Autopsy Rd 4 - Massive choke - Bottomed out again.

[Blue and Blue]

A fair number of posts suggesting umpires played a part in our loss

We, our poor execution lost the game. We had a number of chances all day to either extend a lead or retain it

It was both.
But, only one part of it do we have any control over. Thats the real point.

 

[FRUMPY]

Will they? There is no evidence that this is the case - in fact all the evidence available says the EXACT OPPOSITE. I would have had no issue had Bolton been shown the door at the end of last year - he has shown virtually no improvement this year while the other celler dwellers have come on leaps and bounds.

Take out his Hawthorn gift wins and he is close to the worst coach from a W/L perspective IN THE HISTORY OF THE GAME. No matter how bad your list is that is completely unacceptable to anyone who isn't looking through the most rose tinted glasses imaginable.

The lack of crying at the fact we have 3 wins from our last 35+ games is bewildering and says a lot about people's actual knowledge of modern football.

You mentioned cellar dwellers, ill look at Brisbane, who to me are a year ahead of where our list is. Last year, they lost their first 8 games and 1 of their first 13. They were highly competitive in most of those 13 games and then wins started coming in the 2nd half. They won 4 of their last 9 for a 5 win season. This is where I see our season going.

 

[Cripps2Curnow]

Are you a supporter of the club?

Supporting does not entail blind cheer leading.

 

[Blue Pulse]

A fair number of posts suggesting umpires played a part in our loss

We, our poor execution lost the game. We had a number of chances all day to either extend a lead or retain it

Umpiring was different to how games have been umpired this year, but it went both ways and you must adjust your playing style as a player to suit what the umpires are paying. They were fairly consistent all day in letting the game go.

It is a great deal worse when you have one umpire paying kicks at one end of the ground and another umpire doing the opposite at the other end.

Can we change poor umpiring, No, can we change our poor football, yes.

 

[Cripps2Curnow]

You mentioned cellar dwellers, ill look at Brisbane, who to me are a year ahead of where our list is. Last year, they lost their first 8 games and 1 of their first 13. They were highly competitive in most of those 13 games and then wins started coming in the 2nd half. They won 4 of their last 9 for a 5 win season. This is where I see our season going.

This is a very good point. Fingers crossed you are 100% spot on.

 

[HereComesJuddy]

Supporting does not entail blind cheer leading.

Blind cheering? Oh wow!

 

[thylacine60]

I'm sitting here on a monday morning, and I am just bereft of all joy. How can we not win that game? Being a mid-twenties supporter, i've endured a lot of pain throughout my life as a supporter but this is slowly becoming the nadir. The worst part though, I thought last year was the nadir, i thought the first docherty knee was the nadir. Yet, we keep going deeper down the rabbit-hole of joyless, win-less performances. If someone gave me the option to freeze myself and awaken when we have a fit Sam Docherty and the club was a further 40 games progresssed, i'd take it, because my weekends just aren't enjoyable with the current state of things. Although that option presents a cloud of doubt in itself, what if that never occurs? Knowing our luck over the past five years i'm hesitant to hope that Sam Docherty ever even plays again. Wher once there was light, I cannot see. I hope it is momentary blindness caused by corrupted passion in the face of a truly tragic end to yesterdays game, as I could not handle if we have plummeted through the floor, abandoning the tunnel entirely and descending into the caverns below.

seriously, fbi, if you are bereft of all joy because your football team lost, something else is going on.....

 

[jj1978]

Yesterday we played with arguably:
- The best player atm in the comp in Cripps!
- The best junior player in the comp in Walsh.
- 2 of the in form kpp defenders - Weiters and Jones
- 2 of the best contested marking players in the comp - Harry and Cas
- And a number of kids with huge potential - Charlie, Fisher, SPS, Setterfield

Gold Coast - can't really name anyone from their side bar Sexton and Martin who really stands out at the moment.

I feel for Dow... he was so freaked out by his kicking his last few possessions he was looking to handpass... even if he kicked long in that last passage we may have been better for it... or even gone and taken the shot instead of missing McGovern by a block... but realisation is he cost us at least 3 times.. miss for goal, missed McGovern and the final downfall passage... what dilemma do we have??? back him in... and if he screws up next week again does more damage... play him in the VFL.. does it do more damage??

 

[Cripps2Curnow]

So we're all going for the cheap gotchas now, is that it?

I'm perfectly content being inconsistent and hypocritical; it is only ever when I'm wrong that I have an issue. Perhaps you should try such a mindset on for a tick, it might actually improve your repellent and standoffish personality.

I really do wonder about people sometimes.

Yeah see just because you think you are right in your head, doesn't make it so. Interesting I have always been described as bubbly and if anything, too friendly. Oh well keyboard does not always reflect life. My offer for a beer still stands.

 

[HereComesJuddy]

This is a very good point. Fingers crossed you are 100% spot on.

