Changes v West Coast

[R_Gray_Jnr_Jnr]

The question begs, were we ever that good?

Richmond in the EF, perhaps just had a poor day. Freo switched off with a quarter to go and we got lucky in the semi. Hawks also switched off with a quarter to go.

Pretty easy draw in 2013.

= Ridiculous expectations from that lucky but easyish year, have now lead our players to believe they are better than what they are, and accodingly our list managers too. All it's done is cashed up our players i.e. Boak, Gray, Ebert, Wines, Wingard, Hartlett and the coach (extension to contract) and for what. The shit we are dishing out at the moment.

My theory is we were never that good, we are way off the pace. Even if we had Ryder Gus and Schulz we'd probably still be doing shit coz mentally we are hopeless

 

[PAFC66]

The question begs, were we ever that good?

Richmond in the EF, perhaps just had a poor day. Freo switched off with a quarter to go and we got lucky in the semi. Hawks also switched off with a quarter to go.

Pretty easy draw in 2013.

= Ridiculous expectations from that lucky but easyish year, have now lead our players to believe they are better than what they are, and accodingly our list managers too. All it's done is cashed up our players i.e. Boak, Gray, Ebert, Wines, Wingard, Hartlett and the coach (extension to contract) and for what. The shit we are dishing out at the moment.

My theory is we were never that good, we are way off the pace. Even if we had Ryder Gus and Schulz we'd probably still be doing shit coz mentally we are hopeless

Looking at those results with a glass half full attempt is easy to do after 4-4 against average sides. Had we won a couple more we'd look at it differently. I agree with most of that however we still know that our BEST is good enough it's just that we haven't got anywhere near that due to multiple reasons.

 

[PAFC66]

If we go into this game with a small backline we'll get pumped. I think we should be rushing carlile back is quick as possible. We need an extra tall to lock it in which we can't do at all.

 

[Schulzenfest]

Oh I agree. Selecting Amon ahead of him was insane. Trouble is that would have probably meant a win last week, this week it'll probably just reduce the pummelling we're going to get.

Bringing in the bloke who cost us a win against Carlton last year would have given us a win against Carlton this year?

 

[carnthemaggies]

The question begs, were we ever that good?

Richmond in the EF, perhaps just had a poor day. Freo switched off with a quarter to go and we got lucky in the semi. Hawks also switched off with a quarter to go.

Pretty easy draw in 2013.

= Ridiculous expectations from that lucky but easyish year, have now lead our players to believe they are better than what they are, and accodingly our list managers too. All it's done is cashed up our players i.e. Boak, Gray, Ebert, Wines, Wingard, Hartlett and the coach (extension to contract) and for what. The shit we are dishing out at the moment.

My theory is we were never that good, we are way off the pace. Even if we had Ryder Gus and Schulz we'd probably still be doing shit coz mentally we are hopeless

I think we were a top 6 side when firing. our work in stoppages was much better. We were really well drilled in hand balling out of tight spaces. Think of the semi final against Geelong in 2013. A lot of our play in that game showed we were worthy finalists. Tough instinctive attacking footy. Some great team goals. Early rounds of 2014 were also decent ( epic game against Sydney) and we returned to have a great finals season. Beating freo at home was a great win though freo didn't take their chances. Manic rather than mature performance in the prelim. First game against freo 2015 was a quality performance , then only seen again against hawks at etihad. Besides these two games, there hasn't been any top 4/6 performances in last season and a half. Everyone has seen what this team Is capable of. That's why we are so disappointed.

 

[raptalia]

Robbie Gray and Carlile must come back in. O'Shea must go then any one of Amon, Neade, Ah Chee must be looking at the drop. I know that Jake Neade has his fans but he needs to be more consistent. One hot quarter every few games is not enough. Ah Chee and Amon typify what has happened to this side over the past two years. When they first came to the side they were exciting prospects but neither has done enough with their opportunities in 2016. All three will not get the chop but I would not argue if one of the three did.

