4 minutes ago, Roost it far said:

designed that? That stadium reeks of terrible design

For sure. They still have issues growing grass due to the silly orientation of the ground and it's stand heights so there's that.

 

Just now, leave it to deever said:

For sure. They still have issues growing grass due to the silly orientation of the ground and it's stand heights so there's that.

 

I hate it. The only time I was happy there was when I got a ticket to the Medallion club and we flogged Richmond (a game that should not have been played there in the first place) I paid $92 to sit in level 1 with my daughter, absolute rip off. 

7 minutes ago, Fromgotowoewodin said:

Can you read? “They haven’t. They may get there.”

Can you write?! Why write the above contradictions? They don't cancel each other out. Do you think a newspaper could say a PM is a murderer followed by "maybe he isn't" and be immune from a defamation lawsuit? Quite simply you can't say "they haven't" yet.

11 minutes ago, praha said:

As I've said multiple times, people need to keep their expectations in check for this season. But yesterday was shocking.

Yep. Those who thought we would finish top 4 (and there seemed to be a lot of them in the prediction thread) were always setting themselves up for major disappointment. At the start of the year I thought sneaking into the eight was extremely optimistic. Ninth to fourteenth more likely. But 10 goals against North surprised even me. 

14 minutes ago, Roost it far said:

 

We signed Viney to a 4 year deal.

 

Insane. 

We have the worst skills of any team in the AFL.

kicking to a teamate, handballing to a running player (rather than his feet) and holding tackles appears to be beyond this group. Pressure was appalling 

We are embarrassing to watch. No wonder we play at 320pm on a Sunday

I think we all thought these type of performances were a thing of the past.

But for too long players putting in below par performances are gifted games. When you butcher selection integrity this is the result. Poor standards become habit.

 

 

 

 

I think we need to start to plan for the future. Build our side from the back half. For me, Turner, Petty are our future key backs. Tried them forward and it hasn’t worked. Get the right small defenders in place. This for me is Bowey, Rivers and perhaps a Kynan Brown type. Then for now add in a May or Lever for experience. One of these guys to go forward. McVee to replace Rivers when he is back.

Midfield should never include all of Tracc, Oliver and Viney. They are too slow and not defensively minded. Need to add in some dare and dash. Lindsey or Windsor to the mix. 
Forward line needs to be revamped. We need a ruck option forward. So Campbell or Fullerton to play with Roo. Then either May or Lever for this year. Then I’d go small and agile in the front half. This is the area we need to draft next year. 
Midfield is the real issue, but backline is one area we can sure up quickly. I think we have the players. Midfield with young talent should be the focus and blend our current aging stars

10 minutes ago, Go Ds said:

Can you write?! Why write the above contradictions? They don't cancel each other out. Do you think a newspaper could say a PM is a murderer followed by "maybe he isn't" and be immune from a defamation lawsuit? Quite simply you can't say "they haven't" yet.

I can. They haven’t. 

2 hours ago, Go Ds said:

How are you sure after 2 games North is still a bottom 4 side?!

Haha if it’s not them, then it’s us!!!

Who else will be? Scary to think really as so many others are competitive right now, it’s such an even competition. It’s going to be a good side, but maybe a year or two more, likely bottom 4. For now.

And beyond all of that, our performance was embarrassing, irrespective of who we played. 

Edited March 23Mar 23 by Red But Mostly Blue

Don’t get me wrong: I’m bitterly disappointed, and that performance reminded me somewhat of the first round of 2008 when we were annihilated by a resurgent Hawthorn. 

But I’m keeping in mind that we were actually in a winnable position at 3 quarter time. When North kicked the first couple of the last quarter, we definitely lowered our pressure (this is probably a great concern in itself), and we had probably underestimated the opponent going into the game. On the other hand, North, having been down for so many years, were finally in a position where they had their boot on the neck of another Victorian club - they weren’t going to let up. Sometimes, you’re caught off guard by the waves of momentum and emotion, and this was probably a hugely cathartic victory.

So, last week was creditable, this week was diabolical. The rounds have been topsy turvy across the competition so far, we just need to wait and see our response against Gold Coast.

OUT: Woewodin, Jefferson

IN: Langford, Fullerton

Edited March 23Mar 23 by wisedog

2 minutes ago, jnrmac said:

We have the worst skills of any team in the AFL.

kicking to a teamate, handballing to a running player (rather than his feet) and holding tackles appears to be beyond this group. Pressure was appalling 

We are embarrassing to watch. No wonder we play at 320pm on a Sunday

I think we all thought these type of performances were a thing of the past.

