Looking for better setups and handballs out of congestion to allow the directed kick. Oliver needs to stop the 1 meter instant handball and team mates need to be an option for it. Also be able to pressure opponents if we lose or quick turn over.  I think we'll end up closer than many think.

Tonight (and for rest of season) I’m looking forward to seeing which players are doggedly prepared to drag our team’s performance out of the mire. I suspect Clarry will be one of those. For me, he’s reason enough to go along to games.

And I like the INs this week in so far as they address a couple of areas in our forward defensive set-up that have been sorely found wanting so far.

I’m talking about (i) small forwards with good closing down speed who, with their pressure, can cause turnovers at the source (Garlett and Lockhart) and (ii) gut-running high forwards who can cover and block opposition space on transition (Nibbler and Stretcher Jnr), that is, when the opposition gets the ball in our forward half and looks to counter and/or switch.

  On 24/04/2019 at 03:52, Redleg said:

Another surprise is playing ANB for the whole game with Casey on saturday and resting Sparrow and then picking ANB. Unless injured which I don't believe he is, why not play Sparrow for some of the game last Saturday and keep ANB fresher, with say half the game. 

I assume the extra game time wouldn't tire ANB as he's used to clocking up big miles and, instead, the club believed he needed more opportunity to get his touch back. 

  On 24/04/2019 at 05:14, Ben E said:

Tonight (and for rest of season) I’m looking forward to seeing which players are doggedly prepared to drag our team’s performance out of the mire. I suspect Clarry will be one of those. For me, he’s reason enough to go along to games.

And I like the INs this week in so far as they address a couple of areas in our forward defensive set-up that have been sorely found wanting so far.

I’m talking about (i) small forwards with good closing down speed who, with their pressure, can cause turnovers at the source (Garlett and Lockhart) and (ii) gut-running high forwards who can cover and block opposition space on transition (Nibbler and Stretcher Jnr), that is, when the opposition gets the ball in our forward half and looks to counter and/or switch.

Clarry is a gun but the clean up suggestion needed.  As is the occasional run into space when he gets the opp, assessing very quickly (when time allows) before deciding where / how to deliver.  The bail out kick is a must most of the time in today's high pressure footy but just needs to use his power off the mark a little more by foot and finesse when possible with the disposal.

That last part also needs some work from Melk & Tracc who were both exposed badly by the opp last week.  If we can't handle the tigers match ups here we might need to swap a speedster to play their role and push one of these two onto a wing for a stint where they can more easily defend.  Alternatively one of them plays deep taking their speedy opponent out of the picture, try and punish him nearer goal and make him more accountable.

Edited April 24, 20195 yr by Rusty Nails

I'll be shocked if McDonald 'doesn't play back and it wouldn't surprise me to see Lockhart there.

There are so many things wrong it's really only worth concentrating on a two or three.

1. Our DNA, brand, or whatever other nonsense term you want to use.  Start winning and being brutal around the contest again.  Everything stems from our one wood.

2. Better structures behind the ball.

3. Forward 50 entry.

It won't solve all our issues, but we'll start playing better once we rediscover our contest work.

Everything stems from point 1.

 

Hunt and Stretch to the wings. Jones forward with Garlett. Tim Smith must play deep forward as he can’t kick over a jam tin. I am not sure where to hide Lewis - possibly to matchup on their slowest forward. 

  On 24/04/2019 at 05:30, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

I assume the extra game time wouldn't tire ANB as he's used to clocking up big miles and, instead, the club believed he needed more opportunity to get his touch back. 

Maybe the whole team needs to play 2 games per weekend while we get our touch back and refine our game plan!

?

Dont understand new terms of mids arent connecting with forwards,dont they know each other ,they train together for [censored] sake

  On 23/04/2019 at 23:27, dees189227 said:

My 4 year old niece has just enlightened me to tell me why Melbourne lost. Because they wern't wearing the right knickers. So that's where it's going wrong. Kids have the simplest explanations sometimes. 

But tonight Im interested to see what we will bring. I found last night the essendon game and I only watched the 2nd quarter where we kicked 5 or 6 goals in a row. That's where we were at our best at pressure, tackling playing on and kicking it properly to our forwards. 

