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POSTGAME: Rd 18 vs Essendon

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4 hours ago, Dr.D said:

I don't agree with the narrative of 'why is everyone complaining, we got the job done. All we needed to do was win  and we did'. It's a very simplistic view. In all likelihood the bulldogs win and we have 6 months of pre-season knowing that despite playing well we could've lost to a very poor essendon team. Couple that with being smashed by Fremantle and Sydney it confirms that our lack of defensive pressure doesn't stand up in the home and away season, let alone finals. A lot of work to be done in the off season. 

The Sydney and Freo games with wind and rain and short breaks aren't a fair indication of our defensive system, which has worked almost all year. They are an indication that our midfield lacks run and skill to retain possession or forward movement in the wet and that our backline are incredibly flaky under adverse conditions. Plus a condemnation of the list that we couldn't shuffle in new players and play to the same standard. It's really hard to get pressure on a team when your midfield is gassed, dishing out nothing handballs and you can't retain possession from the backline.

Our pressure was great for 3 quarters yesterday, then dropped off which is all mental application, getting way ahead of ourselves. Then instead of immediately settling in to a chip it around game plan to take the heat out of the game we give up 3 goals first. Because we lack on field leadership and we lack mental strength to know what to do - which is keep running hard and attacking but use the ball safely. We went in to ultra defensive not moving or trusting ourselves mode. Again, it's mostly mental but combined with a lack of run and skill particularly in the backline and midfield.

The craziest thing about the commentary yesterday was hearing them say Melbourne need to go in to all out attack more. The thing we need to do is beef up the flanker and outside mid work rate and skill so we can be comfortable mixing tempos and using the ball far smarter than we currently do.

 

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