Excitement ?

[Mad Dog]

I came home this arvo gutted after yet another home loss.

I quickened my step however at the prospect of settling back with a Coopers and taking in the Hawks v Pies game.

Thoroughly enjoyed watching 2 fast and relentless sides go head to head.

....and it didn't dissappoint....however all it did was show me that we are miles away from being able to compete head to head with the good sides. Sure.....we can strangle them and hope to make a dive for the line with a 9 goal to 8 snoozefest.......but can we really go with them ?



Question: Was it wrong to be more excited at the prospect of watching this game on the tele than I was watching my own side at AAMI ?

Can we regain that spark ?........do we have it in us ????

 

[fryingpan]

I'm pretty sure this is the second time in as many weeks that you've created a thread saying how you've enjoyed watching 2 neutral teams over the Crows....

Something you wanna tell us MD?

 

[just maybe]

I'm sorry to say it but Craig is a defensive-minded coach.

Our game has always been built from defence, and as our midfield decays he is pushing us more and more defensive so we can avoid big losses.

He's too risk-averse.

 

[exit]

Footy Park used to be a fortress. Adelaide would lift a notch and teams would fear coming over to play us. I don't think we have that fear factor any more. Even when we've had average sides in previous years, we were still damn hard to beat at Home. Maybe we need a new home.

 

[Mad Dog]

I'm pretty sure this is the second time in as many weeks that you've created a thread saying how you've enjoyed watching 2 neutral teams over the Crows....

Something you wanna tell us MD?

yes !!!!!

I'm fed up with our lacklustre gameplan.

Sure - we are playing according to the makeup of our squad........the point I'm making is that trying to play a style that avoids our weaknesses as a squad is creating a style that is heavly reliant on skills....(which let us down today)......and is not good enough to complete against the very good sides.

We've beaten Carlton, Richmond, Pt Power, Brisbane, Bulldogs, Sydney........anyone impressed by that ?

Kangaroos are the only up and about side we've been successful against.

I fear it's not going to change until we can draft some players capable of providing a one on one contest in the fwd line

 

[bus24]

Excitement? Today? This season? Hell no!

Frustration, annoyance? HELL YES

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

I'm sorry to say it but Craig is a defensive-minded coach.

Our game has always been built from defence, and as our midfield decays he is pushing us more and more defensive so we can avoid big losses.

He's too risk-averse.

Have you forgotten last season already? Up to Round 16 we had played some of the most brilliant, attacking, high scoring football seen, were heading for a AFL record-high percentage and had one opposition coach describe us as being in another stratosphere.

I'm pretty sure we had the same 'defensive-minded, risk-adverse' coach then. Look at the players who have been out this year - all goal-kicking, goal-creating players. There shouldn't be too much mystery as to why we are scoring less.

 

[adelaide_girl]

I came home this arvo gutted after yet another home loss.

I quickened my step however at the prospect of settling back with a Coopers and taking in the Hawks v Pies game.

Thoroughly enjoyed watching 2 fast and relentless sides go head to head.

....and it didn't dissappoint....however all it did was show me that we are miles away from being able to compete head to head with the good sides. Sure.....we can strangle them and hope to make a dive for the line with a 9 goal to 8 snoozefest.......but can we really go with them ?


Question: Was it wrong to be more excited at the prospect of watching this game on the tele than I was watching my own side at AAMI ?

Can we regain that spark ?........do we have it in us ????

No maddog, I had more pleasure watching the hawks v pies than i did watching us. And I certainly had no desire to torture myself by watching us on the replay tonight.

I have no issue with a defensive gameplan when we are winning, but we have been worked out, the game is constantly evolving. And at the moment sadly most of our games are one demensional, with no real plan B or C.

Maybe if we're lucky they will come out with that exciting brand they played most of last year for the rest of the season, take risks and back themselves. They really seem low on confidence and no faith in their own or their team mates ability.

Ah well lets all get behind the boys against the Hawks next week.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Question: Was it wrong to be more excited at the prospect of watching this game on the tele than I was watching my own side at AAMI ?

I think that almost any game played between two top eight sides at Telstra Dome will be faster, more exciting and higher scoring than any game at the windswept shit hole that is AAMI Stadium. I wonder if any of our players actually like playing there anyway? It certainly looks like they relish their road trips.

 

[just maybe]

Have you forgotten last season already? Up to Round 16 we had played some of the most brilliant, attacking, high scoring football seen, were heading for a AFL record-high percentage and had one opposition coach describe us as being in another stratosphere.

I'm pretty sure we had the same 'defensive-minded, risk-adverse' coach then. Look at the players who have been out this year - all goal-kicking, goal-creating players. There shouldn't be too much mystery as to why we are scoring less.

