55 minutes ago, old dee said:

Like so many things in our game plan we just keep doing the same thing and expect a different result. Opponents change tactics but we don’t make any change to counter. 

That is becoming a major problem.

Have you noticed that most Coaches have a headset or telephone to use during the game.

You never see Goodwin with either.

Maybe I am nitpicking, but we do seem to have a record of run ons against us, where we apparently do nothing to stop them, unless the line coaches of which there are now fewer, make the calls.

Edited June 19, 20204 yr by Redleg

I was terribly disappointed in how we played last week.

The first quarter was fun but really the blues gifted us a fast start with zero pressure. We had 10 inside 50s before their first, which did not come until after half way through the quarter. We should have kicked 8 such was our dominance and opportunities.

And the rest of the match was simply terrible. I cannot recall being so disappointed in a performance. Not even in Perth for the preliminary. And not at any point last year, when at least there was the mitigating fact that half our team were injured. We had almost a full list to choose from on Saturday.

We were 7 goals up with two and bit quarters of the game to go. Quarters that are 20% shorter than normal so really that is more like a 50 point lead. But unbelievably we should have lost that game. We were lucky the blues did not turn up until the second quarter. And even luckier their kicking was so poor in the last 3.

Of great concern was it appeared we ran out of gas. I thought this team was completely dedicated to getting us back from hell and that dedication would show in their fitness levels after the enforced break (and to be fair for it did for some - Harley, Rivers and tracc being stand outs).

Maybe the group simply wasn't disciplined enough to work their backsides off when in isolation, without the club tracking their every moment and session. 

Perhaps Spargo encouraging a a first year player to break the rules and get suspended was evidence of a wider malaise.

Maybe despite all the words they simply don't want it enough.

Of great concern was the complete lack of on field leadership when we needed it from Brayshaw, Jones, May and worst of all a player who seems to get missed a bit when it comes to public criticism, Melksham. I am over his one handed attempts at marks and too cute by half kicks.

The  only players who seemed to say we are going to change the direction of this match were Trac, a first gamer in Rivers and Fritter and Hunt, who despite being quiet in the second half pushed themselves to their limits in the last few minutes to run, pressure and tackle.

Of great concern was the complete absence of positional moves by Goodwin to stop Carlton's evident momentum. I can't think of one change Goodwin made. What was Richardson doing?

Maybe Goody casualness in the press about the Spargo incident (we will look after them and welcome them back blah blah blah) and the Carlton game (learnings shmernings) is evidence of them not been ridden hard enough or the expectations not being high enough (and yes i know he would have had a different message behind closed doors but please, a level of public anger in both instances would have been appropriate). 

Maybe the song palaver, which seemingly was result of Harmes being too keen to play with his go pro toy he seemed to be giddy to have been given by fox,  was symptomatic of a group that does not have its head in the game. 

Maybe, perhaps. 

This season is a truly unique situation and as many have correctly pointed out who knows the impact of covid, the break and everything else. Again as many have noted teams as infallible as the tigers look dazed and confused. So i'm going to summon up my normal level of optimism and look forward to Sunday's game with hope and the  expectation we will win. I'll even tip us.

And i'll do my bit to get us going.

Ever since i changed my avatar to the grumpy Garry Baker things have gone from bad to worse for the dees. Injuries, performance, dramas. And then we had bush fires and a pandemic. Coincidence? Maybe. But i'm not willing to that take risk. 

So happy go lucky, cheerful Garry is back. And so are the dees. And we will back at the g by the end of July. Mark my words

Go red leggers 

Edited June 19, 20204 yr by binman

 

1 hour ago, Rusty Nails said:

Playing Jackson this early ahead of Weid and Brown isnt the smartest of moves imv.

