Strategy Changes: Elimination Final v Gold Coast

[Ghost Pig]

Everyone saying we need to be ruthless, can't accept mediocrity, Fyfe is past it. You may be right, the old man may be the difference between us winning and losing the big one, either way, there is no argument, he has massive limitations defensively.

As desperate as we all are for our first flag, as much as the mouth breathers in the media want us to believe this game is about X's and O's, the market and genius coaches, nothing.. NOTHING! Is more important to a football club than heart and soul. What wins a game of football is desire, intensity, ripped pectorals, concussions, 23 blokes burning inside and burning brighter and hotter than the 23 men standing opposed.

If the decision is made by the match comittee for the 22 to carry Nat's cold dead body to the MCG on the last game in September, coffin draped in the sub vest then I'll honour their decision, because it will show every player in that team what sort of club we are, give Freo your all and we'll do everything in our power to help you achieve your dreams.

Accepting mediocrity? You can say that, if we lose.

But if we win, it'll be "WE DID IT THE FREO WAY!"

 

[BStaff17]

The petty, vindictive side of me would like to see us bundle the Hawks out of the finals.

I also think that Gold Coast pose the greater danger - better side on paper methinks.

I just couldn't stomach losing to the Hawks and Fyfe getting chaired off @ Optus with Sam Mitchell standing there with a smug grin on his face pretending to celebrate a great career.

 

[apuchar]

So why is Banfield still in the side? JL been carrying him for years. Logue before him.

Banna's was excellent in the WB game. Hard to drop him.

 

[Big Animal]

We might have to do what the Dees with Nathan Jones. Not everyone gets to have a fairytale ending.

apples and cumquots. Jones was injured, going home to see the birth of his twins, and they won by 74 points. Even if he wasn't injured, and he was happy to catch up with the twins for a beer later on, Melbourne still would have won. By a LOT.

 

[Bicco]

I'm pretty conflicted on Fyfe.
I rewatched the last 1/4 and x3 times at a ballup, Fyfes direct opponent won the clearance. Library x2 and Bont x1.
As concerning for me was at one centre clearance the ball went towards the WB goal Serong (i think) was super clean while Fyfe was maybe trying to shepherd but fell over for almost no reason. In my time of watching and being involved in sport, falling over with very little reason to do so is a sign of a lack of confidence in your own ability to impact. It's as if your brain is giving you a 'get out of jail' card.
The other side is that I've watched enough sport to know that you never right off a champion. And Fyfe is definitely one of those.
I don't really see where he plays in a fast final like Sundays game was. A slow wet game, then yes. He's a bit one dimensional.
The solution I think is to start him but from the bench. Get him into the game.
Play him as a pseudo wing. Dump him on the fat side, if he's still a great 1v1 mark, he's a brilliant option for the kickins on the opposite side of the ground to the usual Jackson/Treacy targets. Mix it up a bit and make the opposition think.
I love Fyfe and I'd love to see him rip a 1/4 apart once more and turn the game. It's just painfully obvious that that window is getting smaller.

 

[jmtheo]

I'm pretty conflicted on Fyfe.
I rewatched the last 1/4 and x3 times at a ballup, Fyfes direct opponent won the clearance. Library x2 and Bont x1.
As concerning for me was at one centre clearance the ball went towards the WB goal Serong (i think) was super clean while Fyfe was maybe trying to shepherd but fell over for almost no reason. In my time of watching and being involved in sport, falling over with very little reason to do so is a sign of a lack of confidence in your own ability to impact. It's as if your brain is giving you a 'get out of jail' card.
The other side is that I've watched enough sport to know that you never right off a champion. And Fyfe is definitely one of those.
I don't really see where he plays in a fast final like Sundays game was. A slow wet game, then yes. He's a bit one dimensional.
The solution I think is to start him but from the bench. Get him into the game.
Play him as a pseudo wing. Dump him on the fat side, if he's still a great 1v1 mark, he's a brilliant option for the kickins on the opposite side of the ground to the usual Jackson/Treacy targets. Mix it up a bit and make the opposition think.
I love Fyfe and I'd love to see him rip a 1/4 apart once more and turn the game. It's just painfully obvious that that window is getting smaller.

