Closing out close games

[titan_uranus 24,631]

I can't help but reflect on the number of games over the last few years where we've struggled to hold onto a small lead in the dying minutes.

Obviously there's yesterday.

From my memory, there's also:

1. Round 19 2016 vs Gold Coast - had the lead, Vince had the ball, turned it over and Lynch could have kicked a goal after the siren.
2. Round 1 2016 vs GWS - we had a two goal lead with a minute to go, we conceded a goal, then we let them get the simple centre clearance through Shiel. We did, however, flood the backline to prevent a mark but it was close.
3. Round 11 2015 vs St Kilda - we all remember that one. Similar problem to yesterday, failing to get enough numbers into the backline and conceding a frustratingly simple goal out the back.
4. Round 18 2014 vs Port Adelaide - from memory they kicked a late goal to take the game from us.
5. Round 13 2014 vs Essendon - took the lead through Salem but IIRC we let them get it inside their forward 50 in the last minute, but did hold on.

Not sure if there's a systematic problem, but too many similar situations with no obvious improvement, IMO. The problem in the 2015 St Kilda game was remarkably similar to yesterday (I still cannot believe we only had three people inside our defensive 50 at that final contest with McCarthy).

[4JacksandaKing 52]

6 minutes ago, titan_uranus said:

I can't help but reflect on the number of games over the last few years where we've struggled to hold onto a small lead in the dying minutes.

Obviously there's yesterday.

From my memory, there's also:

1. Round 19 2016 vs Gold Coast - had the lead, Vince had the ball, turned it over and Lynch could have kicked a goal after the siren.
2. Round 1 2016 vs GWS - we had a two goal lead with a minute to go, we conceded a goal, then we let them get the simple centre clearance through Shiel. We did, however, flood the backline to prevent a mark but it was close.
3. Round 11 2015 vs St Kilda - we all remember that one. Similar problem to yesterday, failing to get enough numbers into the backline and conceding a frustratingly simple goal out the back.
4. Round 18 2014 vs Port Adelaide - from memory they kicked a late goal to take the game from us.
5. Round 13 2014 vs Essendon - took the lead through Salem but IIRC we let them get it inside their forward 50 in the last minute, but did hold on.

Not sure if there's a systematic problem, but too many similar situations with no obvious improvement, IMO. The problem in the 2015 St Kilda game was remarkably similar to yesterday (I still cannot believe we only had three people inside our defensive 50 at that final contest with McCarthy).

I believe McCarthy missed the ball, fresh air kick.  There should've been a score review.  Instead of going the bump, should've dived on the ball, to spoil any chance of goal.  Too many times our players (I do love them all) go the man, not the ball

[Skuit 9,965]

Round 15 2014 vs Bontempelli. I think the scores may have been tied though in that one with a minute or so to go.

Post-note: the couple of close games in 2014 were one of the reasons the AFL cited in not granting us a priority pick. We had a % of around .65 ffs. Ridiculous.

Edited April 16, 2017 by Skuit

[Diamond_Jim 12,360]

44 minutes ago, Skuit said:

Round 15 2014 vs Bontempelli. I think the scores may have been tied though in that one with a minute or so to go.

Post-note: the couple of close games in 2014 were one of the reasons the AFL cited in not granting us a priority pick. We had a % of around .65 ffs. Ridiculous.

very painful memory ... this young nobody hopelessly outdbodied and out manouevered Dunn on the boundary line and kicked a goal. He has proved not to be a flash in the pan that Bont guy.

Dunn was having a great season down back. All he had to do was push the ball over the line. Deliberate out if bounds was not a problem then.

On Saturday it was way too early to try and close out the game when we hit the front. Sure we could have loaded the backline but they would have had plenty of time to penetrate and score. The best defence was another goal.

[Moonshadow 17,554]

2 hours ago, 4JacksandaKing said:

I believe McCarthy missed the ball, fresh air kick.  There should've been a score review.  Instead of going the bump, should've dived on the ball, to spoil any chance of goal.  Too many times our players (I do love them all) go the man, not the ball

Watch the reply. He grazed the ball with his foot. It was a goal. 

Vince or someone should be been out the back. Never, never leave the back unprotected when the ball is flying in. Should've been 2-3 guys spare with us up and only a minute or so left. But instead they all went for the marking contest with only Vince left strolling along the side.

Edited April 16, 2017 by Moonshadow