Neil Crompton

One thing we proved today. The coaches picked the right McDonald to become a forward.

Hogan needs to watch a review of Hawkins goals to learn how a good key forward needs to play. Hawkins got 5 of his goals after making fast leads and, as a result, marking the ball virtually uncontested.Hogan doesn’t lead. He prefers to stand still and try and mark within a pack, usually one handed. Tom Mac can mark in a pack - Hogan can’t. Hawkins got his other 2 goals from desperate ground play. Hogan is rarely desperate for the ball once it hits the ground. Hogan is a worry.

ANB and JKH out. Hannan and AVB in.

We threw away 4 points today, but I don’t think the sky is falling in, just yet. We didn’t lose because of the umpires, or because OMac had a bad game, or our backline was poor, or because of bad coaching. We lost because we didn’t take our chances in the forward line. We missed at least 6 very getable goals, and we fritted away at least 8 other forward entries that should have ended in goals. Fix this and we can defeat any team this year.

WOW! Guess you were not happy with our win on Saturday. But 7 changes?!

As I said in another topic, if Maxy doesn’t win the Brownlow this year it will only be because bloody Clarry got too many votes!

Not sure why people are calling for Tyson’s return. Firstly, his form has been poor every time he’s played in the ones. Secondly, we were virtually 2 inside mids down yesterday (Viney, and Jones had a shocker) and we certainly didn’t miss Tyson yesterday.

If Maxy doesn’t win the Brownlow it will be because bloody Clarry got too many votes!

I think “criminal” is just as apt.

If Vanders remains fit, and if his form in 2’s warrants it, it will be an interesting selection. As a forward, he is a bull like Petracca, but with much more heart and a bigger tank. I think either Petracca or Melksham would make way. As an inside mid, I think Vanders would force Jones to a wing or half back spot, as I think he has more to offer than Jones in the middle. Given his pace and tank, he could play a wing position successfully, but if he comes into the side, his best fit may well be down half back. An unusual position for him, but his strength, his defensive attributes and his dash from half back could well be a welcome addition.

I think it will take 14 wins plus percentage to make the 8. If we make it, it will mean that we have beaten a number of the top 8 teams in the run home. Therefore I would expect to do some damage in the finals. However, current form might suggest that we end up one win short of the 8.

If it was self evident, I wouldn’t have asked for an explanation. If it’s beneath you to explain the hypocrisy you refer to, then that’s fine. However I would have thought that as you continually hounded poor SWYL for an answer to your question, yet refuse to explain your logic in a question given to you, that that is rather hypocritical in itself, don’t you think?

Pro Dee, while you are waiting for the answer to your question from SWYL, can you please answer mine above?

Doesn’t it mean they are just not good enough?

It’s hyocritical to analyse the coaches comments yet still want results? Sorry PD but I cannot see the link - can you please explain?

Good question. Certainly his cricket ability does not relate to football. But the fact that he was selected as Australia’s captain says to me that he has many qualities that would translate to football, or any sport - such as player respect, an ability to manage, relate to and direct his players, able to read a game and make decisions accordingly, lead by example etc. Just my opinion.

Probably a big call at this stage I know, but basing it on recruiters comments on him, his leadership qualities ( Capt Aussie U19 cricket team) and his highlight real - and a gut feel.

Great to see AVB and McKenna ready to play again. Great perseverance by these 2 and the fitness guys to get to this point. If they stay fit they will, at some point, be welcome additions to our top 22.

The condemnation of the team this past week reminds me of post round 23 last year. Back then we could do nothing about it. Luckily we have almost half a year to do something about it and redeem ourselves, if we are good enough. We shall see how hurt the players really are.

Have a look at how many times in the last 2 weeks Hogan has led and poor disposal has either sent the ball over his head or has fallen short. There are not too many forwards who can excel under those conditions.

Not sure I follow your thinking on team selection this week Werribee. Last week you said Vince and Lewis cannot play in the same team ever again. Yet you are bringing Vince back in this week to play with Lewis. Last week you said that Petty must play. This week you’ve kicked him out and said Keilty must play. You no longer have a relief ruckman, as you’ve dropped Weideman, and you’ve dropped J Smith, who I think shows good promise. And I think we have enough mids with poor disposal without adding Baker to that list.

When Jetta and OMac have bad days, as they did, our backline is a mess. OMac having too many bad days of late. If he doesn’t mark the ball, I panic. J Smith worth giving more game time. He will be worth it I believe (not much alternative any way). Petty nowhere near AFL level yet, and it showed. He may well get another go, but it will be his last for the season if he doesn’t lift his game. Frost the most likely to be selected if Petty goes. From reports he has played reasonably well in the 2’s. He has always been a heart in your mouth player, but again, not much alternative to him. ANB and Tyson make too many basic skill errors to be left in the side. Lewis makes errors as well but he gets so much more of the ball than ANB and Tyson, due to good positioning, and more often than not hits his mark. He should stay, the other 2 need to go and improve their skills elsewhere. While I have never been a great fan, Stretch has earned is way back into the team, and I think Spargo needs to return. While not a high disposal player, he, like Fritsch, makes the most of each and every one of them. As a last change, I’d like to see Hannan get a spell in the 2’s. His output has been no where near what we require up forward. Given our 3 talls, I’d go with Garlett to replace him. But the biggest changes have got to be a smarter game plan going into F50, and considerably better disposal from 90% of our players. It’s these 2 areas that allow opposition teams such easy access into their forward line. We can all but hope.

Personally I like the rage. It gets the anger out of the system. If not for Demonland where else would that anger be vented?

Out: - our forward line coach - our backline coach, - our skills coach, - our game plan coach. Fix them and we will be good!

Even if we manage to win this game, our coaches and on field leaders need a huge kick in the you know where, because our brand of football is terrible. We have no intelligence nor skills on field. If half way through the season we can show this standard of football against a bottom team, we should hang our head in shame. Forget the umpiring, it’s our fault.