Review R20: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly vs. Port: Like taking candy from a baby

[Mutineer]

 

[ok.crows]

Since Forrest Gump was released (great movie, btw), I have
NEVER
understood wtf that means.
Stupid people do stupid things...?
People who do stupid things are stupid?

Seriously.

According to AI:

The phrase "stupid is as stupid does" means that a person's actions are a reflection of their intelligence or lack thereof. It suggests that someone's behaviour, rather than their appearance or perceived intelligence, determines whether they are considered stupid. This saying implies that even an intelligent person who engages in foolish actions is still seen as stupid because their actions reveal their true nature. The phrase is often used to criticize or mock someone who has made a foolish choice, emphasizing that it is not enough to simply appear intelligent—actions must align with that intelligence to be genuine.

 

[ABAB]

Back in 2022 he was a tackling machine, but that was pretty much his whole game. Now he's offering a LOT more than he has in the past, now that he's started using his explosive power away from the contest.

I still recall that game he played against Sydney, he was already showing that which was strange when posters questioned his lack of pace.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Agree, today’s midfielders need to hit the scoreboard - and unfortunately Matt doesn’t.

Does anyone seriously think Matt could have kicked the two goals Berry did from 50m?

Not outside 50m... with one using right foot & other the left.

2 goal assists from Tex too.

 

[jbanger]

There were a lot of moments I loved in this game but I think my favourite was DBJ crapping himself in our F50, fumbling twice and Soligo kicking that goal.

yes, and when Keane absolutely poleaxed Rozee(?) between halfback/centre square

 

[bigman]

True. I guess I'm thinking about the roles that Taylor and Pedlar play and trying to think who could offer more?
Interesting that Nankervis was being played as a forward in SANFL and Nicks talked him up before picking Pedlar this last time.
Nank could offer something interesting in that role.

I like Taylor, but he just doesn't get it enough to have an impact.

If we went:
IN: Nankervis, Draper
OUT: Taylor, Pedlar

and let this roll for the next few weeks, would we lose anything? I doubt it. I think we would be better.

I'd leave Cook in as well. His use of the ball is exceptional and I saw a few times on the weekend where he used his body well. I think he's developing and could become a damaging player.

Once Rash returns, the least impactful out of those guys makes way.

I think we still have some improvement left.

Hope we persist with Taylor.

As good as we have become, he’s one of the few we have with genuine composure and smarts in traffic.

He’s being made to play a foreign role (doubly so given he’s now tagging opposition defenders) and while not getting a heap of it, his class still shows.

Assuming he re-signs, he needs to do whatever possible to come out next summer with a serious improvement in his running. Not just because it’ll help his football, but also what it does to how the coaches view him. He keeps giving them a reason not to pick him early season.

 

[mtbkym]

There were a lot of moments I loved in this game but I think my favourite was DBJ crapping himself in our F50, fumbling twice and Soligo kicking that goal.

Was classic, Soligo just smashed him out of the way

 

[Redleg Crow]

So coaches' votes among Rising Star eligible

Curtin: 20
Murphy Reid: 15
Harvey Langford: 8
Archie Roberts: 6

 

[bigman]

Also, has anyone posted that photo of Rioli’s nap celebration in last years showdown (after Rankine had been stretchered off the field no less).

Now it’s just symbolic of Port’s season - since that very night actually, given their pathetic finals series.

 

[Jars458]

Since Forrest Gump was released (great movie, btw), I have
NEVER
understood wtf that means.
Stupid people do stupid things...?
People who do stupid things are stupid?

Seriously.

I thinks it’s what might be stupid to you isn’t stupid to me but that’s a stretch

 

[footy4ever]

Good.
Also very happy to see NO votes for no-impact superFLOG, Butters.

This!!

 

[Pilchard_Adams]

Impressive. AI I guess? Otherwise many apologies.

Yeah, chatgtp. I myself couldn't draw a stick figure without screwing it up

 

[WetCrow1991]

According to AI:

Yeah save your brain and don't do this.

 

[Maddogmetro]

The good: Worrell making his way from defence into the midfield simply to give shit to Bergman for kicking the wrong way. Love the level of pest in this team.

 

[PeterSalt]

Since Forrest Gump was released (great movie, btw), I have
NEVER
understood wtf that means.
Stupid people do stupid things...?
People who do stupid things are stupid?

Seriously.

It's Forest repeating a saying his mother drilled into him as a child. She's continually telling him he's not stupid and that people are defined by there actions. Yet he's living in world where the majority of people he comes across think and treat him like he's simple or stupid (seems like some form of autism)

After overcoming back/leg problems his release becomes running. A completely harmless pursuit that becomes somewhat defining

And the movie lets you imagine that as truth. The movie is littered with seemingly intelligent people showcasing just how dysfunctional so many of them/us were/are. Seemingly intelligent yet deeply flawed people making 'stupid' decisions

And the paradox is Forest being the adult and leading a seemingly successful life

 

[Gtowncrow]

Willie didn't look all that small on the weekend. Either those prison bars did not suit his body type or he's playing over his ideal weight

I wonder how Toby might describe him?

 

[frankiecow]

Agree, today’s midfielders need to hit the scoreboard - and unfortunately Matt doesn’t.

Does anyone seriously think Matt could have kicked the two goals Berry did from 50m?

