Blame game

[DudleyDocker]

We struggle against sides because they still believe they can beat us. We don't go in for the kill enough when we are on top in games, we don't generally have that mental edge over our opponents.

Don't see the logic there Dirty_banchez - they goaled in the first couple of minutes and had four on the board before we had finished scratching our collective balls.

I'm sure they did believe they could beat us, as does every team, but it's hard to go in for the kill when you aren't even in the game!

 

[freo84]

We were completely outplayed in the 1st half. Their short passing game with deadly accuracy cut us up with exceptional run from half back. We bombed it in long without trying to hit a target and they would mark it and off they went.

The team lost the game but geez a few of them really had their colours lowered tonight.

 

[Dirty_banchez]

Don't see the logic there Dirty_banchez - they goaled in the first couple of minutes and had four on the board before we had finished scratching our collective balls.

I'm sure they did believe they could beat us, as does every team, but it's hard to go in for the kill when you aren't even in the game!

I wasn't referring to this game, but in other games this season. I am just bemoaning the fact that we haven't created a fearsome reputation like Hawthorn has.

 

[Deathly]

Forward and Back 50 were abysmal all night. Entire Forward 50 should probably have taken notes watching Ballantyne. Everyone jumping around like clowns and no one ground level.

No Johnson and Spurr is always going to be a trainwreck, you can't expect Taberner and Clarke to go back and work with girls like Sutcliffe and Duffield.

We got jumped and if you let that happen you lose, simple as that. Full credit needs to go to Richmond at the end of the day. They gave us a taste of our own medicine.

I honestly knew game was over Thursday when we made no changes, you would have to be dumb to have not made any changes going into this game. Perfect contest and physicality for Mzungu and MDB.

 

[DudleyDocker]

I wasn't referring to this game, but in other games this season. I am just bemoaning the fact that we haven't created a fearsome reputation like Hawthorn has.

Fair enough. I honestly don't care how much we win by as long as we win, but games like tonight show just how easy it is to go from rooster to feather duster!

 

[BeinPurplenGreen]

We weren't mentally ready, our team selection was wrong (Croz in instead of Gu), we didn't adjust well when MJ went down, and we allowed Ninthmond to dictate the tactics all through the game, apart from the middle 14 minutes of the third Q and the first 8 minutes of the last.

First time I have seen Rosscoe Pekoe be so comprehensively out coached since he came to Freo. Mundy was played far too far forward in the first half, Barlow was out of position for 3 quarters, and we allowed them to shark Sandi, by letting them not even bother contesting stoppages and rucks - and repeatedly going 3 up against no opponents at stoppages.

Hill, Sheridan, Zaaaaarke, Mayne, Sutty and Mundy all got owned. Will be very keen to see how they react after the bye when up against Hawthorn or other strong teams.

Onwards and upwards eh...

 

[Proud SJW]

I'm going to comment tomorrow when I've had a chance to calm down.

 

[DudleyDocker]

Forward and Back 50 were abysmal all night. Entire Forward 50 should probably have taken notes watching Ballantyne. Everyone jumping around like clowns and no one ground level.

No Johnson and Spurr is always going to be a trainwreck, you can't expect Taberner and Clarke to go back and work with girls like Sutcliffe and Duffield.

We got jumped and if you let that happen you lose, simple as that. Full credit needs to go to Richmond at the end of the day. They gave us a taste of our own medicine.

I honestly knew game was over Thursday when we made no changes, you would have to be dumb to have not made any changes going into this game. Perfect contest and physicality for Mzungu and MDB.

Spot on Silvagnii. Hopefully this give Ross a wake up call - we have been carrying some passengers for a while and unfortunately with no Spurr in the backline tonight we looked soft as a pensioner's turd. I would love to see some Brady Gray crashing into a few bodies in the backline next week.

