Preview Round 3: Changes/prematch discussion vs Hawthorn

[StiffArm]

you're a savage lot...

Had we kicked the three last goals instead of brisbane, would the mood be the same?

 

[Heaps of fun]

I think many in here would be whistling a different tune if we won the flag last year instead of finishing 9th.

 

[shintemaster]

you're a savage lot...

Had we kicked the three last goals instead of brisbane, would the mood be the same?

A bit like asking if we'd won the premiership last year instead of missing finals would the mood be the same.

 

[RobZombie]

McGowan has come from the clouds as having the good oil. Has he replaced Nick Bowen as our official AFL media liaison?

Bowen has apparently left AFL media and McGowan now has the NM beat there.

 

[Caracas]

Jeez, if Ahern doesn’t come in, I think Brad is outing himself as a sadomasochist!


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[Tas]

you're a savage lot...

Had we kicked the three last goals instead of brisbane, would the mood be the same?

If we had won every game for the last ten years the mood would have been different as well. The problem is we don't live in an alternate reality where this fantasy world exists.

 

[giantroo]

 

[SMaturin]

I'm rating McGowan so far.

 

[King Corey]

Looks like Jy Simpkin is the latest lucky player to be given the "going to play you until you're so out of form you'll lose interest in the game" jersey.

 

[Harris 10]

Looks like Jy Simpkin is the latest lucky player to be given the "going to play you until you're so out of form you'll lose interest in the game" jersey.

It was a bad press conference, the quote about Simpkin is amazing.

Wood finally gets dropped for shocking form, goes back to the twos and does f all and comes back in to the squad.

 

[Tiberius]

So if you run to the right spot, but the ball doesn't get there, doesn't that make it the wrong spot?

 

[shintemaster]

Looks like Jy Simpkin is the latest lucky player to be given the "going to play you until you're so out of form you'll lose interest in the game" jersey.

I'd happily push him forward. In fact, even though the wisdom on here is that our issues are primarily midfield and pressure related I'd like to see a much more attacking forward line. If he's in the team I'd like him forward, along with Higgins. I have no issue with Atley and I'm not an anti Turner type but would happily push either out for Higgins. I want to see a forward line that is somewhat based on the concept of kicking goals before worrying about shutting down opposition.

 

[Tas]

When should have been two rounds ago.

 

[Val Keating]

If they’re planning on running Ziebell through the middle more then Wood has to play

 

[Twinkletoes]

I'm rating McGowan so far.

Same here. He has subtle and well deserved digs with the tone he uses.

 

[King Corey]

So if you run to the right spot, but the ball doesn't get there, doesn't that make it the wrong spot?

No. Maybe it was the ball's fault that it didn't work out?

Or the club doctor's fault.

Or the roof's fault.

Or perhaps because of these new rules.

Or because of this terrible stormy weather we're having.

Or the fact we have lots of young players who are frustrating all the other players with their inability to learn the gameplan.

Or the fact we have lots of new players who haven't achieved SynergyTM yet?

 

[GreatBradScott]

you're a savage lot...

Had we kicked the three last goals instead of brisbane, would the mood be the same?

That means we're 22 from the last 60. Let me pose a question to you - is that acceptable?

 

[King Corey]

Sliding Doors 4/4/19:

If they’re planning on running Ziebell through the middle...

...then North Melbourne clearly think utilising classy disposal in the midfield is a bit overrated.

 

[Caracas]

I'd happily push him forward. In fact, even though the wisdom on here is that our issues are primarily midfield and pressure related I'd like to see a much more attacking forward line. If he's in the team I'd like him forward, along with Higgins. I have no issue with Atley and I'm not an anti Turner type but would happily push either out for Higgins. I want to see a forward line that is somewhat based on the concept of kicking goals before worrying about shutting down opposition.

The million dollar question in all of this is whether the performances of people like Jy and Mason (even Atley) are due to their own individual crapness or due to a breakdown in other parts of the team (eg, centre clearances) that renders them unable to perform the role to which they are best suited. My hope is that the latter is the case - as it would break my heart to think that both Simpkin and Wood have become just plain useless. However, that would still leave the centre clearance problem to be resolved. That needs to happen this week. The loss of Burgoyne helps...

 

[Tiberius]

No. Maybe it was the ball's fault that it didn't work out?

Or the club doctor's fault.

Or the roof's fault.

Or perhaps because of these new rules.

Or because of this terrible stormy weather we're having.

Or the fact we have lots of young players who are frustrating all the other players with their inability to learn the gameplan.

Or the fact we have lots of new players who haven't achieved SynergyTM yet?

Fair points all. There are so many factors that a simpleton like me hadn't considered. I just assumed that the object of the game was to get to where the ball is, rather than where it should be. Ball seemed to bounce ok for Lachie Neale though, guess he was just lucky.

 

[shintemaster]

The million dollar question in all of this is whether the performances of people like Jy and Mason (even Atley) are due to their own individual crapness or due to a breakdown in other parts of the team (eg, centre clearances) that renders them unable to perform the role to which they are best suited. My hope is that the latter is the case - as it would break my heart to think that both Simpkin and Wood have become just plain useless. However, that would still leave the centre clearance problem to be resolved. That needs to happen this week. The loss of Burgoyne helps...

Sure. I'm always of a mind to be careful with writing off players when the rest of the team isn't doing well. FWIW though I do think that when a team is struggling you still eliminate those who are struggling the most. They might not be the cause but if you stand out the most in a poorly performing team then you still should make way for someone who may help arrest that trend. The time for experimentation with these players is when you're flying and can cover them - or when you're completely out of the race and need to sort through the wheat and the chaff. We might be heading towards the latter but we're not there yet. I also don't see playing a few games in the VFL as a death sentence - if you're not good enough to force your way back in, then you're not good enough.

TLDR version - I don't care I want players in the team that can touch the ball or their opponent before worrying about the transient nature of individual performance in a team sport.

 

[TennisPlayerAndy]

The man's a fruitcake.

If Ahern is behind Simpkin in selection, then I fear for Paul ever playing a game again.

 

[King Corey]

Fair points all. There are so many factors that a simpleton like me hadn't considered. I just assumed that the object of the game was to get to where the ball is, rather than where it should be. Ball seemed to bounce ok for Lachie Neale though, guess he was just lucky.

Now you're getting it.

Fwiw it's interesting to hear the other side:
✔@BrisbaneLionsFC
Replying to @BrisbaneLionsFC

Fagan: Lachie Neale had a poor pre-season, and I pulled him in to show him some vision where he got to the wrong spots but the ball just bounced his way.

 

[Caracas]

By the sound of things, Jed seems to very anxious to play. To be honest, if he is going to get re-injured, I'd prefer it to happen in the AFL rather than the VFL. That's just me. I, also, was interested in what he had to say about the team's performances thus far:-
“It’s frustrating, but you can see the boys are trying to do what we speak about, but it’s just not coming together at the moment,” he added.
“I think the balance will come, and once we do get it right, we’ll start getting some wins on the board and start tracking in the right direction.”

One could argue that he's just stating the obvious. I'm prepared to buy into it for the moment.

 

[Clarke is King]

I am as flat as anyone about where we are as a football club but the jokes re: Bard Scotts excuses have been unbelievably funny of late. I know some of you hate negativity and anyone making a joke of our situation/shit list /biased coach/ladder position etc. but the humour has been the only thing keeping me going.