3183 Dee

After taking a few deep breaths from yesterday, the key to our game is defensive pressure and this starts with the forward line. If we bring the pressure in our offensive 50-70, we can start to dictate the game. Against the Pies, our forward pressure was immense, resulting in mistakes by the opposition, giving our skilled mids repeated chances with the ball. It basically grinds the opposition down and leaves us to run over them, with our quick play. However, if our forward defensive pressure is off, our game doesn’t work - highlighted yesterday by the Dogs being able to set up out of their D50 as they wished. This, coupled with no-one tagging Bont, was the big difference between the two sides, IMHO. It means that the miss then have to do ALL the defensive work upfield, which limits their ability to set up play. Our forwards need to be far more accountable - Pickett, whilst still quite raw, never stops chasing. We get glimpses with Hannan and Spargo, but the rest are either too slow or spaghetti arm tacklers. I would bring Bedford in this week, probably for Hannan and shift Viney further forward to create pressure, if Jones is not available.

Yep - Doggies looked fresh and comfortable. We looked second rate all game. Midfield beaten easily. Honourable mentions to May and Weideman, but that’s about all. Where was the ferocity and tackling pressure? This team needs to have a kick up the bum to start playing, which is a recipe for disaster.

Garry Lyon again ?

Nervous about this one - still expecting the old Melbourne, resting on their laurels, turning up tripe and getting pantsed. Edited to add: It’s easy to get up for the ‘big’ games, but it’s taking care of the Doggies and the Saints which will ultimately make the difference.

Also - another ‘big up’ to Ben Gibson for a great interview and asking pertinent questions.

I felt quite emotional when I saw our 5 proud indigenous men introducing themselves and the people and lands that they belong to. When you think what indigenous people have had to put up with - in their own land - over the past 200 years or so, after developing a culture that’s lasted more than 60,000 years...It’s time to start listening to them - enough is enough.

Wait, what? Who?

Great podcast again, guys and nice interview with AvB - incredible to think he hasn’t even played 50 games of senior footy. And how about those injuries this year? Two metal plates put in his cheek to repair 3 fractures, 2 weeks later, 15 stitches to a head wound just above the plates. One week later, goes back with the flight and cleans up Mihochek and then gets cleaned up by Weid. Trains once a week. He should be nicknamed the Terminator!

Great get - look forward to hearing the interview. The podcasts are getting better and better - really good rapport between Andy, Binman and George. Keep up the great work. I’d like to ask Vanders how he has coped mentally through his injuries and rehabilitation, especially considering the severity of the injuries.

Show-off.

Steven May again getting around the younger guys. Anyone who still doubts our trade for him has rocks in their head.

Ugh! Have to say I agree @dazzledavey36 - my MFCSS is too deep. Too many times we have been in this situation. That said, I think there is a good energy amongst these young guys - as someone said on the @Demonland podcast, the younger players can now learn their role amongst more experienced players, which hasn’t happened for years. I think the veil of negativity is slowly lifting from our club, especially with the injection of the great young talent. Such a shame Jackson is out - his energy and enthusiasm are great to see. Let’s hope that today is another step towards the good times.

West Coast can [censored] orf.

Nice work.

This is exactly the sort of game that we have historically given a limp showing after a couple of good performances. It’s incredible to think that we see Jackson as a big out already, but he is clearly something special. As well as his ability, he has a real boundless enthusiasm for the game - a bit like Clarry, Petracca, Viney, Pickett etc. which I don’t see in the likes of TMac, Melksham etc. Hopefully his out doesn’t change the positive dynamics of the team.

?

I agree - he wasn’t sugar coating or corporatising the situation. Neither was he stripping the walls or throwing teacups around, which some people think he should be doing. Instead he was putting it back on the playing group to rectify the situation in a logical way.

As a side note, has anyone else noticed that, in photos of Clarry during games, he mostly seems to be grinning?! Obviously loves his footy!

This is fascinating. I only came to the game about 15 years ago, when I came to Australia. In England, we used to see highlights in the early 80s but all I remember is feral crowds, mullets and biffo! I taught myself the game through going to matches and soaking up media commentary (good and bad), but I’ve longed to see it on a deeper level, especially tactically. I’m a ball watcher, so don’t often see how the ground is being set up or how tactics have changed during a game (what I see on TV, is what I see during a live game, more or less) - this is mostly due to growing up with soccer, where you can pretty much see the relevant area of the game in front of you. Maybe this is why I prefer to watch the game from the centre wing, front of top tier on the Olympic Stand. Long story short! I’m grateful for this tactical insight and look forward to delving a bit deeper into our great game.

Couldn’t have put it any better @dazzledavey36 - some great points there. We certainly play less of a rugby scrum when Viney is out, as much as I love Jack. What’s the best way to incorporate him now? Half forward maybe, with turns in the mid?

It’s starting to come together, but we should be 5 goals clear by now. Much better coming out of our D50. COME ON BOYS!!!!

Goody’s mate, I’m afraid. Obviously, I have no idea how he is perceived amongst the wider playing group, but seems a bit arrogant and selfish on the field. Would be delighted to be proved wrong.

Except that their incompetence, especially around Gawn, has been spoken about all over the footy internet. Hopefully they will atone for their sh1tful performance.

I think TMac has to play first ruck, with occasional spell up forward. The TMac/Weideman combination doesn’t work very well, and Jackson/Weid look more comfortable together. As for Spargo, well, you’d think he’s on borrowed time at the moment: a bit too FIGJAM for mine, but hopefully he proves me wrong!

I think they added Lever and Melksham to the leadership group a few weeks back, so assume it would be one of them. I’d prefer May, personally.