Was ND coach yesterday? The game plan seemed identical. Chipping from one pocket to another pocket in the backline. Moving up along the wings. No wonder they were exhausted by 3/4 time. Play up the corridor and conserve energy. Run in packs. Do something different. If Robert Flower was still playing then maybe I would allow you to play the wings. But he isn't - so don't.

Oh and Newton, if you want to play FF, you have to be able to kick goals from 30m out dead in front. Neitz has an excuse - he is 7o yrs of age (tongue in cheek). Neiter why would you put yourself through this again?

Was ND coach yesterday? The game plan seemed identical. Chipping from one pocket to another pocket in the backline. Moving up along the wings. No wonder they were exhausted by 3/4 time. Play up the corridor and conserve energy. Run in packs. Do something different. If Robert Flower was still playing then maybe I would allow you to play the wings. But he isn't - so don't.

Oh and Newton, if you want to play FF, you have to be able to kick goals from 30m out dead in front. Neitz has an excuse - he is 7o yrs of age (tongue in cheek). Neiter why would you put yourself through this again?

Same thing struck me. The game plan was not different in any way, and actually appeared worse. Hawthorn played direct, fast flowing football and look at the result. I really dont understand why we can't do the same thing. And why on earth were we so unaccountable?? There were loose Hawks everywhere, all of the time!! Lazy!

Newton disappointed me. I mean, he chased hard, but I did not realise how slow he is. He really needs to improve that area of his game. And everyone saw him shirk that contest in the middle. Thats disappointing. But he'll learn from that and hopefully take it in his stride.

I don't know whether the chipping/switching of play was indicative of Hawthorn's relentless pressure (and our severe lack of confidence to go direct), or whether it is part of a game plan being implemented by DB.

The reason I say this is because Port Adelaide rely heavily on switching the play and creating space for their midfielders to run into. The difference being that they do this with skill and polish and they understand what they are doing. Perhaps DB is trying to imitate the game plan of his former senior coach.

But whatever he's doing it's not working.

Newton disappointed me. I mean, he chased hard, but I did not realise how slow he is. He really needs to improve that area of his game. And everyone saw him shirk that contest in the middle. Thats disappointing. But he'll learn from that and hopefully take it in his stride.

I agree with you. Newton was a little disappointing yesterday. I'm a big fan of his but that contest in the middle made me cringe. But I thought he tried really hard which is more than what can be said of some of his older teammates. Don't worry, he'll be good for us.

I don't know whether the chipping/switching of play was indicative of Hawthorn's relentless pressure (and our severe lack of confidence to go direct), or whether it is part of a game plan being implemented by DB.

The reason I say this is because Port Adelaide rely heavily on switching the play and creating space for their midfielders to run into. The difference being that they do this with skill and polish and they understand what they are doing. Perhaps DB is trying to imitate the game plan of his former senior coach.

But whatever he's doing it's not working.

I think it was a combination of Hawthorn's pressure and Melbourne's refusal to play down the centre and provide options down the centre.

Play down the middle....what you crazeee talking !!! lol

Was a bit of an obvious difference yesterday wasnt it.

Id say there was a much simpler reason.. Melbourne had ABSOLUTELY NO CONFIDENCE TO DO ANYTHING !!!

They started and finished like rabbits caught in headlights. The Dees also played a different game.. The Hawks played footy...we played Hot Potato -Hot Potato !! actually the Wiggles analogy goes futher as I swear we had 18 Jeffs out there...all asleep !!..actually porbably a doezen Jeffs.. a few Rags, maybe a feathersword or two and defintely more than needed number of Dorothies !!

Use the corridor...thas funny !!

I think it was a combination of Hawthorn's pressure and Melbourne's refusal to play down the centre and provide options down the centre.

No dominant CHF...no dominant CHB...means you have to go wide = opposition owns the centre corridor = 104 point thumpings.

No manning up throughout entire game...inexcusable.

Play down the middle....what you crazeee talking !!! lol

Was a bit of an obvious difference yesterday wasnt it.

Id say there was a much simpler reason.. Melbourne had ABSOLUTELY NO CONFIDENCE TO DO ANYTHING !!!

They started and finished like rabbits caught in headlights. The Dees also played a different game.. The Hawks played footy...we played Hot Potato -Hot Potato !! actually the Wiggles analogy goes futher as I swear we had 18 Jeffs out there...all asleep !!..actually porbably a doezen Jeffs.. a few Rags, maybe a feathersword or two and defintely more than needed number of Dorothies !!

Use the corridor...thas funny !!