Well, weird one wasn't it? I reserve the right to make a slight revision on my during the game thoughts. I said during the game I thought we were really really poor. I now think we were just poor.
But bugger all that, the effect a win like that has on team morale can't be bought. Do we have problems? Yes we do, are they easily fixable? No they are not. Bit honestly I couldn't give a rip about that right now. When I eventually leave this earth one of my all time favourite feelings will be a close game at the G that could go either way, then the siren going and hearing that Melbourne song, there's ni feeling like that in the world!
To the football! When you look at the metrics we matched most of the good ones. Contested ball, clearances. There were times when it seemed like the Blues wanted it s bit more in the middle but we were very much up for the fight in there. First half we looked a bit slow and off but I do think our intensity raised in the second half even if we weren't able to execute the way we like. I'm not going to complain too much about inaccuracy, we're mostly adults here and we know bad kicking is bad football. I just want a 5% improvement in that area, 10% would give me a rush, don't give me 15% oh geez, I might be watching that game in the hospital. The concern about our forward structure is a much more pressing concern than the shots we are missing. The lever needs to be pulled (pun), 1 tall forward aint getting it done. Melksham did a great job despite a few sitters missed, he did actually give us something to kick to. We have some concerns regarding even our small forwards, we just need more out of them and a don't know how we get them more looks at goal but really need to. I thought Carlton's pressure was immense tonight and they never let us get clear chances, well except at the end..
I had Gus BOG, can understand the people giving Melksham full votes I absolutely can, i flip flopped on it a lot but Gus is helping us so much at the moment I'm keeping things fresh in the middle. Clarry came alive in the second half, thought Viney's game was important. Down back I thought Petty was the pick of the defenders, May got better but had his hands full early on and made a few errors, Lever had a forget game.
Might cop it a bit for this but I think the umpiring although questionable at some crucial points was actually pretty good, they let the game flow. Hardest sport to umpire around and they were good for the majority of it I thought.
I just want to do something I don't usually do in a postage thread. I want to give some praise to an opposition player. Sam Docherty, you are an absolute champion my friend. Thought he was their best player tonight in my book and he's been doing it all season. Multiple knee recos, cancer scares, this shouldn't be possible should it? Carlton fans are lucky to have this guy.
Enjoy it tonight and tomorrow people, we'll deal with whatever comes. For now we live to fight another day, Go Dees!