Many here have commented that Luke Jackson appears not ready for AFL including our good selves (see Joe Boy's 3 word analysis thread June 13th) "needs solid apprenticeship". Admittedly LJ had a rather modest debut both impact wise and statistically, but a closer examination of his contribution does reveal his considerable potential. He appears to read the flight of the ball well, as evident by him presenting for marking contests on multiple occasions  and getting his hands on the ball. Only to have the ball slip from his grasp. However later in the match he did catch the Sherrin in a contested marking encounter against an opponent. As an acquired skill, a big grab in a pack situation must be one of the most difficult to master, especially in a fiercely competitive AFL game of footy. With powerfully built, match hardened opponents crashing in. As a previous poster on this thread wrote, LJ was the beneficiary of some free kicks for pack infringements. His very first free kick for goal was from a fair distance out, on the half-forward flank at an angle of approximately 45 degrees. It was a booming, confident kick almost goal post high and not far shy of the full points. Other weapons in his arsenal? His leap is extra-ordinary reminiscent of another youthful enigma with flowing blond locks, whose debut unlike Luke's was a spectacular triumph against the demons of old. Leaving the stratosphere and back on terra firma, LJ appears way more coordinated and graceful, perhaps reminiscent of an older Luke, (both have the basketball background).

The best available AFL apprenticeship environment in 2020?

"In this post Covid-19 season where the unusual is normal, give our neophyte stars the opportunity to ascend the AFL stage and strut their stuff."

Edited June 19, 20204 yr by Tarax Club
punctuation edit!

1 hour ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

Secondly, and more importantly, we need insurance in case Gawn or McDonald are injured during the game. Of the 26 selected Jackson is the only player that has the height to be able to help out.

I rate Jackson highly and think he'll eventually be something like we've never seen before, but I think the preseason games, where both were given an opportunity to ruck, showed Weideman is a far better ruck option at this stage. I would go by that rather than the fact Jackson is 2cm taller.

It’s an extended season of practice matches. Our other forwards have shown little since 2018, even then, one forward only popped up in a couple of matches. Might as well play Jackson now. 

Edited June 19, 20204 yr by Ethan Tremblay

15 hours ago, Lord Nev said:

Feel for Weid. Felt strongly he should be picked this week and be given a run of a few games.

 

There are a couple of Demons who received games regularly and/or unexpectedly despite game-day form and predicted ordinariness. It is well time that such generosities were not extended when, with a fuller list of talents and desires to play real footy, many waited patiently in the wings to be blooded. What a horrible footy year it has been; but at the same time, what a wonderful opportunity to brass-up this potential and hard-working talent pool. I would hope that these are the reasons for newbies to come into the side (not necessarily to show what they can do - that should be known already) but to provide the opportunity to develop one level upwards. 

It is tough on the Weed; it is also time for other trials with other players. One thing that is true about footy is that it is not a static game filled with the same old, same olds. Changes must occur to move forward from practical experiences; some have already had their time for this and have so done rather unremarkably. 

Dees by 14 goals, didn’t read the ins and outs yet but I do know Essendon are trash 

15 hours ago, Cards13 said:

Vanders under done? Gees you can see selection hurting us this week, Jacko isnt quite ready, HB is still finding his feet after so long out of the game, Vanders I don’t think will have the tank just yet. Dons to run over us. 

Vanders may not yet have the tank to last a whole game in its continuity; however, it would be good to see him in bursts, doing what Vanders does best (provided there is an Essendrug ambulance and medico team at the ready) to enable the Dees to gain ascendancy in the match.

 

18 minutes ago, Ethan Tremblay said:

It’s an extended season of practice matches. Our other forwards have shown little since 2018, even then, one forward only popped up in a couple of matches. Might as well play Jackson now. 

I hope we arent treating this season like practice matches.

I know theres a  fine line as there no VFL  to develop kids in,   but Its a strange season and there is a flag there for the taking. The two flag favorites ave already been flogged, the whole thing is wide open.

 

Edited June 19, 20204 yr by TheKozzieExperience

41 minutes ago, Redleg said:

Have you noticed that most Coaches have a headset or telephone to use during the game.

You never see Goodwin with either.

This is most probably because he appears to have nothing to contribute.

15 hours ago, Lord Nev said:

Nibbler had far better forward stats, including score involvements and inside 50s, than both Jones and Melksham. He was also a key part of the play that won us the game.

The point is, we can't be selecting the team on potential rather than performance.

