3 hours ago, old dee said:

Then why play a guy on him who cannot tackle?

I think you missed my point OD.  If the player is not in the team to play as a tag, then why would you put him in that role in a practice match. The aim of such games is not to win by closing down an oppo player  (though nice if we do) but to try players in different  roles.   If someone is a designated tag player, then by all means get him to tag in a practice match.

24 minutes ago, sue said:

I think you missed my point OD.  If the player is not in the team to play as a tag, then why would you put him in that role in a practice match. The aim of such games is not to win by closing down an oppo player  (though nice if we do) but to try players in different  roles.   If someone is a designated tag player, then by all means get him to tag in a practice match.

Yes I got your meaning. I was just noting that on a good day he is terrible tackler. 

18 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Good to see we haven't changed a single thing with out kick outs. So bloody predictable last year just bombing it to Gawn and yet I see Steven May popping 50m punts on his head. 

It's predictable and the doggies were able to work it out quick smart.

I don't get why they wouldn't at least split the field with Gawn, Jackson and TMac spaced across the width of the field. All three (or at least two) of them were standing right next to each making it so easy to defend. Spread the opposition and give our players space to work in.

a lot of what i'm going to say has probably already been said but i'm not going to read every single post on the thread now that i'm a couple days behind. i was at the game and there were some really concerning things which stood out to me

1. the doggies kicked 8 behinds in the first quarter and every time we just smacked the ball to a contest centre wing, didnt mark it, didnt win it at ground level and just saw it come flying back in again. after 2 maybe 3 efforts of that maximum - in one quarter - surely you have to try something else, look for a chest, actually work hard run and block to create an outlet coz it was just lazy and ineffectinve

2. hunt, in a game which is now all about run and carry and handball receives and metres gained, to have what 13 disposals? that's pathetic, especially when the ball was down there all game. never knew why he was given a deal after last season was obviously never going to be a regular in a serious side.

3. our midfield, yes we have outs but all our mids are one dimensional theyre bash and crash they can't kick (except brayshaw kind of) and now the game is less tackling, less contested and we got diced. and now they want to add sparrow and jordon in who are exactly the same mould. it can't happen. we can not play 7-8 inside winners. vandenberg is [censored] and i bet we're wishing we let him walk to sydney when they came for him. if anyones a rugby player it's him

4. our "kids". sparrow and jordon are 3rd year players now. and they tried hard yes but they got smashed and now they're not even the midfield type we need and become almost wasted selections and we can't afford to carry them in the 22 playing outside roles and baker, my god. i also called for his head last year and was fuming when we didn't go after phillips, well. send him to the 2s asap and leave him there OR he needs to be trialled at HF coz i think he actually has a semi decent eye for goal there but he just doesn't get enough of the footy or do enough with it. being quick is not a personality trait my friend

5. ANB, i've been a big critic of his last two seasons especially but to his credit he performed and played well, undoubtedly come round 3-4 the goals will dry up and he'll deserve to be dropped but he played like he cared and did a decent defensive fwd job on daniel in the 2nd quarter so i'm ok with him being there round 1 - still want him gone come seasons end tho.

6. tmac - nope, give mbrown a run this man just doesn't do enough or impact the game/scoreboard at all

7. may and lever, fantastic, outstanding, not enough superlatives to describe the impact they're beginning to have for us. but i'd really like to see petty in there instead of tomlinson, i mean the guy let firstly josh bruce and secondly some bendendo guy out mark him thats poor from a seasoned bloke like him he doesn't do enough to impact in the air

can't wait to see salo, hibbo, gus, viney, clarry, weid and brown back out there can't come soon enough

14 minutes ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

I don't get why they wouldn't at least split the field with Gawn, Jackson and TMac spaced across the width of the field. All three (or at least two) of them were standing right next to each making it so easy to defend. Spread the opposition and give our players space to work in.

Your mistake is expecting logic.

