Robbie57

I thought he was alright although 2 shots, and I cant believe I am saying this, should have been around the corner.

I think many above have made the point. JVR should not be in the side to second ruck if he is being developed to be a key forward. He is just not getting a proper run at it. He may fail but the least we can do is give him a real opportunity. As I said he showed signs which in my opinion were snuffed out by his ruck duties.

Where was our midfield yesterday? It was painful to watch the Crows waltzing out of the centre. Trac was in full panic mode (beast mode been missing for a while). We desperately need a proven forward. I dont care who, BBB made a huge difference to us in retrospect. That said we must persist with JVR who showed promise, then we made him ruck draining the soul out of him so he got no momentum. Must play every game now. He is our best kick at goal. As for Jeffo, poor second efforts but equally dropping him now would be a wasted opportunity. He is physically like BBB. He will cause us to pull out our hair but there is absolutely no downside to rolling the dice for the balance of the season. (get BBB or anyone to help him) Have I mentioned kicking practice? Our first quarter was appalling.

JVR should come in for the rest of the season but not until Goody calls Roos (or someone external with a good eye) and says "ok what would you do with him?". I think I have said it before no ruck and possibly play him as a mobile CHF but heck what about as a tall midfielder. We cant continue to yoyo him in and out of the side. Time to experiment a bit. We can let the players have some fun for the balance of the season.

Every time I think he is done he surprises, he is just hungry for it. The kind of attitude you see from some of the Collingwood older brigade at the moment. We could do with bit of that attitude more widely in the group.

Unsurprising stat but depressing all the same. We cant just repeat whatever we are currently doing. The evidence is in. No more emails/pres conferences about we have been working on it, etc. Fresh actions swill speak louder than words.

Place kick is probably still legal, eliminates the drop of the ball. Set up time may be an issue.

How about a week of Goal kicking and a new plan for forward entries.....

Petty probably should be playing in May's spot at the moment (and TMAc in Levers).

Good grief I agree with Hird... GOODY OUR GOAL KICKING IS INEXCUSABLE.......WHATEVER YOU ARE WORKING ON IS NOT WORKING.

Still a priority. Lloyd would be welcome.

We were not good enough I50. Tough job umpiring but todays effort was bewildering and cost us dearly. Melky free against just bizarre.

The evidence doesn't support Goody's statement. I am really concerned by his statement rather than reassured by the fact he at least knows its an issue. He can believe they are on top of the skills but the figures really don't lie here. If its only mindset then we need to do something different to shape it, as our current mindset has delivered double digit points in every game except two. Turn 30% of the points into goals and the above scores look very different. Larkey says he got his mind right with his practice routine/repetition.

Great article. If you read the stuff about Wilkinson its apparent Larkey's approach is very similar. Can we force our players and coaches to read it. Interesting he talks about BBB. FInds the round end of the ball to kick. Also how his practice develops his mental attitude: ""I get to the game about two hours before, like most players, but before every game I'll go out and take as many set-shots as I possibly can. I'll have most of my shots from within 30m. I reckon I'd slot maybe 28 out of 30 from inside 30m. In my head, then I say, 'OK, I've got it'.

Jonny Wilkinson, the English Rugby great had a very particular routine and was known to have spent endless hours on his goal kicking after practice. The result he never missed. This just killed the wallabies single handed on many occasions including a world cup final with a pressure drop kick to win. Jonny Wilkinson's overall career kicking success rate (conversions and penalties) was 86.2% and at his club level it was in the 90's. It was no accident, simply the result of technique and practice. his technique "Wilkinson finishes a session with a series of six kicks, but they all have to be perfect. If one of them misses, he starts again. He will not leave the pitch until he has sent six in a row whistling between the posts. That means stretching a session from two to three hours and sometimes beyond." its all in the hands No magic to becoming the best in the world......

At the risk of stepping on a landmine by entering the soccer debate, I get that it may be used to move on, relieve stress, blow out the cobwebs and there may be some sound psychological basis to it including helping the team to move onto the next challenge. However what is missing in that equation is that its a poor signal to the fans who have endured at least half a season of poor kicking in front of goal. Sure have some soccer but make some statement (directly or by actions at practice) that our goal kicking is not acceptable and will be addressed. Until that happens people will continue to be frustrated.

Plenty of good ideas here with one central point we need to have a reliable routine and practice it. It would warm my heart if the coaches came out and said the same thing and implemented something, anything!

This is so fixable. Some coaching and confidence building. Whatever we are currently doing isn't working. Perhaps a 45 (or 60 degree triangle (at its apex) with its apex placed in the middle of the goals extending 40 metres out where its based is drawn. If you miss at training then there has to be some meaningful penalty (perhaps 6 shots in row before you can leave the field, anything really). Also defines the area for leads for the forwards. Inside this area no round the corner set shots. Everyone given a set routine. No ball spinning. as weird as it was Big BB long run seemed to be pretty good for him.

Time to give JVR and Jeffo some confidence and guidance. JVR needs to be a bit up the ground in a more mobile role. I think of him as a CHF ( Jerremy Cameron style). Jeffo reminds me of a Daniher (not kicking wise) in his build and probably needs coaching so he is not out bodied. What they need is specific coaching directed to their strengths by some recent players, I know we have a soft cap but we must be able to do this somehow, its a lot cheaper than just recruiting.

It was really agricultural.

Agree on our potential. Keep Disco down back, he will become the new Lever. Find a new May next draft. I really think we go all in on JVR and now play him for the rest of the year to learn in the cauldron and get him a personal coach who has played his role (ideally CHF). Finally get a pure FF for F's sake.

The goal kicking was deplorable as was our effort. Can we get Hawkins (or similar) in to fix our forward problem? I love Max but he even smiled before his attempt on goal as if he knew the outcome. The problem is not isolated this year and must be our priority. Two players in the reserves who can kick straight in front JVR and TMac must be bewildered. Why oh why did we let them switch so often and then leave 15 directly in front uncontested? Can anyone explain that? Our season was on the line and we fell into a pretty obvious trap.

6. Melksham 5. Gawn 4. Oliver 3. Bowey 2. Pickett 1. Petracca

Even if the plan to coach our forwards is seen as A+ the results aren't so something has to change. Does JVR need to go back? That way he might learn a bit more about how good forwards exploit opportunities. I would bring in someone like a Hawkins as a different voice , something anything! Give the forwards and supporters some hope.

Congratulations to Fritta and Natalie. A weeks personal leave may be in order. He will want to be near home and the hospital this week. Its a pretty magical (and demanding) time for a family. It will also give him a chance to relieve the pressure and regroup.