We all hate statistics but it is true that Nibbler was  quite effective around the zone. Score involvements were a bonus from his general play last week.

16 hours ago, whatwhatsaywhat said:

who needs key forwards on the wide open expanses of the mcg?

That is true, wwsw, if only we played that brand of footy again. It is sorely missed.

35 minutes ago, binman said:

We were 7 goals up with three with three an a half quarters of the game to go.

Not sure how that is possible when we only kicked 5 goals in the first quarter. 

We were 7 goals up with 2 quarters and 5 minuets to go

32 minutes ago, Grimes Times said:

Not sure how that is possible when we only kicked 5 goals in the first quarter. 

We were 7 goals up with 2 quarters and 5 minuets to go

Ah yes i meant part way through the second. But i didn't realise it was so late in the second. Makes it even worse. I'll edit my post. Ta 

Edited June 19, 20204 yr by binman

45 minutes ago, Tarax Club said:

 

Many here have commented that Luke Jackson appears not ready for AFL including our good selves (see Joe Boy's 3 word analysis thread June 13th) "needs solid apprenticeship". Admittedly LJ had a rather modest debut both impact wise and statistically, but a closer examination of his contribution does reveal his considerable potential. He appears to read the flight of the ball well, as evident by him presenting for marking contests on multiple occasions  and getting his hands on the ball. Only to have the ball slip from his grasp. However later in the match he did catch the Sherrin in a contested marking encounter against an opponent. As an acquired skill, a big grab in a pack situation must be one of the most difficult to master, especially in a fiercely competitive AFL game of footy. With powerfully built, match hardened opponents crashing in. As a previous poster on this thread wrote, LJ was the beneficiary of some free kicks for pack infringements. His very first free kick for goal was from a fair distance out, on the half-forward flank at an angle of approximately 45 degrees. It was a booming, confident kick almost goal post high and not far shy of the full points. Other weapons in his arsenal? His leap is extra-ordinary reminiscent of another youthful enigma with flowing blond locks, whose debut unlike Luke's was a spectacular triumph against the demons of old. Leaving the stratosphere and back on terra firma, LJ appears way more coordinated and graceful, perhaps reminiscent of an older Luke, (both have the basketball background).

The best available AFL apprenticeship environment in 2020?

"In this post Covid-19 season where the unusual is normal, give our neophyte stars the opportunity to ascend the AFL stage and strut their stuff."

His capability and potential is not under question from me in any way Tarax.  And i'm all for the younger guys getting the occasional look at the big league and see how it  and they roll.

But IMHO the body also needs to be built over a few pre-seasons before it will begin to stand up to the knocks and rigour against the big frames and fully developed athletes he'll be up against each week.  That takes time and along with that development comes confidence in body and ability to play at the highest level.  Too early and the reverse could happen if the FD isn't careful.  The next level from there is to start holding down a position or role on a regular basis, which for most takes a little more work in progress and time.

Bring him in by all means on occasions but not sure he needs to be in this early on a regular basis is all i'm saying when there are two alternatives with more experience and bigger frames also sitting in the McGoos.  One of which i thought we picked for the very role that's being asked of LJ atm.

Edited June 19, 20204 yr by Rusty Nails

Whose among us wise ones are going to be saying i told you so, horses for courses, when we win by six goals?

Hard to tell on TV...whilst on that. Wouldn't it be nice if the expert commentators told us the things we can't see rather then continually repeating the obvious.

It seems Fritsch is being played deep forward and I think this is a mistake of a similar magnitude to playing him in defence most of last season.

Fritsch needs to be a floating forward a bit like Tom Lynch has been at Adelaide.

Train him for the role and play him there...

The deep forward will have to be Tommy or the Weid...my preference is Weid at the moment as I think Tommy is too one dimensional and that dimension is gone.

2 hours ago, poita said:

Another woefully compiled team. Do our selectors even consider who goes on the team sheet, or do they just throw darts at the wall?

One badly out of form key forward, plus a developing ruck / forward who is miles off having an AFL body. We get smashed in the ruck every time Gawn leaves the ground, and smashed up forward because nobody can take a contested mark or bring the ball to ground.

