Spargonicus

Yeah I think all this is pertinent. There’s potentially a role for a silky, gold-laced opportunist like Fritta - I mean, he’s a joy to watch in full flight when brim-full of confidence, but most teams are so good at bouncing out of defence and running the ball to the other end in audacious chains, that you do pay a price to include a player like that. Where’s the threshold / risk/reward?

He’s been a bit like that lately…

VFL thoughts after watching: Laurie: classy/silky, and generally a decent decision maker, but a fraction slow - in running and being aware of what’s around him JvR: back to his physical / athletic best. A good kick for goal too. Billings: good all round player who is a class above at VFL. But lacks one or two key strengths that would set him above at AFL (and a little slow with a shorter kick) Taj Woey: like Laurie, but even more so, too slow in decision making and not aware of what’s around him and the urgency required sometimes

Could JvR be a half forward in the mould of Carey? (A stretch at this point I know, given current form, but marks well, decent mobility, good kick)

Do you recall the original ‘Wired World of Sports’ ? After a crash: “…and at last something is happening. These bloody cars have just been going round and round and round…”

Look I hear you but this is better than leaving poor ol’ Roo alone as a tall in the forward line.

I agree. The mental / cultural side is where the magic is. System and gameplan is important, and for the players to believe in, but without the trust in each other and joy, it’s a slog. that 15 mins in the third quarter we saw it, just briefly. Melky’s mark, Bay running to the 50 and dobbing it, Petty getting on the end of a great chain. but then Essendon slowed it up and we reverted to the ‘system’ again. I mean, none of this is straight forward, but the players have definitely lost the heart and team spirit.

Ditto, and 5 flasks of top shelf Armagnac please.

Just devoid of hope at this point. It’s like in trying to adopt a new gameplan which doesn’t suit our players, we’ve forgotten all the things we did well. Now we don’t do them, and can’t do any kind of gameplan. very dispiriting to watch.

Marginal gains is a good point. You do reach that, where it takes lots and lots of detailed practice to improve minutely. I also thought of the golf analogy. Also though, of course the mental side is huge. Eg kicking for goal. It reminds me of putting. If the mental approach is flawed, it will massively impact technique. We see many professional AFL players miss dollies in front of goal. Part of that is the shape of the ball, part technique, part wind conditions - all in varying degree, but the mental element is big.

Sure you have, mate. Sure you have.

Eewww

I texted and got a reply. They’re trying.

I’ve let them know

Yepyep that’srightright feedfeeding backback likelike craycrayzie

Omg I had the exact same experience - uncanny. Minus the rolls. I had a hot dog. It was identical to the G: barely resembling food.

Funnily enough, I remember during our recent great years, commentators were saying the same thing about us. If you tag Oliver, Trac runs amok; if you tag Trac, Clarry or Viney run amok. Because they were all playing so well and as a team. it’s amazing how 2-5% drops across the team (due to gameplan, coaching or whatever) can mean that the whole is even less than the parts. and it puts more pressure on you individual players. Vicious cycle, and hard to arrest. not sure where to from here. They have to stick fast to gameplan for 3-4 weeks, but it could come at a very high cost if we continue to spiral. Players need to start clicking and working as a team. But that confidence in each other is hard to find once it’s gone.

So yeah I went to the game tonight. Just got home. Thoughts: effort was way better Forward line is non existent Engine room in the middle is ok at times (Max was good tonight), but it’s a shadow of its former self We got out marked like crazy Some good passages of play, but the players don’t know where their teammates are most of the time, so often get stuck with the ball and nowhere to go except a 50/50 Petty - gah. I really had hopes the guy would get back to what he was, but he can’t jump anymore, and has no energy or intent Spargo - still only second game back but time is running out to show he has something

I think Goody has at least a few games grace to demonstrate he still has the players. on your point, the it’s true that you can be a leader whom the people love, but who they simultaneously don’t respect - which often comes from not making the tough calls.

Underrated comment! 😆😆😆

I’m not completely despondent. And have decided to go to the taxpayers stadium next Friday even, but I think the bigger picture here is how long we’ve been poor. And not just the gamestyle adjustment. It’s the body language, the deplorable skills, the fight. But what gives me hope is the excellent young talent coming through. But almost have given up on Goody as the right guy. Will give him 2-3 more games.

We who are about to die, salute you.

Confirmed, I’m going! 🤩 I reached out to the cousins who attended the 186 and we’re all up for another moment in history…as long as we have solidarity…

Whether we win or lose is up to you. Don’t let us down. But seriously, god speed. Actually I’m down in Geeeelong for work that day. Hmm. Maybe I should go.

I hear you re: patience and building trust and confidence in the system, but this mediocrity has been going on for quite a while now, so the time is rapidly running out. And the appalling skills is not helping. It shows a team completely bereft of confidence.