Review R21: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly vs. Hawthorn

[fossilllCrow]

I know it’s random but couldn’t Smith play Taylor’s role? Smarts and then when he gets it can have pings from anywhere inside 55?
We have plenty of half backers to cover.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

There was a touch of panic by young players in the first Qtr ....all good experience though

The early sub of Cook essentially says goodbye for next week

Curtin backed his great form again .....he's going to be unbeatable for the rising star ....he's a better version of Dawson IMHO ....for a 2nd year player to have the footy IQ, the calmness & ability to think clearly under pressure .....and the marking / kicking skills .....a 2nd year player !!!

Was disappointed in Peatling last night ....not his effort, but he was pushed off the ball a bit too easy ....and those fumbles under pressure

Loved Hugh Bonds game ....confident, assured .....going to be hard to drop
We need a player of his ability in the side .....moreso than Laird, and that's no slight on Laird

 

[feenix67]

Anyone want to try and decipher this?

Looks a tense atmosphere to me. Like disagreement.

Anyone?...

That was when the umps stopped the game for Day. Nicks was peaking.

 

[steve9798]

Hilarious listening to Cornes and the commentators raving about the Rankine 50 in the 4th while completing ignoring the 50 that RT should have been given after being pushed in the back a few minutes before.

 

[Geoffa32]

I think the first quarter was more of a structural issue.

Mitchell was smart and set up two free guys across the centreline to cut off our preferred lanes. Nick Watson was key here.


The first quarter reset, Nicks calmly changed things up.

Game changed from then.

 

[Gtowncrow]

As long as we can beat up on Norf and WCE to keep Geelong at bay, I won't be upset about losing to Collingwood.

Something about going into Finals on a 9 game winning streak unsettles me.

This is the moment to beat Collingwood...and properly.

Nothing could prepare us for this September better. Nothing!

 

[Mostyn]

You actually believe that clubs only select for next week. Interesting take on developing a team.

We're not a developing team. We're a team looking to win now, and that should be our only priority.

Nearly every club is selecting those players who most deserve it now.

 

[George CantStandYa]

The on-field incident escapes my memory .....but first time I've seen Nicks lose it ....Davis tried to calm him down

The first time? What about when he went rogue bonkers

 

[Mostyn]

I reckon Mitchell is one of the best coaches going round. Was a very smart footballer and seems very analytical.


Hawthorn will be around the mark with us the next few years.


They really need some midfield class. Zac Butters would be perfect for them.

Terrible decision going into the game with four tall forwards. Massive error.

 

[Eddie Murphy]

Really? My first thought watching Bond was "gee he looks balanced and composed in his first game for the year"

I thought his first quarter was rough (when we were giving it to him a bit) but he settled as the game went on. Using him less on the rebound probably helped settle nerves.

 

[Eddie Murphy]

Terrible decision going into the game with four tall forwards. Massive error.

I have no doubt it was done to hold Worrell accountable. This was one of Worrell’s best games for mine because despite this attention he still marshalled that backline.

 

[CrowBloke]

I'm not normally a betting guy but at the start of the year I bet $100 to make the 8 (won), $100 for top 4 (won) and $100 to make the GF (unlikely). Thanks Crows.

Gutsy betting after last year's wreckage

 

[Shuestar13]

IIRC our 2012 run home was really easy. Pretty much bottom 8 opponents in the last 8 weeks or something, including 17th and 18th in the last two weeks, and snagged 2nd. Then Swans smashed us in the home Qualifying Final.

I remember it well. The Sando Spike. At least you got Fremantle the following week thank goodness, A masterful performance by Tex

Great prep for the side this year, particularly in heading into what will be most’s first finals series.

 

[steve9798]

In the last quarter 3 free kicks in front of goal and a 50-metre penalty for Hawthorn. For us, one 50 for Rankine and a missed 50 for RT. Cheating ****.

 

[steve9798]

Gutsy betting after last year's wreckage

The "ins" on and off the field had alot to do with it.

