Earl Hood

Geelong has been infected by our goal kicking yips. Missed 3 in a row from inside 30m almost dead in front! Then misses a fourth on the run from 30.

What’s the go with Bedford? He looks pretty sharp at training, moves well and has clean hands but his stats in games are not good. Just can’t get his hands on the ball any reasons?

They just showed the last 3 minutes on Fox to review the umpiring and it was exemplary, the umps let it flow and Freo got up by a point. In total contrast to the Brisbane effort. Yes there were a number of technical frees that could have been paid but none where a player was definitely infringed to put them out of a contest so it was play on. That is how umpiring should be executed, especially in the last 15 minutes of a tight contest.

The umpiring is a total mess. That second last free against Thompson just sums it up. I nudge the biggest bloke in the side, not the back, take the mark and get pinged, really for in the back, umpires please note about 10 other examples of a similar nudge in the same match that were deemed legal, but no that’s quibbling.

The stats say our problems are up forward. The midfield is still winning contests and clearances but conversion inside 50 is woefull. We know delivery has been haphazard for much of the season, just bombing it long to a pack and hoping for a mark from TMac, Weid or Max if he is there. For 90% of those bombs the ball has spilled to ground and come straight back out and shown up our lack of two way running. Time and time again I have asked where are our crumpers, goal sneaks, they don’t seem to exist unfortunately. Now it has occurred to me that the 20 or so times I have attended training this year I have never seen us simulate what is happening every game day, that is having our small forwards roving off packs to shark the spilled ball and kick a goal. All our game simulation has us moving the ball quickly and finding a forward target. Great practice but it is not happening game day and our small forwards are not learning or practicing to crumb off a pack. Just an observation, we are not practicing like we are playing up forward.

Yes!

Yes DC I watched Footy Classified where she labelled our injury excuses pathetic, although I don’t know that the club has officially been claiming that as the main issue, others in the media have but there was the Misson injury analysis given to the board that got out I suppose. But then Caro just 10 minutes later was defending the GWS’s drop off in performance listing their injuries over the past 3 years! I mean injuries do make a difference and if any team could cover injuries it should be GWS with their extensive list of high draft picks, surely. Injuries don’t fully explain our fall from grace but they are part of the equation and I was not aware of Goodwin going on and on about them.

You have to shake your head with the Fossil, Sam. At one point he lists the various days celebrating minorities like the indigenous or same sex people and then asks as a WASP male when is it my time! Sam when it has never been your time you dolt! Look at your life, private school education, 300 games of elite sport, millions earned in the media as a so called footy expert and character, come sporting legend. Sam it has always been about you! For a guy who achieved so much he has the IQ of a peanut.

But it wouldn’t happen today, Jako would have 4 blokes on him and 3 in the hole in front as well.

Did they have any other insights? We know Gus is down on form but that doesn’t explain the fall down the ladder. I heard Plough say we have a good best 22 but lack depth so injuries hurt. I had to be somewhere so couldn’t hear Dermie and the rest. But there is more to it than the midfield as the stats say we still win clearances and contested ball but it all turns to rubbish when we go forward and then rebounds back the other way.

Hannan left early with the other Casey guys so suspect he is out and Wagner in and JKH in the squad, also T Smith in the mix for a recall.

Viney?

For the free paid in their 50 The umpire called it a block on the video so it’s rule (c) then. But what is a block? The opposing smaller ruck was airborne when Max puts an arm up to prevent him cannoning into his body. So you can’t protect yourself under section c from an opponent jumping into you? I thought the definition of a ruck duel block would be where you move into the opposing rucks runup and prevent him from getting airborne and to the fall of the ball

There is a player called Jordan, he plays for Collingwood! Is that being a bit too pedantic for you?

6 Viney 5 Gawn 4 May 3 Petty 2 Harmes 1 Salem

Two gifted goals to Doggies by the maggots that quarter. New ruck rule this week I must have missed the notification!

Tackling?

A AFL team looking for a rookie ruckman could do worse than look at Buxton. Nice goal and looks to move well for a big bloke. Not sure how tall he is though, 200cm?

They replayed that Mitch Wallace free three times and I still couldn’t work out which rule was transgressed? Another gimme goal for them from a free inside 50 that’s about 3 so far.

At least be thankful you didn’t have any Germans dining with you at the time!

6 TMac 5 Oliver 4 Harmes 3 Fritsch 2 Frost 1 Pruess

TMac hobbling might be 3 down

Dunkley 2 goal assists

I thought we had been trying to find one, big time, Bedford, Lockhart, Chandler, Hannan, Melschem, Spargo, Dunkley to go with Garlett, ANB.... not sure how many we need but we do need a couple who can really play the role. I really like Lockhart and have hopes for Bedford and we know Hannan and Melk can play. But I don’t want to use too many more picks searching for another speculative one or two!

Didn’t see Max at training this morning. Greg Stafford doing a lot of ruck work with Pruess and the mids. Dunkley working with the mids. Jones not doing much, just helping the coaches. Only saw the last 15 mins of a short session so don’t know if Max was out earlier.