POSTGAME: Rd 04 vs Geelong

[Brownie 5,127]

27 minutes ago, Mazer Rackham said:

Correct, but our skill level is such that when we do make the play, we can't keep clean possession for long enough. We either cough it up under pressure, or cough it up just as a good deed to the oppo.

I started counting clean possession chains after the first quarter.

I.e. clean kicks to a team mate or handpasses to a team mate in clear space (not standing still 1m away).

The longest possession chain I saw was 4 clean kicks and one clean handpass in a 5 possession chain which led to a goal.

I didn't see anything else close for the day.

[Deemania since 56 6,121]

15 hours ago, Robbie57 said:

No system. No coaching plan to disrupt the simple Geelong keepings off plan. We looked best when Tmac was off the ground and Trac went forward. Smith was missing and should have been swung forward for a while. I really think it was a very poor coaching display and I dont usually buy into that argument. We also lost at the selection table again. VDB was not ready. We needed Weid up front which would have helped TMac. 

Generally agree now that the match is done. Goodwin is the main issue, the players still do not know exactly what their options for successful football might be and when they have good ideas, it is often too late to actually do anything about it. Meanwhile, Goodwin stares without communication into the void - time and again. Really sad circumstances.

[Scipio 5,868]

Watched it again and regret it. However these are my major takeaways from the painful spectacle that was yesterdays match.

Positives:

• Hibberd looked better than he has in a long, long time. Hard at it and used the ball far more intelligently.
• Joel Smith improved plenty on his performance from last week. The jury is still out on whether he’ll make it as a defender but improvement was more than welcome.
• Viney looks set to continue his strong form this year.
• May and Lever looked better together. Obviously there is a long, long way to go before Lever reaches the form he was in at Adelaide (if ever) but some improvement and more cohesion was good.
• Kozzie splitting a pack in the third quarter like a bloke 30cm taller and 30kg heavier. Everything he does is class.

Negatives:

• I was a big fan of Lockhart after round one but yesterday his composure was non-existent. Pinged three times (?) holding the ball when trying to take an extra step or moment through traffic was simply not good enough. Needs to work on his awareness.
• VandenBerg looks a long way off the pace. Hoping he finds his feet quickly, along with some of that 2018 form.
• No second key forward… what the hell was the selection committee thinking?
• Goodwins failure to react to Geelong’s obvious game plan was criminal.
• Dangerfield and Selwood both with repeat efforts at playing and diving for frees. Expected but doesn’t make it any easier to watch, pathetic.

[Mazer Rackham 14,968]

9 minutes ago, Bitter but optimistic said:

The uncontested mark stats from the game are outrageous 

Coaches meeting, AAMI Park:

Richardson: The uncontested mark stats from the game are outrageous

Goodwin: it shows how impossible it is to get the ball off a side like that. When they're marking it like that.

Chaplin: an uncontested mark ... isn't that a free kick to us? God, those umps!

Plapp: what can we do when they're playing like that? They’d have to be flag favourites after that.

Rooke: it just seems impossible. Everywhere you look, they’ve got the ball! How do they do it?

Goodwin: Well the stats don’t lie. It all comes back to my secret plan. Teams with higher scores have more inside fifties.

Chaplin: Fifty? I thought you're only allowed 18 on the ground? Oh, you're counting both teams.

Goodwin: Jeez Troy ... you should be doing stats too, mate! Yes, inside fifty ... we had them cold for inside fifty ... now here's my idea ... 

Rooke: kick more goals?

Goodwin: getting a bit ahead of yourself there, aren’t you kid? Listen. They only just pipped us but we had it inside fifty more. What if we got it inside fifty EVEN MORE!?

All: oh yeah … of course … genius, boss

Goodwin: this week, I want all training working on getting it inside fifty. Kick it, punch it, throw it, just get it in there! Whaddya reckon? What about you, Richo? You're all silent at the back.

Richardson: the earth is muddy but the Ox lost his radio shift

All: what???

Richardson: (winks) I've heard good coaches say that. Or something very much like that. It can't be a coincidence, eh? Strange wise sayings means good coaching.

Goodwin: crikey. I knew we got you for a reason! Right, that's it. Homework for everybody: come up with strange wisdom. And increase the bloody inside fifties!!!

They all get up and leave

Richardson: (to self) I think it was that … the Ox is dumb but the earth …

Chaplin: who’s the Ox? Is it Fritter?

 

[Wiseblood 24,636]

1 minute ago, Luther said:

Watched it again and regret it. However these are my major takeaways from the painful spectacle that was yesterdays match.

