Dee Zephyr

We were in an offensive play LDC, Gus was used as the last link in a defensive clearance through the middle of the ground. His long left foot kick inside 50 just went over the head of a leading Fritta and was marked by Jetta. Yeo was nowhere near Gus in the first place, just hanging out on the outer wing where the ball eventually ended up for his goal. There was no way Gus could have gotten to him in time. I thought he did a terrific job all day and a bit harsh to say the Yeo goal was due to Gus not running back hard enough. Unfortunate his kick missed Fritta. Liked the left field move of using him as tagger. Maybe he’s gained some much needed confidence after taking on one of the league’s best and doing a fairly good job at it.

Training reports on here during the week initially had the boys not doing practice at goalkicking, shortly after it was reported they came out early in the morning and practiced before the session. Surely it would be better to incorporate it between drills and after the session where the legs are a little heavy rather than when players are as fresh as daisies. Wouldn’t we better off in front of goal if we prepared properly for it? You know...’Play like you train’. Very frustrating as a supporter to see so many simple shots missed all year. If we are frustrated how would the boys feel? It saps confidence, how many of you actually hold your breath without realising when watching some off our chains towards goal? I nearly passed out from one passage, not knocking their effort it’s there, but sometimes they make it so hard for themselves to score a goal.

Monday best. Brazil Campeonato Monday at 05:00 Atletico MG v Fortaleza. Atletico MG Win by 2+ Goals. $2.50

Possibly our best 3 games for the year are Eagles X2, Crows and we fall agonisingly short. Liked the fightback from 30 odd down, used it smartly forward of centre most times but once again missing goals equals a lack of scoreboard pressure. Add in some errors at crucial times and good teams will find a way to punish you. A bit left field to use Gus as a tagger on Yeo, played well i thought. In all honesty, the next 5 weeks can’t come quick enough.

Seriously just keep Fritsch inside 50.

Hunt might not have big numbers but he’s having a very efficient game up forward. Bring it home Dees!

Can we sub Jurrah in?

Looks like he’s running with Yeo, Yeo also 9 touches only.

Hunt is working extremely hard so far. He’s covering a fair bit of territory.

Is Max hurt? AFL app has him as out.

lol, Lewis with four marks already as a forward but has inherited the yips.

The AFL has come out and stated the Thompson free kick was wrong. Fair enough to admit error but let’s see some action and send said umpire to the magoos. "The AFL Umpiring Department advises the free kick awarded to Brisbane Lions' Oscar McInerney against North Melbourne's Scott Thompson in the fourth quarter of last night's match at the Gabba was incorrect," the AFL said.

Was it paid as a block or in the back against Thompson? Either way I thought it was soft, pity that will take centre stage as the contest was very enjoyable. Refreshing to listen to Jason Bennett call the game, no theatrics and definitely not an attention seeker when calling the action.

Don Pyke silent staredown coming up. Hopeless Crows. Their midfielders can get the ball but some of them have the turning circle of the Titanic.

Sheesh, I saw about 4 kicks that travelled a total distance of 7 metres and the marks were paid before Jenkins’ 4th.

A few Carlton mates have gone bonkers. They are truly cheering for Essendon tonight simply for the pick swap deal. Madness! Would love it if the Hawks rolled the Cats and just keep rolling on Brissy. What luxury the Lions have, they win by 8 goals at Port and can afford to omit 3 players for 3 very good ones.

Has there been a week this season where we read ‘ No Change’? Can’t recall. I don’t think it will happen this week with at least Baker getting a run again. A bit late to ask for a settled line-up but at least the defence is getting some work together and I feel they will do a good job at restricting the Eagles scoring. Problem is, unless we magically start converting and taking our chances at the other end this could be a long day.

Hocking mentions people should take some confidence that they are looking at the right things. On the evidence here so far I think it’s the total opposite. Even the people I speak to at work or elsewhere are fed up with the running of the game and constant changes, yet all we hear or read is that there is plenty of positive feedback from the public. Where are those people? I’m genuinely interested to hear if anyone thinks the AFL is doing a good job at the moment and why.

Cheers Rusty, sorry my bad, it’s kick rating I meant over the last month. He has lowered the eyes over the last few games and managed to hit a few targets, I’m also curious to see if the rating has trended upward lately.

Yes balls, just wanted to add his defensive work in the forward half might be a little underrated. In a year where we have struggled with ‘retention’, I think Trac has worked hard defensively to keep the ball in, especially in the last 6 weeks or so. Often he reads opposition defenders well and puts him himself in a good position for an intercept or simply just sticking an arm in to bat the ball down. I like what some of the young players have shown also, for me it’s Trac that’s been a big positive. He’s received a lot of negativity and I’m glad he’s starting to show what he’s capable of. Pity it’s been in a horrid year, can’t wait for next year though when he starts getting some more support.

Wonder if Robert Harvey puts his hand up again for the senior gig.

Apologies for the slight sidetrack, I also touched on this on another thread. Do you think we should still target Hill and/or Langdon? We are lamenting poor kicking skills and those two aren’t rated highly either according to the article.

Interesting to see his efficiency over the last month. To me his kicking has been a lot better in that period.

Interesting you bring up kicking binman and I do agree with the above. I was just reading a stats file article on AFL.com.au on where we have gone wrong this season and it’s about contested ball and some kind of kick rating system. I always find these data systems a tad complicated but on ranking numbers alone it doesn’t look good. Goody said on Sunday it’s our ability to get the ball and effectively using it on the outside that’s posed a challenge. The article also touches on our interest in Langdon and Hill for outside issues, yet those two are not strong performers in the kick rating metric this season. Some like stats, some don’t, it was an interesting Tuesday morning read anyway. FWIW Jones is ranked as our highest performer on this system.

I’m surprised Maxy hasn’t copped a fine for the big boy comment.