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When are we going to finally fix our skills issues?

We have few high lights and they are very sparse around the ground.

 

Not a question but more an observation. For the first time in a long time I don’t actually feel that disheartened by this loss. I think our future looks bright with these young players who did not seem to be at all fazed by their big day. GWS are a seriously good side so I think we can hold our heads high and whilst a win would have been welcomed, I think we have a lot to look forward to.

 

Hi guys, great to have you back doing post game reviews.

with 6 debutants most fans would have predicted the loss would have been much bigger.

As much is this loss hurts I think the club should continue with this new group as I loved watching the new kids.

My question is did you all expect these debutants to have such a big impact? Lindsay who I thought would have been an emergency impressed me as much as Windsor did when he first played.

 

Super flat by the result but happy with the effort in terrible conditions. Five first gamers is the most of any team in the AFL era (not counting the inagural matches of new teams). How did you rate each of the debutants games including Harry Sharp?

Do we need to have a stopper like the role Toby Bedford plays? If so who? i think Sharp is the only one fast enough to stay with the guns.

But maybe not big enough? I watched Tracc outmuscle Toby.

Why can’t we win these close games against GWS. In our last 3 games against the Giants we’ve lost by 3 points, 2 points and 2 points. In fact why can’t we hold on in these close matches. It’s infuriating. 

Looks like Steven May will have a stint on the sidelines with a fractured Larynx. Who do you think we will play on Larky? We’re lucky we have someone like TMac who can seemlessly slot in. 

Gutted by the result, but like others have mentioned, I was pleased with the effort. I didn’t catch many other games this weekend, so I’m not sure if this is a common tactic now, but did you notice that we’re consistently choosing to man the mark ‘Outside 5’? What are your thoughts on this approach?

Our match against a hungry and improved Kangaroos particularly early in the year scares the bejeezes out of me. If we lose this game and fall to 0 and 2 will it be panic stations?

our last three games vs gw$ and the baggers have seen us lose all 3 by a total of 7 points

why do we match up so well with both these sides?

why can't we beat either of them?

You can look at these games two ways. 

- A missed opportunity to bank 4 points against a contender early in the season 

- A day full of encouraging signs and something that can be built on.

Which one to you guys fall into?

Also, should we have had Trac in the middle for that last bounce?

 Looked at Wheelo's  stats against my better judgement. Could not find a table indicating 'Acts of Poor Decision-Making'. An analysis of this data would save @binman going to all the trouble of presenting data that demonstrated that we should have won.  Ah well. I'll probably listen anyway.

Is it worrisome that we only kicked one goal from a set shot or do we just chalk it up to the conditions?

  On 16/03/2025 at 11:45, Master Chief said:

Is it worrisome that we only kicked one goal from a set shot or do we just chalk it up to the conditions?

That was one of the stand outs for me in Wheelo's stats for this game.  11 set shots for 1 goal, 4 behinds, 6 misses compared to their 9 set shots for 5 goals, 3 behinds, 1 miss (if I read the table correctly).  Even 3 behinds rather than misses would have helped us at the end of this game, nevermind failure to convert to goal!

The other stand out in the stats was our dominant third quarter performance (such as time in forward half, shots on goal, pressure, certain players performances)... nice to see that return ☺️

Edited March 16Mar 16 by DeelightfulPlay
Added second stand out in stats

  On 16/03/2025 at 08:40, mandeelorian said:

Super flat by the result but happy with the effort in terrible conditions. Five first gamers is the most of any team in the AFL era (not counting the inagural matches of new teams). How did you rate each of the debutants games including Harry Sharp?

Is this really true?!

JVR was one of the big disappointments on the day for me. I understand wet conditions etc but he just didn’t look anywhere near it. Should he have been given some time in the ruck to at least get him into the game? 

Looking forward to the podcast as always.

It is always bitter sweet after the one that got away, but overall the drive and enthusiasm across the field was a real positive.  I felt that all the newbies put in and none seemed overwhelmed - it was actually a very ballsy selection with a view to the near future rather than the more familiar recycling.  
 

However a big convincing win over Norf is absolutely essential - they must not be taken lightly. 

What did you think of Fritsch in his 150th?

Are you concerned with his recent form?

  On 16/03/2025 at 19:04, Go Ds said:

Is this really true?!

Technically equal record.

 

Welcome back guys.  As always, I’m really looking forward to tonight’s Pod.   
My question:    
I understand the logic behind playing Fritta further up the ground, but I’m not sure we can afford to play our best goal kicker away from the goals.  I’d love to hear your views on the long term prospects of this move please.   
Thanks.

In the final quarter, we were completely overrun by the Giants' swift and efficient transition game out of defence. Their last two goals were generated from deep within our forward 50, yet they managed to move the ball end to end with alarming ease, ultimately sealing the win. What was most concerning was the lack of pressure in our forward half the Giants found space, linked up cleanly, and exited without much resistance, exposing our defensive structures.

Adding to the concern, it seemed like we simply ran out of gas in the final stages. Whether it was due to conditioning, the oppressive conditions, or the intensity of the contest catching up with us, we looked second-best when it mattered most. Was it a structural breakdown, a fitness issue, or simply the Giants executing their game plan to perfection? Keen to hear your thoughts.

Edited March 16Mar 16 by smurf

  On 16/03/2025 at 08:47, Damo said:

Do we need to have a stopper like the role Toby Bedford plays? If so who? i think Sharp is the only one fast enough to stay with the guns.

But maybe not big enough? I watched Tracc outmuscle Toby.

100% this.  Coniglio and Green kicked 3 each.  Who is best placed to shut down these small forwards that get away from us so often? We seem to have no shortage of tall or mid-sized defenders, I would think that we should have someone who can't make it as a midfielder who has the desire to play AFL in any role?

  On 16/03/2025 at 22:22, Deeoldfart said:

Welcome back guys.  As always, I’m really looking forward to tonight’s Pod.   
My question:    
I understand the logic behind playing Fritta further up the ground, but I’m not sure we can afford to play our best goal kicker away from the goals.  I’d love to hear your views on the long term prospects of this move please.   
Thanks.

I think they only did this do plug a hole and set up attacks for brief periods.

  On 16/03/2025 at 08:47, Damo said:

Do we need to have a stopper like the role Toby Bedford plays? If so who? i think Sharp is the only one fast enough to stay with the guns.

But maybe not big enough? I watched Tracc outmuscle Toby.

If we had someone to negate Finn Callaghan in the last quarter (all quarters) I think the result plays out differently.

His size and running power will overwhelm a lot of teams this year. It’s not always pretty but he definitely sparks action