I am not that rapt with Nathan Krakouer either, he did well in the Richmond game but I have not seen much of him since. Krakouer is averaging a touch over 12 disposals a game albeit with limited TOG. In the Richmond game Krak had 5 tackles but has managed just 2 more in two games. I would not drop Krakouer at this stage but I would not be surprised if those who matter did.

At this stage there is no room for favourites and those who do no perform must run the risk of being dropped.

 

[240volt]

Looks like we'll be lucky to get 25k this weekend then if the rest of our supporters have that attitude

After last weeks effort they dont deserve 25 goats turning up. Its not that we lost its the way we lost. If you give it your best and its not good enough then thats life people can accept that. This is the most un port adelaide side i have seen in my life. Its not just last week this has been an ongoing thing for sometime now. If your not giving it 100% how can you expect the fans to turn up. They need to pull there finger out to get the respect back from the members and fans. Just read the posts on here, people have had enough of this B/S.

 

[mic59]

There are only three realistic changes that I can see for this game. Gray of course has to come in and Amon or Neade would be the one to go. And Colquhoun could be under consideration. Carlile also could be considered to replace O'Shea. Any ideas of bringing in Butcher, whether that is logical or not are doomed as he is off the table at the moment.
Not that these three changes will happen. Gray must come in but the other two may or may not happen. My opinion is that all three have to be made.

 

[x_les_x]

Trust me we will get belted. Why?
- mcgovern will break the intercept marks record. Taylor creamed us, teams with a third tall in defence we dont match up on i.e bring another tall in to keep them busy. Schofield to hoff mackenzie to dixon or other way around your already sorted
- priddis 40disp 10+ clearences. Natanui will deliver premium service and our mids are b grade apart from gray
- darling will be too strong for whoever we put on him probably jonas or oshea who both are better suited to intercept play. Carlile wont play hombsch will get kennedy and byrne jones will get lycett just because #farken

Ollie is not a B grade mid[/QUOTE]

Wines has not reached the A grade likes of parker, fyfe, kennedy etc. His disposal is absolutely dismal. Ranked 1 in clangers (40) for the whole league, ranked 1 for worst disposal efficiency for the top 20 clearance mids so you can't blame his efficiency on hack kicks from clearances.Most of the premier mids manage at least 65%+ 57.8% that's almost half his kicks or handballs missing targets. That's not A grade.

Numerous times especially on the weekend seeing him live, when he has time and space he tends to butcher the ball. I remember this was one of his weaknesses when we drafted him aswell.

Look I love Ollie and what he has brought to the club since joining, and hes regularly in our bests due to his strength and clearances but his disposal means he is not a grade....yet.

 

[tribey]

The question begs, were we ever that good?

Richmond in the EF, perhaps just had a poor day. Freo switched off with a quarter to go and we got lucky in the semi. Hawks also switched off with a quarter to go.

Pretty easy draw in 2013.

= Ridiculous expectations from that lucky but easyish year, have now lead our players to believe they are better than what they are, and accodingly our list managers too. All it's done is cashed up our players i.e. Boak, Gray, Ebert, Wines, Wingard, Hartlett and the coach (extension to contract) and for what. The shit we are dishing out at the moment.

My theory is we were never that good, we are way off the pace. Even if we had Ryder Gus and Schulz we'd probably still be doing shit coz mentally we are hopeless

To repeat, the answer is no.

22-22 in our last 44 games (two full seasons of football essentially) with our three finals wins being over,

- Collingwood: haven't made the eight since
- Richmond: haven't won a final since 2001
- Fremantle: 0-8 and dead last 18 months later

I think we had something at certain junctures, but we botched every single sliding doors moment we faced.

Had we gotten over the Swans at the SCG and then held firm to beat Essendon and Adelaide when we were still undefeated at the Oval, I don't think anything stops us en route to favouritism in a Grand Final at least.

