Earl Hood

Rjay I agree but can you expand on your game plan comment? I am at a loss I think we have a lot of potential in the squad but the way they work together just does not seem to work. The inability to execute basic handball and kicking skills in a game is appalling but, as a fairly frequent training observer, these deficiencies aren’t obvious. At training, game simulations we always move the ball quickly and precisely to a leading forward target. But come game day we are bombing the ball, ignoring leads and shorter options or just coughing up kicks straight to the opposition. We seem to have a lot of ideas at training that crumble under pressure on gameday. And selection is a big issue, Bedford, Kossie, Spargo, ANB all in the same forward line?

Why do we keep employing people who can’t kick? Langdon and Tomlinson both butchered the ball going forward in amongst some good ball getting work. That is great but we knew we needed good ball users after last year.

Yes I see your point but all I saw were the same issues from last year, poor delivery options into our forward 50. Basic suburban level fumbling at crucial times, that led to turnovers. Inability to hold the ball in our forward line and the stop, delay transition out. And the usual, the inability to kick set shot goals, and that one kills you. We should have been 3.1 at quarter time if we could kick straight but we were 0.4. Game was lost then.

Plenty of endeavour but all the old problems still there in my view. Langdon and Tomlinson were OK but managed to kick blindly into the forward 50 and to the opposition. Gawn and Oliver struggled. Viney close to bog and good work from Kossie and Lockhart but really is it about players or our systems?

Oliver, Brayshaw and Gawn are MIA.

I thought the mail on Green Prior to the draft was that he was good but a risk as his injury would keep him out of most of this season? Oh surprise he is ready round 1.

This is hard what with no crowd atmosphere, it’s all a bit flat but my real problem looking at last night and then this game it is reminding me So much of AFLX! Bugger all physicality, there is tackling but it is so often ineffective. This is not doing a lot for me. Oh and the umpires had a big impact early last night with so many frees in front of goal and they have managed the same tonight.

Has tackling become passé in the modern game? I don’t know how you can match the Tigers without closing down space and tackling relentlessly.

Any chance to convince Tennis Australia and State Government that worlds tennis elite need an elite training facility, pools, gym, altitude room, whatever else needed for the world’s greatest athletes. It could be fitted into the covered practice courts to the east of Rod Laver. Tennis guys have it in December and January and we take over the rest of the year. And we request to train on our own club ground once a week. OK tell me I am dreaming.

Jones took aN accidental drive by kick to his calf in the last 10 minutes of the last Marsh game. He limped off and unfortunately it is still an issue. Odd it seems that match was played months ago but it was just 2 weeks?

Why 16 minutes? This is AFL getting their odd agenda in play under the guise of a virus? At this stage they have said go and have round one going. Let’s review rounds 2 plus onwards to determine if we need to condense game time etc.

I think I will just make up some hip flasks of this concoction, potentially a great dual use here. My synopsis is that I can have a swig and then spray my hands. If I am perpetually [censored] I don’t believe the virus can get a look in. Constructive comments are welcome.

Yes has to be the Dorks for my generation anyway. In 1971 they won their second flag, we had 12, now they have the same or more. I then watched thugs like Matthews king hit players through the 70’s and generally get smashed then we finally get to finals in 87 and we get dudded after the siren after Dipper had taken out Flower. I have never got over that. Then the 88 final but we were never in it or likely to be in it. There was the 1996 merger game and many more. Sorry I just hate the Hawks. Other sides to me are just competitors, to be challenged not hated. As for Collingwood, our traditional foe, when it counted we usually won.

Yes agree a real rookie game but I liked what I saw. Regularly pushed in the back by Ceglar at throw ins I thought but he often got reinvolved at ground level. Will be interesting to see how the coaches decide to use him this season.

Th at half volley mark against him was red hot. Not paid then what was he supposed to do?

He did down back I think that might be his future.

3 set shots missed! We just have to fix that or we waste another season. Wasn’t Lewis taken on as goal kicking coach? He is commentating but not taking ownership.

Another tough injury scenario for the Eagles yet again! Yes the have issues with NicNat but that is about it, injury wise.

Has always looked a likely prospect at training but last year had minimal disposals for Casey. Obviously couldn’t get his own ball but looked good on the weekend. He is now running second for endurance in the club time trials, is quick and agile so there is something to work with there. Let’s hope for consistent good form at Casey and maybe a cameo later in the year in the firsts.

Isn’t Lewis our goal kicking coach?

I rode passed Gosch’s this morning and no one to be seen although Melbourne Victory we’re setting up.

Hoping it is J Smith who intercepts and provides attacking run from down back this year.

Good hit out. Great result that we ran over the top of them. I only watched the 3rd quarter and we played well but I noted continuing concerns in that quarter from last year. Poor delivery into the 50, in the midfield scramble we often had too many contestants in too close, leaving Crows unmarked on the outside and the other was lack of forward pressure and the ability to turn over possession inside 50m. Kicking efficiency was low so there are things to work on but also a lot of positives.

History says he will get off, it’s a practice match. Sylvia had his jaw broken at Casey against West Coke several years ago with zip consequences.

Yes I saw the channel 7 report and my first thought was who blabbed? As no decision has been made or at least ready to announce. I still remember many of us questioning the original decision elevate Viney to the co captaincy that [censored] off Jones at the time. I don’t think that decision was driven by the players, it was a call by Goodwin? but I may remember that wrong. Many said at the time, why so early in his career, just make him vice captain and let him learn from Jones and co. Now it seems the players are not impressed and Viney has spoken about not being ready, not understanding that not everyone is an unstoppable bull at the contest and at training etc, etc, etc. I mean I have seen this so often in the workplace where people are promoted into people management positions too early but more importantly without the leadership training to understand how their behaviour can impact on their team members. So you get managers who believe they have to lead by example instead of stepping back and asking others for their thoughts and ideas. Anyway maybe that’s old school thinking, I am not being paid $300k plus a year to be an AFL club Leadership guru.