2 hours ago, Pickett2Jackson said:

FoxSports have given our preseason a D-  ... hey its a still a pass right?

 

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-2021-preseason-analysis-report-card-every-team-graded-best-and-worst-performances-melbourne-essendon-latest-news/news-story/765f681449f4348697ec808fc571833e

My god football journalism is a joke. That’s such a non article

38 minutes ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

I don't get why they wouldn't at least split the field with Gawn, Jackson and TMac spaced across the width of the field. All three (or at least two) of them were standing right next to each making it so easy to defend. Spread the opposition and give our players space to work in.

I thought it was a deliberate tactic.

The oppo expects it to get kicked to Gawn. Quite a few times he deliberately ran under the ball drawing defenders and allowing the second tall behind him to clunk the mark.

But I can see the logic in spreading them out too.

Seems to make no difference anyway because even when Tmac or Jackson marked on centre wing, it's almost a guaranteed turnover as we kick to half forward anyway.

2 hours ago, Spargonicus said:

That's what I was wondering...what were the main differences between Dees v Richmond and v Dogs?

And what concerns were the same?

I didn't see either game unfortunately, just some highlights.

Having read all the reports here - thank you everyone, much appreciated, even though wrist-slitting material at times - I get the strong impression it's most of the usual faults that were visible - but in both games?

I concede that I may have been wrong about young Spargo - but not yet...not yet...

The main differences were that the dogs took the game incredibly seriously and put their best team on the park while they are gearing up for a serious tilt at smashing the season at the start, while Richmond are the reigning premiers who only played some of their best players in the first half and who, like most reigning premiers are more interested in playing young players in preseason and nursing their best team through their shorter preseason than the rest of the competition. Grand finalists are notoriously slow during preseason due to their later start date. I wouldn’t be getting overly excited about the Tigers game, Dusty playing all four quarters would be enough to change that result.

 

Edited March 9, 20214 yr by deejammin'

Our club is getting great for making big statements off field but not backing it up on field.  It is well past the time for all our coaches/players and officials to shut up and deliver.  A strong performance yesterday would have seen all the fans turn up at the MCG in a couple of weeks time.  Now I bet the AFL wished they could have switched the games.

The biggest concern is the injuries again.  We heard all pre-season how healthy our team was, it gets to the start and we are severely depleted.  

On the game it is what you expect when you have 8-10 players out V a pretty good side.  We tried hard in the first half then fell into our bad habits once tired in the second half.  The concern is the forward line, where will our goals come from whist our 2 KPF are out.  Jackson doesn't kick goals, Tmac is cooked, the smalls have no talls to create crumbing opportunity so we need them to hit up and lets face it Caleb Daniel ran out yesterday and felt tall against our small forwards.  We need to hope Bayley Fritsch stays healthy he looks like to only dangerous forward we have.

Have to be massive alarm bells ringing at our 2 training sites plus our admin office. 

 

22 hours ago, Hannibal Inc. said:

Six of last year's top 10 in the Best & Fairest didn't play. 

I'm guessing they would have made a difference, along with a 60 goal proven forward.

Thanks for that. Anyone see Brayshaw in the twos?

4 hours ago, Dr.D said:

Game 1 down. Ive been correct on Luke Jackson not being a forward. 

 

Believe LJ for all his potential needs to get more involved wherever he plays,

Also reckon Trac was just coasting yesterday.

23 hours ago, Better days ahead said:

12 day rule so he'll miss Freo if its a confirmed concussion

I’ve heard he has been cleared of concussion. 

I wonder if our centre bounces yesterday were Gawn, Trac, Oliver, Viney against  English, Westerns second best mid in McRae, 7th gamer Rhylee West and first gamer McNeil how much different the whole game would look? Very disappointed that none of the kids really showed high hopes. Very disappointed that none of the B Graders other than ANB stepped into the breach left by those missing. Very disappointed that we could not lay a tackle and refused to lock onto Caleb Daniel. But really how could anyone get a read on that game with the imbalance in the middle of the ground.