But for too long players putting in below par performances are gifted games. When you butcher selection integrity this is the result. Poor standards become habit.

 

Selection is based on available talent. Our list, as with all clubs lists don’t have amazing depth. We are forced to play guys whose form isn’t great because the replacement isn’t going to fix the problem. In saying that I’d say we need to play one of Billing’s or Laurie for Sharp, Langford has to play and I’d be very close to seeing what a Fullerton or Campbell could do to help out Max although Johnson is likely back this week. I really hope Lever gets up as no May and Lever is the stuff of nightmares currently. 

3 hours ago, Bombay Airconditioning said:

Great post, add to that any players that will now consider a trade.

Yes, great point.

We have a few outs but wow that was just a shocker...I mean Collingwood had a shocker first up, then got better.  Suns game will tell the story if this is just a blip but I think we all fear/know it won't be.  

Its not any one players fault, but seriously what is Woey doing out there am I the only one who thinks he looks pretty far away from AFL level?  I felt like I missed Billings.  

We need to get Kolt, Windsor, McVee, Milkshake, May and Kozzie back in the team and get Langford running around and put Trac up forward if we can I mean [censored] that was one of the worst games I've ever seen from anyone ever we just couldn't get anything right, which is odd for it to look that bad for a whole game but it did.  North have been getting great talents for a while now so its a matter of time until they click but I don't think that was them clicking so much as us being embarrassingly [censored].  

For the record I like a 3:20pm Sunday game I reckon its a good time slot, especially now that 7 is showing more of them but I don't want to watch that rubbish.  I'm sure we can do better than that!

Ah well, seven days after missing out by less than a goal against a premiership favourite, we’re done and dusted.

 

8 minutes ago, wisedog said:

Don’t get me wrong: I’m bitterly disappointed, and that performance reminded me somewhat of the first round of 2008 when we were annihilated by a resurgent Hawthorn.

We were still in a winnable position at 3 quarter time. When North kicked the first couple of the last, we definitely lowered our pressure, and we had probably underestimated the opponent going into the game. On the other hand, North, having been down for so many years, were finally in a position where they had their boot on the neck of another Victorian club - they weren’t going to let up. Sometimes, you’re caught off guard by the waves of momentum and emotion, and this was probably a hugely cathartic victory.

So, last week was creditable, this week was diabolical. The rounds have been topsy turvy across the competition so far, we just need to wait and see our response against Gold Coast.

OUT: Woewodin, Jefferson

IN: Langford, Fullerton

I don’t even think North played that well which is even more of an indictment on how we played (not taking anything away from their kids dominance) but how many missed kicks, bad hand passes, kicking it to 2v1s, bombing it in to F50 to nobody were there, no communication etc. etc. etc. 

We couldn’t hit targets and/or players didn’t gut run enough to get into space and hardly anybody looked like they were composed at all. 

1 minute ago, Young Angus said:

We have a few outs but wow that was just a shocker...I mean Collingwood had a shocker first up, then got better.  Suns game will tell the story if this is just a blip but I think we all fear/know it won't be.  

Its not any one players fault, but seriously what is Woey doing out there am I the only one who thinks he looks pretty far away from AFL level?  I felt like I missed Billings.  

We need to get Kolt, Windsor, McVee, Milkshake, May and Kozzie back in the team and get Langford running around and put Trac up forward if we can I mean [censored] that was one of the worst games I've ever seen from anyone ever we just couldn't get anything right, which is odd for it to look that bad for a whole game but it did.  North have been getting great talents for a while now so its a matter of time until they click but I don't think that was them clicking so much as us being embarrassingly [censored].  

For the record I like a 3:20pm Sunday game I reckon its a good time slot, especially now that 7 is showing more of them but I don't want to watch that rubbish.  I'm sure we can do better than that!

Billings was horrible for Casey - missed 2 easy goals as usual. We are in trouble if we play him. 

Essendon fans would be feeling the best they've ever felt on a Monday morning after a 61 point defeat

Edited March 23Mar 23 by John Demonic

20 minutes ago, wisedog said:

But I’m keeping in mind that we were actually in a winnable position at 3 quarter

Late in the 3rd we had a chance to make it a 6 point game but fluffed it and they rebounded and scored at the other end, big swing hurt us and then we were slaughtered early in the 4th

Props to Henderson, JVR and Lindsay. Players who actually have balls and backbone. 15 tackles between the 3 of them while Rivers, Trac, Oliver, Viney Sparrow combined for 8.