 

[Sleezy]

Have watched just the first half and so far the bottom three performers are Krak, Boak & Ah Chee.

Krak - worst on - just does not move. Never runs. Kicks off one step and just stays there watvh8ng what unfolds whilst DBJ, Pittard & Hombsch bust a gut to get involved downfield. Got beaten for pace by Cripps ffs. I know he's faster than that cause he chased down deledio from nowhere two weeks ago. Come back when you are willing to get out of bed for the game mate.

Compared to Krak at least Boak was trying, but he just did not take a single clean posession. Got caught holding the ball by Liam Jones - nuff said.

Like every week, things happen when Ah Chee gets the ball, but three times is not enough. Gets lead to the ball, doesn't seem to be able to read it on his own.

Honorable mention to the patented Ebert 'don't argue' with the elbow. Let them tackle you, then fail to push them off and get done holding the ball. It's called a stiff arm for a reason Brad! Gives me the irrits every time.

At this stage it would be:
-Ah Chee out for R Gray.
-Krak out with Broadbent into the backline.
-Young into the middle, Butch into forward line to keep McGovern acountable when Westhoff/Dixon rotate through the ruck.
-One of O'Shea/P Stew for Clurey to help cover WCE's third tall. O'Shea at this stage but P Stew seems to just bomb long which is my pet peeve at the minute.

We'll see what changes with the second half.

 

[Powerade 08]

Krak - worst on - just does not move. Never runs. Kicks off one step and just stays there watvh8ng what unfolds whilst DBJ, Pittard & Hombsch bust a gut to get involved downfield. Got beaten for pace by Cripps ffs. I know he's faster than that cause he chased down deledio from nowhere two weeks ago. Come back when you are willing to get out of bed for the game mate.

Worst bit of play was when he stood in the goal square and watched Rowe take an easy mark on Broadbent in the last qtr. We were officially done when that happened.

 

[Papa G]

Krak seems to get a free ride by many because he does the occassional sublime pass but he is actually very weak/lazy defensively and costs us a lot of goals.

 

[OneGreatClub]

Everyone wanted Krak in and now that Krak has proven not to be the saviour everyone wants Krak dropped. The story of big footy over and over.

 

[blaargh]

If Amon stays in, I'm officially out.

 

[ploppy]

H

Krak seems to get a free ride by many because he does the occassional sublime pass but he is actually very weak/lazy defensively and costs us a lot of goals.

hey..go back and watch his disposals again.. He may kick off one step but so what he hits people on the chest 50 meters away every time when no one else can. Reads the play better than anyone we have as well. Couldn't care how much other players bust a gut or run or tackle..all that doesn't matter when you kick it straight to the opposition.

 

[PAFC66]

H

hey..go back and watch his disposals again.. He may kick off one step but so what he hits people on the chest 50 meters away every time when no one else can. Reads the play better than anyone we have as well. Couldn't care how much other players bust a gut or run or tackle..all that doesn't matter when you kick it straight to the opposition.

A the end of the day he's a defender and he's not doing anything remotely like it.. Leave the creativity to Pittard

 

[raptalia]

hey..go back and watch his disposals again.. He may kick off one step but so what he hits people on the chest 50 meters away every time when no one else can. Reads the play better than anyone we have as well. Couldn't care how much other players bust a gut or run or tackle..all that doesn't matter when you kick it straight to the opposition.

Fair enough to have the skills but you have to get the ball enough to make them count and Krakouer isn't doing that. If you are playing as a defender you also have to tackle and harass the opposition and Krak is not doing enough of that either. I would not drop Krakouer at this stage but he would be on notice. I thought the experiment, that is what it was, of playing Krakouer down back and Impey up forward worked pretty well against Richmond but that is about where things stopped. I thought for a fleeting moment that we had found positions for two players that would benefit us in the long run. Sadly the experiment has stalled which is disappointing. From memory I think Krakouer started on the pine against Brisbane or at least he spent some time sitting things out which was disappointing. Maybe Ken is looking for something that he is not seeing?