1 hour ago, RigidMiddleDigit said:

Thanks for that. Anyone see Brayshaw in the twos?

Not only did 6 of our top 10 from last year's B&F not play, all of the Dogs top 10 from last year did.

Perspective.

6 minutes ago, big_red_fire_engine said:

I wonder if our centre bounces yesterday were Gawn, Trac, Oliver, Viney against  English, Westerns second best mid in McRae, 7th gamer Rhylee West and first gamer McNeil how much different the whole game would look? Very disappointed that none of the kids really showed high hopes. Very disappointed that none of the B Graders other than ANB stepped into the breach left by those missing. Very disappointed that we could not lay a tackle and refused to lock onto Caleb Daniel. But really how could anyone get a read on that game with the imbalance in the middle of the ground.

Like Treloar,JJ, Easton Wood, Richards, Cordy, Hannan

Lets be honest, there depth bats deeper then ours and we are stuffed if we get 3-4 injuries and need to rely on Baker, Jordan and Sparrow

54 minutes ago, loges said:

Also reckon Trac was just coasting yesterday.

I agree. It was almost like he was playing in a practice game

2 hours ago, Turner said:

a lot of what i'm going to say has probably already been said but i'm not going to read every single post on the thread now that i'm a couple days behind. i was at the game and there were some really concerning things which stood out to me

1. the doggies kicked 8 behinds in the first quarter and every time we just smacked the ball to a contest centre wing, didnt mark it, didnt win it at ground level and just saw it come flying back in again. after 2 maybe 3 efforts of that maximum - in one quarter - surely you have to try something else, look for a chest, actually work hard run and block to create an outlet coz it was just lazy and ineffectinve

2. hunt, in a game which is now all about run and carry and handball receives and metres gained, to have what 13 disposals? that's pathetic, especially when the ball was down there all game. never knew why he was given a deal after last season was obviously never going to be a regular in a serious side.

3. our midfield, yes we have outs but all our mids are one dimensional theyre bash and crash they can't kick (except brayshaw kind of) and now the game is less tackling, less contested and we got diced. and now they want to add sparrow and jordon in who are exactly the same mould. it can't happen. we can not play 7-8 inside winners. vandenberg is [censored] and i bet we're wishing we let him walk to sydney when they came for him. if anyones a rugby player it's him

4. our "kids". sparrow and jordon are 3rd year players now. and they tried hard yes but they got smashed and now they're not even the midfield type we need and become almost wasted selections and we can't afford to carry them in the 22 playing outside roles and baker, my god. i also called for his head last year and was fuming when we didn't go after phillips, well. send him to the 2s asap and leave him there OR he needs to be trialled at HF coz i think he actually has a semi decent eye for goal there but he just doesn't get enough of the footy or do enough with it. being quick is not a personality trait my friend

5. ANB, i've been a big critic of his last two seasons especially but to his credit he performed and played well, undoubtedly come round 3-4 the goals will dry up and he'll deserve to be dropped but he played like he cared and did a decent defensive fwd job on daniel in the 2nd quarter so i'm ok with him being there round 1 - still want him gone come seasons end tho.

6. tmac - nope, give mbrown a run this man just doesn't do enough or impact the game/scoreboard at all

7. may and lever, fantastic, outstanding, not enough superlatives to describe the impact they're beginning to have for us. but i'd really like to see petty in there instead of tomlinson, i mean the guy let firstly josh bruce and secondly some bendendo guy out mark him thats poor from a seasoned bloke like him he doesn't do enough to impact in the air

can't wait to see salo, hibbo, gus, viney, clarry, weid and brown back out there can't come soon enough

Thanks Turner, for calling it like it is. The kicking out from full back rings alarm bells for Goodwins inflexible game plan. A big yes to Sparrow Jordan comments. My first assessment of them was big bodied.  Hunt is at best a maybe to make it but not the sort MFC can afford to carry. Tmac is now just wing and prayer stuff. Hats off to ANB though. 

