Harrisonrules

A lot of focus has been on the importance of footspeed, eg Carlton forwards, bombers etc. We have been examining our own demons with speed and ultimately criticing those who lack it. I joined those who were tantilized by McLeans departure wondering what we would get in his place. McLean was slow when it comes to leg speed. But foot speed on its own is not enough. I cann't wait to see Gysberts play, hopefully quick of foot, but definitely quick hands. What is so often not respected is those who are quick of mind. Rivers is our expert. Reads the play far ahead of anyone else, and has superior skills than most. A lot have criticed him for his lack of leg pace. I even agree but don't agree with those who want to get rid of him. You cann't get rid of a player like that and lose his hand skill when we don't have a lot of that type. No, half back flank my not be his best position because leg speed is great there. I don't understand why the coaching staff is showing so little imagination to experiment with him on the forward line. His mind speed and hand skills could be the killer we want up forward.

There have been many opinions on whether Jack Watts was the right pick and when he should play. I have been happy to be patient and listen to the coaches reassure us. I think they have done a GOOD JOB. I was one who saw Jack last year, I've been to see him at Casey, and saw him today. I'm happy, with his skills, loved those marks. He's a great kick and tremendous handball. Yes the bodies got a way to go yet, but you can build the body. You cann't give it speed or all of those skills he obviously has . He's going to be great and the coaches are doing a good job and I am happy to trust them with him rather than those fickle press that are on his case. There is much that has been good with the coaching. We've seen some good stuff this year. Could have been five wins with a bit of luck, but just as our kids are young and developing, believe it or not so are our coaches. Been out coached a number of times and we are still seeing some BAD stuff there. With my mate we saw the practice game against the Eagles. Similar pattern played out: in Feb we were just competative in the first half, but the Eagles ran away with it after half time. There zones stopped us scoring, they ran down the ground so easily with precision passing. Today we felt our inexperienced coaching staff had not learnt a thing from that game. BAD NEWS A few notable issues pertinent today were questionable team selection which resulted in a slow team. We lacked run and carry which was needed to overcome the ‘strangle’ and the zones that West Coast applied. Jetta and Wonnamaeri had good games at Casey last week end and Jetta at least could have been in the team today. No run out of the back half. Can we play both Rivers and an underdone Garland. Bail's speed is missed or maybe Bennell could have been moved back. As to tactics and strategy on the day – inept and lacking initiative. Where is Plan B. Bailey at the press conference after the game lamented our over use of handball and kicking out to the flanks. What did he and his coaching panel do to change it. 230 handballs in a game is utterly ridiculous. Also, why not move people around, make positional changes in the third quarter when the game was slipping away. No proactive or reactive thought. Good coaches change games around. As yet, Dean Bailey and his panel of coaches consistently fail in this regard. Uncle Frawley speaks of James experience on the forward line. Rivers and Garland have both played forward before joining the club. We've got too many backs, why aren't these options being tried. Bad coaching creates some UGLY DISCUSSION amongst the supporters and press. Our inexperienced coaches need to do something to develop more speedily than they are presently performing. I suggest some experienced mentoring, now that would be profession.

Unfortunately Brad is a player who had limited, in fact one talent - a lead up forward who could take a chest mark. It worked OK when we had Robbo and Neita because he could take a mark on the wing turn and kick to the leading Neita or over the back to the high flying Robbo. When they went or were out through injury his one dimensional skill was exposed. If your hands are no good they are usually no good below the knees and above the head. At best he was about a 20% chance of a one grab in these areas. The only competative mark I ever recall him taking over his head was the one he took against the Lions in the goal square to put us in front of them (last year or was it the year before) and we all know that one stuck because it was brad green holding it in his hands. He was a slow thinker. Marked on the wing and couldn't work out who to kick it to. Passing was as bad as his shooting for goal, am I being too generous to suggest he was about a 40% accuracy kick. Good on you Brad you did your bit when it could help, but the game and the time have past you by.

I'm a believer and feel a little uncomfortable with the Demon name, however,I reconcile my conundrum knowing that the best saints (not the red balck and white ones) know there demons. So I'm a Red and Blue demon through and through

I think you have summed it up well. And don't forget one or two guns each year for the next 5 years,.... zoom zoom zoom, whoops wrong team

One word is all that is necessary to sum up our new era.."JACK-POT" code for FLAG

The Backs are looking good, the mids exploding all over the field, now the forwards are beginning to bloom. Maybe I'm a little old fashion, but if you cann't mark you have an uphill battle to provide the necessary level of potency on the forward line. Watts, Sylvia, Hughes, Green, Bennell (Petterd)(Wonna) (LJ) can all mark. They play tall whether they are tall or small. ( Miller Newton, P J, are talls who cann't play tall, horrible hands especially when competing) My one omission is Matty Bate. Unfortunately he is tallish but cann't play tall. He cann't jump, will hold some overheads but never competatively. I'll give him some slack at the moment because he is a great bustling runner and a 90% shot on goal even just beyond the 50mtre line. He provides variety and as a goal kicker is effective. We may not have the power marking forward, but the mobile marking forwards are a good deal better than what we have put up with the last year or so. I'm looking forward to a dry Satterd'y arvo tomorrow

The Backs are looking good, the mids exploding all over the field, now the forwards are beginning to bloom. Maybe I'm a little old fashion, but if you cann't mark you have an uphill battle to provide the necessary level of potency on the forward line. Watts, Sylvia, Hughes, Green, Bennell (Petterd)(Wonna) (LJ) can all mark. They play tall whether they are tall or small. ( Miller Newton, P J, are talls who cann't play tall, horrible hands especially when competing) My one omission is Matty Bate. Unfortunately he is tallish but cann't play tall. He cann't jump, will hold some overheads but never competatively. I'll give him some slack at the moment because he is a great bustling runner and a 90% shot on goal even just beyond the 50mtre line. He provides variety and as a goal kicker is effective.