Webber

Heard them on the ABC radio post-game analysis.

Fascinating. I reckon, despite the rumour that he was deemed uncoachable at the Dees, Mitchell has coached/threatened him to only dispose on highest percentage options. Noticed this timidity in our recent game. There’s the other side of Frosty tho, and that’s the not so great play reading and positioning. Not a natural footballer at all, but may have made the best of himself. Kudos due.

Nor I. Then there was the second half. 76 % disposal efficiency. Season average all teams is 65%. Truly a game of two halves 😉. Which one is us? I’m going with ‘you’re only as good as your last half”.

For all those projecting dire and disastrous consequence against Geelong because of horrible kicking/turnovers like Wednesday’s first half, i.e. 56% disposal efficiency (10 percentage points below all game average), would love to know what you think happens if we play like the second half, i.e. 76% disposal efficiency (10 points ABOVE all game average)?

Ooooh, that’s just perfect.

Why do teams forget that Collingwood always look to break toward the corridor on the turnover? Defend the corridor, push them wide, slow their run? And don’t allow them to out-number at the breakdown and muscle the outlet possession. Essendon are willing, but basically as dumb as a bag of bricks - Merrett and a few others notwithstanding.

Great article*. It’s obvious to say that a succession of short breaks, the most egregious this season being St. Kilda’s 3 games in 11 days -a patent unfairness - is the key issue. The media aren’t interested, or are in some cases I suspect are directed not to comment on fixturing unevenness, which means the GP, who have no insight into the physical extremes these guys endure anyway, think short breaks are irrelevant. That’s assuming they think about it at all. Add to this the “no excuses” mantra at a coaching (and player interview) level, and the “we’ll take whatever’s thrown at us” dogma, and rank unevenness ensues. Then there’s the 18 teams spun into 22 games each raffle. Needless to say, NOT AN EVEN PLAYING FIELD. There needs to be a complete overhaul, but it won’t happen til the 20th team arrives, and even then, commercial interests will dictate the changes. I feel like an old fart longing for the simple and FAIR predictability of Saturday only fixturing. Obviously we don’t need or want that, but there IS a better way. Problem is, that’s not where the AFL’s interest lies. *interesting to note in this article that we’re the only team who doesn’t play an oppo off the same break length once.

I said in the game day thread at half time that our kicking was so bad it was ‘almost funny’. Apparently it was ‘actually’ funny. Oh well, half right.

Richmond’s lowest score against us since the week before Kevin Bartlett played his first game. Gotta love our defence.

Just what I was thinking. It’s almost funny.

At the game. Gotta be some kind of record for kicking to the oppo. Just never seen anything like it. It’s literally like they’re trying to do it. Can’t possibly continue, can it?!!!!

Your entire criticism is based on this, and it’s statistical nonsense. His hitout percentage to advantage is elite across his career. Yes, compared to all other ruckman. The other truth is that hitouts to advantage are never a high percentage stat, for anyone ruckman ever. It could be said you’ve got no idea, but better to just imagine you’re angry and misguided. Do us all a favour and pick another target. Have a long think about it before, though.

Fair to say none of us saw this coming. It’s that bad. Pre-2021, and then some. It’s like they’re all crook. Really really hard to watch. Urgggghhh.

Robbie was a great mark, Chook. He could take a ride for a screamer, and dive to take marks or one-handers that nobody else would. Knew to never get involved in a body contest, cos didn’t have the body-work skills of say, Fritta (similar build). I’m resuming my judgment on Caleb’s overhead skills just yet, only cos hasn’t been presented yet. Would complete the picture, no doubt.

Been trying to keep the lid on, but this kid is a freak, simply going to be an enormous star, and he DOES remind me of Robbie more than anyone. (There, I’ve said it).