14 minutes ago, olisik said:

Like Treloar,JJ, Easton Wood, Richards, Cordy, Hannan

Lets be honest, there depth bats deeper then ours and we are stuffed if we get 3-4 injuries and need to rely on Baker, Jordan and Sparrow

Did you note I did not mention Brayshaw, Salem, Hibberd, Picket, Brown, Weid..... Our one wood was more like a nine iron in the middle of the ground which was my point. It’s where the game starts and usually won and lost. Plenty of disappointments but let’s be real with the disparity in the middle. 

10 minutes ago, big_red_fire_engine said:

Did you note I did not mention Brayshaw, Salem, Hibberd, Picket, Brown, Weid..... Our one wood was more like a nine iron in the middle of the ground which was my point. It’s where the game starts and usually won and lost. Plenty of disappointments but let’s be real with the disparity in the middle. 

So the difference was Oliver then? We are in for a weekly hammering if he goes down.

Lets be honest, Viney would have made minimal difference yesterday with his defensive running abilities

Have watched both our praccy games, and other games also and I just reckon we are still nowhere near good enough. We seem so disorganised as a team especially against a well drilled side, doggies. I hope I’m wrong. Go Dee’s 

2 minutes ago, Flemo56 said:

Have watched both our praccy games, and other games also and I just reckon we are still nowhere near good enough. We seem so disorganised as a team especially against a well drilled side, doggies. I hope I’m wrong. Go Dee’s 

Basically agree with this but why is it so? You watch the Bulldogs and they just instinctively know where their team mates are, where they can handball out of trouble, often out of sight, behind the ball carrier. Some of Libber’s handballs over his head backwards push the boundaries of credibility for the Umpires surely.  But yes in comparison we seem disorganised despite year after year of training drills but it all doesn’t seem to work at AFL level, we still depend on the individual supremacy of Max, Tracc, Oliver et al to be competitive. That is individual dominance rather than a playing system that can dominate. 
 

For the dogs there are always team mates ahead, sideways and behind. That builds confidence for the risk taking ball carrier trying to break defensive lines, that he will always have an emergency out. I don’t believe we create that confidence on game day. We provide it in our practice drills at training but come game day, under pressure the daring plays go missing. Is that because players don’t have support around them and players presenting forward of the ball? I don’t know. 

4 hours ago, Fat Tony said:

The injuries to key players are a major concern. Viney, Brayshaw, Ben Brown, Weideman, Pickett, Melksham and Hibberd will be out or way underdone at the start of the year. Plus May could miss Round 1. I know it is a long season, but a first up win against Freo is imperative.

Also a worry is the lack of development in our younger players. I am yet to be convinced in Sparrow, Jordon, Spargo or Baker. Chandler has a bit of skill but is a midget. Rivers will be good in time, but still makes a few errors. Jackson looks physically great and is timing his leaps but not holding his marks. I like that Bowey has the ability to get off the ground and he looks to have something we lack (skill and pace).

Agree completely however disagree about Jackson, every single leap yesterday was totally out of time 

48 minutes ago, big_red_fire_engine said:

Did you note I did not mention Brayshaw, Salem, Hibberd, Picket, Brown, Weid..... Our one wood was more like a nine iron in the middle of the ground which was my point. It’s where the game starts and usually won and lost. Plenty of disappointments but let’s be real with the disparity in the middle. 

Remember Vineys injury is/could be an ongoing problem, Brayshaw has no form line, Oliver, yes a star when focused.There are no guarantees.

5 hours ago, Dr.D said:

Why wouldn't Goodwin try Harmes with a run with role on Macrae.  It's this sort of lack of adventure that drives me nuts with Goodwin.

It’s not really adventurous to tag a bloke in a practice game.
I’m sure we were hoping Harmes might get some touch back but he didn’t play well, again. 

How long are Hibberd and Melksham out for?