No, that’s not necessarily true. You need a balance - you need some of your midfielders to be more offensive and to hit the scoreboard and you need some to be more contested and defensive minded. By having those more defensive mids play their role, it allows your more attacking mids to be able to hit the scoreboard more and to just be more dangerous in general.

No, crouch likely wouldn’t have kicked those goals, because that’s not his role. His role is to be that clearance king, contested bull and defensive midfielder, which allows your more explosive attacking mids like Dawson and Soligo to let loose and be even more dangerous than they have been. It’s a no brainer that Crouch comes into your side when fit and firing - he instantly makes your team better when he does play.

I find it bizarre how much crows supporters don’t rate Crouch. He’s one of the better contested, clearance and defensive midfielders in the competition and with him in your side, it makes your more dominant mids like Dawson, Soligo and Rankine be allowed to roam free a bit more and go on an absolute tear. It’s a scary prospect for opposition teams.

I also don’t understand the obsession with Sam Berry - he’s an absolute butcher of the pill. Yes, he played pretty well on the weekend, but it was against a poor side and you pumped them by 98 points. How’s he gone against the stronger sides this year? Not well is the answer. His better games this season have been against Richmond, West Coast and Port Adelaide, otherwise he’s been pretty bang average, or even poor.

Regardless, why couldn’t you drop someone like Jones or Cook for Crouch and just do a little restructure? You guys are honestly a stronger side when Matt Crouch is fit and firing, so it would be in your best interests to have him get up to the speed of the AFL and find some synergy with his teammates in this last month of the H&A season, before the finals start.

 

[Gtowncrow]

Firstly, the good on the weekend was outstanding. Dominant in every possible way.

Soligo was exceptional. Berry was terrific.
Curtin another huge tick, especially that last quarter in the midfield. Great move by coaches. We kicked 5 goals to nil in the last quarter despite rolling out our C grade midfield. Amazing.
Thilthorpe was.... well a level above the entire Port team.

There is however, one blatant and obvious concern - Pedlar. He's just not up to it. He offers nothing.
He is always the last to react, then sprints like crazy to get to the contest, arrives just after the ball has gone and then has to wait 5 minutes to get his breath back.
There is no way that Dowling and Draper don't offer more right now. Maybe Nankervis.

We have to try Dowling over the next few weeks and see if he can perform in the role. Would we lose anything if Dowling replaced Taylor and Draper replaced Pedlar? Would we gain?
Need to find out, because right now there are 1-3 positions that are still up for grabs and not yet settled.

I've felt exactly the same. It's just our last 2-3 players are potential weak spots compared to nearly all the others.
I agree also that nobody has performed well enough to secure these spots. Maybe Cook?

Strongly agree about Pedlar. Worryingly little impact. He just can't get near it which is unfortunate but his tackles are also low.

 

[Mr_Moogle]

There were a lot of moments I loved in this game but I think my favourite was DBJ crapping himself in our F50, fumbling twice and Soligo kicking that goal.

Was it DBJ both times? I thought he fumbled it initially and then Soligo soccered it past a second player. Either way it was the most demoralising moment for Port in showdown history outside of Dawson's winner.

 

[Freomaniac]

I was surprised with the result.

I knew crows were going to win. But not by almost 100 points.

I stupidly did a $5 bet at $1.85 for neither side to win by 29 points or less.

And yes I took the weather into consideration as I thought it was gonna be a close game.

I remember the last showdown early in the season when crows lead by 88 to 67 with like 6 minutes to go and crows hung on to win by under a goal.

Fortunately this showdown wasn't as close or as dramatic.

Game was done by 3 quarter time... But percentage always counts.

Dockers did the crows a massive favour a week ago beating Collingwood.

I can't see Geelong slipping. Crows would want a non Victorian side in this year's grand final. So Brisbane, GWS, gold coast and Fremantle could all make finals

 

[Mr_Moogle]

I think it's funny that both Carr and Hinkley said there wasn't a lack of effort but Butters admitted in an interview after the game that their effort wavered.

 

[Moonwatcher]

I was surprised with the result.

I knew crows were going to win. But not by almost 100 points.

I stupidly did a $5 bet at $1.85 for neither side to win by 29 points or less.

And yes I took the weather into consideration as I thought it was gonna be a close game.

I remember the last showdown early in the season when crows lead by 88 to 67 with like 6 minutes to go and crows hung on to win by under a goal.

Fortunately this showdown wasn't as close or as dramatic.

Game was done by 3 quarter time... But percentage always counts.

Dockers did the crows a massive favour a week ago beating Collingwood.

I can't see Geelong slipping. Crows would want a non Victorian side in this year's grand final. So Brisbane, GWS, gold coast and Fremantle could all make finals

Looks like a Crows / Bulldogs final would be pretty even

 

[Mr_Moogle]

I read through the entire Port gameday thread and it was a pitiful display. The amount of whinging about the umpires was incredible. I get that we all complain about the umps but if your side is getting done like that, there comes a point when it's just not fashionable to play the victim.

 

[Moonwatcher]

Port will struggle to win showdowns if they can’t get away with targeting players like they did Rankine. Once their aggression is curbed, they struggle to compete.

 

[Freomaniac]

Looks like a Crows / Bulldogs final would be pretty even

I won't mind a crows vs Bulldogs grand final provided we have umpires that are fair and not corrupt.

And yes I am referring to that corrupt umpire Troy Pannell