And if Frumpy isnt spot on no harm no foul. We are playing average and are coming up a fraction short and much better than last year. The improvement is quite easy to see imo

 

[chunkylover53]

In your initial post, you stated that "They've spent 4 seasons together", with the implication being that the time spent was enough to drill them on an AFL level gameplan. My corresponding argument was that no, they hadn't spent that time learning the gameplan on the field - which is the only place it matters - and regardless of individual achievements/development, when they adhere to the gameplan it is productive at the moment.

It isn't that someone who is not a deep thinker about the game cannot learn to play to a gameplan, just that it takes longer for it to get through, and there's still an element of instinct in their play that you don't quite want to dampen. Would you be the person telling Buddy not to be a ball hog, when it's been demonstrated repeatedly that on his day he can kick 10+ goals by not releasing the ball to a better position?


... and the forward structure worked far better, because the talls didn't fly for the same ball.

I disagree with you here.

He's been at the club 4 years. That's 4 years worth of meetings, 4 pre-seasons, probably a few dinner outings and potentially some benders together. Not to mention some footy games. Surely they have now learned enough about each other to know what their roles are. It's a full-time gig.

It shouldn't be this long and difficult for someone to learn these patterns. He's a smart, natural footballer. Mick Turner from the Falcons said he'd never seen anyone like him - even on down days playing a weird role and he can find it 15 times a game. He looks hamstrung at the moment when the 6-6-6 rule should be seeing him flourish.

Hard to fly for the same ball when they are kicked directly to McGovern though. He was 1-on-1 for all of them.

 

[Robertio]

I'm sitting here on a monday morning, and I am just bereft of all joy. How can we not win that game? Being a mid-twenties supporter, i've endured a lot of pain throughout my life as a supporter but this is slowly becoming the nadir. The worst part though, I thought last year was the nadir, i thought the first docherty knee was the nadir. Yet, we keep going deeper down the rabbit-hole of joyless, win-less performances. If someone gave me the option to freeze myself and awaken when we have a fit Sam Docherty and the club was a further 40 games progresssed, i'd take it, because my weekends just aren't enjoyable with the current state of things. Although that option presents a cloud of doubt in itself, what if that never occurs? Knowing our luck over the past five years i'm hesitant to hope that Sam Docherty ever even plays again. Wher once there was light, I cannot see. I hope it is momentary blindness caused by corrupted passion in the face of a truly tragic end to yesterdays game, as I could not handle if we have plummeted through the floor, abandoning the tunnel entirely and descending into the caverns below.

I feel sorry for you being in your mid twenties mate(i really don't). I've seen 8 premierships, but you really posted a shit post yesterday so if we are a sinking ship you do have to make a decision, jump off or stay with the ship.

 

[Cripps2Curnow]

And if Frumpy isnt spot on no harm no foul. We are playing average and are coming up a fraction short on last year. The improvement is quite easy to see imo

This fraction short thing...Scoring is lower this year and all games a lot closer. Are we actually getting closer, or is the flow of the game just making it look that way? My personal view is we are a lot closer and I think our defence is close to being top 4. And no you can't keep losing forever - we need wins by the second half of the year or we must change. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.

 

[Arr0w]

A few basic errors late cost us the game.

1. Dow handball into the middle.
2. McLoving running off the line for no real reason, looked like he was ball watching.
3. Basic skill errors.

I just looked back at my Dow draft year notes and I was worried about his kicking skills each time I watched him. Looks like those concerns are still showing at AFL level. I kind of wish we picked up my love in Cerra.

I wanted Cerra too LM, for that matter, Brayshaw or Constable, but I am not displeased with Dow

 

[FRUMPY]

I wanted Cerra too LM, for that matter, Brayshaw or Constable, but I am not displeased with Dow

Dow is doing the hardest part well at the moment - getting the ball in dangerous positions. Its just his kicking which has been an issue from day dot. Hopefully this can be fixed, seen examples of players where it has worked - carazzo, ed Curnow etc - not great kicks but a lot more competent than when they started.

 

[thylacine60]

Supporting does not entail blind cheer leading.

show me one example of a poster here who changes their mind because of something another poster has written - when we lose this place fills with the likes of you - entitled "supporters" damning and demanding and whingeing, pitted against genuine club allies who call for patience and tolerance to another season of pain - who knows what bolton has done beyond what we see on the ground every week - who knows the connections he has with the younger players, the respect he has with the older players, the plans he has when they are capable of working through his ideas - the braindead element here who suggest a new coach couldn't be any worse couldn't be any more wrong themselves - we stick with bolton or this ship goes down with all hands for mine

 

[Gethelred]

He's been at the club 4 years. That's 4 years worth of meetings, 4 pre-seasons, probably a few dinner outings and potentially some benders together. Not to mention some footy games. Surely they have now learned enough about each other to know what their roles are. It's a full-time gig.

It shouldn't be this long and difficult for someone to learn these patterns. He's a smart, natural footballer. Mick Turner from the Falcons said he'd never seen anyone like him - even on down days playing a weird role and he can find it 15 times a game. He looks hamstrung at the moment when the 6-6-6 rule should be seeing him flourish.

