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- Jul 20, 2002
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#1
I would have to say we do in some games when we are down or even sometimes before the start. In the 2002 round 7 game against Brisbane we didn't even seem to start it with the intention of winning, and certainly after Brisbane's quick 5-goal start we went into our shell. I know we stayed within 4 goals early in the last quarter but I never felt we were going to win. And last year in the preliminary final I felt this was going to ridiculous lengths. In the home and away you may want to protect percentage but what is the point of minimising the loss in an all-or-nothing final?
And the two pre-season games against Adelaide and Carlton come into this defensive category too. Both games we were more than 2 goals up early in the last quarter going to the scoring end. We should have run all over them but we prtected a lead and let them camp in our forward lines, which only gives them the chance of grabbing a loose ball and snapping a goal.
I can never understand why defensive play seems to be favored. If we stay forward, when the other team gets the ball they can only kick it to half back. If we defend, the other team can kick a goal or to an attacker in position. And if they do score with a run from the backs, at least they have had to make the effort to do it.
And the two pre-season games against Adelaide and Carlton come into this defensive category too. Both games we were more than 2 goals up early in the last quarter going to the scoring end. We should have run all over them but we prtected a lead and let them camp in our forward lines, which only gives them the chance of grabbing a loose ball and snapping a goal.
I can never understand why defensive play seems to be favored. If we stay forward, when the other team gets the ball they can only kick it to half back. If we defend, the other team can kick a goal or to an attacker in position. And if they do score with a run from the backs, at least they have had to make the effort to do it.

