Cheap Seats

At the ground I noticed the above was similar to out set ups the whole day. I don't believe pointing out this situation identifies why we lost. There were multiple scenarios like this all day. Our numbers have to commit pressure around the contests. They didn't, that chain you'll see Freo win the clearance and stream forward without pressure. Fact is we aggressively set up now. If we lose the clearances we are very venerable. I think even Goody admitted in his presser that it needed some correction

At this early stage in the season you'd have to say yes

I haven't seen much of thr crows but i understand and agree with what youve said.. Missing frost and hibberd has hurt us to start off the year. The sooner we get them all playing together the better I also still think ozzie mac will be a valuable contributor as well. But we are still very inexperienced and young across the ground

I dont know where you get it but champion data do those stats Id be very interested to see the ave games and age comparison to failo from yesterday

Bad kicking for goal seems to be contageous

Back on topic is 2-2 acceptable? I'd say no. I think if we are serious finals contenders we want to be 3-1 minimum. Boys have some work to do

Agree That 3rd quarter was very interesting - missing easy opportunities to goal (which would have won us the game) and it's the first time I've seen the boys really go in to their shells and make continuous silly errors. Real leadership was missing in that 3rd quarter. No one took the game on when it was there to take on and we couldn't hold the ball long enough to stop Freo from keeping momentum.

No I agree Dr G. But I think it is worth discussing, that Goodwin seems to be a very aggressive coach and in game style as well. He took the game on to the very end when some could argue he was too aggressive (and I think that is a worthwhile debate) But like you point out we are a youngish side. I looked at the stats before the game in the Record and noticed Freo were ranked highly for clearances. And that is basically where they won the game. Their experience in and around the contest won them the game IMO. Also Hill & Fyfe and a few others were superb on the day creating excellent opportunities and seemed to want the ball that little bit extra on the day. I've said it in another thread but we seem to back ourselves in to win the ball at every contest and attack. That may have lost us the game, but it also gave us the chance to steal the win. It's a tough pill to swallow but gotta back the boys is. But please cut out the dreadful mistakes asap. The reality is that we struggle against sides who counter attack or win stoppages. (Carlton, Saints, Bummers, now freo). So it is a work in progress still. Some pple like to over react and think we are top 4 side already. But truth is there is a lot of work left to do.

Yep agree sadly I am not one for making excuses I am just trying to rationalise it. But is there an element of the coaching staff and the playing group were inexperienced? But you have to admit for all the f ups they did put themselves in a position to win

Seriously do we need a new thread for each individual to carck the [censored]

You could also argue LT (to continue with the analysis) that the coaches cost us the game late in the final qtr as well. When we hit the front with 2 - 3 mins left we continued to play the press instead of dropping men back. I was at the ground and that final McCarthy goal all 3 Freo players were goal side and If I remember correctly I think thery were all 1v1s. When the ball got fired in quickly all 3 Freo players were in great spots to score. T Mac or Frost (I haven't seen the replay sorry) all did exceptional to spoil but there should have been men back to clean up. The counter argument is that we were being beaten up at the stoppeges (which stats suggest we broke even) but maybe the men were needed around the ball. Sadly Freo were able to break free from the contest and kick well enough to create the opportunity Look footys a harsh mistress and I don't mind the boys taking the game on and sticking to the game plan, but they didn't impact at the contest and the ball got over the top and McCarthy goaled. I hate we lost this game, but the reality is you gotta back the boys in. My take is Goodwin is an aggressive coach who backs the boys in. I like it. You have to admit although we are 2 and 2 we've been in every game so far this year, and without suspensions, more leadership and experience we could have been 4 and 0. Sorry I haven't gone through the whole thread, but Freo did really well to cut out our ball winners yesterday. Jones, Viney etc were cut out of the game brilliantly by Freo I think the Tigers will trouble us on Monday week, but if I know one things for sure we are in with a massive chance.

Like this post. Mirrors my thoughts We can go through the whole game and criticise, whine and nit pick but it really boils down to lack of experience and leadership. I cbf reading through this whole thread again but has anyone at all acknowledged Freo had a lot more experience on the park and looked pretty damn good moving the ball. The most worrying thing for me is how easy teams score when they beat our press.

I reckon I could pick out so many missed opportunities yesterday that cost us the game. The late goals in the 2nd qtr, the missed goals of Harmes and Watts (although I 'don't consider that Watt''s fault) in the 3rd and the complete lack of composure at critical times in the last.. Harmes and Weeds misses in the last put additional pressure on, and this one was a real heartbreaker which we Demons aren't used to because we are just used to losing. You blokes and gals have the right to be disappointed no one is denying that, but the reality is we really missed Gawn, Freos big bodies smashed us in the middle in that 3rd quarter. The MFC just needs games - I know a lot of you will consider this a cop out. But our list is young, our forward line yesterday I rekon was incredible we kicked 100 pts. I was more disappointed with how we leaked goals We need a lot of things to go our way to make finals, this year is going to be so close and competitive, and just like the club you just need to cop it on the chin and move on.

Good points Nasher I was going to bate some flogs but then I thought what's the point. Demonland sadly seems to be a place where self indulgent sooks like to hang out

Am really happy for ANB. I hope he can keep his hood form up. From all our current stock of draftees, ANB has flown a little under the rader (clearly oliver is a class above and deserves the attention). But I'm quietly hoping this lad can step up as well. Go nibbler I'm rooting for you

Rekax it's all good. I just want this to be about footy. The media is the real problem when it comes to politics. But let's talk footy

I am surprised no ones caught jack in the background at the wa gig He'd have torn it up

It's not even politics Its just stereotyping to make them feel better about their own beliefs.

I've got a feeling it's Jack Watts related

Very high expectations PF, for such young players. Although I agree the errors are annoying both Harmes and NB pressure around the ball and contests have been great. Both still young in age and experience. I would persist with them. Our biggest weakness next week is our Forwards line lacks experience. Pederson (if fit) would be a big consideration I'd reckon.

Jist backing upmur point.mm Mistakes didnt lose us thr game tonight. Bad kicking at goal did

Great post Spot on with hiw i saw it. Cats were noticeably taller which worked for and against us at times. Really hurt losing gawn

Thanks KC Appreciate the continued updates

Wagner played on the weekend for Casey I believe but probably underdone, but I rate him (obviously). Fits in to our structure well

Frost has always looked a lot better as a backman rather then the pinch hitter.... Without following the preseason and if was pinch hitting up forward Could T Mac be a surprise CHF??? Also I'll say it again... he's probably underdone but Wagner is another who I rate