Great too notch up a win against the pp’s. We have lots to work on. Some solid players too come back after injuries. I hope we keep improving. It’s a nice Sunday. ?

2 minutes ago, FlashInThePan said:

Okay, that wasn't the best game we have played but things seem to be starting to click again. It is not surprising we have been struggling to defend since we actually have more than half our first choice backline injured. I am really looking forward to seeing this team with May, Lever and Jetta down the back.

I think our forward structure would work way better with Joel Smith and Hannan there. They are both really hard to match up on and can mark well above their heads and be dangerous at the drop of the ball. They spread the defence and make room for our talls to lead into.

When you think about it, this team is pretty much the walking wounded, People have been ragging on them and complaining about lack of depth but look at the injuries: May, Lever, Jetta, Viney, VDB, Hannan, J Smith, Preuss, KK. With the possible exception of the last 2 they are all starting 22 players. No team can cover those kind of injuries. We just need to hang tough and rack up the wins we can during this period. 

This is spot on, all good teams need at least 30 good AFL standard players, of course excluding young players as they are unknown, we had it last year and played really well, but we're missing 10 (I'm including JHK but he'd be player 30/31) on the list, so we're already dipping into guys who should only get injury based games. Hopefully this will be good for the future as we get an extended look at some developing guys

2 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Havent watched or listen to the game to due to myself also playing a game of footy. Gonna watch the replay now.

Would like to ask how did my boy Billy Stretch play? 18 disposals and 1 goal seems like a good game?

Nothing that really stood out for me.  I find Stretch often goes under the radar for me anyway.  Playing safe around the back maybe?  Memory isn't great though and going to watch the match to refresh also.

From what i recall in one or two passages he was coasting a little when we didn't have the ball.  Needed to use his leg speed and close down more quickly to put pressure or at least perceive pressure on the ball carrier nearby.  Letting them off the hook a little.

Lacking a bit of intensity defensively?

Might have been alot better than my recollection.  Time to check replay.

Edited May 4, 20195 yr by Rusty Nails

2 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Havent watched or listen to the game to due to myself also playing a game of footy. Gonna watch the replay now.

Would like to ask how did my boy Billy Stretch play? 18 disposals and 1 goal seems like a good game?

I thought Billy was ok Dazzle. IMO he needs to work on pulling the trigger on the kick and taking the game on a bit. He seems too risk averse at times...might just be a confidence thing though

9 minutes ago, Rusty Nails said:

Nothing that really stood out for me.  I find Stretch often goes under the radar for me anyway.  Playing safe around the back maybe?  Memory isn't great though and going to watch the match to refresh also.

From what i recall in one or two passages he was coasting a little when we didn't have the ball.  Needed to use his leg speed and close down more quickly to put pressure or at least perceive pressure on the ball carrier nearby.  Letting them off the hook a little.

Lacking a bit of intensity defensively?

Might have been alot better than my recollection.  Time to check replay.

 

2 minutes ago, The Swimming Dee said:

I thought Billy was ok Dazzle. IMO he needs to work on pulling the trigger on the kick and taking the game on a bit. He seems too risk averse at times...might just be a confidence thing though

He didn’t stand out at all but I was thinking at the time he was getting beaten on his two way running by his direct opponent, will have to check the replay. 

Bloody hell.

That is one of the most tense finishes to a game I’ve seen in a long time.

Having now watched the final quarter twice, it is abundantly clear that Frost won us that game. His final touch was Leo Barry-esque circa 2005.

 

39 minutes ago, FlashInThePan said:

Okay, that wasn't the best game we have played but things seem to be starting to click again. It is not surprising we have been struggling to defend since we actually have more than half our first choice backline injured. I am really looking forward to seeing this team with May, Lever and Jetta down the back.

I think our forward structure would work way better with Joel Smith and Hannan there. They are both really hard to match up on and can mark well above their heads and be dangerous at the drop of the ball. They spread the defence and make room for our talls to lead into.

When you think about it, this team is pretty much the walking wounded, People have been ragging on them and complaining about lack of depth but look at the injuries: May, Lever, Jetta, Viney, VDB, Hannan, J Smith, Preuss, KK. With the possible exception of the last 2 they are all starting 22 players. No team can cover those kind of injuries. We just need to hang tough and rack up the wins we can during this period. 

Pruess is starting 22 right now IMO.  Offers something the opp will find difficult to counter up forward and they'll need to play a tall which means one less tall marking option up field / down the line etc (assuming they have the match up playing in the team at the time).

Relieves Maxy from forward ruck duties allowing us to run the wall more effectively and keeps him a little fresher generally, potentially more effective.

The opp may also need to bring in another tall just to cover Pruess which might throw their balance and structures out a little elsewhere.  Potentially good for us also.

Gives us a dangerous deep option for Jeffy, Lockhart and Hannan (when back) to play off front and square and out the back on a fast flat ball coming in.

With the odd few exceptions (eg; yesterday's weather) he is a must in the 22 IMO.  We now have some small forwards pressuring and getting more ground ball.  Pruess is a real point of difference and an X factor for us on game day from here.

Edited May 5, 20195 yr by Rusty Nails

Steven May joining the main group in a week or two according to Lever on 7 just now.

Says it was a tough week at the club and there was a change up in the style/strat/method.  Can't recall the exact wording.

Lever also confirming no rift between Macca and anyone at the club.  Much loved by the group.