 

[TheLoris]

Lose Johnson and Spurr, leaving us exposed with Duddfield and Sutcliffe and OUR ball movement was atrocious

Yeah, even tho Croz played well, it was a selection error not to play Mzungu, better like for like with Spurr going out. Plus he should be in the 22 anyway.

 

[Lach72]

I'd also give Duffield the arse and bring in Brady Grey

 

[Deathly]

Spot on Silvagnii. Hopefully this give Ross a wake up call - we have been carrying some passengers for a while and unfortunately with no Spurr in the backline tonight we looked soft as a pensioner's turd. I would love to see some Brady Gray crashing into a few bodies in the backline next week.

Only played 26 players this year, the lowest in the competition. The MC/PS need to put their heads on straight and give some confidence in younger players and let others have a chance to breakthrough. Sutcliffe and Duffield have been abysmal all year. Crozier played well for what he had to work with.

Sheridan, Crozier and a new player need to share the red vest duties from here on out. Sutcliffe and Duffield need to be dropped for Mzungu and one of the returning defenders in Silvagni or Dawson.

We need an Isaac Heeney / Neale from last year to break into the squad now.

 

[leeloo]

Must admit I was surprised at Croz over Mzungu. Was beside myself when Johnson went down, reckon Mz would have brought more.

 

[Dirty_banchez]

I'd also give Duffield the arse and bring in Brady Grey

He will likely stay. Suttcliffe was hopeless. He provides run off the back line, but he is a defender first and right now he can't hold his opponent.

 

[Sweetback]

We really missed Johnson's distribution tonight.

 

[DudleyDocker]

Only played 26 players this year, the lowest in the competition. The MC/PS need to put their heads on straight and give some confidence in younger players and let others have a chance to breakthrough. Sutcliffe and Duffield have been abysmal all year. Crozier played well for what he had to work with.

Sheridan, Crozier and a new player need to share the red vest duties from here on out. Sutcliffe and Duffield need to be dropped for Mzungu and one of the returning defenders in Silvagni or Dawson.

We need an Isaac Heeney / Neale from last year to break into the squad now.

Every week I watch my second team (whoever is playing West Coast) and it turns my stomach to see them getting good games into first year draftees like Nelson and Duggan while Ross steadfastly refuses to play guys like Lachie Weller, Connor Blakeley and Brady Gray. Instead we see marginal guys like Suttcliffe, Duffield and Suban gifted games week after week.

Not suggesting we bring them all in at once but would it be asking too much to at least put them into the rotation for the sub vest and see what they have got? Who knows if we would still have Josh Simpson running around if he had been given more opportunity? I would love to see Lachie Weller running off the half back flank / wing in the same way Duggan does for the Eagles, and I think Brady Gray is a better defender that Nelson is, but we will never know until we see him at the top level.

 

[DudleyDocker]

Is that you Ronaldo?

Mel Gibson.

 

[TheLoris]

I think Spurr & Ibbo probably mask the fact that Duff & Suttcliffe both are not great one on one small defenders, good with the ball but easily out bodied. Not sure we can carry both through finals, although we are 9 - 1 so things aren't too bad.....

 

[clogged]

I think Spurr & Ibbo probably mask the fact that Duff & Suttcliffe both are not great one on one small defenders, good with the ball but easily out bodied. Not sure we can carry both through finals, although we are 9 - 1 so things aren't too bad.....

Yep. Duff and Sutcliffe both badly exposed tonight.

Every week I watch my second team (whoever is playing West Coast) and it turns my stomach to see them getting good games into first year draftees like Nelson and Duggan while Ross steadfastly refuses to play guys like Lachie Weller, Connor Blakeley and Brady Gray. Instead we see marginal guys like Suttcliffe, Duffield and Suban gifted games week after week.

Not suggesting we bring them all in at once but would it be asking too much to at least put them into the rotation for the sub vest and see what they have got? Who knows if we would still have Josh Simpson running around if he had been given more opportunity? I would love to see Lachie Weller running off the half back flank / wing in the same way Duggan does for the Eagles, and I think Brady Gray is a better defender that Nelson is, but we will never know until we see him at the top level.

