We are still an exercise in frustration to watch a lot of the time 

4 minutes ago, chook fowler said:

Corona virus?

Hahaha - no !

3 minutes ago, Demonland said:

Really missing a ruckman today. 

That is the major difference.

Just now, DubDee said:

9 and 8 shots at goal at one end versus

2 and 3 at the other. 
wind must be decent

It picked up a bit, start of the game it was gentle.

Just now, Demonland said:

Healy bit harsh on Jackson. 

Healy has always hated us and Dunstall is not far behind him.

Not the best second term but, hey, I'd rather run out the kinks now than in Round 1.

Really missing a proper ruckman, even if it was Preuss.

Trac is set for a massive year.

Spargo would be a half decent player if he knew how to dispose of it properly.

No true ruck is making a massive difference. Jones, Hibberd, ANB are still liabilities. The kids need to push them out of the side. Trac and Lever delivering to expectations of the preseason and some bright spots from Kossie and Lockhart in that quarter. 

Half time and the umps have stepped up to have a real influence. Certainly in contention for BOG for the Crows. 

For Melbourne, Kossie had a Moment but missed the goal at the end. Langdon continues to impress. Sadly our kicking ability continues to hurt us badly. Lots of turnovers at HB and the traditional bomb into the f50.

50 minutes ago, Seraph said:

Viney looks so much quicker than last year.

Maybe a proper pre-season??

Not to like in that qtr. The crows were far more cleaner then us.

How we gave ANB a 2 year extension is beyond me.. 

For a seasoned player, ANB is less than a bit player. When he does get a chance to influence, he hurts us more than he helps us. He showed so much promise in the finals, but has been stuck in reverse ever since.

Edited February 22, 20206 yr by Demon Disciple

Second half of the second term was in many ways better than the first. Getting some scores in to the wind. 

The midfield accountability and options look vastly improved from this time last year.

Forward line is still a big work in progress and backline hasn’t been good against a weak forward line but it’s not going to be perfect early on.

Need to see more run and skill in the second half 

Players may be a little better this year particularly Petracca but our gameplan still stinks

Disappointing so far I thought it would be a comfortable win. Hibberd has been disgraceful and the Weid is a dud.

Disappointing to be 9 points down at half time down against a very inexperienced Adelaide.

Having said that, late in the second quarter we had Weid, Jackson and Sparrow in the centre  vs Sloane, B Crouch and their starting ruck in O’Brien.

So it’s full on experimentation mode.

Just now, Wiseblood said:

Healy has always hated us and Dunstall is not far behind him.

Not the best second term but, hey, I'd rather run out the kinks now than in Round 1.

Really missing a proper ruckman, even if it was Preuss.

Trac is set for a massive year.

Healy and Dunstall are actually quite positive about the Dees. Both usually talk us up. Both have picked us to play finals and said we should be disappointed if we don't play finals. They're both right.

Assessment of Jackson so far is valid. He played midfield for nearly two full quarters and had 3 touches, 2 ineffective. It's been a poor debut thus far, but reality is he's a tall kid playing his first AFL practice game. Even though he was a high draft pick, he's tall and will take time to come on.

Kozzie looked lively at stages. His problem has always been consistency, he flashes in and out of games and never wins much ball. If he can keep applying pressure up forward and kick a goal or two, then his more than filling the role we need and will quickly prove a valuable pickup.

Langdon and Tomlinson have both looked ok. Langdon has showed great run, but mis-kicked. Tomlinson has showed poise, but not been as involved.

Brown has looked decent up forward. He's crafty and will kick anywhere from 20-35 goals for us this year. For a freebie, he'll be pick-up of the year.

Would have liked to see more direct kicks into the F50 rather than the long bomb. 
 

the long bomb didn’t work all last season so why would the hell it work this season. 
 

Needs to be fixed prior to see the season proper but if they haven’t done it now doubt it will happen. 
 

kicking for goal is also an ongoing issue. 

1 minute ago, WERRIDEE said:

Hibberd has been disgraceful and the Weid is a dud.

For such a big lad he has no presence.

Pretty ordinary half, but not losing any sleep over it just yet. I would love to see the ball movement improve, we are still making hard work of it going forward.

Petracca and Lever both fantastic as others have said.

So many ‘bit’ players in the first half. A better ‘team’ input in the second half will be welcome. 

Weid and Tommy need to get involved. Disposals are shocking. Spargo has nothing I see as positive. Not even quick.

Far too much fast hand passing without time to think when a kick would achieve more. Nobody in the forward fifty when they are needed.

Gerard Healy on Petracca’s pre season

”He’s got himself absolutely rock hard” ?

Edited February 22, 20206 yr by Forest Demon

All I have seen is the same as last year. We are being done over in the middle. 

Until we improve our kicking skills, we won't challenge. "Chaos-ball" can only beat disorganised sides. Well coached and organised teams like West Coast, Collingwood and Richmond gobble up the long bombs. If we improve our kicking efficiency, we'll immediately become a top 4 team again. We win more than enough ball and give ourselves abundance of opportunity.

Loving Trac permanently in the midfield!