Some musings:
*I already knew we were shit, but playing against Richmond just lays bare how far off we are.
*They are a well organised and drilled football team. They have a clear game plan that the players believe in and trust. All the players understand and play their roles. The players play as a team and not for themselves. They give 100% effort for the duration of the game, every week. And because they have all that, it doesn't matter anywhere near as much if they need to bring in young, inexperienced players to cover for injuries.
*We are a disorganized football team. Our game plan is a mystery and, based on performance, the players either don't follow it, or trust it. Our players aren't playing as a team - there's no connection, and evidently a lack of understanding between players on the ground (the amount of times our players spoiled each other or fought over the same ball was embarrassing). Our defensive running efforts fluctuate on a whim.
*Lost the tackle count by 20 despite having 40 less possessions.
*Our delivery into the forward line after quarter time was the same old shit as we've been serving up since the start of the season - shallow entries to 50/50 contests or bombs to no one in particular. Combine that with our shit forward line pressure - 3 inside 50 tackles for the game (Yes, that's right. 3) - and we're never going to be in the game.
*Our midfield defensive running is a disgrace. Tigers had the 5 players with the most km's covered in the game. Until Brayshaw, Oliver, Viney and co understand that anything less than 100% effort in defensive running when we don't have the ball is unacceptable, we won't be winning many games.
*Our exits from D50 were predictable and uninspiring. What are we training them to do in this regard??? If we somehow thought that we would be able to transition the ball up the ground serving up that same old rubbish time and time again, then we've list it.
Minor positives:
*Stretch was good. Keep him in for a few ganes please.
*Hats off to our defence - we should've lost by 90+. Frost and Hore were good again under trying circumstances. TMac looked slow and had me covering my eyes a few times though....
*Need the ball in Melksham's and Salem's hands coming through the midfield. It's the only time we look even remotely dangerous.
Our confidence is gone and we looked mentally shot by the end of the game. I genuinely have no idea where to from here.