54 minutes ago, Demon Disciple said:

I know it's a very early call, but this team is still not 100% mentally there. 

I have to agree, on the face of it we do look mentally weak. However I do think numerous players having interrupted preseasons hasn’t helped. 

Edited March 23, 20196 yr by Ethan Tremblay

16 minutes ago, picket fence said:

Also have to say 

As bad a loss as any under Mark Neelds Coaching!

I don’t know if you’re able to be banned for comments like that, but you should be. Probably the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever seen in a post-match thread.

Just now, Ethan Tremblay said:

I also liked that someone waited until the last quarter to tell Hore that he was allowed to take his kick from outside the goal square. 

I always feel so bad for young defenders. What a baptism of fire. He looked so overawed. And I mean why wouldn’t you be standing next to the defensive giants that are Frost and Omac. 

I think Oscar McDonald will be a good defender but he is also inexperienced and needs help. This is where Lewis is so valuable at half back. He ushers the troops. 

Our backline without Lever and May is horrible. Very few winners except Jetta. 

Hibbo looks to be on his last legs. 

my MFCSS has kicked in with a vengeance. The season will unravel and we'll be 0-4. the saints game will be season defining!! 

 

Boy oh boy.

We were smashed in uncontested possessions and clearly beaten for workrate and pace. There are a few ways that can occur but the most obvious one is that we had a poor pre-season. This is nothing to do with making finals and starting a month later, this is the players who had surgeries or missed periods or started later than the main group. Copping 30+ degrees and humidity when you're not 100% is a recipe for disaster.

But that's not where it ends. Gawn was belted in the ruck and around the ground. Without him dominating in the ruck, we were beaten in contested possessions (which only happened twice last year) and didn't dominate clearances. If I were an opposition coach I'd be planning to play two ruckmen and/or to just instruct them to get physical - Lycett's done this twice in a row, we saw Naismith do it well in our game vs Sydney last year, Rhys Stanley did it last year too. Gawn needs support, so I expect to see Presuss play as soon as he's fit. We need to try it.

If we're not on top in CPs and clearances, we're not a good football side - our losses last year showed this, and today showed this. That might make us a one-dimensional side overall, but our best last year shows we can afford to be one-dimensional if we work hard and our key players perform.

Our forward line is slow and pathetic defensively. If Garlett can't get back into this side then that says more about Garlett than it does about our forward line. Spargo is too slow to play his low-impact role. Sparrow looked OK but doesn't strike me as anything special. We clearly lacked a third marking option and TMac/Weideman were wholly out of sync.

Petracca looks too big (both too much muscle and, dare I say it, not perfectly conditioned). He's too slow by foot and isn't affecting the game enough. The time is going to come, soon I think, where we will see him at Casey.

Viney isn't fit and if he's a true captain he'll admit it and get fit before playing again. Jones' fitness might have been an issue but the dropped mark in the fourth was just poor football (he turned his head to see if there was someone in the goalsquare before he'd marked it). That drop led to a Westhoff goal and killed the game.

But, of all the things to be disappointed by, somehow I'm most disappointed in Frost and Oscar. When we brought in May, they knew that they'd be fighting for one spot (possibly no spots once Lever comes back, but anyway). They should have been motivated to work super hard on their weaknesses to ensure they were the one who got selected in Round 1. Instead, Frost's weaknesses remain the exact same (his push in the back on Ryder in the second quarter when the ball was clearly out on the full was bad, his decision to run into a wall of Port players then kick it after being blatantly caught holding the ball was worse), and so do Oscar's (he was being out-muscled by midfielders FFS). Can't decide which one I want to drop more for next week.

A shout out to Salem, who was incredible all day, as well as Harmes, Melksham and Hibberd. Hopefully Hunt gets some confidence, too.

Just got back from the game. Was so happy and excited. Went with my new boyfriend. At the first quarter, I was so excited, thinking if we keep playing like this, the cup is ours. Boy what a letdown. Couldn’t mark anything. Even when Port flumbled the ball, they always had players backing them up. Most times they saw the opposition go for the ball and made a half-hearted attempt to go after it or contest. Gawn was really off-game, I think he should take longer to recover. Sad, Jones was actually having a good game, until he made those mistakes and ruined it.

I’ll write this off as an early game where we’re still getting our feet. Bf is just doing the barbie so I’m going to have a nice dinner and try and forget about this.

 

29 minutes ago, picket fence said:

Also have to say 

As bad a loss as any under Mark Neelds Coaching!

Laughable overreaction

2 hours ago, Deemented Are Go! said:

Stuck in a corporate box with a Port Adelaide couple. 

Ugh.

You should have called the anti social behavior number and reported them...

However, whilst Port did have a bunch of debutants, they also had this:

Westhoff (249 games), Boak (244), Ebert (236), Ryder (227), Gray (200), Rockliff (173), Watts (173), Motlop (157), Jonas (122).

What did we have?

