I was at the game and I have re-watched the replay. I’ll add some food for thought.
Watching the replay wasn’t that painful. At the game I thought Sheridan stunk it up, however watching it again I thought that he provided some good run and delivery with some important plays. Something we’ve been missing (Hill has been great but we needed another player to do this). Yes he did have some basic skill errors which were costly, but he didn’t miss his targets by much (either just dropping short or just over the top). Right at this moment I think he is providing more the Sutcliffe. McPharlin actually had way more basic skill errors, he hardly kicked one directly to a player, and he also kept handballing to a Freo player in the play who was under pressure. I didn’t rate his decision making this game but everyone has off games.
GWS actually made us work for the win, rather than rolling over. They really pushed numbers back really well all game. They also were good at slowing the play down and chipping the ball through our press rather than bombing it long (a tactic that Richmond and Hawks do well against us). I think Cameron could have torn us apart (superb player, he had 5 shots on goal, 2.3) if his nose wasn’t bleeding all game. I think we’re also using the ball better going forward. IF we converted at least half of those woeful/easy shots on goal (Crozier, A Pearce x2, D Pearce, Mayne, Barlow, Pav) we’d be 100+ points.
We did ok in the midfield without Fyfe, and dare I say it, thanks to Suban and De Boer. Neale was often first ball get and he passed it out to a running Suban/Mundy. D Pearce was better this game, however I wish he went hard at the ball. So many times he could have won the ball if he used his body. A Pearce went well in the Forward line, already looked better than Tabaner. Annoyed that Dawson is an idiot and we have to send Peace back again. Also should Ibbo take the odd shot at goal from 50? A Few times he could have easily run to the 50 and taken a shot. He often try’s to kick it to the ‘hot zone’ (20-30m in front of goal).
I am pleased that the two elements missing were skill errors and conversion. GWS are very good at pressuring the opposition into skill errors (look at the Geelong game last week). Our effort was up and I thought we had a solid game plan. We have 6-9 weeks to clean up those errors. I am happy at where we are heading! In RTB I trust.
Watching the replay wasn’t that painful. At the game I thought Sheridan stunk it up, however watching it again I thought that he provided some good run and delivery with some important plays. Something we’ve been missing (Hill has been great but we needed another player to do this). Yes he did have some basic skill errors which were costly, but he didn’t miss his targets by much (either just dropping short or just over the top). Right at this moment I think he is providing more the Sutcliffe. McPharlin actually had way more basic skill errors, he hardly kicked one directly to a player, and he also kept handballing to a Freo player in the play who was under pressure. I didn’t rate his decision making this game but everyone has off games.
GWS actually made us work for the win, rather than rolling over. They really pushed numbers back really well all game. They also were good at slowing the play down and chipping the ball through our press rather than bombing it long (a tactic that Richmond and Hawks do well against us). I think Cameron could have torn us apart (superb player, he had 5 shots on goal, 2.3) if his nose wasn’t bleeding all game. I think we’re also using the ball better going forward. IF we converted at least half of those woeful/easy shots on goal (Crozier, A Pearce x2, D Pearce, Mayne, Barlow, Pav) we’d be 100+ points.
We did ok in the midfield without Fyfe, and dare I say it, thanks to Suban and De Boer. Neale was often first ball get and he passed it out to a running Suban/Mundy. D Pearce was better this game, however I wish he went hard at the ball. So many times he could have won the ball if he used his body. A Pearce went well in the Forward line, already looked better than Tabaner. Annoyed that Dawson is an idiot and we have to send Peace back again. Also should Ibbo take the odd shot at goal from 50? A Few times he could have easily run to the 50 and taken a shot. He often try’s to kick it to the ‘hot zone’ (20-30m in front of goal).
I am pleased that the two elements missing were skill errors and conversion. GWS are very good at pressuring the opposition into skill errors (look at the Geelong game last week). Our effort was up and I thought we had a solid game plan. We have 6-9 weeks to clean up those errors. I am happy at where we are heading! In RTB I trust.
