Red But Mostly Blue

Agree. I am not too fussed by losses, provided we are heading towards wins. The losses don't give me that much comfort though (aside from GWS, which in hindsight our slow ball movement was helped by rain). We can still turn this around, and I know we are often told that the Lions were 0-3 last year, but they lost their games as follows (to the Blues by 1 point, to Freo over there by 23 - no disgrace there, to the Pies by 20 - again no disgrace), and then a bad loss to GWS in the middle by about 50 points - and they are a serious side, it happens. Our losses have been to a bottom 4 team (argue improvement all you like but 4 teams have to sit in the bottom 4 for there to be a bottom 4 and unfortunately they will be there - along with the Eagles, Tigers and us at this stage), and Gold Coast at our home, where they do not perform well, and having not beaten us in a decade. That's two very bad losses. To start the year, when we should be full of hope, energy and something to prove after all the love/learnings. We can right the ship. We certainly have the personnel on the ground. But I don't think we can rely on the Lions' trajectory, as they had a far more stable on-ground performance base to work with. We have a boring, lifeless, confused, slow, gameplan, and were walloped by both teams. These next couple of months are critical to obviously not only our year, but future years because it will determine whether Trac, Oliver, Kozzie, McVee will want to stay (or as the case may be should stay), but also to make a strong case for others to join us. It's arguable that we missed out on Houston late last year because we were a rabble. We don't want to enter that territory again because as our last bunch of decades shows, it's very hard to emerge. It's easier to stay on top, which is why the Cats do what they do. And why as a result they can attract the right people.

Damn this was a good game. Petty was awesome (how good was it to see? Made us briefly remember why we fought to keep him - which is another story in hindsight maybe... although I still think he's capable - where has he gone? Truly mystified). And that Fritter control on the boundary line and class to kick that goal. Oof, where has that guy gone, too? We need these guys back, not the shells we have currently. That goes for quite a few, if we are to win this!

The issue with a rebuild right now, is we still need some talent coming through. Being a rabble will not help our cause. Oscar Allan is looking around, and would NOT want to come here for obvious reasons. Why? To lose more than he is currently losing. We are currently jostling with the Eagles for the spoon. And I don't want to remind everyone what they did to us over there last year. Could see that happening again. Anyway, it's cyclical - if we don't correct our trajectory this year, we are making a poor case to a) keep important players to help guide any youth we attract, but we are also making a poor cause to attract the next generation. This is partly how we were stuck in the doldrums for years - it took a long, long time to get some talent across. Took some luck, as well. We need to turn our year around - as that is the pitch for current and future years. Regardless of whether we are in/need a rebuild.

I thought we'd win the last two (against the Roos because we are a better side, on paper anyway, and then against the Suns because I thought we'd respond - we had to), and I think we'll lose to the Cats because they're playing well, and at home. Which means we might/should win. Who knows? There is some advantage to playing so poorly, it may just cause the oppo to seriously underestimate us, or snooze a little, provided we come out and play some good footy, of course. To be fair though, the Cats have been so good for so long because (aside from some other reasons, salary cap, home grounds etc), they have standards they maintain, and never really take oppo for granted - which we do, and have done a lot - caught napping etc). There is a consistency in their output. I dunno. Our ins are good. Somewhat nearly full strength. We have a point to prove, but we had one last week, too. I'm going to give this the kiss of death and say we win by 6 goals.

Ah heading out to KP when we are at a real low, where have I heard this before?

After the eagles dockers game tomorrow, we’ll be second last, and I honestly can’t see how that will change, aside from one rung lower…

Haha #3 is actually pretty good, looking forward to the bottom so then you know you can look up. Very wise!!!!

Why? Ate your treating membership fees as donations?? Haha (I’m thinking about it!) - there’s no performance return here, just handing money over.

Lindsay (a rare shining light) injured, and humiliated by a mid-tier team on our home deck in our ‘response’ game. We’re an unskilled, uninspired rabble playing boring, lifeless footy. Anyone have any positives to share ?? Please?🙏

Anyone else still watching this??

That feeling when you win the qtr by 2 points. Especially when you’re just kicking points. 2 goals in a half, in such a dreary, boring gameplay is not going to put/keep bums on seats. What exactly is the plan here?? Going out a win against the Suns at our own home ground? With points? What are we doing? Where is this team going??????

so boring and uninspired Should I go to ikea instead? This is just sad

Haha if it’s not them, then it’s us!!! Who else will be? Scary to think really as so many others are competitive right now, it’s such an even competition. It’s going to be a good side, but maybe a year or two more, likely bottom 4. For now. And beyond all of that, our performance was embarrassing, irrespective of who we played.

100% I quite like the team. Lots of future guns. And they played with fire and heart today. Good on them.

I don’t get the Max narrative. He didn’t have a great day but a) I don’t believe that alone (obviously) cost us the game. He’s done so much for the club. Carried us on many an occasion. My question is: so what? If he has a personal family issue, firstly that should remain personal, and secondly what about everyone else? Did they all have personal family issues? Because the team pretty much as a whole and almost without exception, were shocking. In round 2, the ‘newly reborn’ team collectively capitulated to a bottom 4 team. That’s the story, not Max.