Hard to fly for the same ball when they are kicked directly to McGovern though. He was 1-on-1 for all of them.

Modern gameplans are created to provide one one one contests between players you determine as likely to win them. What seems almost lucky is generally by design.

I don't disagree that Harry and Charlie should know what their roles are, but where we differ is in how they apply it. To look around and think, "Okay, should I be here, should I be over there, where is my man, where is Gov/Charlie/Harry, should I be dragging my man away etc," makes it too late; you're already out of position. You need to play it and to drill it until it becomes instinctive. It's like muscle memory, it only comes with aggressive and repeated training, and you cannot solely teach it in match simulation.

When I say that the gameplan is theoretical to them, what I mean is that they quite possibly could state the gameplan in their sleep verbally, but it's the difference between knowing how to plot your route from Doreen to Mornington using a Melways and getting out there to drive. You might know exactly where you're going, but in the moment you've got to check the map once, twice, three times, and you cannot do that at AFL level without already being in the wrong spot.

 

[Macca43]

Yesterday we played with arguably:
- The best player atm in the comp in Cripps!
- The best junior player in the comp in Walsh.
- 2 of the in form kpp defenders - Weiters and Jones
- 2 of the best contested marking players in the comp - Harry and Cas
- And a number of kids with huge potential - Charlie, Fisher, SPS, Setterfield

Gold Coast - can't really name anyone from their side bar Sexton and Martin who really stands out at the moment.

I feel for Dow... he was so freaked out by his kicking his last few possessions he was looking to handpass... even if he kicked long in that last passage we may have been better for it... or even gone and taken the shot instead of missing McGovern by a block... but realisation is he cost us at least 3 times.. miss for goal, missed McGovern and the final downfall passage... what dilemma do we have??? back him in... and if he screws up next week again does more damage... play him in the VFL.. does it do more damage??

On Dow, you don't get used to AFL pressure playing VFL.

 

[Faz 2000]

To be fair to Charlie, Harry and McLovin, a forward setup of Lockett, Coleman and Hudson would have struggled yesterday with the delivery.

 

[Stiffler's Dad]

It's always darkest before the dawn.

Winter set in a long time ago.
Thank God Game of Thrones kicks off today.
Their Winter is just beginning.
Hope ours ends up shorter than theirs.
Any chance we could pick up John Snow as our international recruit next season or some Dathrakians?

 

[Faz 2000]

On Dow, you don't get used to AFL pressure playing VFL.

Agree. Back him in. It's all mental. He just needs to simplify. Think less. Coaches need to make his game extremely simple; just use what you've got, take the first option, every time, we'll live with it. Don't try to take it all in and make a complex play.

 

[jezzajay]

I know I mentioned this last night on here but for those of you who are looking squarely at Dow please look at this....(hope the link works)

https://www.footywire.com/afl/footy...&pid1=6464&pid2=6464&fid1=S&fid2=P&fopt2=2018

Sure there is some angst on a few of his moments yesterday but surely he will be made aware and will learn from them. He is a smart enough kid/player to squash these issues.
Another year and this kid could be anything!

 

[Arr0w]

Dow is doing the hardest part well at the moment - getting the ball in dangerous positions. Its just his kicking which has been an issue from day dot. Hopefully this can be fixed, seen examples of players where it has worked - carazzo, ed Curnow etc - not great kicks but a lot more competent than when they started.

I don't disagree with you, but have always said the next 3 years of list management/drafting will be the most important ones

 

[FitzroyBlueBagger]

Luckily the MRO is known for consistent application of rules.........

That's not go there

 

[BLUEALLTHRU]

I'm sitting here on a monday morning, and I am just bereft of all joy. How can we not win that game? Being a mid-twenties supporter, i've endured a lot of pain throughout my life as a supporter but this is slowly becoming the nadir. The worst part though, I thought last year was the nadir, i thought the first docherty knee was the nadir. Yet, we keep going deeper down the rabbit-hole of joyless, win-less performances. If someone gave me the option to freeze myself and awaken when we have a fit Sam Docherty and the club was a further 40 games progresssed, i'd take it, because my weekends just aren't enjoyable with the current state of things. Although that option presents a cloud of doubt in itself, what if that never occurs? Knowing our luck over the past five years i'm hesitant to hope that Sam Docherty ever even plays again. Wher once there was light, I cannot see. I hope it is momentary blindness caused by corrupted passion in the face of a truly tragic end to yesterdays game, as I could not handle if we have plummeted through the floor, abandoning the tunnel entirely and descending into the caverns below.

I feel your pain.. During the last 20 years of our less than perfect results I have taken up other hobbies as well as footy such as gardening, playing sport and spending time with family it has made me a more rounded person. I guess what I'm trying to say is Chin up, it's important to remember footy is a sport and be passionate but have other focuses as well. Love your work FBI