Brown and McDonald in the same forward line worries me. Smith would have to go back or be sub as well.

Edit: quoted the wrong person 

Edited September 12, 20231 yr by Nascent

If we needed added motivation we just got it. It’s imperative we reach the GF. Get it done Demons.

13 minutes ago, Nascent said:

Brown and McDonald in the same forward line worries me. Smith would have to go back or be sub as well.

Surely this won’t happen, we’ll get destroyed. 

On 9/9/2023 at 2:25 PM, bobby1554 said:

Yeah, but in the past 3 finals, playing tough hard football hasn't got us anywhere! We cannot go with the same team this week, or it is all over. If you can't see that, I can't help you!

If we kicked straight we would have won the other night. Last year we couldn’t run due to injury. Context is relevant. Playing tough, hard football is timeless. 

57 minutes ago, Roost it far said:

Surely this won’t happen, we’ll get destroyed. 

It might. In isolation BBB is a better fwd option than Grundy if fit.  Frankly, any two of BBB, Grundy and TMac is going to be like having two Titanics inside forward 50.  BBB at least can draw a free and can kick from 45 accurately but in not sure he can last a full game.

 I'd still pick Grundy cause we need the extra midfielder right now. We are thin and if we beaten around the ball it will get seriously ugly.   

The podcast was brilliant this week, thank you. It's got me thinking a bit about our game plan, the external (and our internal) criticism of it, and what we should be doing going forward.

Basically, we aren't an overly skillful team. Nor are we quick. We are a contested team full of beasts and players prepared to put their heads over the ball and get physical (within the rules). You can't flip your game - compare our skills to GWS (arguably the most skillful side). Our list has been built this way; because, according to those running the club, it's the best Premiership model. Can't argue with this, given our flag in 2021 and even Richmond in 2017. Our 2018 list and game plan resembled the 2023 Collingwood and we all know that was flawed.

As a result, given our list, we play a total territory game, despite the fact it looks ugly, unconventional and counter-productive at times. The consequences of adopting some of the 'expert' views that we should pinpoint passes into the forward 50 (especially with tons of defenders back there) is flawed. Reason being, if we botch up our entry, which is more likely than likely given our list (few elite kickers), the opposition will have the ball 30-40 metres from our goal compared to say 10 metres away. This would position them really well to kick goals on the turnover. I presume Goodwin would have instructed the side on Thursday to stick to our strategy, even though it didn't appear to be working, because the alternative was too big of a risk with goals likely to go back the other way.

A few months ago, we changed our game plan a bit, around the time we had some close wins against the Lions and Crows. This game plan was far more pleasing on the eye. We were experimenting. It enabled us to conclude that it was flawed. Although it resulted in higher scores for us, it did the same for the opposition. In those games, we conceded (or almost conceded) 100. We were very lucky to get out of jail against the Lions. They looked incredible for almost all of that game. If we played that same game plan again against the Lions (in a Preliminary Final), we have zero chance of winning!

Leave aside the majority of the first quarter on Thursday, and our terrible goal kicking (hello Langdon, Pickett and McDonald), the game was almost fully played on our terms. If we play this way again, we keep the opposition to around 60, we win 9 times out of 10. Goodwin is keeping faith with this game plan and knows it's our best chance of winning.

Edited September 12, 20231 yr by Glorious Day

On 9/11/2023 at 8:56 PM, At the break of Gawn said:

Not worthy of a new topic, however, would like to know if people think this group of players gets a bit of stage fright early in front of big hostile crowds at the G?

I know they’ve got Grand final experience (albeit at Optus) but it seems that whenever we play in front of a large MCG crowd against a another big Victorian team we start poorly.

Some recent examples:

Round 6: Richmond ANZAC eve - poor start

Round 13 - Collingwood KBD - poor start

Round 22 - Carlton - poor start

QF - Collingwood - poor start.

I know we had finals wins in 2018 but Geelong and Hawthorn crowds don’t have the same level of goading and intimidation as a Pies/Blues/Richmond crowd. 

No doubt we have choked big time in big time games against good opposition at the MCG in pivotal games.

3x finals at the MCG.

3x against Collingwood at the MCG.

Richmond have been average the past two seasons. You'd think we'd beat them.

But we seem spooked in front of big crowds.

I'm not understating the significance of the 2021 flag. It was no fluke. But it was always played on neutral grounds in front of neutral crowds with minimal hostility. 

Friday is going to be rough and no different. Unless we win you can lock in the choking narrative being parroted by opposing supporters and the media. And rightfully.

1 hour ago, biggestred said:

Brown available for selection apparently. Hard to see him not come in if thats the case

He hasn't played a competitive game in almost two months. Surely we can't bring him back in because of that?