Positives:

• Hibberd looked better than he has in a long, long time. Hard at it and used the ball far more intelligently.
• Joel Smith improved plenty on his performance from last week. The jury is still out on whether he’ll make it as a defender but improvement was more than welcome.
• Viney looks set to continue his strong form this year.
• May and Lever looked better together. Obviously there is a long, long way to go before Lever reaches the form he was in at Adelaide (if ever) but some improvement and more cohesion was good.
• Kozzie splitting a pack in the third quarter like a bloke 30cm taller and 30kg heavier. Everything he does is class.

Negatives:

• I was a big fan of Lockhart after round one but yesterday his composure was non-existent. Pinged three times (?) holding the ball when trying to take an extra step or moment through traffic was simply not good enough. Needs to work on his awareness.
• VandenBerg looks a long way off the pace. Hoping he finds his feet quickly, along with some of that 2018 form.
• No second key forward… what the hell was the selection committee thinking?
• Goodwins failure to react to Geelong’s obvious game plan was criminal.
• Dangerfield and Selwood both with repeat efforts at playing and diving for frees. Expected but doesn’t make it any easier to watch, pathetic.

Apologies that I've just picked out one of your many good points across both sections, Luther, but I thought this was key.

Two weeks ago against Carlton we looked terrific... when the game was played on our terms.  When Carlton changed it up, we had no answer for it.  We didn't make any adjustments or try something different to stop it.

Then, this week, when Geelong got it on their terms... the same thing happened.  We just allowed them to chip it around time and time again.  While it didn't necessarily work totally in their favour, it again showed that unless the game is played on our terms, we lack the ability to adapt and change things around to make a difference.  We just stick with what we do and hope it's enough.

The problem is that it isn't enough, and things need to change.

[binman 37,774]

7 minutes ago, loges said:

Comfortably made the distance, so yes should have steadied.

Could not believe he didn't. Or if he didn't think he was a chance put it 20 metres out and gives us a chance to mark or rove a ground ball. Inexplicable.

And that after Salem, an experienced AFL player didn't sprint up the ground after being given a 50 to at least have the option of getting to an out number. And then after ambling up the ground and finally arriving burning a critical 20 seconds (after seemingly looking to the bench to see how long to go) before trying a low percentage pass. 

So, so dumb. The whole match was like being forced to watch all the jackass films back to back.

Prior to the restart Goodwin promised us an attacking game that was enjoyable to watch. He has not delivered on that promise.

[Docs Demons 1,656]

14 hours ago, defuture15 said:

When I saw the inclusions I thought the plan would have been to provide defensive pressure to lock the ball into our forward line,?

Instead we see the ball chipped around to loose Geelong players. It is hard to judge our backline when they are exposed so easily by the lack of upfield pressure. In other games I was frustrated that our forwards were not in the forward line.I can only hope that we are "rusty" and that at the end of this season we will see what our side can do.

 

To many times our mids jog around in middle of ground by themselves when Cats have the ball. No 'gut' running to pick up someone and assist the backs. Been going on for a while now.

[old dee 22,811]

17 hours ago, P-man said:

Lack of a second tall target in the forward line killed us.

Why the hell aren't we playing Weideman?

I am no big fan but he surely has to be better than the rubbish we have put up in the last two games.

Why did we renew his contract last year if we don't intend to use him?

[old dee 22,811]

11 minutes ago, binman said:

Could not believe he didn't. Or if he didn't think he was a chance put it 20 metres out and gives us a chance to mark or rove a ground ball. Inexplicable.

And that after Salem, an experienced AFL player didn't sprint up the ground after being given a 50 to at least have the option of getting to an out number. And then after ambling up the ground and finally arriving burning a critical 20 seconds (after seemingly looking to the bench to see how long to go) before trying a low percentage pass. 

So, so dumb. The whole match was like being forced to watch all the jackass films back to back.

Prior to the restart Goodwin promised us an attacking game that was enjoyable to watch. He has not delivered on that promise.

I think there are three things wrong with the MFC at present.

- WE have grossly over estimated the ability of our team.

- We have a poor FD whose game plan is either poor or we simply don't have the troops to implement it, I think both.

- We are close to unwatchable.

It would be so easy to switch off the Dees, thank God we cannot go to a game.

Edited June 29, 2020 by old dee

[Grimes Times 1,278]

35 minutes ago, Wells 11 said:

After the game I switched off everything as the loss cut deep. Perhaps the losses feel harder in covid now?

Whats been on my mind, and please forgive if this has been mentioned as Im not going back to re read the thread.

We should have won...easily. Our game style isnt that bad but simple errors were. These goals against plus  not goals for stand out from BASIC errors. 

1. Kozzie misses from 15 metres out on the run under little pressure. FFS, that is a goal 999 times out of a thousand.

2. Fritsch drops an absolute uncontested dolly from a bullet pass from Melksham 20 metres out direct in front. 

3. Its a free everyday of the week to Melksham in the last minute on the 50. If that isnt in the back then nothing is. Melks kicks those.

