We got this.

2 minutes ago, Vipercrunch said:

Me either.  Our scope for improvement in immense if the coaches and leaders can get them properly aroused.  

Maybe if the umpires do their job it won’t hurt either. 10 frees to 2 since we got the first few in the first 5 minutes.

Of course we can still win this. We still have the best midfield going around. But everything fell apart so badly when Gawn went off and we look miles off. 
I hope we can pull it together because that first half was unacceptable. Defense is playing their heart out but the midfield is inexcusable. You’re still playing with Grundy not some chump. Get it together and we can absolutely win. 
 

Sadly even a 1000 point win won’t fix the sick feeling I have that Gawn, at 31, has done a knee for the third time. 

Just now, Garbo said:

Question now is what to do for the rest of the year 

Play like this 

My first comment as I caught up not he telecast.

Gawn off really unsettled us, it took to qtr time to resettle the side.  Grundy is not winning the ruck and when he does he just drops it at his feet (Did that Collingwood)

What is making it harder is the humidity/due... To me it looks like it making balling handling much harder, hence the fumbles.// Brizzie look like they are handling that a bit better.

 

The ruck that qtr was better, Tmac just needs to draw any contests and Bring to ground.

How does Ashcroft get so many highs, surely the umpires are looking for a drop of the knees.

A half to go, we just need to continue to stop their scoring as in the 2nd and slowly peg the goals back.  I think they'll be fitter in the seance half. 

 

 

 

4 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

We're still in this.

The positives in this is besides the Petty brain fade we were able to wrestle it back that quarter.

Petracca and Oliver have been poor but they have upside to really stand up and give us some drive and clearances through the midfield.

We're getting smashed around the clearance. If we can really wrestle this back then we're back on! Getting beaten in the contested possession but again if we can minimise this then we'll be fine.

Only 3 goals! Confident we'll strike back I mean, we can't play any more poorly then that now.

Nice positivity. Tx.

We’re getting smashed at clearance - particularly out of the centre. While this is not the be all and tell stat it is currently so one-sided. You can tell just watching the game.

our mids have to step up.

 

Absolutely brutal. Poor Max. I hope we can get over it because it has clearly rattled everyone. Imagine what you're feeling multiplied by actually being Gawn's teammate and seeing him every day leading you in everything you do. I don't know how I'd be able to play anywhere near my best in the same situation.

I get us being flat for the first quarter not knowing what has happened to Max but we started to make the game dirty and wrestle the momentum. We now need to reset for the situation and Trac, Oliver, Viney need to step it up and start winning some quality pill. Attack the game and lift the pressure and we can get over the top. Come on Dees. 

2 minutes ago, Redleg said:

Maybe if the umpires do their job it won’t hurt either. 10 frees to 2 since we got the first few in the first 5 minutes.

Not to mention where they pay them.

Oliver needs to play better 

2 minutes ago, Earl Hood said:

 

And the rest Oliver, Tracc, Petty to name a few more. We haven’t played disorganised rubbish like this since 2012. 
 

it’s a great game the umpires can’t bounce the ball, the boundary umpires can’t throw the ball in properly and we can’t take a chest mark! And FFS don’t try to tackle “Shoulders” Ashcroft, every time we touch him it goes high and he gets a free! 

Anyone else think that Ashcroft might end up with the nickname "Duck"  Ashcroft?....Or perhaps "Dippa" Ashcroft..as in dip a shoulder? Such a talented player-shame to see him playing for frees like that.

Just now, Chook said:

Absolutely brutal. Poor Max. I hope we can get over it because it has clearly rattled everyone. Imagine what you're feeling multiplied by actually being Gawn's teammate and seeing him every day leading you in everything you do. I don't know how I'd be able to play anywhere near my best in the same situation.

This. It’s not a stretch to say that Gawn missing half or a whole season is going to ruin our chances of winning the flag. Not only is he a superstar he’s the heart and soul of this team. Everyone looked absolutely done when he went off. If it was a simple knee knock they’d get on with it. Deep down I reckon everyone knows it’s probably the worst possible result. 

Of course upset for Max, but there is still a game to be won. One man (no matter how big) does not a team make. Time to see how our supposed improved depth goes in the 2nd half.

Grundy is clearly a very different ruckman and our mids need to understand and play to his strengths.

Max alone is not this team. We have the depth and the talent to take care of these guys. They can’t play much better and we can only improve. It’s easy to feel dejected about our captain but seriously the test of character right now would be to win it FOR HIM. We can do this. Will we?? 
 

I think we will. But we have to come out breathing fire. 

Edited March 24, 20232 yr by Red But Mostly Blue

6 minutes ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

Forwards also not playing in front though.

Yes that too Dr... ive mentioned this also.  Especially that last kick from Clarry.  Not one player in coooee of CHF

3 minutes ago, Jaded No More said:

Sadly even a 1000 point win won’t fix the sick feeling I have that Gawn, at 31, has done a knee for the third time. 

Chin up Jaded, it is hard but until we know for sure try not to go there. 

Far too much being read into Gawn's face in the rooms.

He loves playing and I reckon he'd be pretty dejected if he'd done a "routine" hammy.

And at the time they showed it, their rucks were ripping us apart. He'd be filthy knowing that his absence was directly causing us to struggle.

I know we've said we can't rule out an ACL but unless we knew for sure it wasn't an ACL, there was nothing else we could say in that moment. Fingers crossed it's something else and his absence is briefer.

in the meantime, we back Grundy in, we buckle down and we work.

Come on Grundy. Pick up where your teammate has left off. You're number 1 now 

1 minute ago, Demon Disciple said:

Of course upset for Max, but there is still a game to be won. One man (no matter how big) does not a team make. Time to see how our supposed improved depth goes in the 2nd half.

Nice in theory.

1 minute ago, Demons3031 said:

Anyone else think that Ashcroft might end up with the nickname "Duck"  Ashcroft?....Or perhaps "Dippa" Ashcroft..as in dip a shoulder? Such a talented player-shame to see him playing for frees like that.

He is the umps pet, can't tackle him without getting a high call🤮🤮🤮🤮

5 minutes ago, Redleg said:

Maybe if the umpires do their job it won’t hurt either. 10 frees to 2 since we got the first few in the first 5 minutes.

That's what happens when you play from behind

8 minutes ago, layzie said:

Reading some of the foam in here is literally making me sick. You've got people all week basically guaranteeing we'll win all tough and everything. Now a lot of those same people are jumping off and saying season over. More bile than Sydney Harbour, you have literally become the arrogance of the other sides like Geelong and Hawthorn that you let us know how much you hate on a weekly basis.

Pull your heads out of your collective rear ends and get behind this team for [censored]'s sake. I know it's a terrible situation, yes I'm really annoyed how we are playing but reach deep down inside and find that belief you had earlier. They need us.

I'm not sure our comments here really help or hinder the boys. 

I think most of us are really annoyed about Max going down. Even the way we have played if Max was up it would only be 6 points instead of 20.

 

Too many passengers tonight. Hard to change in game. We really need to reach deep but I expect the Lions to come out and wrap the game up in the 3rd quarter.