Almost as good as a win ...

[Chook 14,998]

Lets get some consistency in our performances before we judge whether things are looking good.

'

Why? It doesn't stop a lot of the posters on this board from crucifying our guys after a couple of losses. If that's going to happen, why can't we praise a good effort against a good team? Is there really anything wrong with that?

ALMOST as good, not AS good.

Unless you picked up a cool $1 875 backing Geelong by 20 - 39.5 pts at $6.75 odds.

[praha 11,124]

So wait a second, the point of this thread is to praise mediocrity?

We played better then the first two weeks, but our disposal was still **** house and we made too many errors. We played an average side. You win games by playing better then your opposition, not by playing better then the week before.

This loss wasn't as good as anything.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

I was overall pretty happy with today.

POSITIVES

-Aussie looked really good on debut.

-Morton looked great.

-Good to see McLean find the pill - but still struggling when tagged.

-Paul Johnson just keeps on getting better.

-Just about the best game I've seen from Wheatley - I still think he should be played more forward.

-Rivers was good on return.

-Despite getting a few kicked against him, I thought Carroll did well considering he was considerably out sized.

-Bartel and Ablett had a relatively low impact on the game.

-Bruce on Johnson was good - I really liked that he ran forward to kick those goals.

NEGATIVES

-Davey looks slow.

-Garland.

-Chris Johnson.

-Sylvia looks like he doesn't give a toss.

-Poor skills.

[Jaded No More 67,769]

I was overall pretty happy with today.

POSITIVES

-Aussie looked really good on debut.

-Morton looked great.

-Good to see McLean find the pill - but still struggling when tagged.

-Paul Johnson just keeps on getting better.

-Just about the best game I've seen from Wheatley - I still think he should be played more forward.

-Rivers was good on return.

-Despite getting a few kicked against him, I thought Carroll did well considering he was considerably out sized.

-Bartel and Ablett had a relatively low impact on the game.

-Bruce on Johnson was good - I really liked that he ran forward to kick those goals.

NEGATIVES

-Davey looks slow.

-Garland.

-Chris Johnson.

-Sylvia looks like he doesn't give a toss.

-Poor skills.

I agree with those.

McLean may have struggled with the tag, but he was getting tagged by Ling... not exactly the worst player going around. He'll get Brady Rawlings next week no doubt, so another big challenge coming up.

Credit to Dunn for playing a good defensive game on Bartel.

Sylvia is an infuriating player. Needs to be dropped for his complete lack of interest. For someone with so much skills, his impact on games is minimal at best. Very poor effort from a 5 year player who was taken so early in the draft.

[Gorgoroth 12,712]

Agree about Ling, but mclean did get better in the last again, his first half was fantastic he had 22 touches 10 of those contested, what more do people want from him?

Bruce was good for possibly the first time in a few years, 100% accurate with all his possessions they said on foxtel.

P.J. once again was really good, really ran the lines and created a lot.

White was good until saw him stand and wait for the ball instead of putting his body intopt he contest, soured his game in my mind.

Jones was decent as always, needs to steady just before he kicks though.

Davey looked slow and injured, he had no zip and I think the ankle was sore, got 100% better in the second half.

Rivers...............God like. First game back you can just tell how good he is.

Bartram played well in patches and is slowly getting back into it.

Wheatley was good.

Garland must be dropped

Aussie had a great first up game, good skills, knew how much weight to put on the ball when kicking

Sylvia i think wants to mouth off more than play the game

[Redleg 40,219]

I agree with those.

Sylvia is an infuriating player. Needs to be dropped for his complete lack of interest. For someone with so much skills, his impact on games is minimal at best. Very poor effort from a 5 year player who was taken so early in the draft.

Bit hard on CJ, I thought he showed a bit and can kick. Didn't get much game time.

Morton and Aussie showed they have futures.

Garland can go back to Sandy for at least half a season as he is nowhere near an AFL footballer.

White's handballing and lack of effort in the last line a few times cost us goals.

Robbo, I think his time may have passed. One trick pony who when his trick won't work is useless.

Finally, Sylvia has just about lost me. The most overrated high draft pick ever.

Much improved effort by the team though and it gives us hope for the future.

[damon the demon 57]

good today but should have played moloney - he always kills the cats. Can't DB find a spot in the team for MOLONEY!

