Wiseblood

I read those quotes too, and it seems as though he's not happy with the way we played for periods of the game. The clock management is the one that sticks out for me. The players shouldn't need to be told, in that situation, to run down the clock or to look for the chip kick. It should be common sense. But from what I can tell I'd wager that Goody would have given them a fair pasting after the game.

Stubbornness is the main reason I think we can change. I don't have much else. If Geelong had knocked us off by 8 goals tonight then I'd be worried. Really worried. And while tonight is one of the toughest losses I've watched in years, I still think we are capable of playing finals footy. I'll probably be wrong, but I have to believe it. I can't give it up. I'll wake up tomorrow, look at next week's game and believe we can knock them off if we play to our best. What else can I do? Going bananas isn't my thing anymore. That's not to say it's not a valid form of response to tonight's game, it's just not my thing. It almost brought me to tears instead.

I meant what I said. We can beat the Swans. I didn't say we will, just that we can. Today is evidence of that. Nothing more, nothing less.

I get it. Trust me. I know it doesn't seem like it, but I get that we are yet to prove ourselves fully against opposition inside the top 8. We pushed the Cats and pushed Port, but we haven't done more than that, which I agree is not good enough. But the Sydney game today is one example of how anything can happen in the league this year. Outside of playing Carlton, you can lose a game of footy if you switch off for long enough. We are still in the eight and we still have time to put together some notable wins that can propel us towards finals footy. It might feel terrible right now, and very hard to see, but finals are still in our future this season if we want it.

Hasn't been the same player since Lever went down. Hasn't worked into the same synergy with Frost as yet, plus no Hibberd hurt. However, Hawkins took him to the cleaners tonight. No argument there.

I understand why it's so negative after taking a loss like that, but going by the above it sounds like we lost by 12 goals, not by 2 points. The one I do want to bring up is JKH - I think the bloke has done his dash as an AFL player. You could argue he deserved to be rewarded for strong form at Casey, but I just don't think he's an AFL level player. Just the 14 touches, missed a crucial shot in the last and just doesn't seem to do a whole lot with his possessions. I'd be very, very surprised if he got another game. Tyson wasn't too flash either but at least he looked more comfortable around the ball. 21 touches and 12 contested possies is his go, but you would much rather Viney in there doing that stuff.

At least there's never a dull moment.

We're in it until we're not in it. We have the ability to beat any team in front of us, with the exception of the Eagles in Perth, which is a huge ask of any side these days. It might be a mirage to you, but it's pretty clear to me. This loss cuts very, very deep, but we aren't done just yet.

It would be a travesty for sure, but we haven't missed them yet. It's still well and truly alive. And yes, I'm a stubborn bastard.

If Trac needs a leader to tell him to slow it down in that situation then the poor decision is down to Trac, not the leaders. It's common sense. It's a shame as I thought he played pretty well tonight.

True. However, the Swans proved today they are more than beatable. The Crows are too, even in Adelaide, a ground we play well. The Eagles will be tough, and so will GWS, but we get them at the G. We have the talent and ability to win 3 of those. Plus the Suns game. Finals are still well and truly alive.

Again, I don't get this. Be angry, shattered, annoyed, frustrated, whatever you want. After that you have every right. But poor selections? We lost by 2 points to the Cats on their home deck. We did plenty right. But when the heat was on we wilted. That's not down to selection, that's down to mindset.

For as bad as I feel, this is a silly comment. We're still in sixth. While the loss was shattering, we played out of our skin for three quarters at one of the hardest away grounds to play on in the competition. Finals is still well and truly alive.

We really missed Lever and Hibberd down back tonight as well. I agree, though - our effort was immense, and I thought we have halted the momentum when they got on a roll when Tom put us 8 points up. But we couldn't kill it.

Take McDonald out and he doesn't kick those 2 goals in the last quarter. I get your point though and I don't want to start a discussion on it. Too shattered for that.

I'm happy to admit I'm almost in tears here on the couch. I don't even know what to type right now. Just gutted. Simply gutted. I can't believe we could lose that game, especially like that. We did everything right and then fell in a heap when it mattered most. We almost righted the ship and then we allow that to happen with 41 seconds left. I guess only Melbourne could do that. I've got nothing else. I think I'll crawl into a hole for a few days and stay there.

@Nasher - I've just vomited.

It's such a catch 22 feeling. It's awesome but terrible at the same time. Been texting a mate whose a Cats fan and he reckons we're home. I reminded him of who they are playing and said it's not over with us till that final siren sound. But gee, how good have we been tonight? I feel like I'm seeing some of these 'kids' beginning to mature into men right before our eyes!

Thought I'd stay out tonight and just watch, but this place just pulls me back in. Enjoying every minute of this game. Still a term to go but if we can kick the first couple and silence then crowd then I might start believing we can win it!!

I'm [censored] bricks at the moment!!! Could we???? Can we??? Of course we can! Keep it going you beautiful red and blues!!

Loving the effort, loving the pressure and loving the fact that, in hostile territory, we are more than serving it up to the enemy. We are right in this contest, and if we can keep the scoreboard pressure up then a win is there for the taking!

Even with the injuries, there is absolutely no reason why we can't win this game of footy. Play our game, keep the pressure up and turn our forward entires into goals and we can knock these ducking bastards off! Dees by 4 goals.

Soul destroying? You need to get out more.

I'd give him the Crows game and the Suns game to get it right. The Adelaide game might be too soon, while I think we can get away with not having him for a horrible Suns side. Get him cherry ripe for the Swans.

If you look at other sports, managers/coaches have ways to get information out to their players on a regular basis that our coaches don't have. Take the NBA for example - the coach is literally on the sideline the entire time and is able to help call plays/give advice whenever they want, not to mention calling timeouts when things aren't going there way or when they want to make a change. Soccer managers are able to stand on the touchline and bark out orders all game, and when there is a stop in play they can call players over and talk tactics with them. Our coaches can't do that unless they come off for a rotation. I know there will be other examples, but the runner is our codes way of being able to convey messages during a game that the coach up in the box cannot do. I agree that there needs to be some set rules about it, and I think when they are allowed on the ground needs to be looked at, but I don't think runners are a relic of a bygone era, nor do I think they are obsolete. It's just our codes way of allowing coaches to get messages to players during a game, something many other codes and sports allow as well, just in different ways.