Jones (265), Melksham (157), TMac (147), Jetta (142), Hibberd (124), Gawn (100).

That's five 200+ game players to one, eight 150+ game players to two, and nine 100+ game players to six.

Other than Motlop, their 100+ game players were their best. Other than Melksham and, to an extent, Hibberd, our 100+ game players were poor.

It's only worth a little bit in the overall melting pot of issues, but we have to keep in mind that the core of our side, the players we demand lift us each week, are at a completely different level - Viney (99), Salem (71), Harmes (70), Lever (67), Petracca (64), Oliver (61), ANB (60), Brayshaw (59), Fritsch (24), Weideman (21).

Footy’s back! And it looks like those ‘funny old days’ are back with it. 

Lets just start with this, the Sky is not falling in. Not yet anyway. 

I thought we started very well and our midfield was on top. Clearances galore and the work rate and willingness to get physical was on display. We fell into a bit of a lull, that was ok, until it lasted 25 minutes then it was not ok. This is the key thing I’m concerned about, I know teams don’t perform 100% for 100% of the game but it’s about making sure those periods are as short as possible. To see us no-where near it for that long is pretty concerning. 

Max was worked over, I expected it. But he looked drunk out there today. I know he copped a knock early on but he looked at tomes like he’d lost hand-eye coordination! Lycett has the blueprint and I’m sure others will follow. 

To be fair even when we were quiet I felt out defensive structures were pretty good and there were still good defensive efforts being made to keep us in it. Eventually though these all died away (esepecially in the 2nd half when we were REALLY stuffed). We then looked like a team that didn’t have a clue. 

Jack Viney must have spent at least 40% of the game off. Has no lateral movement at all and looks useless. Yeah underdone etc but come on man. The defence was average but they were under siege, Oscar had a shocker and Frost looked dumb, Jayden Hunt showed glimpses of what he was and at least worked hard. Salem was a great contributor, used it nearly every time when others couldn’t. 

We’re one dimensional, if we don’t get them with our 1 Wood we don’t get them. Break even with contested ball and .. yeah you know. The one thing I’ll say about defending in transition is that at least we aren’t giving up the switch every single time now, but we still stink at it. Really have no answer for that other than just don’t lose a 50-50 ball in midfield.

We were knackered late and just totally clocked off. There’s never a good time to lose like this but I guess if there is ever even close to a good time it’s now. I think decision making was probably the big thing that killed us. First 20 mins we were playing with intent, going first option and just going with the gut, after this it was too much thinking about it and looking sideways and that’s where we just go into a state of flux. Need to just back ourself in more. 

Sparrow looked a goer, Marty Hore was in the headlights, Spargo had a honker, Wagner looks like a slightly quicker version of Josh. 

Jack Watts is not back, don’t buy into it. He played a reasonable game as he always does in Rd 1. And don’t waste energy wondering ‘why he couldn’t do it for us’ just keep walking.

Disappointing day, especially with the great RDB sitting a few rows back from us. Onward to next week, which I don’t feel great about but it’s another game. See you soon. 

18 minutes ago, titan_uranus said:

However, whilst Port did have a bunch of debutants, they also had this:

Westhoff (249 games), Boak (244), Ebert (236), Ryder (227), Gray (200), Rockliff (173), Watts (173), Motlop (157), Jonas (122).

What did we have?

Jones (265), Melksham (157), TMac (147), Jetta (142), Hibberd (124), Gawn (100).

That's five 200+ game players to one, eight 150+ game players to two, and nine 100+ game players to six.

Other than Motlop, their 100+ game players were their best. Other than Melksham and, to an extent, Hibberd, our 100+ game players were poor.

It's only worth a little bit in the overall melting pot of issues, but we have to keep in mind that the core of our side, the players we demand lift us each week, are at a completely different level - Viney (99), Salem (71), Harmes (70), Lever (67), Petracca (64), Oliver (61), ANB (60), Brayshaw (59), Fritsch (24), Weideman (21).

It's a good point, titan, but one I think that will be overlooked today based on the overall performance.  I get that, but we need to understand all the factors involved today.  Experience, poor pre-season, adaptation to the new rules and probably some arrogance and drinking of bathwater was our downfall today in a big way.

It's not the end of the world, though, and your previous post put it succinctly and perfectly to the point.

3 hours ago, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

Really?

It’s about having a consistent foundation to build from. 

Goodwin is blaming the surgeries - well OMac and Frost didn’t have surgery unless craniotomies were performed on the sligh. That may explain their performance. Likewise Trac had a full pre-season so no excuse there. The loss was attitudinal and due to poor work rate pure and simple.

23 minutes ago, titan_uranus said:

However, whilst Port did have a bunch of debutants, they also had this:

Westhoff (249 games), Boak (244), Ebert (236), Ryder (227), Gray (200), Rockliff (173), Watts (173), Motlop (157), Jonas (122).

What did we have?

Jones (265), Melksham (157), TMac (147), Jetta (142), Hibberd (124), Gawn (100).

