2 minutes ago, Ron Burgundy said:

I usually like your posts DeeSpencer, but this is a shocker. I don't agree with any of it. In particular, I loved Garlett's game today - he was fantastic.

 

Jeff was great. Watts' final quarter was instrumental. Lewis came in to the game and made some well timed interventions in the last. That's not the point.

The point is to debate what to do about players routinely making bad errors. 

Watts - we live with it as we have been for YEARS. Goodwin's threatened to drop him preseason for not attacking contests in the air. His mark on the wing in the last was a beauty. 

Jeffy - ground ball training practice, but if it continues he has a holiday if his form drops just like it did last year when his whole game went off

Lewis - the hardest one of the lot to deal with.  You don't bring a premiership player over to avoid picking the ball up under pressure. Turning side on a flopping around like a blow up doll. Nath Jones needs to let him know we aren't paying him as a coach just yet and he needs to bleed red and blue.

1 hour ago, DeeSpencer said:

What do we do about it?

We don't do anything about it because it didn't happen.

Paging @stevethemanjordan I need some back up in this thread. 

You're all soft.

2 hours ago, dieter said:

I would never call anyone a shirker until I knew what it was like to be in the 'shirker's' position. Have you ever played AFL footy?

I don't agree with the opening post but the whole "How many games of AFL have you played?" argument that gets thrown around on forums is one of the worst. I've played about 5 games of football in under 10's in my life, does that make all my opinions completely irrelevant?

@DeeSpencer

Not sure I agree re: Lewis. His agility isn't lightening quick and generally in close, if you don't have that super quick movement going for a loose ball, it might look as if you're not going as 'hard'. But I would never question Lewies intent at a contest. Ever.

Watts - Agree but what's changed? I've just accepted it and try and enjoy the things that he can and does do well. But yes, the chest marking business today had me cringing.

Garlett - Similar boat. Small and slight so not a real surprise. I'll never back him in a one-on-one contested situation unless the ball is in clear space and he has a run at it. Another I just accept will have moments where he'll have some cringeworthy moments.

1 minute ago, stevethemanjordan said:

@DeeSpencer

Not sure I agree re: Lewis. His agility isn't lighting quick and generally in close, if you don't have that super quick movement going for a loose ball, it might look as if you're not going as 'hard'. But I would never question Lewies intent at a contest. Ever.

Watts - Agree but what's changed? I've just accepted it and try and enjoy the things that he can and does do well. But yes, the chest marking business today had me cringing.

Garlett - Similar boat. Small and slight so not a real surprise. I'll never back him in a one-on-one contested situation unless the ball is in clear space and he has a run at it. Another I just accept will have moments where he'll have some cringeworthy moments.

Keep watching Lewis then. He turns side on to the ground ball and tries to paddle it to himself. You'll pick it up if you watch it enough. There's a reason he went to half forward then half back today. Trying to keep him away from the tight stuff.

Watts and Garlett, probably fair enough. I just wonder if we are closing in on finals and then have 2 players who might melt under the pressure. Many a forward or outside player (often smalls not named Cyril, sometimes talls) have wilted in finals without the ferocious attack on the ball and these guys are probably 2 of our top 3 goal kickers as well as guys who can make things happen. 

Not every player is a head over the ball player man, simple as that.
Jeffy doesn't need to be tough because he is deadly with the boot and super quick.
Wattsy is a classy outside mid with elite running and awesome foot skills.

I know what you're saying but they have a role and today played their roles superbly.

Wattsy was pinch hitting against Matty Kruezer...and at times roved his own tap in the contest. no mean feat!

 

6 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

Keep watching Lewis then. He turns side on to the ground ball and tries to paddle it to himself. You'll pick it up if you watch it enough. There's a reason he went to half forward then half back today. Trying to keep him away from the tight stuff

Il tell ya this for free, player are instructed to get side on to the ground ball and attempt to turn their body with hip/back towards opponents. Often at speed if they overstep the football or receive body contact they are forced to tap it in order to keep possession. 

Watch bulldogs players contest the ground ball and Geelong premiership players and you may get an understanding of who has influenced this contested ball technique.

The bigger issue was the lack of cleaness from the whole team, Jordan Lewis being one of them. Jack Watts made some skill errors as did all, but without him we lose today. 

2 hours ago, ArtificialWisdom said:

Now I think what he said about the players is just crap, for 1 if Garlett and Watts didn't play today we would have lost. However, today's performance was nothing to be satisfied about. Relieved is the word I would use. We got away with one.
I even feel a little for the blues supporters we have watched many a games just like that the last few years. Where we were just in it without being able to get over the line. Great we got over the line but I'm far from satisfied. Bring on the cats at our new favourite ground .

Am satisfied for win because in years gone by, even last year, we would have dropped this game, Garlett and Watts both played well. Lewis didn't but no big deal, he did last week so no need to panic. Same with Brayshaw, he played well last week, one bad game and the idiots want him dropped FFS

Should we be questioning the courage of anyone who plays at this level these days?

Possibly, but enough's been written here and elsewhere on the subject. 

Any further discussion is not particularly constructive as far as I'm concerned. The point's been made. Let's leave it at that.