The Writing Was/Is on the Wall

[TeamPlayedFine39 8,154]

7 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

No footy department would ever publicly admit this, but I wonder if, for the first time in many seasons, we weren't preparing a team for Round 1 but for the Finals. That means accepting the possibility of missing out on early wins for a bigger prize later on. It's not without risk, of course, because you need enough wins to make the Finals, but there is also not much point in making Finals, just to make up the numbers.

So, I'm choosing this optimistic scenario, at least for this week. Makes the loss more bearable.

Interestingly enough, the only time I remember that being said publically was by Neale Daniher in 2006.  We’d faded badly in 04 and 05 so they structured preseason differently.  Started slowly, losing the first three- then spring to life.

[Wiseblood 24,636]

11 minutes ago, TeamPlayedFine39 said:

Interestingly enough, the only time I remember that being said publically was by Neale Daniher in 2006.  We’d faded badly in 04 and 05 so they structured preseason differently.  Started slowly, losing the first three- then spring to life.

That's a good point.  We almost lost our first four that year, if it wasn't for a ripping Cameron Bruce snap in the dying stages of the last term (and don't get me started on the rubbish 50 metre penalty against Jared Rivers that almost cost us the game!)

It goes to show that a season isn't over in the first 3-4 rounds if you lose a fair chunk of them.  We went on to win 5 in a row after losing the first 3, and we had a better run in the finals than '04 and '05.  

Edit - we actually won 11 of our next 12 games after losing the first 3.  

Edited March 24, 2019 by Wiseblood

[praha 10,277]

We were bad on Saturday. But perspective has us lose a match by 23 points after getting smashed in UC possessions, tackling and inside 50s. And without two key defenders, and Lewis. 

We went up against two ruckman, with an underdone Oliver and Viney, and no impact from Brayshaw or Petracca.

That was as bad a performance as I've seen since probably round 23 2016 vs Geelong. We were worse on Saturday than we were against Hawthorn last season. We were lethargic, slow, and lacking urgency. And yet we only lost by 23 points.

Yeah we lost but hardly is it the writing on the wall. People need to get their [censored] together.

[Ugottobekidding 915]

A bit of perspective, lot of players looked way underdone.... i dont think pettraca should be played in the middle.

 

[jumbo returns 6,488]

16 hours ago, nosoupforme said:

Like to know your response after Round 7,  RJ.

 

This ^^

Historically, the top 8 doesn't change much (if at all) after this time

Thus, it would be great to see the team sitting in 4th, 5th or 6th with a healthy percentage

[DV8 2,271]

6 hours ago, Wiseblood said:

He strikes me as the sort of player that needs to be fully fit to hit his straps.  Anything even slightly below and he struggles. 

What is fully fit for Tracca ?

I don't think we have ever seen him fully fit.

Another I question the dedication and commitment to the game, and their betterment.

 

If the club is keeping him 'heavy',   hoping he will bust open tackles often,  I think its hurting our side on the spread and defending... particularly with more space opening up.

Edited March 25, 2019 by DV8

[Watson11 1,882]

5 hours ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

No footy department would ever publicly admit this, but I wonder if, for the first time in many seasons, we weren't preparing a team for Round 1 but for the Finals. That means accepting the possibility of missing out on early wins for a bigger prize later on. It's not without risk, of course, because you need enough wins to make the Finals, but there is also not much point in making Finals, just to make up the numbers.

So, I'm choosing this optimistic scenario, at least for this week. Makes the loss more bearable.

Malcolm Blight did this in 1997 and 1998, co-incidentally Goody's first 2 years as a player.  He killed them in pre-season.  Both seasons they started poorly and were 2w 4l after 6 rounds.  Both seasons they were not guaranteed of a finals spot until round 21 or 22, but despite this he did a 4 week training block leading up to finals to make sure they were the fittest team going into September.  Both seasons they ended 13-9 (edit 14-8 in 97) and that suicide block could have backfired.  With 5 games left they were either percentage or a single game from being outside the 8.  But both times he had them at their peak in September and the rest was history.  They really pinched those 2 flags, but after being the bridesmaid 4x at Geelong, it was all or nothing for Blighty. 

 

Edited March 25, 2019 by Watson11

[faultydet 7,593]

We made Jack Watts look like a really good footballer, and hard at the ball.

 

Not a good thing for the team resume.

[Tom Dyson 1,492]

everyone was overreacting after the first five rounds last year when we were 2-3 saying that we would miss the finals and that we would never be good ever again. 

well this is round 1, so calm down. I do agree there are many parts of our game that need improvement, there were many key players who underperformed, there are many people that we are waiting to come back from injury. another thing to consider is maybe our players were effected by the reduction in the time runners are allowed unto the ground... 

the fact is that we have a great coach, a great list, great leaders and a great supporter base. we have all the right people in all the right places. 

we may be subject to a few upset losses throughout the year, but every good team is. every good team has weaknesses in their game plan. 

we will improve over the year (fix up structure, game plan, positioning etc.). so don't throw in the towel just yet.

up the dees!