Just watching the replay: for those heaping [censored] on Harmes for a couple of 50s - this rule is [censored] and not being adjudicated within the spirit of the game. Bruest wasn't even looking in Harmes' direction. And that one is on Oscar, who made no real effort at the contest while Harmes was involved at the contest at half-back leading up to that passage.

9 hours ago, Dr.D said:

I dont care really what anyone else thinks but harmes undid all of his good work by those 2 50m penalties. we were set up behind the ball when he gave them away.

That's not possible.  It's unphysical. 

Edited May 5, 20195 yr by ProDee

10 minutes ago, Rusty Nails said:

Steven May joining the main group in a week or two according to Lever on 7 just now.

 

Having those two back in the team will be amazing.

Wonder if Lever will come back through Casey, I assume he will play at least a game or two there.

2 hours ago, sue said:

He did the right thing in not try to score because the probability of kicking a point would be quite high giving them the ball.  But if he did the same kick but into the pocket there is a good chance it would end up out of bounds or a ball up and burn through more time.  He kicked it to about the worst spot possible.

In response to @Leoncelli_36 original post, watching the replay again, I think Melksham was actually trying to hit T Mac at the top of the square, but the either kick didn't quite have enough on it or T Mac misjudged the flight, because he ended up way too far back to create a contest with McAvoy, but I'd say that T Mac was his intended target.

2 minutes ago, Petraccattack said:

Having those two back in the team will be amazing.

Wonder if Lever will come back through Casey, I assume he will play at least a game or two there.

Pretty sure he said via the VFL... roughly 4 weeks or so.

22 minutes ago, Rusty Nails said:

Lever also confirming no rift between Macca and anyone at the club.  Much loved by the group.

Lever is the only player that should speak to the media, he talks well and sounds very adept at answering questions on the team. Maybe a future captain, certainly a leader.

15 minutes ago, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

In response to @Leoncelli_36 original post, watching the replay again, I think Melksham was actually trying to hit T Mac at the top of the square, but the either kick didn't quite have enough on it or T Mac misjudged the flight, because he ended up way too far back to create a contest with McAvoy, but I'd say that T Mac was his intended target.

If so, and TMac wasn't leading to the pocket he should have been ignored

18 minutes ago, Petraccattack said:

Having those two back in the team will be amazing.

Wonder if Lever will come back through Casey, I assume he will play at least a game or two there.

Said he would ease back in with managed game time,  I presume at Casey.

58 minutes ago, Skuit said:

Someone raised the question somewhere herein but I've been saying it for the past couple of years: Jeff is stuck in two minds. A forward pocket of his talent needs to be selfish and instinctive. He's had it coached out of him under Goodwin and always looks first for the assist - then gets caught between shooting and passing.

I'll see if I can dig it up but there was a perfect illustration I think from 2017; Garlett kicked a beautiful slow-running snap from the deep right pocket, but he only kicked for goal because he couldn't find another option after several moments. Unfortunately, I think he's now lost his touch - but contrary to most, I also think he's super valuable with his forward pressure and sets the tone.

Self-quote but the Jones' kick-starter goal in the 3rd is a fine enough illustration. Garlett had the ball out the back and a yard on his opponent. But he cut back in away from the goals rather than attempting a step on the outside toward the posts. It worked out well, but it demonstrates the mind-set. 

5 minutes ago, Flemo56 said:

Lever is the only player that should speak to the media, he talks well and sounds very adept at answering questions on the team. Maybe a future captain, certainly a leader.

Sharing the role a little can't hurt but while he's still rehab why not take the bulk of it. He's a natural.

Agree possibly a solid leader.  Would just like to see him out on the park playing some good footy for us for a few seasons first though.

10 hours ago, Petraccattack said:

I'm back on the Hunt as a forward bandwagon.

Will get easier for him too as the team improves.

I haven't looked at the stats, but I'd rekon he'd be up there with the most kicked for the year.

I agree, I'd definitely stick with him up forward for forward pressure alone. He needs time to develop.

I know Garlett has struggled, but I'd persist with him as well. Just needs time and confidence

30 minutes ago, Flemo56 said:

Lever is the only player that should speak to the media, he talks well and sounds very adept at answering questions on the team. Maybe a future captain, certainly a leader.

Speaks like a true born leader.

He is light years ahead of Jack Viney who is simply cringeworthy to the max.

1 hour ago, Rusty Nails said:

Pruess is starting 22 right now IMO.  Offers something the opp will find difficult to counter up forward and they'll need to play a tall which means one less tall marking option up field / down the line etc (assuming they have the match up playing in the team at the time).

Yes

It the big lug factor

Funny how when watching the replay it looks quite different to being at the game. Agree and disagree with Clarkson. Agree that the skill level was mediocre, disagree that we’d be making a song and dance about winning; more a relief than anything.

More sensible game plan made it possible  to stay in the game when things weren’t going out way.

17 hours ago, Clint Bizkit said:

The best passage of play was Hunt’s lead from the goal square which resulted in a goal.

He actually waited and didn’t lead at the ball carrier too early.

Thought that was just great, it is one of the things I tend to harp on about and it was executed perfectly. A real highlight from both players, the deliverer and the receiver. Imagine if they had two or three alternative plays of the same nature with dummy leads included to free the zone! 

3 minutes ago, Graeme Yeats' Mullet said:

Yes

It the big lug factor

No, it's the 'bloody' big lug factor.