Forest Demon

So I quickly trawled through the Roos years, and looked at every game we went in as favourites. In 7 games as favourites, we have only won a single game, that being against Brisbane last year at the G, which was one of the most unconvincing wins I have seen. It goes without saying, you should be winning most of the games you go in as favourites, so to have 1-6 record is absolutely shocking. How can a team become so complacent? Especially considering the lack of success over the last decade. 2014 Round 1 vs St Kilda at Etihad ($1.80) - 3 point loss Round 19 vs Brisbane at Etihad ($1.70) - 23 point loss Round 21 vs GWS at the MCG ($1.50) - 64 point loss 2015 Round 15 vs Essendon at the MCG ($1.50) - 9 point loss Round 16 vs Brisbane at the MCG ($1.60) - 24 point win Round 21 vs Carlton at the MCG ($1.35) - 23 point loss 2016 Round 2 vs Essendon at the MCG ($1.10) - 13 point loss Post OP Round 6 vs St Kilda at Etihad ($1.80) - 39 point loss Round 9 vs Brisbane at the MCG ($1.15) - 63 point win

And how about TMac's turnover in the opening minutes, set the tone. The difference between his best and worst is the biggest of any player in the comp imo.

I find the coaching comments interesting. There was nothing to coach. If the players don't want to run and compete at the level required, then Roosy, Goodwin and the boys may as well pack up their clipboards and head home. If I was to be critical of the coaches at all, it would be that they are somewhat responsible for the mindset of the team. But as for match day moves and tactics, there wasn't a hell of a lot to work with today.

Some home truths have to be dished out to young Jesse. I'm not inside the club, and this probably isn't the case, but you get the impression from the media we are walking on egg shells around him trying to keep him happy. He needs a big rocket.

Some positive news in this thread at least. I know Trenners, Petracca and even Weideman will come in time, but I am really happy ANB had a good game (by the look of it). He is one of the fittest guys at the club, and I think there is a spot for him in the seniors, as early as next week after today's debacle.

I said similar about Salem in another thread. He is a tidy player and he definitely isn't soft, but he just leaves we wanting so much more. He should be getting 20+ touches a week and bossing games from half back.

It is reasonably well known he is our strongest player. If Dunn is not a better option than Garland then I will eat my hat. Stronger one on one, better runner, better kick. It really boggles my mind. He has obviously [censored] Roosy and the coaches off somehow.

Garland plays and looks like he has spent the pre-game chugging bongs in the change rooms.

He did everything we didn't. He competed well and ran hard. He was always an option.

-6: Garland - just wow, looked comically out of his depth today and hasn't played any good footy in years -5: Hogan - someone needs to have a serious word in his ear -4: Kent and Brayshaw - for not even showing up (especially Kent) -3: TMac - set the tone with a classic "TMac" in the opening minutes -2: Bugg - horrible -1: Salem and VDB - not our worst, but both capable of so much more Honourable mentions to the old Matty Jones, Watts and Gawn.

6: Kennedy - the only winner for the day 5: Vince - was ok 4: N. Jones - as above 3: Garlett - with a whopping 6 touches, but at least was dangerous 2: Tyson - wasn't horrible 1: I literally cannot justify giving any of the rest a vote

What happened? We thought we could just rock up and roll through the motions and bank 4 points. Essendon broke even with our contested ball winners, and then just ran much much harder. [censored] weak performances from a majority of the side.

Glad to hear ANB doing well. Good runner, and we are in desperate need of some run after today's "effort".

As picket said, this loss hurt more than any other in the last decade of ineptitude.

We just didn't want to run. And we couldn't win the contested ball despite boasting superior inside mids. Lack of effort across the board, pure and simple.

They broke even in the contest and just ran us off our legs. When will we learn. I am going to trawl through the Roos era and see our record in games we have gone in as favourites. Cannot remember a single win.

They broke even in the contest and just ran us off our legs. When will we learn. I am going to trawl through the Roos era and see our record in games we have gone in as favourites. Cannot remember a single win.

Horrible. Just horrible. They will be copping a well deserved bake in the sheds.

I hope someone is preparing a fearsome spray for half time

Umpiring is the least of our worries

Butchered the footy.

I think the rain would play into our hands. We are bigger and stronger, and definitely not short of an inside mid.

Is that correct? I saw fox footy ratings for last week and our game rated very favourably.

I know he is a rat bag, but I like Dustin Martin. A very good player.

Do not rate. Will have a career comparable to Toumpas imo.