That's five 200+ game players to one, eight 150+ game players to two, and nine 100+ game players to six.

Other than Motlop, their 100+ game players were their best. Other than Melksham and, to an extent, Hibberd, our 100+ game players were poor.

It's only worth a little bit in the overall melting pot of issues, but we have to keep in mind that the core of our side, the players we demand lift us each week, are at a completely different level - Viney (99), Salem (71), Harmes (70), Lever (67), Petracca (64), Oliver (61), ANB (60), Brayshaw (59), Fritsch (24), Weideman (21).

This is a very good observation. Good to remember where we actually are in the scheme of things. 

Can we do a superhero themed geurnsey?

9 minutes ago, chook fowler said:

Goodwin is blaming the surgeries - well OMac and Frost didn’t have surgery unless craniotomies were performed on the sligh. That may explain their performance. Likewise Trac had a full pre-season so no excuse there. The loss was attitudinal and due to poor work rate pure and simple.

Oscar had surgery right after the season, IIRC.

Per this article, as at 7 December our rehab group included Oliver, Hunt, Petracca, Viney, Jetta, Melksham and Oscar (as well as others).

Must say was really disappointed with both  Max and the team's response to him being roughed up off the ball, return the aggression please. On another note it could be that sort of opening round,I make it 3 out of 4 upsets so far with another looming in the Dogs/Swans game

We looked cooked today, hope next week we can have a better night at the kitty litter park, and come home with a win.

On a side note my son just gave me a signed poster of Jack viney framed, for my birthday, which i had no idea he was getting this for my birthday, so cool.

 

 

 

3 minutes ago, McQueen said:

Can we do a superhero themed geurnsey?

Yeah we are superman!......red and blue

37 minutes ago, titan_uranus said:

However, whilst Port did have a bunch of debutants, they also had this:

Westhoff (249 games), Boak (244), Ebert (236), Ryder (227), Gray (200), Rockliff (173), Watts (173), Motlop (157), Jonas (122).

What did we have?

Jones (265), Melksham (157), TMac (147), Jetta (142), Hibberd (124), Gawn (100).

That's five 200+ game players to one, eight 150+ game players to two, and nine 100+ game players to six.

Other than Motlop, their 100+ game players were their best. Other than Melksham and, to an extent, Hibberd, our 100+ game players were poor.

It's only worth a little bit in the overall melting pot of issues, but we have to keep in mind that the core of our side, the players we demand lift us each week, are at a completely different level - Viney (99), Salem (71), Harmes (70), Lever (67), Petracca (64), Oliver (61), ANB (60), Brayshaw (59), Fritsch (24), Weideman (21).

Lever didn't put a foot wrong today.  No problems with his game.

2 hours ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Must agree

the comments about being underdone due to a shorter pre season are also a little hard to take.

The finals provided match practice of the best kind.

We just took our break at a different time. Hawks et al seem to mange it with no issues

The under done aspect is a little over done here!  

3 minutes ago, Rusty Nails said:

The under done aspect is a little over done here!  

It's not about having a month less pre-season because of finals.

It's about players requiring surgery either at the start of pre-season or during it, and/or being injured and not being able to do a full pre-season.

Our effort all over the ground was laughable today.  When you're seeing free Port players all over the ground, it just shows a complete lack of respect and intensity from a big chunk of players.

One piece of play summed it up for me:

- Gray was waiting to deliver it just outside his 50.  Salem loose, looked around and saw Westhoff ambing out of the goals square on his own and thought 'too big for me, I'm not taking him'.   

- Oscar then came over to take him, but that left Ryder on his own. 

- Gray kicks to Ryder, overcooks it, but Oscar decides he's going to have to take him now, Ryder just lets it go over his head but Oscar runs and jumps under the ball, completely missing it for his second embarrassing high ball misjudgement of the day.  

- Ball falls straight into unmarked Westhoff's hands, simple goal.

As good as Salem was today, that was a p*ssweak moment from him...  And Oscar... well if you're slow and non competitive when the ball hits the ground, you'd better be a bloody good spoiler and body on body player, but he's neither of those either.

This is the kind of rubbish effort that will get brought up on 'On The Couch' by Garry Lyon - and so it should.

Selfish and clumsy football, crap start to the year.  This better not be repeated or you'll see a lot of people drop off this bandwagon.

 

 

Edited March 23, 20196 yr by Buzzy

I think the loss of Hogan is going to be noticed a fair bit this year. Tmac is a very straight up and down forward with out any sort of tricks, and I feel Weideman is the same. They don’t have the forward nous to create goals when they don’t mark the ball. 

I think people were too overawed with Weid’s 1-2 good finals games that they forgot the body of his work. Joel smith might provide something dynamic when he returns to assist with those two tall forwards.

1 hour ago, picket fence said:

Also have to say 

As bad a loss as any under Mark Neelds Coaching!

No disrespect but you have a very bad memory