3. Ratagolia kicks a set shot goal from outside 50 that goes through about head height without us getting a hand to the ball. Terrible error.

4. Dangerfield gets a 50 for diving which leads to a goal . If that was oliver that want to report him or suspend him. Shocking decison. 

5 Hunt and Langdon cant get the ball out of bounds in the dying second of the 3rd. Leading to a goal . WTAF. 

 

Thats FIVE goals and I think , on even just a regular day,  prob 3 or 4 out of the 5 are reversed. On a good day all 5. 

We're not that bad. 

 

3a The Ratagolia goal Gawn allows himself to be put on his [censored] by Ablett while Lever pushed out by Rohan

6.The handball from Ratagolia to Danger on the 50. terrible manning up.

7. Gawn caught in no mans land allows Fort to mark for the first goal.

[Scipio 5,868]

13 minutes ago, Wiseblood said:

Apologies that I've just picked out one of your many good points across both sections, Luther, but I thought this was key.

Two weeks ago against Carlton we looked terrific... when the game was played on our terms.  When Carlton changed it up, we had no answer for it.  We didn't make any adjustments or try something different to stop it.

Then, this week, when Geelong got it on their terms... the same thing happened.  We just allowed them to chip it around time and time again.  While it didn't necessarily work totally in their favour, it again showed that unless the game is played on our terms, we lack the ability to adapt and change things around to make a difference.  We just stick with what we do and hope it's enough.

The problem is that it isn't enough, and things need to change.

Agreed, it was the biggest take away for me too but I felt like I harped on about it enough yesterday. Yesterdays game has eradicated a huge amount of the confidence I had in Goody. Coaches can certainly adapt and improve over time, but we just aren't seeing that with Simon.

[Mazer Rackham 14,968]

32 minutes ago, binman said:

It is like an episode of yes minister -this from lever post game:

"It was really disappointing to walk off with a loss, but I’m hoping the coaches have a lot of learnings for us from this game and I think as players we have a lot of learnings as well.”

Coaches meeting, AAMI Park:

Goodwin: so … any learnings out of that?

Chaplin: yeah … it was bloody quiet out there. I could hear the players and everything

Plapp: yeah, I noticed that. Anyone know why?

Goodwin: who’s our tactics and research bloke? Get on that for next week.

Chaplin: also you couldn’t buy a pie for love or money. I walked around the whole concourse and nuthin!

Goodwin: when was that?

Chaplin: third quarter

Goodwin: yeah ... same thing at half time. Richo?

Richardson: one thing I’ve learned in football, it’s to bring your own pies. They can get a bit cold but if you keep them in your pants pocket they’re not too bad.

(They all make notes on their laptops and phones: "pies ... pocket")

Rooke: can we try to kick more goals somehow?

Goodwin: check out the old fashioned football inquest guy! It’s not the sixties any more, Jack! Goals aren’t the modern way. When was the last time a bloke scored 100 goals?

Rooke: well … it’s just that I looked at the scoreboard and—

Goodwin: well I looked at the stats, sunshine, and if you want to score more, get it inside 50 more. It’s incontrovert … inconter … it’s fair dinkum true.

Richardson: before we adjourn, any more learnings anyone picked up?

All: (looking at each other in confusion) no … nope ...

Goodwin: then it’s settled. More practice at getting it inside 50. The stats don’t lie!

 

[P-man 13,154]

12 minutes ago, old dee said:

Why the hell aren't we playing Weideman?

I am no big fan but he surely has to be better than the rubbish we have put up in the last two games.

Why did we renew his contract last year if we don't intend to use him?

Not sure mate. Time to fire off an email.

[email protected]

[MyFavouriteMartian 572]

17 hours ago, Redleg said:

Obviously front on contact isn’t a free if it is to a Melbourne player. Melksham in goal square and Tom MAC .

And mini bar Fritdge,  as well Red.  he was monstered by a giant octopus right in front of everyone, out at CHF;   molested and man-handled, and nothing.!  From the umps, nothing.

[loges 6,002]

Not using as an excuse, but should have TMac received a free for that front on contact in the 3rd?

[old dee 22,811]

1 minute ago, Luther said:

Agreed, it was the biggest take away for me too but I felt like I harped on about it enough yesterday. Yesterdays game has eradicated a huge amount of the confidence I had in Goody. Coaches can certainly adapt and improve over time, but we just aren't seeing that with Simon.

We have been doing the same things for 3+ years with largely the same results.

WE have less than wonderful people running the FD and this year is looking like the trend will continue.

At the end of 2020 we will be saddled with increasing debt and a contract for a poor coach that we cannot afford to pay out.

