Grandson of a gun

There was only about 25000 there tonight and im tipping a fair few of those who are posting on here were watching from the comfort of their couches. An issue for another day but poor turnout by YOU. Being at the ground we worked hard to pressure and harrass Sydney but where we kept getting hammered was not pinning the ball or the player in the tackles and contested situations. Far too many times we got tackled and the ball was either held up or turned over and then when the swans players were tackled they either broke them or got the ball free and out to a player who moved it on quickly. Quite simply, we were completely outmuscled around the contest tonight. There is no quick fix for that as it takes time to build our young midfielders up and we simply dont have the same amoutn of tall strong midfield beasts to compete with both Freo and Sydney. The Swans were far better at their transition from defence to attack and held their structure better so that they always had an option to kick too on the break. And they hit targets. Too often our forwards were sucked too far up the ground leaving no marking targets at half forward or loose swans there. This is where those watching on TV will never get an understanding of what is going on. Multiple times the demons were moving out of half back and there was literally nobody to kick the ball too. That's what then causes hesitation and indecision and that is when they then turn the ball over or stuff it up. Picket Fence please give it a rest. You are so Toumpas focussed you cannot see past your nose. He was so far from our worst tonight its not funny. He ran hard, competed hard and when there was an option available he took it. But when your only target is garlett amongst three swans defenders i don't blame him for hesitating or trying the impossible. People say Watts had no impact, again, he was the sub so pretty hard to influence the game from there. When he came on the game was over but he still had a crack. Again not the problem. At the ground Pyke absolutely destroyed Spencer. Spencer offers absolutely nothing. I have always said he competes hard but that does not cut it at AFL level when you are a liability otheriwse. A horrid passage of play occurred when he gave a handball off to jonesy running through half back but then failed to follow up and support by laying the block/shepherd and it resulted in jonesy getting smashed. He has absolutely no football nouse nor skills. Howe was poor tonight. Dunn had a bad night. Dawes was sucked too far up the ground and even still didn't offer much. But quite simply- we were hammered by a bigger, stronger, faster, fitter and more skilled team. Anyone with common sense should be able to see that. We competed hard- drawing even or thereabouts in many of the contested categories but you cannot change phyisics and these simple facts. Next week will be more of the same. It is the weeks after that where we might have some hope again.

I love Spencer's aggression, I hope he has learnt how to dispose of the ball. I really hope the Toump does well and shuts a few people up. Great to see Billy has earnt a game, hope it is enjoyable for him. Mckenzie is a bloke who has I believe extracted everything he could out of himself and if only our whole list played with his effort and intensity. That said I don't think he will play again except for injuries as we are finally building more depth and others have gone past him. Grimes is in a similar boat. I was/am a big fan of his but his disposal lets him down at times and whilst I am disappointed that he hasn't been able to fix it up and stay in the team, I trust Roos and co with the decision. I think Jamar going out is as much about the last couple of games as it is about the future. Michie I'm assuming is based on the defensive side of his game which when in the twos was a common theme. Hope he continues to work on it and goes back and smashes it at casey.

Michie dominating too

The commentary is not reliable as they commonly get the players wrong or don't call them at all. It is a tough gig in local/vfl footy but just simply innacurate today. As for our big blokes, Spencer cannot mark it and even when he does get a free kick he is the single worst kick of the footy currently on an afl list. Gawn has not been much better with his goal kicking.

Like this from Roos. Yes we got beaten horribly in the second half but he is giving the players a chance to atone for themselves instead of the typical kneejerk reaction many here call for and that we would commonly see in the pre-Roos era. Should they underperform two weeks in a row then expect some changes the following week but somehow i do not believe we will be as bad again. Doesn't mean we will win, just a far better performance across the board.

We will give the crowd a run for their money and are a good show for an upset.... Well I can dream...

I'm getting toey for a glorified practice match. It's awesome having the footy back! Just please do me one solid this year Melbourne and DONT SUCK! I want us to be respected each week even if outmatched.

Thanks for the report TDI. It is ridiculous however the way each and every thread is derailed into personal attacks and vendettas against other posters. For the vast majority, the training reports are fantastic no matter who they are from and all different views and opinions are great. Just because someone doesn't agree with you however or you dislike the way someone describes something doesn't mean you need to start attacking them again and again thread after thread. It is tedious. TDI- great work in general, can you refrain from the constant lemon suckers etc jibes as they just inflame things with some posters unnecessarily. Others- can you stop constantly slaying TDI for sharing his opinion on what he views and the answers he provides to questions asked directly of him by other posters. If you don't agree with his opinion then simply move on or go watch yourself. Mods- perhaps time to crack the whip on the constant derailing of threads (I do appreciate that you guys have lots to do already but it is getting ridiculous).

Thanks for the very informative post Webber. A shame for ANB but better to find out now, get it fixed and given this season is a delayed start, he will still have time to get fit again and play a reasonable chunk of games.

Even if Gawn did another knee I would keep him on the list ahead of Spencer. Spencer is a big strong guy who gives his all but he is an absolute liability with the ball by either hand or foot and provides absolutely nothing around the ground, as a forward or helping out the defence. He is purely insurance if heaven forbid Jamar and Gawn go down. Fitzy is not an AFL standard ruckman. He is a pinch hitter at best. I also don't see the forward capability that people talk about on here. Again he is just insurance for Hogan, Dawes and Pederson. Our rucks have not been our most pressing need and quite rightly the FD has seen to rectifying other more painful difficiencies in our team. If Gawn stays healthy I believe he will develop into a serviceable or better ruckman with assistance from others when required (post Jamar I'm talking). Like others I can see Roos/Goodwin trading in a ruckman at some stage if Gawn doesn't come on as I believe Spencer and Fitzpatrick will not make the grade.

Has someone got a face palm or just a head shaking gif for this? Please just think a fraction longer before typing next time.

Can you guys not derail another thread PLEASE.

Thanks TDI. As it is the last session can you just post what you gleaned from each and all of the players you spoke too. Thanks

Thanks to the preliminary reports thus far, now c'mon guys, give us poor folk who couldn't make it a real in depth write up.........

Thanks Yoko. As per my post earlier in the thread it's the work rate and improvement in the younger midfielders (2-4 year players) and trade acquisitions like Michie, Newton, Kent, Viney, Toumpas, Riley, JKH etc who I believe are the absolute keys to our improvement next year.