Test your eyes or take off your tainted glasses. That play with Serong was a block that lead to a goal. Sounding like you know nothing about footy when you type that shite.

 

[Lach72]

Wags done for the year and off for surgery to his pectoral

 

[fleur]

apples and cumquots. Jones was injured, going home to see the birth of his twins, and they won by 74 points. Even if he wasn't injured, and he was happy to catch up with the twins for a beer later on, Melbourne still would have won. By a LOT.

How much are we going to win the granny by? Or even the next game by? Dees wouldn’t have known before the game either

 

[Catalpa]

If the decision is made by the match comittee for the 22 to carry Nat's cold dead body to the MCG on the last game in September, coffin draped in the sub vest then I'll honour their decision, because it will show every player in that team what sort of club we are, give Freo your all and we'll do everything in our power to help you achieve your dreams.

it worked for the Spanish army in 1099 when they strapped the legendary El Cid, their dead military commander, to a horse and followed him into a battle. They won.

Like many I've had my doubts about Fyfe this year, but now I am converted. Viva El Fyfe!!

 

[Bicco]

Test your eyes or take off your tainted glasses. That play with Serong was a block that lead to a goal. Sounding like you know nothing about footy when you type that shite.

I know exactly what it was *******. He went to shepherd and fell over. Want to comment on his his direct opponent getting the ball 3/3 times?
You know that people can question Fyfes contributions AND still support the team? The two things aren't mutually exclusive.
Pull your head in and have a think about what you write and how you communicate with people on this forum 'Rookie '.

 

[Boomer93]

Lots of painful calls have been made on players in the past. Nathan Jones is one example.

Its very sad. But Fyfe needs to be dropped. If any other players dished up what Fyfe has been dishing up no one would even consider accepting it. I have been harsh on Erasmus in the past, but Erasmus is twice the player that current Fyfe is. Theres no way we should go in to a final with Fyfe over a Johnson, Erasmus, Worner type, Noddy has been in poor form, I garuntee he would have had more impact coming on as sub and straight in to the guts on Sunday than Fyfes shambles.

Fyfe is nervous and lacks confidence with the ball. He has massive issues with his kicking. He has no confidence in his body. And worst of all, even when coming on as sub in last quarters, is the slowest on defensive transition.

Look at the spark Archie Jones gave the dogs coming on as sub. You dont think having a Noddy or Dudley coming in as sub gives us more chance of impact?

 

[jmtheo]

I know exactly what it was *******. He went to shepherd and fell over. Want to comment on his his direct opponent getting the ball 3/3 times?
You know that people can question Fyfes contributions AND still support the team? The two things aren't mutually exclusive.
Pull your head in and have a think about what you write and how you communicate with people on this forum 'Rookie '.

Clueless. Brayshaw, Serong, Jackson, Darcy, Bolton, Johnson, O'Driscoll, et al floating around the middle, have had howlers at times and let through many more than 3/3... This has been the biggest problem for the team all season - when they don't win clearance, they get belted. I seriously question your game understanding and/or observational ability. If you think I'm wrong, prove it.

 

[Stinky Lomax]

Fyfe needs a big 2 weeks on the track training at full speed. If he pulls something, so be it but the team needs to know he can play 3 quarters of footy if needed.
His presence in the warm up & during the game even on the bench cannot be underestimated & if we are playing GC & are struggling at the contest which is their strength he could come in & play an important role.

 

[Snuffaluphagus]

Fyfe needs a big 2 weeks on the track training at full speed. If he pulls something, so be it but the team needs to know he can play 3 quarters of footy if needed.
His presence in the warm up & during the game even on the bench cannot be underestimated & if we are playing GC & are struggling at the contest which is their strength he could come in & play an important role.

I agree with this approach. He needs to be going at 110% at training for two weeks to prove he's close to at the required level.

End of the day, Fyfe is a player I'm willing to sacrifice 2% of negative net impact on the team for him to be sub anyway.