JVR gets a lot of flack, but his follow up efforts can never be questioned and why I will never want to see him dropped. There are 10 others who should be considered before him.

Overrated midfield. It’s a shame those aforementioned 3 didn’t get the support around them. 

Edited March 23Mar 23 by VNightCityLegend

43 minutes ago, jnrmac said:

We have the worst skills of any team in the AFL.

kicking to a teamate, handballing to a running player (rather than his feet) and holding tackles appears to be beyond this group. Pressure was appalling 

We are embarrassing to watch. No wonder we play at 320pm on a Sunday

I think we all thought these type of performances were a thing of the past.

But for too long players putting in below par performances are gifted games. When you butcher selection integrity this is the result. Poor standards become habit.

 

 

 

 

Have posted exactly the same for a while.

A few stars have helped paper over obvious cracks.

We are also one of the slowest sides, both in running and reacting.

Couldn’t agree more with you Jnr and we haven’t mentioned lazy forwards who refuse to lead or make space, or are playing to a poor game plan based on bombing it in. Charlie Comben, Corr and Pink however think it is a great style of play.

Caleb, Judd and Kozzie will help when they are back, the question will be if they are enough.

All is not lost, but we need to get our best side back ASAP and see how we go.

Edited March 23Mar 23 by Redleg

22 minutes ago, Young Angus said:

We need to get Kolt, Windsor, McVee, Milkshake, May and Kozzie back in the team

This right here is our problem. Tholstrup is just plain ordinary. Windsor is a quality player, but it is asking a lot of a second year player to fix all our issues, even if he gets his foot right. McVee is a quality player who is yet to commit beyond this season. Melksham is 34 this year and has played about 5 good games in the past four years. May is 33 and is declining fast. Pickett is a star who continually puts himself in bad situations, and who knows if he will be here next year.

Beyond that we're down to the likes of Billings, Laurie, Campbell and Fullerton. 

The cupboard is almost completely bare. The coach will continue to pick his favourites regardless of exposed form, the senior players will pick and choose when they want to play, and the list manager will continue to reward mediocre players with long term contracts that they haven't earned.

2 hours ago, Bombay Airconditioning said:

Bulldogs have had Bont, Treloar, Weightman and JUH out yet management to beat North and should have beaten the Pies if not for some one sided umpiring. I’m not entirely familiar with all of their players but they played an attractive attacking style of footy. We have no excuses, not sacking Goodwin is just prolonging the inevitable. 

Bevo has been injecting youth and quick players for a while now. The dogs are well set up for the modern game. We are in the same boat as Carlton. At least we have a flag though.

38 minutes ago, wisedog said:

Don’t get me wrong: I’m bitterly disappointed, and that performance reminded me somewhat of the first round of 2008 when we were annihilated by a resurgent Hawthorn. 

But I’m keeping in mind that we were actually in a winnable position at 3 quarter time. When North kicked the first couple of the last quarter, we definitely lowered our pressure (this is probably a great concern in itself), and we had probably underestimated the opponent going into the game. On the other hand, North, having been down for so many years, were finally in a position where they had their boot on the neck of another Victorian club - they weren’t going to let up. Sometimes, you’re caught off guard by the waves of momentum and emotion, and this was probably a hugely cathartic victory.

So, last week was creditable, this week was diabolical. The rounds have been topsy turvy across the competition so far, we just need to wait and see our response against Gold Coast.

OUT: Woewodin, Jefferson

IN: Langford, Fullerton

On the scoreboard at three quarter time it was still winnable but watching it I said no. All North had to do was kick one goal and a few behinds and we needed five. No chance of that happening yesterday 

Just to add to misery we have Norf supporters rubbing our noses in it.

Basking in joy that our supporters were having a go at the players.

How low have we fallen.

33 minutes ago, BoBo said:

I don’t even think North played that well which is even more of an indictment on how we played (not taking anything away from their kids dominance) but how many missed kicks, bad hand passes, kicking it to 2v1s, bombing it in to F50 to nobody were there, no communication etc. etc. etc. 

I thought the same. They gave us chance after chance. Goodwin spoke about them in the press conference like they'd played a near-perfect game. They certainly went hard and didn't relent, but they were so sloppy.