[beelzebub 22,225]

23 minutes ago, Tom Dyson said:

everyone was overreacting after the first five rounds last year when we were 2-3 saying that we would miss the finals and that we would never be good ever again. 

well this is round 1, so calm down. I do agree there are many parts of our game that need improvement, there were many key players who underperformed, there are many people that we are waiting to come back from injury. another thing to consider is maybe our players were effected by the reduction in the time runners are allowed unto the ground... 

the fact is that we have a great coach, a great list, great leaders and a great supporter base. we have all the right people in all the right places. 

we may be subject to a few upset losses throughout the year, but every good team is. every good team has weaknesses in their game plan. 

we will improve over the year (fix up structure, game plan, positioning etc.). so don't throw in the towel just yet.

up the dees!

Reality check

Coach going ok.  Still surprises ( good and bad )

Selection.   Bizarre.

Leaders...saw something I didn't sat.

We have much to commend . 

But that was insipid.. truly

I'm not sure anyone is throwing towels in( yet ) but ....

We're supposed to be far better than that.

[ding 5,126]

ITS....

ROUND..... 

ONE !

 

[beelzebub 22,225]

And it was worth 4pts 

They 

ALL

are

[ding 5,126]

1 minute ago, beelzebub said:

And it was worth 4pts 

They 

ALL

are

Im talking about the wrist slashing BB. Im happy to join in, but only when we have proven round 1 to be the rule rather than the exception.

[Demonsone 1,598]

3 of the 4 prelim teams lost 1st game, lot of our top players clearly  are not @ afl match fitness, reality is injuries & fitness have played a key role in our preparation. Certainly may derail our season but that’s footy & part of the jinx of the MfC .. will the footy gods ever [censored] shine on this club?

Edited March 25, 2019 by Hogan2014

[beelzebub 22,225]

15 minutes ago, ding said:

Im talking about the wrist slashing BB. Im happy to join in, but only when we have proven round 1 to be the rule rather than the exception.

Not so much wrist slashing...just dismay.

A bit like burgers...what you're promised...what you get

 

[Soidee 1,496]

Two players I identified as needing a kick up the bum are Petracca and ANB.  Consistency is not their strong suit, especially ANB, he runs around covers miles and does SFA!  Petracca looks heavy and slow, really do not know where the young bloke is heading.

[Soidee 1,496]

11 minutes ago, Hogan2014 said:

3 of the 4 prelim teams lost 1st game, lot of our top players clearly  are not @ afl match fitness, reality is injuries & fitness have played a key role in our preparation. Certainly may derail our season but that’s footy & part of the jinx of the MfC .. will the footy gods ever [censored] shine on this club?

I cannot remember Hawthorn or Geelong having early season problems during their glory days.

[What 18,810]

15 minutes ago, Soidee said:

I cannot remember Hawthorn or Geelong having early season problems during their glory days.

Then dont compare us to them in their glory days.

We aren't close -  yet.

[Demonsone 1,598]

54 minutes ago, Soidee said:

I cannot remember Hawthorn or Geelong having early season problems during their glory days.

Don’t disagree & not sure if both those teams had same amount of injuries & lack of match ready etc ..clearly looked underdone ..  

[Vineytime 783]

Did we improve our list over summer??

not so sure, only time will tell..

[monoccular 16,065]

4 hours ago, Tom Dyson said:

. ......another thing to consider is maybe our players were effected by the reduction in the time runners are allowed unto the ground... 

the fact is that we have a great coach, a great list, great leaders and a great supporter base. we have all the right people in all the right places. .......!

If you think that reduced runners on ground time explains our total chaos then younoerhaos think the tooth fairy will come and help our rebuild. 

And I did not see any leaders, not one for one minute, on Saturday. 

2 hours ago, Petraccattack said:

Then dont compare us to them (Cats) in their glory days.

We aren't close -  yet.

My senile mind may be playing games but wasn’t Geelong really struggling after a month or so at the start of their drought breaking year ?2007 with calls for Bomma’s head until they found something* and clicked

*was a certain subsequently banned sports experimenter with them then, or somehow involved?

[TeamPlayedFine39 8,154]

2 hours ago, Soidee said:

I cannot remember Hawthorn or Geelong having early season problems during their glory days.

FWIW...

Geelong were 2 wins and 3 losses after five rounds in 2007.  North Melbourne beat them at Kardinia Park and the mob was calling for Bomber Thomson's head.  They then went on to lose 1 more match for the year.

Brisbane were 4 wins and 5 losses after 9 rounds in 2001.  The received a 74 point hiding at the hands of a struggling Carlton and were all but written off before not losing another match for the rest of the season.

Hawthorn were 4 wins and 3 losses at the start of 2015; they were injury ravaged and looked slow.  Went on to thrash West Coast in the Grand Final.

 

The three best teams of the past 20 years.

[old dee 22,852]

Who the hell is going to kick the goals that Hogan kicked in 2018?

[DV8 2,271]

5 hours ago, beelzebub said:

Not so much wrist slashing...just dismay.

A bit like burgers...what you're promised...what you get

 

Some players will return to some form this week.  Some other players might feel the sword of the selectors,  after Rnd 2...  and others might get a promotion for Rnd 3. 

Nothing new here.  Just checks and balances, early season.

[58er 5,608]

9 hours ago, Soidee said:

I cannot remember Hawthorn or Geelong having early season problems during their glory days.

They did not have 15 operations like us obviously!!