 

[Snuffaluphagus]

Clueless. Brayshaw, Serong, Jackson, Darcy, Bolton, Johnson, O'Driscoll, et al floating around the middle, have had howlers at times and let through many more than 3/3... This has been the biggest problem for the team all season - when they don't win clearance, they get belted. I seriously question your game understanding and/or observational ability. If you think I'm wrong, prove it.

You are wrong and continuing to attack people who are posting perfectly reasonable opinions is not the way to go about backing up a player

 

[The Round House Drunk]

I think the match committee has obviously made the decision (rightly or wrongly) to let Fyfe play out the year as sub.

He will not be dropped for the Elimination Final, his last ever game at Optus.

Yes, others could potentially have a bigger impact in the sub role by injecting more run and carry. It would appear that the match committee values the intangibles that Fyfe offers (experience, leadership, on-field coaching etc).

I back the match committee in that decision. It will be an issue though if we cop an injury early in a game and Nat has to play more than a quarter and a bit.

 

[jmtheo]

You are wrong and continuing to attack people who are posting perfectly reasonable opinions is not the way to go about backing up a player

Agree to disagree. The blind Fyfe criticism is statistically unfounded. I'm calling it out as it's becoming a bogan mantra on the forum and it's getting tedious filtering the noise.

 

[Raz]

The Forums are full or arm chair experts. That is what the forum is for .

So everyone is entitled to their opinion , whether we agree or not , we should not goto name calling, whether it is simply referring to people as idiots. silly etc jsut let them be, Post why you disagree , but dont belittle people

Move along

 

[Snuffaluphagus]

Agree to disagree. The blind Fyfe criticism is statistically unfounded. I'm calling it out as it's becoming a bogan mantra on the forum and it's getting tedious filtering the noise.

I think you just have trouble communicating without sliding in a cheeky insult for some reason. I challenge you to try responding without basically calling someone an idiot

 

[VolgaBoatman]

Fyfe isn't going to be dropped for the first final. JLo pretty much indicated as much in his press conference. Whether he deserves his spot is a different question.

I personally hope he stays in and has an impact in a big win. Basically I think O'Driscoll in for WAGs is the most likely, though Johnson is a possibility.

 

[jmtheo]

The Forums are full or arm chair experts. That is what the forum is for .

So everyone is entitled to their opinion , whether we agree or not , we should not goto name calling, whether it is simply referring to people as idiots. silly etc jsut let them be, Post why you disagree , but dont belittle people

Move along

There's been no abuse from my end, but one of the others had a 'descriptive word' automatically removed... No problem though, doesn't bother me.
However, bold, factually incorrect statements are annoying, especially if they're starting to propagate. Why shouldn't that be challenged? And what's wrong with adding a little flavour to a reply if it's not abusive?

 

[Sherriff Incorporated]

You are wrong and continuing to attack people who are posting perfectly reasonable opinions is not the way to go about backing up a player

I don't mind Fyfe staying in for a final personally but to imply his position shouldn't be questionable doesn't follow what's happened historically when a sub player struggles to make an impact. Erasmus was dropped earlier this year for the exact same reason Fyfe's position should be discussed. A player who struggles to make an impact as sub has been dropped the week after more often than not. Id select Fyfe but his position shouldn't be automatic just like every other player.

 

[jmtheo]

Anyway... Fyfe 'in' is a must for finals. Experience, leadership, calmness, big-bodied, flashes of past brilliance, and clearance knowledge the younger mids can only dream of at this point in the careers. Underestimate his impact to your own detriment. The opposition won't dismiss him, and that's exactly why JL limited his minutes last game (good tactic). Bont was off the chain doing what he wanted and our ability to clear the ball at centre wasn't a priority, defensive stoppage positioning was (or the attempt to implement). Even Brownlow Fyfe wouldn't stop that Bont surge, though he probably would have negated it by winning his own ball.

 

[332docker]

Agree to disagree. The blind Fyfe criticism is statistically unfounded. I'm calling it out as it's becoming a bogan mantra on the forum and it's getting tedious filtering the noise.

We are not losing a game because of who we pick as our 23rd player

Everyone needs to move on

It’s probably only media trolls pushing the negative narrative anyway

 

[Tbonefreo]

Release the beast

Dudley in!!!