Given the position the side is in, and the mood most supporters are in, there are probably only six or so players who are above being dropped and we should not be too surprised if a couple of crowd favourites get axed over the next few weeks. Ken & co did it with Polec so they could do the same with a few others.

 

[Powerstufff]

... Honorable mention to the patented Ebert 'don't argue' with the elbow. Let them tackle you, then fail to push them off and get done holding the ball. It's called a stiff arm for a reason Brad! .....

Nice, I smiled.

 

[drcollossimo]

If Amon stays in, I'm officially out.

I think he will Kern just about made excuses for him on 5aa the other day.

Something like Karl Amon even though he had some poor moments will grow and get better from those experiences or some crap like that. Love how Amon 'grows' but the Toump needs to work on his game ....

 

[Powerstufff]

Everyone wanted Krak in and now that Krak has proven not to be the saviour everyone wants Krak dropped. The story of big footy over and over.

We're only human. We wanted Krak in for what we know he can do, not for his less than optimal performance last weekend. I'm his BF Port board buddy but I was sitting 30m from Krak for most of the last quarter against Carlton and it was like he was somewhere else mentally.
When the club says nothing people react. If the club put out the sort of post-match review of players we see here from time to time would it be the worst thing? And they could add in 'Copped a corky in the 3rd' or something. As of now we have nothing to explain why he and others dropped their heads, all that's left is delayed retribution via the next week's selections when and if it happens.

 

[NEGAN]

I would like an Ebert dropped.

He hurts us more than a Boak in poor form.

 

[Peck]

Everyone wanted Krak in and now that Krak has proven not to be the saviour everyone wants Krak dropped. The story of big footy over and over.

The thing with Krakouer is when he just stands on his own offering zero defensively the way he did on Sunday, then his team mate's all need to work extra hard to create space for him. This is actually great when it works, since he will get the ball out of defensive 50 with ease, essentially generating attacks from the opposition's goal square, and making that 5-10% of work well worth it.

However, when our midfield and forward line drop the ball with regards to pressuring the ball carrier upfield, then there isn't any free space for him to stand around waiting to attack from. When he doesn't defend in this situation, then the opposition score way more often, and the very few times he does get the ball aren't worth it anymore.

While I think the strategy can be fantastic at times, sometimes Krakouer needs to switch his role around just a little bit and either shepherd for his team mate's instead of waiting for them to give the ball to him, or completely sacrifice his chance of creating an attack by defending more, hoping someone else will cover for him if and when we get the ball back.

I believe its genuinely difficult for Krakouer to decide when to switch it up, but even worse when he fails it can look incredibly selfish - even if perhaps it isn't - and that is problematic for other players in the side. If someone like Polec sees Krakouer watch his team mate get tackled when he could have laid a shepherd, then he thinks he can do that too.

I'm probably a bit off as I'm no expert, but I do think I've been a little unfair on Krakouer when calling him selfish. I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt as I don't believe he plays with any ego, and is genuinely just making a mistake rather than trying to boost his performance. There are others I'm not willing to give the benefit of the doubt to though, and the club needs to find a way to stop the players reverting to bad habits in the middle of the game, this is really up to the players on the field to fix though, as the coaches really can't do anything about it once a game has started.

 

[Arsene Wenger]

Amon was in my view brought in so he can try and get some form in before indigenous round next week. This in no way being racist or whatever, but i think we will try to have all our Aboriginal boys playing next week... I think he, Krak, Arch and Neade are all on the edge at the moment if i am honest. We need these lads firing....

 

[Contested Marx]

haha when did we step into the Earth 2 universe where Young is our most consistent forward, no one once this year has said to give Pittard the flick, we want Boak in the back pocket and there's calls for Mitchell to return (actually kind of like those ideas)

I guess it's the same universe where our forwards are too scared to kick for goals and Butcher plays half a dozen good games in the sanfl