[beelzebub 23,200]

Bruce was good for possibly the first time in a few years, 100% accurate with all his possessions they said on foxtel.

P.J. once again was really good, really ran the lines and created a lot.

Nice return of soe form for Brucey ( bout time)

Paul , really think hes starting to find his legs.. I think we may stil need an out and out 1st ruck.. but PJ makes a good #2 possibly a KPP..possibly

White was good until saw him stand and wait for the ball instead of putting his body intopt he contest, soured his game in my mind.

He's really gone off the boil ol' Jeff.. he hard to find on the green at times.. Half ther player he was..just reality

Jones was decent as always, needs to steady just before he kicks though.

Good call there.. needs to calm down that fraction doesnt he.. lose a tad of urgency and gain composure

Davey looked slow and injured, he had no zip and I think the ankle was sore, got 100% better in the second half.

Needs a good run in magoos.. or a rest...he's not 100%

Rivers...............God like. First game back you can just tell how good he is.

nothing to add.

Bartram played well in patches and is slowly getting back into it.

Yep...getting back up to speed. has been obviously rusty.. ... get the brasso out...lol

Wheatley was good.

Alwasy feel he's underated.. love that kick. Is a bloke who does ride better with confidence.

Garland must be dropped

needs to learn footy...back to the Zebs!! for a while !!!

Aussie had a great first up game, good skills, knew how much weight to put on the ball when kicking

Yeah...I like this kid.. has great balance.. no show poney...just nugety.. I think he'll be solid for us for a while..

Sylvia i think wants to mouth off more than play the game

Rapidly trying everyones patience....needs to go back and find his MOJO !!

[rpfc 28,052]

It's amazing how two bad losses dims your expectations: we were better today.

Skills and decision making a problem, but then again we have always had those issues.

Thank Buddha for Rivers, McLean, Bell, Jones (needs to learn to kick though), Batram (Chapman's shadow), Morton, P.Johnson, Davey (2nd half), Dunn, and Wonaeamirri. Our future is not completely bleak.

Bruce, White (1st half), Green (when forward), Wheatley, Neitz, and Miller are regaining a little bit, but one game does not salvage a career.

Carroll & Macca - Pass

Sylvia (get your own footy, Colin), C.Johnson (Fiora, without the kicking ability), Robbo (king of the kick to no-one) and Garland (doesn't show anything) should be on thin ice.

PS. Morton was early Pavlich like. He was bloody good. Turn him into a CHF, please Jebus.

[Rogue 585]

I hope they view that as a game they could have won, and not be happy or content with getting within five goals of the Cats.

In DB's press conference, he mentioned the fact that they 'still lost the game' enough times to make me confident that they won't be content. There were some positives to come out of the game, but we've certainly still got a long way to go.

Agree about Ling, but mclean did get better in the last again, his first half was fantastic he had 22 touches 10 of those contested, what more do people want from him?

He has to deal with a tag. With the way our midfield looks these days, he's probably going to be the one getting it for the forseeable future.

Bit hard on CJ, I thought he showed a bit and can kick. Didn't get much game time.

I didn't think his disposal was great today.

[Lord Travis 10,492]

Alot better today obviously. Most of the players actually tried today, and werent smashed by their opponents one on one as has been the case the first few rounds.

Great to have Rivers back. He's just a general down in the backline isnt he! First game back in what a year or so, and he already looked at home and was yelling instructions to people. Also Miller at CHF was good. Led up giving us a target around the middle of the ground, which also opens up the forward line for the forwards to lead into, or midfielders to recieve a handball or chip and run on into that space.

If we play that way next week, I think we'll have our first win of the season.

P.S Cale Morton was great. I met him before the season started and he was a really nice guy. Shook my hand and had a chat to me over a beer (he had water ). Also met Jake Spencer, and good lordi he is enormous! If he puts some weight on that frame it'll be interesting to see what he could do.

[the pearl 32]

In three games, we've had problems with skills and decision-making. Unfortunately, that's the game! No-one knows how the game plan stands up or what our fitness is like, because we can't keep possession of the ball. Maybe DB's support staff need to be looked at or replaced by ex-Northey demons like Viney, Yeats, Lyon etc who have the qualifications and knowledge to teach and emphasize the skills.