Do we have a problem with Docklands?

[Pollywaffle]

Can some stats guru check the last few years and see whether this ground has been a problem for us.-- ie tight games or defeats . I just get the feeling that when we do play there we seem to be below par (but it might just be my imagination )

BTW North are not a bad unit ATM and I expect them to figure in September as a darky so I won't slash the wrists just yet .
Maybe if we get beaten at home next week

 

[Glassjaw]

Top of my head I'd say most of our losses (at least percentage wise) would be at the G.

 

[Footy_Fan2007]

2007
4 wins
1 loss

2008
5 wins
0 losses

2009
2 wins
2 losses

2010
3 wins
0 losses

2011
2 wins
1 loss

Total
16 wins
4 losses

 

[Glassjaw]

Since the start of our run (Round 6 2007):

ANZ - 3/3 - 100%
SCG - 1/1 - 100%
Metricon - 1/1 - 100%
Simmonds - 35/37 - 94.6%
AAMI - 6/7 - 85.7%
MCG - 31/38 - 81.6%
Etihad - 17/21 - 81%
Gabba - 3/4 - 75%
Subiaco - 7/10 - 70%

 

[SJ]

In 2007-2008 we arguably played our best footy at Etihad. In this period we were blowing all-comers off the park there with our "tsunami football", our run and carry (similar to North last night) proving a nightmare even for other premiership contenders.

In the last couple of seasons as our game style has completely changed to being completely reliant on contested footy, smart ball use, and classy finishers, we've been exploited at Etihad by other teams who have a comparative advantage in a fast and deep midfield (like we used to have - here I'm thinking of Carlton, Essendon and North).

 

[Poetic Justice]

Interesting, when you look at the stats as posted by Glassjaw you do notice that Etihad has been our worse performed ground. Until now, I've always thought something along the lines of "We're a better chance at Etihad..." now I'll think twice.

 

[Rosso]

I think so. There's no parking near it and it costs a fortune for food.

Oh yeah, there was no clock in the first quarter either.

They're my problems with the Docklands.

 

[Footy_Fan2007]

I think so. There's no parking near it and it costs a fortune for food.

Oh yeah, there was no clock in the first quarter either.

They're my problems with the Docklands.

Notice that to. Was pretty pissed off with that. However my anger for having no clock soon turned into anger at the game of football i was watching.

 

[Vdubs]

Apart from being old and slow, young and inexperienced, no.

 

[Footy_Fan2007]

Apart from being old and slow, young and inexperienced, no.

I take it your off the bandwagon then?

 

[darren forssman]

In 2007-2008 we arguably played our best footy at Etihad. In this period we were blowing all-comers off the park there with our "tsunami football", our run and carry (similar to North last night) proving a nightmare even for other premiership contenders.

In the last couple of seasons as our game style has completely changed to being completely reliant on contested footy, smart ball use, and classy finishers, we've been exploited at Etihad by other teams who have a comparative advantage in a fast and deep midfield (like we used to have - here I'm thinking of Carlton, Essendon and North).

summed it up perfectly...always thought we would struggle against the roo's at jihad and think the blues and bummers games will be danger games this year there as well.

 

[Rushed_Behind]

just from the outside, i dont think you guys have a problem with any ground. By about RD 6 you will be purring. pardon the pun

 

[Vdubs]

I take it your off the bandwagon then?

It's not entirely the ground, but teams like NM, Carlton and Bombers exploit their strengths and our weaknesses on that ground. And we'll feel it more so this year at times, as evidenced Sunday pm.

 

[Kittycat]

It was 27 degrees in that hole for most of the game on Sunday...we always play poorly in the heat...

 

[Footy_Fan2007]

It was 27 degrees in that hole for most of the game on Sunday...we always play poorly in the heat...

I'm suprised the roof wasnt open. It was a perfect day for football.

 

[Rellik666]

I think this contributed to our lack of skill with the ball. The players looked very hot and wet very early on.

The only reason I can think that someone would have the roof closed on such a day is to stop sun glare as the sun set. But I think any disadvantage in that was offset by the horrible heat!

Yuck!

 

[Kittycat]

The top lights are also really bright.. I am sure they added to the temperature. It wasnt ideal for good Geelong footy full on

 

[kickazz]

In 2007-2008 we arguably played our best footy at Etihad. In this period we were blowing all-comers off the park there with our "tsunami football", our run and carry (similar to North last night) proving a nightmare even for other premiership contenders.

In the last couple of seasons as our game style has completely changed to being completely reliant on contested footy, smart ball use, and classy finishers, we've been exploited at Etihad by other teams who have a comparative advantage in a fast and deep midfield (like we used to have - here I'm thinking of Carlton, Essendon and North).

So true. Watching North was like watching us five years ago. The evolution in the game plan means we are now more suited to the MCG than the hard, fast and windless Etihad.

