For one reason or another we have almost broken even in our first quarters and I think we're ahead in 4th quarters over the year which indicates we have the ability to run games out even with injured players. The real problem lies in the huge lapses we've had in nearly every game between the 2nd and 3rd quarters.

Here is a quick analysis of our 2nd & 3rd quarters this year:

Round 1 Melb 2.2 V Stk 9.5

Round 2 Melb 6.5 V Haw 13.1

Round 3 Melb 3.8 V Geel 10.11

Round 4 Melb 8.6 V Freo 12.6

Round 5 Melb 5.7 V Syd 6.5

Round 6 Melb 6.6 V Port 6.7

Round 7 Melb 4.8 V WB 8.11

Round 8 Melb 6.4 V WC 8.10

Round 9 Melb 2.6 V Kang 5.9

Total 42.52 V 77.64

This is clearly more than a coincidence or a pattern. But where is the answer for these lapses? Is it leadership? Is it a mental problem with our players where they switch off? or is it a problem in planning and midfield rotations?

when the game is there to be won, we fail, when the opposition have the game in control, we come back and try and salvage some pride or some crap

the problem is that we are crap

interesting to note our terrible accuracy for goal during these quarters also.

can you break it up so we can see 2nd quarters and third quarters seperately? which have been worse? id say the second...

We seem to start off well for the first 10 or so minutes, then drop off for the next 2 hours before salvaging some pride in the last 10 min or so. Story of the season so far.

The team, under Daniher, has always had a tendency to "coast". This can be for a whole season, 7-9 games, one game, one half, one quarter or part of a quarter and no-one knows when the switch-off is coming. Even when they were playing well there was a tendency not to bury teams for the same reason.

The team, under Daniher, has always had a tendency to "coast". This can be for a whole season, 7-9 games, one game, one half, one quarter or part of a quarter and no-one knows when the switch-off is coming. Even when they were playing well there was a tendency not to bury teams for the same reason.

bit of a pointless comment. name one team that has never switched off, or one that lets you know when the switch off is coming.

bit of a pointless comment. name one team that has never switched off, or one that lets you know when the switch off is coming.

Essendon never switched off in 2000. Brisbane never really switched off for four years. Carlton never switched off in 95. Kangaroos never switch off in 99. All premiership teams.

so carlton didn't lose to sydney and st kilda, two bottom teams, in 95? are you saying the kangaroos didn't have one bad quarter in 99? are you saying the bombers in 2000 didn't switch off for the first 40 minutes against the kangaroos to be 69 points behind? are you saying the lions played 400 quarters in a row of totally switched on footy?

bit of a pointless comment. name one team that has never switched off, or one that lets you know when the switch off is coming.

Thanks. Actually what we're talking about here is the difference between best and worst. The little girl with the curl in the middle of her forehead comes to mind. Good teams can maintain an output, a level of efficiency, and can win even when not travelling well. The Demons have a propensity for switching off when you least expect it.

they might have done it for 1 quarter or one game but even when playing well we did it most games

For what it's worth - West Coast - premiership fave have only smacked us this year and the blues. The Cats on the other hand have been making a mokery of pretty much every team they've beaten. Are you putting them in premiership contention? I just can't bring myself to do it. Altho would rather see them than any interstater.

Some interesting stats though and you'd haev to think old Danner's has busted his white board out and gone over this slump a few times, but it's still happening Neal...

is it right in saying our biggest lead of the year has been when we kicked the first three goals in round one? how sad's that.

45, uggh man that stat is hard to accept but no doubt true.

When does the cricket start again? the sooner the better.