I just want to see a better effort and start tonight. 

There's nothing like a pair of pink frilly knickers to make you feel better about yourself! If that doesn't work perhaps they could go without. Andre Agassi never wore any underpants for the majority of his career because of superstition.

  On 24/04/2019 at 05:00, scarlett said:

I think we'll end up closer than many think.

Well, I’m thinking 100 points. So maybe...

I can't see how we will win this at all.  One of the St Kilda blokes said after the game that they could clearly seeing Melbourne with fitness, and they knew as a team that the Saints still had a lot in reserve.

We're also wanting to look at a different setup, structure, etc.

We played 4 days ago.  The above two things wouldn't have improved in that time, and we got beaten by a team that won't make the finals.  We're playing a team that even with a few of their best players out, still have some handy ones on the park.

This will be 10 goals + in my view.  It's not going to be pretty.

  On 24/04/2019 at 05:42, ProDee said:

I'll be shocked if McDonald 'doesn't play back and it wouldn't surprise me to see Lockhart there.

There are so many things wrong it's really only worth concentrating on a two or three.

1. Our DNA, brand, or whatever other nonsense term you want to use.  Start winning and being brutal around the contest again.  Everything stems from our one wood.

2. Better structures behind the ball.

3. Forward 50 entry.

It won't solve all our issues, but we'll start playing better once we rediscover our contest work.

Everything stems from point 1.

 

Agree on all three PD.

The interrupted pre season to so many players and injuries explain to a large degree why we are going so badly. But it doesn't explain why our contested ball numbers have fallen off a cliff. That is real concern.

Halfway through the first quarter against the Saints we were done by something like 8 contested ball. To me that is raises flags in terms of attitude and intent. 

  On 24/04/2019 at 04:48, praha said:

Actually, historical analysis tells us that 50+ inside 50s tends equate to a win where the opposition has less. Once you hit that mark it's a sweet spot. Our great game has always been highly anecdotal however, and greatly open to interpretation. Structurally you need coherence defensively, and in transition, but once the ball is in your forward 50, ideally you want to keep it there or keep it rebounding back to pile pressure on the defenders. The best attacking teams tend to be the ones with fast and chaotic transition. Our problem is that while we were good at this last year, teams are equally if not more potent in it when against us. 

Forward pressure is good and eventually we will start scoring more. However, it is our short entries across half forward, a lack of defensive prowess from our midfielders, and a dysfunctional backline that is really what's killing us atm. 

Law if averages tells us you should have a shot on goal every 2-3 inside 50s. Our problem is that we go in twice, don't score, the opponent goes to the other end quickly and scores. Everything resets and we are back at square one. That third entry isn't happening because we are either giving up, breaking down structurally, understating the opponent, or a combination. 

One word

Context

  On 24/04/2019 at 06:15, Dame Gaga said:

There's nothing like a pair of pink frilly knickers to make you feel better about yourself! If that doesn't work perhaps they could go without. Andre Agassi never wore any underpants for the majority of his career because of superstition.

Be very careful, you’re sounding a lot like uncle biter there and that my friend is a very slippery slope!!!

PS gday BBO, will be up your way on the weekend so will wave as I pass the manor on the way to “Manna” which is the name of my parents farm at a Trentham, named of course for the beautiful Eucalyptus Viminalis (manna gum) that are common in the area. 

Edited April 24, 20195 yr by —coach—

Watch for Lewis to have a blinder tonight, he's been smashed in the media this week, and usually surprises all and responds on the ground. I rarely see him play 2 stinkers in a row, and he was back from an injury last week.

Maybe the club should hire BBO to whip the team into shape??

I have 2 spare tkts for tonight’s game. Level 1 Ponsford stand.  Free to good home.  

DM if interested. 

I'd like to see some spread. 

Not expecting to win but expect effort and body contact. At least if we lose show some fight. Also Goodwin spring some surprises maintaining the status quo guarantees a loss. Travelled down from the Goldy to watch don’t want to hit the bar to early!