 

[suburpy]

The on-field incident escapes my memory .....but first time I've seen Nicks lose it ....Davis tried to calm him down

Was during the pause for cramps. Probably frustrated at how stupid that was tbh.

 

[Crow till I die]

A shout out to Bond, thought he was really good last night

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Was during the pause for cramps. Probably frustrated at how stupid that was tbh.

And it's up there with the all the stupid things the AFL have done this year .....from ignoring a player knocked out in the middle of play, to then stop play for a cramp ....does no-one actually think these things thru ....or are the umps simply puppets to Head Office's political weekly reactions

 

[Bay62]

And it's up there with the all the stupid things the AFL have done this year .....from ignoring a player knocked out in the middle of play, to then stop play for a cramp ....does no-one actually think these things thru ....or are the umps simply puppets to Head Office's political weekly reactions

Someone said it was because there was a trainer on the ground, they had to stop play? Also are they allowed on the ground - I guess if a player goes down and needs to be helped off?

 

[CrowBloke]

I do have a question - since when do we stop a game because a player has cramp? What the **** is the AFL doing?

Dunno about the AFL, but the Umps were giving the Hawks time to set-up and have a breather ...

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Someone said it was because there was a trainer on the ground, they had to stop play? Also are they allowed on the ground - I guess if a player goes down and needs to be helped off?

Next, we'll have to stop play for the water boys / girls .....if you change rules / interpretations as frequently as the AFL do .....I defy any Umpire to keep up

The Goal Umps are the worst .....too afraid to make a call (except Roden) ....too much DEI IMO

 

[Crow till I die]

Watching the replay, jesus how good was Rankine's last quarter. Its play like that that is what can break grand finals open. His value for touches was off the charts...just wow

 

[Jarman3]

I was ****ing ropeable in that first quarter. Absolutely did not come to play. Could not stick a tackle or win a clearance or handle the ball cleanly. Thankfully we came good so no harm done, and hopefully we've learned the lesson without having to actually pay the price.

Good win against good opposition in a good, hard game where it wasn't all going our way. As fun as it is belting teams, this is what we needed at this time of year. Getting the win after being challenged repeatedly with the bonus of no injuries - everything's coming up Milhouse

I've been critical of Milera over the years. Not because I thought he didn't have ability but just because I felt that most of the time he didn't have any real influence on games. But this year he has been outstanding. Clearly a career best year. I am eating my words and asking for seconds.

That was hands down Peatling's worst game for us. Just seemed to fumble everything. Hopefully just an off night, and not the start of a dip in form. If he's tired or carrying a niggle then maybe rest him this week so he's right for the Collingwood game. Bizarre that he fumbled more last night in perfect conditions than he did last week in a biblical downpour.

Dawson, Rankine, Tex, Curtin, Worrell, Thilthorpe - these guys are exactly what you want in your team if you want to not just play finals but win finals.

Cook was horrible - really disappointed for him after playing so well against the Dogs before getting concussed, was solid against Port but fluffed his opportunity last night. Not sure he can afford a game like that when there are others knocking on the door for selection.

I thought Smith was solid. Not sure if he keeps his spot though - can we play both him and Laird? He's been OK when he's played this year. Much better than last year. Still not in our best side and I wouldn't be giving him another contract, but at least he can bow out playing some decent footy.

Umpiring... WTF. The standard just seems to keep getting worse. And just as the expansion of the comp means diluting the playing talent too thinly, it's also going to mean that a few umpires currently not good enough to meet the already low standard are going to be umpiring games in the near future. Scary thought.

 

[Southerntakeover]

We're not a developing team. We're a team looking to win now, and that should be our only priority.

Nearly every club is selecting those players who most deserve it now.

You reckon we should just cap our teams potential now? Mission accomplished?

Don't approach it as if we're at the beginning of a window which could stay open for years, and do things to maximise our chances of cashing in during it.

 

[steve9798]

A shout out to Bond, thought he was really good last night

He looks so comfortable at the top level. Very unlucky not to have played more games.