I don't think anything is going to change in that regard, but as I said before, I players are tired change up the side with fit players. Stubborn belief that the same set of players will always get the job done is Lyon's fundamental weakness as a coach.

 

[YelloMit]

Mel Gibson.

KABLAAAAH!

 

[electricfeel]

Every week I watch my second team (whoever is playing West Coast) and it turns my stomach to see them getting good games into first year draftees like Nelson and Duggan while Ross steadfastly refuses to play guys like Lachie Weller, Connor Blakeley and Brady Gray. Instead we see marginal guys like Suttcliffe, Duffield and Suban gifted games week after week.

Not suggesting we bring them all in at once but would it be asking too much to at least put them into the rotation for the sub vest and see what they have got? Who knows if we would still have Josh Simpson running around if he had been given more opportunity? I would love to see Lachie Weller running off the half back flank / wing in the same way Duggan does for the Eagles, and I think Brady Gray is a better defender that Nelson is, but we will never know until we see him at the top level.

Yeah but WCE have no one else. They drafted those midfielders hoping for them to play ASAP given they pretty much just had Priddis in the midfield. I would love to see Weller and Blakely get some games but our midfield is hard to crack into and a different story to WCE.

 

[yakka man]

Our pace and skill was shown up tonight. A much needed reality check. Lack of KPP's is hurting now.

 

[DudleyDocker]

I don't think anything is going to change in that regard, but as I said before, I players are tired change up the side with fit players. Stubborn belief that the same set of players will always get the job done is Lyon's fundamental weakness as a coach.

Never really subscribed to the "Ross doesn't play youth" theory, but I have to admit I'm starting to see that becoming a pattern for us as it was for the Saints. We know what we will get from the current guys, we need to see what is outside the squad. If we drop some games getting experience into some of the younger guys AND sending a strong message to some of the passengers / resting some of the tired bodies it has to be a good thing.

As you say, it doesn't seem to be in Ross's nature.

 

[DudleyDocker]

Yeah but WCE have no one else. They drafted those midfielders hoping for them to play ASAP given they pretty much just had Priddis in the midfield. I would love to see Weller and Blakely get some games but our midfield is hard to crack into and a different story to WCE.

Hate to say it electricfeel, but I think it doesn't matter how good our midfield is if we don't start rotating them we will end up with tired and / or injured midfielders late in the year and nobody with the match practice to substitute for them.

I thought our whole midfield tonight looked flat and lethargic, and it's only round 10. It's no good waiting until injuries force change, we need to be proactive. Imagine Fyfe coming back after a week or two rest - he would be unstoppable, tonight he was very stoppable.

 

[electricfeel]

Hate to say it electricfeel, but I think it doesn't matter how good our midfield is if we don't start rotating them we will end up with tired and / or injured midfielders late in the year and nobody with the match practice to substitute for them.

I thought our whole midfield tonight looked flat and lethargic, and it's only round 10. It's no good waiting until injuries force change, we need to be proactive. Imagine Fyfe coming back after a week or two rest - he would be unstoppable, tonight he was very stoppable.

I do agree with you though, it's harder to crack than WCE's but by all means we are not unstoppable. Would be good to rotate a few and get some games into Weller and Blakely. I didn't watch the game tonight, I don't think I will, so I'll trust your word on how flat we looked.

 

[TheLoris]

Our pace and skill was shown up tonight. A much needed reality check. Lack of KPP's is hurting now.

Yeah, it's not ideal having 4 of our top 5 KPD's injured, will be a good test for our team defence next week. Hopefully get a couple back after the bye. Also bombing it forward doesn't really work with just Pav and Tabs up forward.....oh and apparently Clarke played, but will have to watch the replay to confirm.