For god’s sake get the defence sorted out. It doesn’t seem that long ago that our defensive structures and quickness to set up used to be lauded. The ease with which teams are slicing us up right now is embarrassing. There must be some improvement across the entire team tonight. If it’s another field day for the opposition with our bunch of reactionary chooks all swarming towards the ball carrier with seemingly no communication or understanding of what they’re doing then pencil us in for bottom four because it means we actually can’t fix it.

The other must is to crack in hard and win the clearance battle. It is inexcusable to have such a dominant ruckman winning hitouts for fun and losing the clearances to average midfields. And can we at least leave a couple of players sitting outside of the contest instead of seemingly every time the ball spilling to an opposition player unopposed.

Oh and good luck Jeffy.

  On 24/04/2019 at 04:48, praha said:

Actually, historical analysis tells us that 50+ inside 50s tends equate to a win where the opposition has less. Once you hit that mark it's a sweet spot. Our great game has always been highly anecdotal however, and greatly open to interpretation. Structurally you need coherence defensively, and in transition, but once the ball is in your forward 50, ideally you want to keep it there or keep it rebounding back to pile pressure on the defenders. The best attacking teams tend to be the ones with fast and chaotic transition. Our problem is that while we were good at this last year, teams are equally if not more potent in it when against us. 

Forward pressure is good and eventually we will start scoring more. However, it is our short entries across half forward, a lack of defensive prowess from our midfielders, and a dysfunctional backline that is really what's killing us atm. 

Law if averages tells us you should have a shot on goal every 2-3 inside 50s. Our problem is that we go in twice, don't score, the opponent goes to the other end quickly and scores. Everything resets and we are back at square one. That third entry isn't happening because we are either giving up, breaking down structurally, understating the opponent, or a combination. 

1-5 in the last 6 games, giving up an average of 6 goals more than the opposition. During that time we're also 5-1 in Inside 50s, averaging +6 per match. In all but one of those (R1) we've hit 50+.

The historical trend you highlighted prove how inefficient the gameplan is, and that it's not just about bludgeoning other teams into submission. The midfield can get their hands on the ball (although at a higher rate than it currently is), but there is a lack of creativity once possession is gained. The problem I see is the messaging that the team just needs even more of the ball - it's almost as if the aim is to achieve 75 Inside 50s, which, as we all saw against Geelong still doesn't necessarily mean anything.

Geez just got on Richmond at $1.50

Happy to lose the money but geez that's good value considering our form.

  On 24/04/2019 at 07:08, Cam Schwab's Whiteboard said:

1-5 in the last 6 games, giving up an average of 6 goals more than the opposition. During that time we're also 5-1 in Inside 50s, averaging +6 per match. In all but one of those (R1) we've hit 50+.

The historical trend you highlighted prove how inefficient the gameplan is, and that it's not just about bludgeoning other teams into submission. The midfield can get their hands on the ball (although at a higher rate than it currently is), but there is a lack of creativity once possession is gained. The problem I see is the messaging that the team just needs even more of the ball - it's almost as if the aim is to achieve 75 Inside 50s, which, as we all saw against Geelong still doesn't necessarily mean anything.

Mate..even after the analysis..which is fine ( unfortunately)

... that's a spectacular Nic !!

Cheers

Go Dees ( someday )

  On 24/04/2019 at 06:53, Deesprate said:

Not expecting to win but expect effort and body contact. At least if we lose show some fight. Also Goodwin spring some surprises maintaining the status quo guarantees a loss. Travelled down from the Goldy to watch don’t want to hit the bar to early!

Yes effort and a BIG effort is required tonight. In addition our better players like Lewis, Hibberd, Salem,Jones, Viney, Harmes, TMac, Melk, Gawn, Oliver and Brayshaw HAVE to play at their absolute best with others showing that effort required to assist THEN we might be a sneaky chance.

Just show some fight tonight Melbourne. That is all I’ve gotta say. Can’t believe it’s come to this, talking about a club like it’s the 2nd last game of a bottom 4 season. 

Couldnt care less about selections and who’s in he team or the opposition I just want to see the 22 we have on the park absolutely spent come final siren.