Maldonboy38

You know that endless commentary that begins "we now know how to beat (insert team name here). Against the Dees, it is short kicking through our zone, but make sure you hit yoour targets. Cue the mind-numbing ad nauseum repetition of to beat Carlton, beat them at clearance." Both teams played well, Collingwood's pressure won it for them. Blues almost stole it when they won the clearances again in the last 10 minutes or so.

Cox can be so annoying, but boy he is having a crack today. Has competed fiercely all day and even clunked a few. Pity he can only do it 2 games out of 5.

I too am "barracking for" the Pies. (I think I need a shower). Cox is chucking himself at everything and actually making a impact. Weitering off makes the game a 50/50 now, he is as important to the Blues as May is to us. Pies tackling pressure is messing with Blues a ground level.

Yep, and I included these same things in an earlier post. The amount of poor handpasses to players under pressure, or hospital passes that our player had to stop and wait beneath really surprised me. This was one of our biggest faults after 2018, but it only raises its head on certain occasions. Aerially we were murdered. It appears Freo came in with a tactic to outdo us in the air. With May subbed out and then Petty running on one leg, it became a stronger point of difference. Lever was way off his normal aerial game, and his kicking and handballing was a total indecisive mess. And don't get me started on the amount of free Freo players around stoppages. We got annihilated around the packs in the 2nd half, but didn't change our gameplan - if only for a few minutes to stem the flow - to play one on one until the momentum slowed.

There is a part of me that doesn't like what you have posted, and wants to reply with an equally angry defence, but unfortunately in most respects you are spot on. A bit harsh on Jackson but his form has been less than ordinary. But its one game, and some time soon we will have our best 22 - 25 in place and our system forward of centre worked out.

I also am a Weid fan, and love what he can bring but to be honest, his game tonight was indefensible. Just so physically weak and lacked effort. I don't remember him actually leading more than once when he took that great mark. Actually for many of the contests he might as well have not been there. TMac back in hopefully - if not - I would prefer JVR to be given a go. And BBB looked way out of sorts. Again, physically weak and unable to handle the physical hustle-and-bustle of the Freo defenders. But he has a LOT of credits in the bank so one bad game is no means for being dropped.

It will be very interesting to see who comes in and out. We have a lot of sore, tired players (Gawn, Petty, May, Petracca and others) and we also had a heap of our very reliable players playing poorly. But you can't drop half your team. Surely Dunstan, Melksham and Weid go straight to Casey and used only if desperate. Rivers needs a break, he has been average at best this year and defensively our weakest link. Thinking that Hibbered, Salem, May, Langdon, Harmes, TMac and Smith are all out shows how

Marking the ball is one of the skills of playing footy. We were FLOGGED in the air. I would love to see the handball efficiency stats. Our handball skills and decision making were atrocious tonight. Weid, Brown, Melksham, Dunstan, Bowey, Petracca & Rivers had absolute howlers. Bowey consistently made poor decisions which was strange to see. Special mention to Lever. His playing on followed by decision making caused multiple turnovers or sent straight to the opposition. And if I saw the Freo man free at the back of the pack get a free handball one more time... aaaahhhggg!!! Having ranted all that (I had to get it off my chest), I see our best 22 producing much better than that.

6. Viney ... daylight... 5. Jordon 4. Brayshaw 3. Oliver 2. Kozzie 1. Gawn (for effort more than output)

Seriously, every week the narrative changes due to a single game. There are 4 or 5 teams that have shown they can challenge us, it is simply that none of them have sustained it thus far.

Swans couldn't hit the side of a barn with their foot skills. Missing so many targets when on transition, and easy set shots as well. It is difficult to believe they are only 25 points behind.

Tex is a gun, and as highly as he is rated, I personally believe he remains undervalued by many. I love watching him play, his kicking is sublime, and he leads inside F50 with power and intention. Yes, he is a (insert derisive foul word of choice here) and his abhorrent actions have been rightly called out with relevant punishments applied. His character has some question marks, especially considering he was the captain of the club. But he is not the first great footballer to be a faulty human being without emotional intelligence - Leigh Matthews, John Nichols and Wayne Carey spring to mind, but there have been many more. But no way does he come to the Dees. With BBB, TMac and Fritsch so difficult to match up on, and also Weid and JVR in the wings there is simply no need. He is a Crows man through and through and cannot see him leaving.

I don't know if Noble is part of the problem or whatever. But I agree that losing 3 of their list mangers/recruiters might be a major positive. Brad Scott left the list and contract situation in a total mess which will take 3-5 years to reverse, so the train wreck might kill off a few more careers yet. I genuinely feel for hem - I remember the Dees being in the same position and it was absolute agony with no relief in sight. I just hope they can begin a new era of personnel management - both player and coach - and get up and doing again..

OK, that is a bridge too far! Into the naughty corner with you, and come back when you have had a good long think about what is right and true in this world.

It is strange times when you watch neutral games and find yourself barracking for the Hawks and the Pies. Am I in a parallel universe? I can't help it, but have the Solvol ready for ritual cleansing and a priest for absolution.

And an equally soft payback free kick to the Hawks = a goal. Grrrrrrr!

Goal gifted to the Lions from the softest free kick you will ever see. Just horrible.

So many people saying we would lose to the Lions right now. After watching the first half versus Hawks, I cannot see them getting past us too easily. McCluggage is being tagged in the 2nd quarter and their drive has almost dried up.

I hate to even think it, but Mitchell has the young Hawks well drilled and full of life. I can't believe I like watching the Hawks play, but their system and dedication to it is clear for all to see. Love that Newcombe in the midfield, and Frost would be very hard to cover in the forward line. His kicking might become an issue though.

I get as frustrated as anyone over unclean footy, and would love us to monster these struggling teams. But we won! We are the reigning premiers, we are 10-0, and we have a defence and midfield the envy of the competition. I spent too many years moaning through each season - I'm going to enjoy this. I understand people thinking that Lions or Freo could be considered better teams at the moment, but the ladder says we are unbeaten and they aren't so I continue to hold the Dees as the best team at the moment I agree with various comments above re Melksham and Dunstan being required backup, but Dunstan is a momentum killer for mine and I would prefer to see Bedford, Woewodin, Rosman, get a go, especially against lower teams. Toast and coffee being enjoyed immensely this morning.

6. Oliver 5. May 4. Spargo 3. TMac 2. Sparrow 1. Lever

Langdon goes out, Dunstan goes out. Bedford in, Viney in.

I actually rate it as a really good win. North were very, very good - tough at the ball, brutally physical (a bit too much at times) and ripped through us with a short passing game they could not sustain. We stood up, although we were horribly unclean for the first half. Clarry - superstar Well done Tmac, Spargo, May, Sparrow in the 2nd half, Lever in patches. Lots of handball practice this week at training please.

A clean goal!

Our handball has been atrocious tonight. Sub-par, and often under no pressure.