Dees struggle with wet weather

[Hawny for Gawny 451]

So far this year we have played 3 games in the rain. Each time resulting in a loss, it is obvious the conditions hinder the quick Hollywood handballs and offensive tactics we use, so what is the solution? You'd expect the coaching staff to have told the team that they need to adjust to the conditions, but 3 losses later we have lost each game in similar fashion. Is this a coaching error? A team not willing to play the way wet weather game (Besides Viney <3)? A mix of both? 

[Bring-Back-Powell 14,833]

Agree that we’re a poor wet weather side on the evidence.

However, last night we played our best footy at the end of the first quarter and the middle 2 quarters when it rained non stop. Arguably Geelong didn’t handle the wet as well as we did.

In the first 15 minutes when it was dry and the last quarter when the rained cleared, Geelong were the side the dominated. Their tall defenders and Stewart got on top of us when it was dry.

On that basis I think it would’ve been a more comprehensive loss had it have been a dry night.

Edited June 22, 2023 by Bring-Back-Powell

[The heart beats true 18,123]

Wet weather ain’t the issue. Forward centre conversion and reward for effort is.

We dominated the 2nd and 3rd quarter but had to work impossibly hard to score. If that sounds familiar it’s because it was an issue in 2017, 18, 19, 20, half of 21, 22 and now 23. 

We are tired, because we don’t get anywhere near enough reward for effort.

[layzie 33,805]

Have we ever been a good wet weather team though? There are very few games that I can remember where it rained raining and we didn't keep handballing and looking for run and carry, maybe the Richmond game in 21. 

 

[david_neitz_is_my_dad 4,083]

We really missed Clayton Oliver last night, those conditions suit him

[layzie 33,805]

5 minutes ago, david_neitz_is_my_dad said:

We really missed Clayton Oliver last night, those conditions suit him

Definitely would have helped in getting our inside to out game going with quick handball out of congestion. We probably would have butchered it anyway. 

[KingDingAling 3,758]

If it didn’t rain we were looking at a drubbing. The rain got us back into it. We slammed on 5 quick goals against Port up there in the wet. We are an exceptional wet weather football team. Basic football is played in the wet, and we are a basic, one dimensional side. The wet helps us.

[Adam The God 30,259]

Yep, I think it's a legitimate concern with the way we've tweaked our game style to chain out of contest.

Particularly, during the middle of the year when fatigue has become a factor, we fumble too much. We'd be much better trying to be more inventive in finding ways to gain territory without it slingshotting from simple dump kicks.

It's a bit of a wait and see though, because the wet weather should bring our contest and pressure game to the fore, but so far we've looked vulnerable in these conditions.

Either we hope for a dry September or we simply execute better in the wet, like Geelong managed last night.

Oliver should definitely help in this regard.

Edited June 23, 2023 by A F