rjay

I think that was 'Pennants' point 'Gonzo'. Adding class/pace is the final piece of the rebuild that started with Roos.

No he's not 'SWYL'...a wingman is never the root problem. Our problems start in the guts...ably assisted by our KPF & KPD. Jones is a long way down the list.

Combined with a lack of organisation around the stoppages from our middle 4 (plus Harmes and the cameo players)...is causing a lot of problems.

I would think they do... Say's it all really...

Well written article by Ryan I would have thought. Our midfield for whatever reason have become lazy, they are downhill skiers at the moment. The other big problem and probably the main reason we are getting scored against so much from stoppages is that they are not playing as a unit. I include Max in this, he's a key part of that unit. It's every man for himself... Viney is always problematic, it's his nature to see ball get ball and then try and break tackles. It's not always (most often) the best option...he needs to be a team player and hopefully this was pointed out to him in the "circle of truth"... Harmes can be a bit selfish with the ball particularly around goal... So currently we have a lazy, selfish and disorganised midfield, a virtually non existent forward line and a VFL level defence. It's no wonder we a 0-3. Turning around the midfield will go a long way to making that 1-4...

Speaking of tanking, was someone putting on a little bit of a Willesee performance on 360 tonight?

Carlton had previously practiced their tanking skills in 2006 with the Gibbs cup before fronting up again in 2007 for the Kreutzer cup... Seriously, and we get the label... When Essendon and Carlton met in round 16 of 2006, the sides were firmly entrenched at the bottom of the ladder, with Carlton having lost its last seven games and Essendon a then-club-record fourteen. Speculation that the result would decide the wooden spoon (and hence the first draft pick) led to the game jokingly being dubbed the "Bryce Gibbs Cup" by some in the media.[3] The match ended in a draw.

Nothing to do with an aligned club 'Rusty' Hawthorn and Box Hill are also an alignment. Maybe they do it better like they do most things and we could perhaps learn but they are an alignment non the less.

He might be "rested" then 'dazzle', that has happened to captains in the past....

If we'd kept #6 we would be whinging about missing out on May & having to put up with another season of Froscar...with little relief in sight...

Yep, the only thing we did wrong was we did it poorly. We had the wrong people, alternate agendas and loose lips. Other clubs did it better and some like Carlton had people at the top covering them.

Well 'titan', I would think it's pretty easy to project that one forward. He's not going to get any faster, the game has gotten faster, it's harder to just zone off and he was caught out time and again last year. The opposition exposed him by playing through his direct opponent. Do the sums, apply a bit of footy logic and that's how I can say that... You're clutching at straws with Lewis... ...but having said that, you're right he can't do much worse than the current 22 and that's an indictment on them and the FD.

I only watched the first Q and most of the 2nd... His ball touch was a bit off as to be expected but he got involved and his pace is a problem for the oppo... I think as soon as he hits some match fitness we need to bring him in, at least he has some leg speed, a bit of X factor and is a goal kicker. All things we lack.

I don't think having Lewis in this team will help 'Nudge', he was a main offender in the Prelim loss and we have to realise the game has passed him by. If we haven't developed players to take his role in the last 2 years, we've got trouble. There are senior players in the defensive half who need to stand up. With due respect the 2019 model Lewis just gives the opposition another avenue to play through.

We're not playing in the 80's and 90's now 'DV8', a defender who can't kick is a total liability these days. ...by the way Ayres is a legend, they don't just grow on trees. Lovett is a Dee legend, they grow on the odd tree. No matter how much you visualise Smith is never going to be in the ball park of these 2....

Not quick enough to get to the foot of that pack...reaction time too slow.

Got a bad vibe about the condition of this ground...

The midfield is a problem at the moment but McKernan kicking 4, on one leg for a substantial part of the game. A VFL forward against a VFL level defence, you could just tip it to happen. In fact I did to an EFC supporting mate...this will be one of those games he looks like a real footballer as we have no tall defenders.

I was right above that contest 'Buzzy'...all Frost needed to do was push his body back into Bagly, he's the far bigger man. He just gave up his position with out a fight.

It's very relevant, we haven't recovered from it and we haven't learnt from it...

Sorry' @Smokey' but our midfield are drinking their own bathwater.... They wouldn't know 2 way running if it bit them on the a...... Laziest, least effective midfield in the competition on recent form.

It's the game plan stupid (or our players understanding of it)... Yeah we could do with some leg speed, and you sure as hell could've tipped tipper would cause grief tonight. Apart from Frost (and he doesn't count cause he's not to AFL standard), our back 6 are slow as treacle, and to think some say Lewis back will maker a difference. ..we continually get sucked into the contest which allows an easy outlet for our opponents. Oliver lays a tackle, Viney wants in on the act...the EFC player scrubs a hb over to Viney's player 20 metres in the clear and off they run. A free kick, centre infringement in the first Q...the game stops but Oliver, Brayshaw & Viney play on taking advantage. Problem is it was an obvious EFC free kick. The ball comes back to EFC. Max is on the mark our 3 mids are forward of the circle. EFC nicely positioned....bang. So many times since & including the prelim our guys get drawn to the contest & the oppo's clean up with a much better structure. Yep, we don't have a lot of leg speed but we can cover if we play smart and we're playing really dumb. It's not rocket surgery guys, it's football.

The period in the 2nd Q where we looked ok coincided with Tommy Mac going off injured. I would persist with Weid, it worked for a short period. Drop Tommy or play him back until May & Lever come in. Maybe Pruess as the 2nd tall forward/chop out for Max.

'dazzle', what I would give to have Dawson in the team. At least he could kill a contest. The 2 guys we have in at the moment spoil with the power of a wet lettuce leaf. Although Frosty did get one ripper spoil in tonight, unfortunately he came over the top of Max & spoiled him.

...but to be out bodied in the goal square by Bagly.... For F...............sake.