von

Is anyone denying reality here. The cats were all those things. But we are here for the why and we have some decent reasons as far as I can tell. Yours included.

It applies equally when we win. It’s really not relevant to the result but more relevant in explaining what we are seeing on the day. Why are our clearance numbers up/down, why are our league leading defensive running flankers who are fitter than everyone else’s not covering the ground as well this week etc. It correlates to result but doesn’t have to be the cause.

Or maybe they realise that a football season is more complex than one game, and despite what the media do to us, some like to try and understand the game on a deeper level than the reactionary, you’re only as good as your last match style. Poor form can be a result of many things. For a young team those reasons are different to an established team. If you can’t see trends in sport that occur over a season for teams in specific situations then you aren’t looking very hard. I wrote us off after we lost to gws last year. I was way off the mark and have learnt many things since then. Following a good football team and their practices throughout a season is very foreign to me. It’s barely happened in my life time. There’s new things to look for other than who we are drafting to save us and it’s heaps more fun this way. Not saying we will win the flag or another game even but there are reasons form fluctuates and it’s interesting to explore.

We could have taken the lead 2/3rds of the way through the Geelong game despite looking sluggish and fumbly. We were under more physical duress than they were. Geelong said they are running on top of the ground now and felt good. They built their season around this game it seems. It will be interesting to see how the two programs play out come season end. They look good now.

Didn’t realise the loading theory or practice depending on your stance was purely a coping mechanism for your stress around supporting the dees

Do you think that was the case watching the game?

I accept all that. The cats are good. They are the most impressive club of the last decade and a half. I don’t think we gave anything away

I always liked takk the most. They are fantastic

I don’t think we are a team that make drastic moves ever. I meant those smaller details like a semi tag on bont by Clarry in the grand final when he got going. We could have affected their set up at contest potentially last night but didn’t seem to bother. We have some options around contest, stoppages etc that we choose to use or not at times.

The fact we were in a position to pinch that game despite being so poor is a big plus. Geelong will be aware that we were off. It was interesting in Chris Scott’s presser he went out of his way to say that’s as good as they have essentially. Meaning us. But I think he knows it wasn’t

We didn’t really look to change things much during the season last year. Move things around etc. why give away your tricks before finals. Our game plan is built on predictability but there’s always a few moves you can make to nullify things or create advantages. Clearances for example. Yes we were tired but if it was a prelim we would have worked on nullifying that, I don’t think we did last night.

They had about 12 days with a nice hit out in the middle to blow the cobwebs out

Good for them, they can have it. Our midfield won’t play like they next time.

Very good chance we showed them nothing deliberately

We looked rough up until round 19 last year. Very similar form, problems etc.

That’s all Geelong have. Played well on their home ground. Selwood said post match we prepared for this period in the season and we are running on top of the ground now. We quite obviously were not. We had all the signs of a high loading period. Slow off the mark, fumbles, poor execution. The ball fell in their favour time and time again, partly because they were playing fitter and got to the drop and partly football gods. positives were we held their tall forwards well despite being very average for the night. The ground cost us, we didn’t play it well. Things look different on the mcg. They may have timed their run to peak too early. We look like we will be back week after next.

Feels like the bulldogs game last year at a similar time. Looked heavy, fumbly, got close but ran out of legs.

That’s what it looks like. Slow off the mark tonight

you know why. There’s only one answer

We’re playing with heavy legs and the fumbles. Very few spills have gone our way. The width of the ground is affecting us. We can’t use the breakaway width, the boundary keeps spoiling it. Feels like one of those nights the bounce of the ball has had a huge impact.

Yeah drop him 🤔

Those three have started to get going the last two weeks as well. Plus harness, sparrow, anb. Always feel confident when the midfield are up and about.

These umpires working harder than anyone on the ground

Worked for Richmond one year

Surely the afl have learnt this is what nobody wants when it comes to umpiring. Just taking control of things at the moment