buck_nekkid

By letting a few key games get away throughout the year, it is perform or perish every week from here. Our form has been well down for the last 4 weeks, including the mythical 'winning the contest'. We had been awful going inside 50, and are simply not scoring enough. Hopefully we can turn that around. Otherwise we might just be the new ninthmond.

Tackling has been poor outside the contest for a while now. Inside the contest, we tackle and lock down well. However, a player on the outside is put 'under pressure' rather than tackled. Seems weak, and looks shyte when oppo players step through the 'pressure' and get a clean pass away. Even worse in the Norf game, Max double handed ruck taps straight to Norf players, who had NO PRESSURE and waltzed away from clearances. Better to have no ruck, and start an inside contest - at least we compete in there. We need to hit and stick tackles. It seems like a lack of commitment to the tackle (like they dont want to be caught out of their 'position' in the structure, so dont commit to the tackle as it will put them out of where they are 'supposed' to be). Starting to look a bit bruise free. When we are totally out-marked, this just makes the reverse transition so much easier for the opposition. Gotta hit them, stick the tackles, and get the ball back. Minding space and 'pressuring' is for netball.

We are consistently outmarked. If I was coaching against us, I would seek to keep possession through marking, and have an outlet mark just outside 50, and a High HF marking CHF option. The Dees fail against these targets by not killing the contest way too often. We have focused on improving our ground ball game, and I believe we have taken huge steps here. The next thing we need to tackle is the contested marking at the key posts. Afte that, we then need to clean up forward 50 entry. A lot of our defensive issues come down to structure. When we have time to set up behind the ball, we do OK. WHen we are too cute for our own good further up the field (another glaring problem), our structures are caught out, and Nev has to defend whatever he can, even if it is sideshow bob, Franklin or Hawkins. It is just the structure. When we can move the ball more assuredly (without being overly cute) we can avoid the damaging turnovers that mean that Oscar and his defensive mates have little or no chance of even making a contest, let alone having the body shape or capability to win/halve it to advantage,

Would love it if he was! I suppose I had drawn a bit of a line through him for this year, but if he kicks the door down and is ready to go, he would certainly fit back in. I also look forward to what Plapp has to say on him, then, too!

Looking forward to Plapp's report. Weeds and Maynard in particular. I could see the Weids this week for Hogan, and Maynard in for a home game debut the week after?

The report was they saw more of what they wanted from him last weekend, and he would probably step up. Saw lots of potential last year , hope he can get back in the groove.

Here is a way it could work: 17 rounds play everyone once. divide into 3 groups of 6. Play randomly selected 2 teams from each group (2 top 6, two middle 6, two bottom 6.). Now the comp gets even. Even better if this was based on previous years positions at end of home and away. biggest problem with all of these funky draws is ground bookings, travel arrangements and hospitality stuff. If we were at round 17, and next week we had a game in Sydney (or Hobart, Perth etc) how could supporters book flights at reasonable prices? How would the clubs book flights, hotel rooms etc for that many people at short notice? overall, it is not the AFL's job to make it exciting. It is to make it fair so the teams can make it exciting. They should seriously [censored] off and stop meddling.

Was right in front of us. Jetta was focused on the exit, not on milking a free. What a fat arse loser that #22 is. There was NO DUCK, no trying to milk a free.

Some thoughts: Great to see Hogan keep his feet and put in a second effort - led to GOALS. OUr structure is so much better with Hannan and Trac operating (prowling) HF. Max much better, took some great marks. Oliver was already taking pain killers at the quarter time break. DOnt know what was up. Watts - rusty. Trengove - couldn't run with his man. Really wanted him to shine, but didn't. Jetta is a superstar. Lots of pressure. Love the 4 points. ALmost everyone contributed, a superb team effort. I have rarely witnessed such putrid umpiring ever. It was only because I was sitting near children today that the language was kept in check. It was not the number, but the blatant way that the maggots are umpiring for port, and against us. It was a frighteningly inept display. Last thought - get on board. Go Dees!

Skies looking a bit greyer as I grab the gear and head to the door. I have hope. Looking forward to seeing us play like we did against the dogs - I'm not sure we have played anywhere near our standard since then. If we do, I will enjoy my afternoon at the G' GO DEES!

We can only hope for a full house at the 'G...

I imagine it will be a mix of taping and painkillers. Properly taped (and with orthotics) the role of the fascia is replaced externally. I imagine that limiting the ability of the foot to 'flex' in ways that would cause pain with taping would go a long way to helping. Perhaps pain killers for the next week or so??? It is J. Viney - perhaps just give him a sniff of the Sherrin 5 minutes before the bounce?

I think with mids coming back, our HF line will look a lot better (Trac and Hannan), and our whole forward setup should be so much better. Add Watts into that, and our Forward 50 no longer has to be the twilight zone. Will miss Garlett, and dont know who we should play instead

Seemed to be OK at getting a couple of goals. Maybe HFF??

Interesting stuff. Seeing who is doing repeat sprints, who is fastest (Hunt) and defensive and offensive speeds. JKH showing lots of 'effort' - some here not sure of the impact, though.... Thanks for posting.

We have to become so big that we are untouchable. At the moment we are easy pickings. When Bruce creams his dacks over our players (Cyyrriill!!), then they are safe from the MRP. We are a long way from this, and therefore easy picking when our players act inappropriately. Dusty Dickmuncher hits a guy in the face and gets a fine! Dangerfield could kill a bus load of pensioners and get off with a warning. It sucks, but it not a competition, but rather a circus.

I did a really bad fart that smelled better than this mob. Why waste a moment thinking about them? It is galling that they (the club, not the players) used every tactic to avoid responsibility. Its even more galling that the AFL has never properly sanctioned the club because they are too pissweak and beholden to their favourites. I hope they have the Jab Watson curse that lasts 100 years.

This is real tent-in-the- Fletcher-Jones stuff. I hope Brayshaw will be the 'recruit of 2018' - He would need to do something special to get on the AFL park in the next 5 weeks. We are really building something, and we have had a tough (and stupid, with the suspensions) 2017. Looking up by the day.

I think Smith had surgery, which ruled him out for longer. If it was a simple sublux then maybe a few weeks and buckets of strapping. Lets see what Misson says. Interesting no follow up in the media at all (I suppose he ain't dangerfield)

Perhaps 'rediscover ' our frantic attack and pressure??

Structure involves 18 players. we have been stuffed the last few weeks because our medium forwards (Hannan and Trac) have been sucked into the middle to cover for fallen comrades. This leaves our best forward structure in tatters. Jesse and tmac then outnumbered, and the bombs into 50 are just trash. We get a few guys back in the middle, Trac and Hannan go further forward, Jesse roams at CHF, Jeffie as small forward running back and maybe TMC out of the square. then it looks strong. Or else Trac to FF to do a Dangerfield, and stuff the structure. we do not trade the best 'raging bull' CHF developing in the League. We develop him.

What? There was a streaker? Now the thread is interesting!

There was a Melbourne staffer standing right behind him. I'm sure the club showed appropriate care and attention

Richmond are such Whingers to the umps if a decision doesn't go their way. And Dimma is an angry little man.

Dear Richmond, can you drink your own bath water, choke, and let Brisbane beat you?