2 minutes ago, praha said:

No doubt we have choked big time in big time games against good opposition at the MCG in pivotal games.

3x finals at the MCG.

3x against Collingwood at the MCG.

Richmond have been average the past two seasons. You'd think we'd beat them.

But we seem spooked in front of big crowds.

I'm not understating the significance of the 2021 flag. It was no fluke. But it was always played on neutral grounds in front of neutral crowds with minimal hostility. 

Friday is going to be rough and no different. Unless we win you can lock in the choking narrative being parroted by opposing supporters and the media. And rightfully.

The bigger crowds act as a 23rd man.

The Collingwood noise in that first quarter was absolutely nuts just from watching it on TV.

I then tune in to Carlton v Sydney and the roar when Cripps kicked that goal was like no other. Can't imagine what it's like attending.

But I do think you're right, it seems that we are really jittery when we come up against big hostile crowds.

This is why getting off to a good start is critical. Drown the early noise put immediately.

I’m hearing that Spargo is set for recall. Usually good authority 

So Martin gets his suspension downgraded to one game. Ah well, it won't make a difference this season. He'll be ready to play Round 1 against Richmond!

1 minute ago, Kick_It_To_Pickett said:

I’m hearing that Spargo is set for recall. Usually good authority 

was always going to be picked this week

6 minutes ago, Kick_It_To_Pickett said:

I’m hearing that Spargo is set for recall. Usually good authority 

I'm guessing for Laurie. 

That would be interesting to an extent.

10 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

I'm guessing for Laurie. 

Most likely.

Although Chandler had a shocker as well, only had 8 pressure acts compared to his average of 30 as per wheelo ratings.

Edited September 12, 20231 yr by Nascent
Wrong figures

If you’re raging about the tribunal, wait for the one sided umpiring on Friday night to help Carlton make the Grand Final. 

4 minutes ago, Jaded No More said:

If you’re raging about the tribunal, wait for the one sided umpiring on Friday night to help Carlton make the Grand Final. 

Any good ice picks from Bunnings you can recommend that I can jam in my own retina? 

Edited September 12, 20231 yr by layzie

11 minutes ago, Nascent said:

Most likely.

Although Chandler had a shocker as well, only had 8 pressure acts compared to his average of 30 as per wheelo ratings.

8 pressure points from 4 pressure acts.

Season average is ad you say 30 pressure points

Had to check it, coz it's so low. That's terrible for any game let alone as a final for a pressure forward.

If we win this week I will be very surprised. Our team is decimated by injury, suspension and poor form. If by some miracle we beat the Blues, there is no fricken way we are beating Brisbane at the Gabba.

4 minutes ago, leucopogon said:

If we win this week I will be very surprised. Our team is decimated by injury, suspension and poor form. If by some miracle we beat the Blues, there is no fricken way we are beating Brisbane at the Gabba.

4 minutes ago, Jaded No More said:

i'm hoping to be hypnotized by some amazing play

23 minutes ago, leucopogon said:

If we win this week I will be very surprised. Our team is decimated by injury, suspension and poor form. If by some miracle we beat the Blues, there is no fricken way we are beating Brisbane at the Gabba.

I’m not confident about this week but I think if we get up, we’ll shock everyone and roll Brisbane. We’re still good enough to win the flag this year.

 

I’ve done some maths. We ran all over Sydney and Sydney ran all over the Carlton. Carlton’s defence isn’t as good as Collingwoods. I think it leads to one simple conclusion. 

Last week's loss and incident has given Goody a golden opportunity to galvanise this group, harness all of that emotion from players and supporters alike and attack the rest of this finals series as if we have a point to prove. 

The question is whether or not Goody and our leaders have what it takes to go there and be fuelled by it. 

Now if we really are club with a strong and changed culture and a team stacked with competitive beasts, then we will see that come Thursday night. 

I think this game is one of the most important in defining us as a club going forward. We're up against another juggernaut of a supporter base. Do we have the resolve to overcome their raucous crowd and execute? Reputations are made this time of year. 

If people want to play the 'woe is us' injury card, then you may as well pack up bags now. I'm sick of that rhetoric. Every side has experienced injuries and both Collingwood and Carlton were able to persevere and win games despite the fact. Injury will not define this game. Our attitude will be the only thing. 

If we win this, we have a shackles off free hit against Brisbane and we can carry this emotional wave through to a grand final. Clearly not the easy or desired path but gold is to be found in the places you least want to look. 

I just really hope Goody and co are using all of what has occurred this past week as motivation. 

Because if we make a Grand Final against Collingwood in a couple of weeks' time, they will be absolutely [censored] themselves. 

Edited September 12, 20231 yr by JimmyGadson