One genuine key defender, plus a bloke who is key position size but can't defend like one. How many times does Goodwin need to see Lever & May play together before he decides it is not the answer?

One slow as treacle small defender to match up on Essendon's multiple quick small forwards. We all love Jetta but Fantasia & Tippa loom as massive threats.

But hey at least we've got ten medium sized forwards in the squad. One of them is bound to kick a couple of goals surely?

Maybe more than the handful of games they've played together so far?

I'd have gone with Weideman over Jackson but we have to be honest and accept that's not going to drastically change our team performance too much. So that's not on the selectors as much as it is on TMac (for his hopeless form) and arguably list management.

Essendon are an average team but who knows what MFC will dish up.

50 points either way or a draw would not surprise me.

for what it's worth, I think we will start strong and win it by 3 goals and stick it right up the drug cheats

I'd love to be as optimistic as some here, but fact is we're 6 wins from our past 25 matches with a percentage of under 80. Those 6 wins were mainly stumbling over the line against fellow bottom four teams in Carlton, Gold Coast, Sydney and Freo. It hardly inspires confidence. We're still a bottom four team and unfortunately it doesn't appear we will make significant improvement any time soon.

Bombers by 4 goals.

20 minutes ago, DubDee said:

Essendon are an average team but who knows what MFC will dish up.

50 points either way or a draw would not surprise me.

for what it's worth, I think we will start strong and win it by 3 goals and stick it right up the drug cheats

The beauty of supporting this club eh! Still its better than a decade of seeing if we won't get flogged by 60 points.

46 minutes ago, rjay said:

Hard to tell on TV...whilst on that. Wouldn't it be nice if the expert commentators told us the things we can't see rather then continually repeating the obvious.

It seems Fritsch is being played deep forward and I think this is a mistake of a similar magnitude to playing him in defence most of last season.

Fritsch needs to be a floating forward a bit like Tom Lynch has been at Adelaide.

Train him for the role and play him there...

The deep forward will have to be Tommy or the Weid...my preference is Weid at the moment as I think Tommy is too one dimensional and that dimension is gone.

Fritsch kicked 1.4 and an out on the full from 20 meters out. He should have kicked 5 and then you probably wouldn't be saying this. I'm happy to stick with him playing deep if he can kick straight.

2 hours ago, Redleg said:

That is becoming a major problem.

Have you noticed that most Coaches have a headset or telephone to use during the game.

You never see Goodwin with either.

Maybe I am nitpicking, but we do seem to have a record of run ons against us, where we apparently do nothing to stop them, unless the line coaches of which there are now fewer, make the calls.

If they do the result is the same.

59 minutes ago, rjay said:

Hard to tell on TV...whilst on that. Wouldn't it be nice if the expert commentators told us the things we can't see rather then continually repeating the obvious.

It seems Fritsch is being played deep forward and I think this is a mistake of a similar magnitude to playing him in defence most of last season.

Fritsch needs to be a floating forward a bit like Tom Lynch has been at Adelaide.

Train him for the role and play him there...

The deep forward will have to be Tommy or the Weid...my preference is Weid at the moment as I think Tommy is too one dimensional and that dimension is gone.

I noticed last night (they might have been doing it the last 2 weeks) but they showed more wide shots from behind the goals as the ball was coming out of defence. I liked it a lot, gives ou a different veiw of what is happening ahead and around the ball great than 15 metres.

Will be really looking for this in our game to see what can be seen.

8 minutes ago, Cards13 said:

I noticed last night (they might have been doing it the last 2 weeks) but they showed more wide shots from behind the goals as the ball was coming out of defence. I liked it a lot, gives ou a different veiw of what is happening ahead and around the ball great than 15 metres.

Will be really looking for this in our game to see what can be seen.

Yes, there has been more use of shots from behind the goals. As someone who has whinged for years about the lack of wide shots and the over-use of close-ups, presumably because of the directors' fascination with how well players have shaved, I am glad about this. Maybe long continue and expand.