This could easily turn into the end of the MFC.

[Docs Demons 1,656]

We still haven't learnt what to do in the forward line. At one stage it was like the Benny Hill show with Viney and Oliver handballing to themselves about 40 yards out until one of them coughed it up. No idea what to do with the ball but I have a suggestion. Just tell them to kick the bloody thing. Kaos footy would be better as it may bounce to one of ours.

[old dee 22,811]

4 minutes ago, P-man said:

Not sure mate. Time to fire off an email.

[email protected]

Not sure even if that was an address it would make any difference.

Sadly I think we have a bloke coaching who is one dimensional and is too stubborn to consider a different plan.

This team is largely of his selection so there are few excuses there.

While we have gone nowhere fast Brisbane have risen from hopeless to a force to be reckoned with.

[MyFavouriteMartian 572]

24 minutes ago, Wiseblood said:

Two weeks ago against Carlton we looked terrific... when the game was played on our terms.  When Carlton changed it up, we had no answer for it.  We didn't make any adjustments or try something different to stop it.

Then, this week, when Geelong got it on their terms... the same thing happened.  We just allowed them to chip it around time and time again.  While it didn't necessarily work totally in their favour, it again showed that unless the game is played on our terms, we lack the ability to adapt and change things around to make a difference.  We just stick with what we do and hope it's enough.

Agree Wise.    But these are the spots we worn for decades now.  And its why we faltered in finals in the 90's and the 2000's.   Because in our makeup we do not like being harassed.  Mind you not many people do and lose composure.

The swans did against the hawks in a Grannie not so long ago.

 

Obviously we played into their hands by not spreading wide enough to separate them wider. 

As they did when they had the ball,  they spread our midfield defencive structures easily.  Allowing their teamwork to function.

[Wiseblood 24,636]

24 minutes ago, old dee said:

Why the hell aren't we playing Weideman?

I am no big fan but he surely has to be better than the rubbish we have put up in the last two games.

Why did we renew his contract last year if we don't intend to use him?

Never thought I'd see the day that OD was advocating for Weideman to get picked.

Strange times indeed.

[old dee 22,811]

7 minutes ago, Wiseblood said:

Never thought I'd see the day that OD was advocating for Weideman to get picked.

Strange times indeed.

Yes you know I am no big fan however we renewed his contract last year which says the FD believe he is a future KPF.

Then the next year starts and he cannot get a game.

If this is the  way the FD operates I can see why we re so hopeless.

In a Team that has no KPF's and struggles to score why is he not played?

We wont find out if he is good enough playing him in  scratch matches and how could he be possible worse than the current lot.

Edited June 29, 2020 by old dee

[MyFavouriteMartian 572]

4 minutes ago, Docs Demons said:

We still haven't learnt what to do in the forward line. At one stage it was like the Benny Hill show with Viney and Oliver handballing to themselves about 40 yards out until one of them coughed it up. No idea what to do with the ball but I have a suggestion. Just tell them to kick the bloody thing. Kaos footy would be better as it may bounce to one of ours.

Composure 'in-close',  is Mfc weakness,  and has been for decades. Oli and Viney are as bad as ayone and they flick the ball off with little composure and thought.

Just get ball,   flick ball off.

 

This is where we need the class in the midfield, to use the ball to real advantage.  Its also the other mids role,  to be in a position to receive the ball on the move, and away.  This is our biggest weakness,  IMV.

[old dee 22,811]

2 minutes ago, MyFavouriteMartian said:

Composure 'in-close',  is Mfc weakness,  and has been for decades. Oli and Viney are as bad as ayone and they flick the ball off with little composure and thought.

Just get ball,   flick ball off.

 

This is where we need the class in the midfield, to use the ball to real advantage.  Its also the other mids role,  to be in a position to receive the ball on the move, and away.  This is our biggest weakness,  IMV.

The game plan is crap if there is one. Add the players don't seem to know what to do.

[DemonOX 8,529]

4 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Injury has played a part in that. Against GC he was back to his best playing a good lead up option around the forward half. Something that's currently non existent at our club..

He still has the same body language dazzle. I watch the freo game and he still berates his teammates for not passing it to him in the f50, watched opposition players with the ball rather than tackling them and still looks at the umps for frees. 
 

it’s hard to know if we would be better with him but in saying that he wanted to leave. 
 

On a side note it was good to see TMac play more aggressively and clunk a contested mark and goal. Hopefully it continues. 

[loges 6,002]

14 minutes ago, Wiseblood said:

Never thought I'd see the day that OD was advocating for Weideman to get picked.

Strange times indeed.

I think we have to play Weideman or even Brown to see if they can make a difference. Not holding my breath though.