago, Petraccattack said:

Just noticed we are back at Etihad in 14 days to play the Cats, again highlighting the importance of todays win at that stadium. 

Then again on April 30 to play the Bombers

[Cards13 9,117]

10 hours ago, A F said:

A couple of other things I noticed that I hadn't seen from us before.

1) How organised we were right across the ground. For example, we had guys front and centre at almost every contest. We swarmed in numbers, but it was the long kicks to 2 on 1s, where a tall MFC player would either mark or have a Hunt or Salem or Jetta at the foot of the contest to whisk it away if it wasn't marked.

2) Our ability to change tempo mid game. This is the big one and shows the greatest sign of maturity IMO. We seemed to know where and when to slow the tempo. And unlike previous games and seasons, where if we weren't moving the ball quickly our game plan would disintegrate, we moved the ball precisely and methodically from one side of the ground to the other. We also used the wings better than I've seen us do. Short little hit ups until we could get it inside 50.

3) Our spread. Our spread after quarter time was the best I've seen from a Melbourne team. We seem to have finally got it. If we play like this for four quarters the Bulldogs', the GWS' and even the Essendon's won't trouble us anymore. It'll come down to whoever wins the stoppages and with Oliver, Jones, Viney and Lewis bringing even and dominant contributions, we've seemingly learnt how to kill a team on the spread. Importantly, this means we can also stop teams on the spread. Maybe Misson is deserved of a bit of praise here too?

One thing we do need to work on is not having multiple talls all flying for the one mark. Happens way to often, more often than not we spoil each other and then don't have players at the fall of the ball.

There was one really glaring example were Hoges, Gawn and someone else all went at the one ball in a pocket. A bit of voice and Maxy or Hoges snaffle it.

[brendan 3,437]

I thought jones was brilliant yesterday, I had a few saints supporters behind me and they kept saying WHO THE BLOODY HELL IS NUMBER 2 HE IS KILLING US, Had a good laugh over it