buck_nekkid

Brilliant goal Tex Walker, as much as it chokes me to say it!

Bruce is a flo.g. Apparently Essendon have the biggest injury list of most important players in the league. Savaloy on the soft palette, I reckon.

If we run out like this I will spew.

Here is a different take on this. Yes, we have had a terrible year. Yes, on our path, we haven’t beaten too many top teams. #1 On our way up, we had an easier draw and less games against top sides. This year, we are worse and play more of them. Natural progression would have seen us play more top sides, and beat them. This did not happen. #2 Lots of reasons we dropped the bundle this year. It is a complete write off. If we can look to next year, then it is what we make of this car crash that matters. A few things like: Getting a back 6 that plays cohesively together. With May and Lever AA quality, surrounded by a group working and understanding each other (not all flying for the same mark, etc.) Getting a midfield that has some experience, and can shift from ‘panic’ mode with the ball to actually using it productively. Building confidence in each other and doing more than just winning the contest, but winning the quality clearance. Having a forward line that works. TMac back in form (he had been moving like gollum this year) and more development into Weid. A small forward and some clean half forwards. Gaining confidence in each other and improving basic skills. Most of the team are kids, and we have played something like 38 players this year. Getting development into Preuss so he can be the second ruck, He is definitely a work in progress, and not there yet. The addition of some outside run. We are simply young, damaged, without confidence and struggling to apply a complex system under pressure. If they use what is left of this year and the pre-season, it will not be wasted. Then we can best a few more of those top teams (and hopefully get the easier draw and a nice draft pick as additional bonuses.)

Agreed. I thought we were going to be stitched up with the inconsistency in the holding the ball decisions in the first quarter, but there were poor decisions across the park. The Gawn/Dunkley one was incomprehensible, so it drew attention. But Kyle Dunkley’s mark (paid by the umpire further away) would have had us all howling if it was paid to the opposition. The Umpiring did not cost us this game. We did

Did you notice the handball that Gus received from Clarry before he got run down in the tackle? It was a looping, slow handball that Gus had to check his pace to receive, opening the way to be caught by Dunkley. If Clarry had put a bullet handball and Gus could run onto it, there would have been no tackle, and probably a goal. It is a million moments like these that are costing us in every game. Like the bomb kicks into forward 50, like the way we get sucked en masse into contests and the opposition run around the outside, those over-the-head-to-no one handballs, the giraffe kicks not to advantage.....We are putting in loads of effort, but it must be so disheartening when stupid errors make it meaningless.

So I saw a series of outstanding performances, well orchestrated and full of highlights. Oh, I couldn’t make it to the footy, I was at a concert... When it ended I had that moment recognising we lost, but not being surprised. Can’t comment too much on the game apart from what I saw of the first half on my phone. We seem to be losing to a lot of mediocre teams this year, which really says a lot about where we are at.

Ok then......

Why can’t it be?

I hear he watched the World Cup semi final, too...

Please make it ANB.

The blues player soccered the ball away after the goal umpire started his signalling, stopping us playing on at our choice.

Apologies, I thought the sarcasm would be obvious....

Interesting that the ‘Misson effect’ is spreading. Ex-Demons Watts, Hogan and Dom Tyson all out for stints at their respective clubs. Tyson now TBC with a calf.

We can’t do much with TMAC this year, but he should be available and fully fit next year, and still be our #1 forward option. Weid *should* continue developing, so I think on balance we should not throw the kitchen sink at tall KPFs. We need to add really smart (footy smart) small forward, develop a replacement for Nev as he gets on, and also add silk to the mid field (maybe Dunkley will evolve into this?). We should be set up with our intercept and KPD’s, and potentially add a low cost 3rd KPF (Kielty and Bull Smith are it at the moment). DOn’t forget that Bradtke is a longer term development option here too. A big puppy ATM, but looks good when he has the ball, and shows plenty of go. So I’m as big NO to spending big bucks or draft picks on KPFs. If one drops in our laps, then great. Our problems are different, and I think picking up some quality at the draft could be very useful this year.

Carlton players routinely pushed Melbourne players into and out of contests, in ways that were down right dangerous. No response from the umps. Poor blue little number 40 gets a shove and the whistle blows. We were in real danger of serious injury, when players are pushed into the paths of their colleagues in marking contests to impact the contest.

ANB must come out. He was dreadful. His kicking in goal was a folly - outside of the boot when a drop punt would work, round the corner kick when not needed. Poor in general play (got in everyone’s way in contests). He might run a long way, but he was a liability. JKH in for him at least

Been watching the replay. The centre bounces were terrible. So many should have been called back and just let go. Over-umpired, especially the last quarter where Scummers got a heck of a ride.

Was his name Kennett?

Our inaccuracy in the first was woeful. Honestly we kept them in the game. The whole thing was over-umpired. Stupid things both ways were paid, and it interrupted the potential for a contest. TMAc showed a real desire today, to get to the contest ad get involved. Shame he was injured. Preuss did well, but needs a rover at his feet at every contest. Dunkley did well for a first outing. We ran out of puff, and failed to protect our lead with smart football. Glad we scraped home. Lever in for Hore, perhaps keep Preuss and bring back Max if he is ready for TMac. Are Carlton supporters the only flogs that wear white jeans to the footy?

So what the heck was last week? No clearances to speak of, and no tackles or tackle pressure. We were so far from our ‘DNA’ as Goody would call it. With so few changes, so was this what the coaches wanted? Anyway, on to this week. We need to see a return to the pressure acts that matter. We need to slow down when in possession and make better choices by hand and foot. This junk of just pinging the ball to players in terrible positions has to STOP. A little craft forward of the ball would also be welcomed. I can see Preuss spending a lot of time forward and TMAC and Weids rotating through the ruck with him. Good luck to Dunkley on his debut. Please win this. I can stand another goody ‘we are doing everything to get better’ press conference.

My tipping has officially gone to the dogs...

How does a Hannan still get a gig?

Not errors, clear breaches in team rules. One happens, the other needs correction. Good on May for doing it.

Big O should get a strike for sniffing crack.