Maldonboy38

I watched 5 mins of channel 7 pre-game, and 10 minutes of Fox pre-game. I have been savagely reminded why I rarely watch any AFL pre-game on TV. Mind numbing, superficial, repetitive twaddle as an excuse for insight. Mute button on, browsing through YouTube and Facebook until I see the coin toss happen in the back ground. 

Just start the game for (insert expletive of choice here) sake!!

22 minutes ago, leave it to deever said:

Not knocking Jvr but he's not at his best this year.

We definitely need to have either a petty or Bbb to help him.

 

I agree his output has been limited this year, but his work rate in the last quarter v Port included lots of crashing packs and 2nd efforts up the ground. This attitude and willingness to compete secures his place in the 22.  

Love watching him play, and can't wait to see what he becomes. Gives me a Steven Stretch vibe, but with a lot more toughness. And for a young kid, he is still running late in games which is a huge benefit in its own right.

I just hope the selectors don't give Hunter his place at any stage. He might not get the amount of ball Hunter does but his effectiveness with it is way in front of Hunter's. 

I don't reckon any of his games are Rising star worthy yet, but internally I get the feeling the coaches are ecstatic over what he is bringing. 

1 minute ago, titan_uranus said:

I’m not quite sure I agree with the bolded bit, tbh. I think your lack of a solution to replacing Hore perhaps suggests as much.

Yeah, you are probably right. I was loosely thinking more of May, Bowey, Hunter, or Melksham but none of them replace Hore directly. The more I see Hore play I see him as a very good insurance policy, but not a go-to player, and ifI Rachele or Rankine get off the leash, Hore might get caught out. 

Some random, disconnected ramblings about our game on Thursday.

No way does May play.

I thought Billings was super poor, and Hore's kicking was a total nightmare. Don't reckon we need a fire sale, but we have lots of other options above these two. Woewodin into the 22 to replace Billings, not sure just yet what to do with Hore. 

We need BBB fit and fresh in September, anticipating that we get there. I hope he can hold fitness and form until the bye, but if not, then Fullarton probably is the obvious replacement. Or do we run with Petty and JVR, and give one of Sestan or Kolstrup  go?

When the Crows are playing well, and they are not at the moment, their kicking into F50 can be brilliant. Walker is a threat, Fogarty is a bit like Stringer - full of potential which he rarely fulfils. Rachele and Rankine are mercurial, but our defenders could account for them well. Another reason I am not sold on Hore playing against the Crows. 

Richmond exposing a massive weakness in the Swans. I hope their young players can keep it up for 4 quarters. Pressure the kicker (Heeney, Gulden, Papley etc... ) at the point of kicking and their elite kills disappear. And the Tiges forward spread is tearing he Swans apart. 

Tiges playing Sydney very well. Suffocating their run, no free outside unpressured disposals, making them kick to a packed area. 

Sure of:

BBB - boy, he makes such a difference. 

Our last quarters (usually)

Our leaders

Our fitness

Windsor

Unsure of:

Billlings

Hore

Our field kicking

The intellectual and moral state of Port Adelaide supporters

6. ANB

5. Max

4. Lever

3. Viney

2. Langdon

1. BBB

Fitness - 11/10. we ran over the top.

Midfield/stoppage/clearance - 3/10 for first 3 quarters, 15/10 for last quarter. 

Field kicking - 1/10 for 3 quarters. 8/10 last quarter.

Lever, Viney, Max, BBB, - epic leadership. 

Goal kicking - 9/10.

Umpiring was poor to both teams, no advantage. 5/10

Considering our skills for 2.5 quarters, I have no idea how we stayed in the game. Yes I do. Grunt and effort over and over again.

But that was an amazing last quarter. Woewodin, Clarry, Viney and Windsor - take a bow.

ANB - probably winning our B&F at this stage. That was a classy, give-it-all performance. 

BBB, Fritsch and even JVR in the last quarter - really well done.

I love being in front but that was appalling umpiring. 2 clear free kicks  missed. But how good to see the Port ferals going off!!

Not fun to watch us turn it over ad nauseum; we need a couple of great kicks and not leave it to Lever (who has been good tonight except by foot), Rivers, Hore & Howes whose foot kills tonight have given Port advantage after advantage. 

But I have to say how much I love our grunt and attitude. We can still win this.

We are in this game purely by grunt and effort. Our skills are sub standard tonight. Along with our handball link play. 

Just now, layzie said:

Dees need to turn up the heat

We need to find the stove, buy some matches, and call the gas company to reconnect supply. 

Missing target after target after target by hand and foot. 

As a general observation, but on full display tonight, what has happened to the kicking of Salem, Rivers and Sparrow? Poor direction, poor penetration, and often a direct turnover. If we can fix this kind of thing, it will go a long way toward a win.

It is a really good hard contest. They are getting more of the ball, but our backline system is stemming the flood (which is our normal state of play).

I feel we are getting murdered at the ball drop, perhaps we are setting up with too much of an attacking mindset. Also, they are getting it to their half forward line too easily with a lot of link up play unpressured through he middle of the ground. And our achilles heel - field kicking -  Grrrr. Fumbly again. Grrr.

We look far too good pressing forward against their defensive structure - just have to take more of an advantage.

Viney, ANB and Petty doing well.

JVR, Billings and Salem - are they playing?

Across the 22 we are a much better team. I reckon the two excellent midfields will basically cancel each other out: we have the ball winning and spread while they have pace and flair.

It is on their turf, and it DOES make a difference.

If our forwards kick well, we win. Their defence continues to look thin. 

Can our team defence cover the size and bulk of Dixon?

Windsor, Fritsch and Kozzie to run amok.

Dees by 16

Enough. The Crows v Freo game is almost unwatchable. All the run and grunt between two half back lines, with atrocius forward play and atrocious kicking. My adult kids home for easter are watching the Physical 100 - a Korean reality show based on physical challenges. Not my normal go-to, but the footy today has been so deplorable, I am giving it a go. 

Is it possible for a great game of footy with pressure, good skills, and attacking flair?

I remain unconvinced about Bill, but our playr development and list management is now as good as any so I can be fairly relaxed in accepting wht they decide.

Possibly, it might be to ensure that if he wants out due to others being played ahead of him, another team has to pay for him. Not sure there is a huge demand for him so .. wait and see.

Heart & Soul red and blue demon for life, the kind of club man that comes along rarely (and we have had two with Viney & Brayshaw). The great thing about our game is having to execute finesse-touch skills under immense physical pressure. JV7 plays the tough footy we all love to see. And his best footy has been in the last 4 years. 

Best 2 JV7 moments?

1. When we got annihilated in his first season (can't recall the opponent), and at 18 yo gave the team a spray after the game. Speaks volumes about his natural character and leadership credentials even from a young age.
2. In the 2021 GF, when he flew at Jack McCrae at the centre bounce and absolutely flattened him. The tone of the game weas set and he played in beast mode for the rest of the game. 

Congratulations Jack, and thankyou.

How disappointing in the last quarter are the Lions? North and West Coast go harder at it. 

The ongoing problem for the Lions and Pies is they go missing when the physical pressure is turned up high. The difference tonight is simply the Lions forward line is a mess.

And to top it off, Hipwood has to be dropped - absolutely heartless and skill-less performance. 

Our field kicking that quarter was rubbish. Can't grumble about the effort, but hitting targets once again emerging as our issue.