Note we got many goals from our KPFs - but on the occasions where we didn't take the mark it was often run out with ease - coast to coast. This rapid exit from our forward line was also prevalent last year against Carlton.

I think for the next game at Etihad we really need to focus on keeping one or two smalls deep to either kick crumbing goals or at least force a stoppage.

 

[witsend]

Nope...
They don't play PF or GF at Docklands.
I came away from Etihad on Sunday disappointed with the loss but with the overwhelming feeling that it couldn't have been more different from Monday's game at the G.
One was finals footy...the other wasn't.
Case in point: Harvey 38 possessions-0 tackles!!

 

[Vdubs]

Nope...
They don't play PF or GF at Docklands.
I came away from Etihad on Sunday disappointed with the loss but with the overwhelming feeling that it couldn't have been more different from Monday's game at the G.
One was finals footy...the other wasn't.
Case in point: Harvey 38 possessions-0 tackles!!

Fair point about Boomer, but he was their major playmaker, got it 38x, doubt if he got tackled himself, and why/who would he need to have tackled. May have been different from the Hawks game, but are they really the benchmark team? Is that game style between Cats/Hawks necessarily a preview or prototype game for all GF's? It may well be, but Blues/ WCE played a very inspiring final last year, and it was worthy of a GF, and could well be this year, with a different style.

BUT AS YOU SAY, NO GF/PRELIMS AT ETIHAD.

 

[Badtemperedbadger]

Nope...
They don't play PF or GF at Docklands.
I came away from Etihad on Sunday disappointed with the loss but with the overwhelming feeling that it couldn't have been more different from Monday's game at the G.
One was finals footy...the other wasn't.
Case in point: Harvey 38 possessions-0 tackles!!

Yeah intersting wasn't it. it was almost like they decided to take on a shootout which is so contrary to what we normally do.

Gee as good as North were we still had 34 shots on goal, not really the sort of game you want to tak into sept/Oct I would have thought.

Goes for both North and GFC by the way.

 

[Tas]

Yeah intersting wasn't it. it was almost like they decided to take on a shootout which is so contrary to what we normally do.

Gee as good as North were we still had 34 shots on goal, not really the sort of game you want to tak into sept/Oct I would have thought.

Goes for both North and GFC by the way.

When you look at our back 6 that game it was:
Firrito 173 games (majority in defence)
McMahon 92 games (most in defence)
Thompson 75 games (all in defence)
Wright 35 games (most up forward)
Delaney 9 games (all in defence)
Atley 19 games (most in the middle)

Number of games all have played together in the back, 1.

We still have Hansen, Grima and Pedersen to come back into the side, possibly. We might lose one medium for a tall against a side with three tall forwards perhaps.

I think the more the group plays together defensively the better they will get defensively, I don't think some are instinctively moving to cover other players or fill holes as you would expect, the best at it are the experienced players.

 

[Pollywaffle]

In 2007-2008 we arguably played our best footy at Etihad. In this period we were blowing all-comers off the park there with our "tsunami football", our run and carry (similar to North last night) proving a nightmare even for other premiership contenders.

In the last couple of seasons as our game style has completely changed to being completely reliant on contested footy, smart ball use, and classy finishers, we've been exploited at Etihad by other teams who have a comparative advantage in a fast and deep midfield (like we used to have - here I'm thinking of Carlton, Essendon and North).

Great insight - I guess that helps answer why I got the feeling that etihad was a bit of a slog for us ( and may get worse ?)

 

[witsend]

Sunday was a "perfect storm" of reasons for us to lose.

1: North playing very, very well
2: 8 day turnaround for them after almost a bye against a VFL standard team
3: 6 day turnaround for us after a finals type bruising slog of a game
4: Emotional letdown for us after getting "up" for a traditional rival
5: Haven't played on a fast surface like that for maybe 6 months
6: Injuries to critical players in Wojo, Hunt, TV and Scarlett
7: Still adjusting to life with Ling and Ottens
8: We played flat and shit

Despite all that we still gave them a tiny scare late in the game, although clearly the finals score flattered us.

I really think we will struggle at Etihad this year.
Even Essendon beat us there last year.

 

[Vdubs]

Sunday was a "perfect storm" of reasons for us to lose.

1: North playing very, very well
2: 8 day turnaround for them after almost a bye against a VFL standard team
3: 6 day turnaround for us after a finals type bruising slog of a game
4: Emotional letdown for us after getting "up" for a traditional rival
5: Haven't played on a fast surface like that for maybe 6 months
6: Injuries to critical players in Wojo, Hunt, TV and Scarlett
7: Still adjusting to life with Ling and Ottens
8: We played flat and shit

Despite all that we still gave them a tiny scare late in the game, although clearly the finals score flattered us.

I really think we will struggle at Etihad this year.
Even Essendon beat us there last year.

Agree with all your points, and I see you think we'll struggle this week at Geelong against Tigers as well?