John Crow Batty

I have been worrying about what seems lack of resilience to complete a season out at our best or even manage short breaks between games. Two lame straight sets finals exits and generally underwhelming performances after short breaks book ending excellent and consistent performances the rest of the time kind of shows a pattern we are limited for maintaining high standards. As for last night and against Brisbane it was clearly not fitness or tiredness. Somehow the players equilibrium seems off with abnormal routines for big games.

How the hell did we allow them to score 5 goals from centre clearances. Midfield needs a kick up [censored] the big time.

After our straight sets failure in finals in the past two seasons, and regular poor efforts after short breaks I question our resilience to mount a fair dinkum finals campaign.

Great to see Tmac in vintage form evocative from his early days as a defender days. Many forget he was a top line key defender during our dark days before switching to play forward.

I remember Disco’s first game against Collingwood on QB two years ago. They came out hard against us and Disco looked solid under great pressure until he got concussed and had to be subbed out in the second quarter.

Good to see Kozzie get into the action more often and pick up an equal career high 20 touches which is almost double his average as well as a couple of neat goals.

Both my grandfathers fought in WWI. One was highly decorated, badly wounded and later married my grandmother whose first husband was killed in the war. The other was a colourful character whose exploits during the war are best not mentioned. An uncle fought in Stalingrad who managed to get out alive. Another uncle was killed in WWII

Arguably his weakest 4 quarter effort for the club in memory. Then again it’s hard to tackle with one hand but he rarely got into contests. Should have been rested.

Wayne Gordon coming from Collingwood played in 1980 and 81 for us. Tragically he got cancer, had to retire and passed away in 1983 aged 29.

David Rodan, Tomas Bugg, Joel MacDonald and Alistair Clarkson. Now better known for post playing activities. Shaun Smith. Mark of the century but in hindsight a bad taste in mouth for other reasons. Jordan Lewis. Helped us get out of the doldrums.

I like to track JVR’s progress with Tom Hawkins. TH debuted a year younger but their stat comparison for their first two seasons are quite interesting. Both similar specimens at comparable age and development. Games, TH-19, JVR-26. Disposals-TH-196, JVR-227. Goals, TH-25, JVR-36. Contested marks, TH-23, JVR-22. Tackles, TH-24, JVR-57. There is a significant divergence in contested marks and tackles but these numbers reflects more how the game was played then and now. I can understand why the club has given JVR a long contract extension. His upside is huge.

Omitting context is an effective tactic to shape the narrative and result they want.

Many players who are not established stars sign extensions when running hot then their form drops. JVR not so hot at the moment. Hoping he goes against the grain and fires up big time.

The game was mostly an aberration for us. Clear from after the Adelaide game we were shagged out. We will be better after the bye but long term resilience is a worrying issue as demonstrated by the past two finals campaigns and this early hiccup does not inspire confidence.

Don’t mind the Gather Round concept but I would prefer it to be the first round of the season to minimise disruptions for clubs.