Last season we made a habit out of crushing mediocre teams. That's all. We've lost that skill this season, basically ever since the infamous 82-point West Coast incident.

The gameplan has been worked out and hasn't changed.

 

[Mad Dog]

Maybe if we're lucky they will come out with that exciting brand they played most of last year for the rest of the season, take risks and back themselves. They really seem low on confidence and no faith in their own or their team mates ability.

This was especially obvious when VB had the ball 55m out on the outer side and (totally out of character) looked like a mesmerised rabbit in a spotlight as he just didn't know what to do with the ball.

Yep - he had nothing to kick to and there was absolutely no movement up forward as no-one seemed to be bothered to make space.

I just thought that 15 seconds summed up our afternoon,

 

[Mad Dog]

I think that almost any game played between two top eight sides at Telstra Dome will be faster, more exciting and higher scoring than any game at the windswept shit hole that is AAMI Stadium. I wonder if any of our players actually like playing there anyway? It certainly looks like they relish their road trips.

there was a 2 goal breeze to the nth east pocket with no rain and not a cloud in the sky.

not an excuse IMO.

 

[Alex99]

No maddog, I had more pleasure watching the hawks v pies than i did watching us. And I certainly had no desire to torture myself by watching us on the replay tonight.

I have no issue with a defensive gameplan when we are winning, but we have been worked out, the game is constantly evolving. And at the moment sadly most of our games are one demensional, with no real plan B or C.

Maybe if we're lucky they will come out with that exciting brand they played most of last year for the rest of the season, take risks and back themselves. They really seem low on confidence and no faith in their own or their team mates ability.

Ah well lets all get behind the boys against the Hawks next week.

Correct weight and agree with it all – well said AG

Only 6 days until they can redeem today’s performance.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Last season we made a habit out of crushing mediocre teams. That's all. We've lost that skill this season, basically ever since the infamous 82-point West Coast incident.

Oh? Like Sydney at the SCG? Or St Kilda at the Telstra Dome? Actually we were 9-5 against Top 8 teams last season and three of those losses were against West Coast.

The gameplan has been worked out and hasn't changed.

The 'gameplan' perhaps relies on players like Hentschel, Bode, Ricciuto, Johncock, Reilly and Goodwin being on the park. C'mon Craigy, just come up with a Plan B that can cover those player losses and produces fast-flowing, high-scoring footy that can win games against the top sides. What's wrong with you? Where is PLAN B???!!!

 

[Alex99]

This was especially obvious when VB had the ball 55m out on the outer side and (totally out of character) looked like a mesmerised rabbit in a spotlight as he just didn't know what to do with the ball.

Yep - he had nothing to kick to and there was absolutely no movement up forward as no-one seemed to be bothered to make space.

I just thought that 15 seconds summed up our afternoon,

There was also about 9 Eagles zoning our forward 50.

He disposed of the ball to Jason Porplyzia (maybe Brent Reilly) in the central corridor who then had to weave around one and hit the hot spot only to have Adam Hunter take the mark.

It’s a bit pointless to bomb it long with 9 opposition player in the forward 50.

 

[maccas_no1]

Im with you once again MD our gameplan sucks bigtime, we got one week(Kangaroos Game) where it changed and worked, now it has gone backwards again

Should have gone all out attack today right from the get-go, people cant get excited over our style of play, I mean geez when I go and see the AFC play I think well I anit going to see 16 goals from our club today, Im not going to go home hoarse like I used to

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

there was a 2 goal breeze to the nth east pocket with no rain and not a cloud in the sky.

not an excuse IMO.

Have you ever played footy at Henley? Or Port Districts? Or Seaton Ramblers? Or North Haven? Or SMOSH? Or any footy grounds near the coast? It is always windy at AAMI. Admittedly today was not too bad but there is a prevailing sea breeze which IMO negatively effects the standard of footy we see at West Lakes.

 

[Markthirtytwo]

This was especially obvious when VB had the ball 55m out on the outer side and (totally out of character) looked like a mesmerised rabbit in a spotlight as he just didn't know what to do with the ball.

Yep - he had nothing to kick to and there was absolutely no movement up forward as no-one seemed to be bothered to make space.

I just thought that 15 seconds summed up our afternoon,

That 15 seconds sure felt lilke 15 minutes to me.

But to be fair to our players, every team that plays us now defends heavily against us. I have never seen West choke do that but it appears, as I have said on other bad games, other coaches have worked our game plan out and use it against us which makes it difficult for us to score. It compounds itself when our skill levels have fallen about 50% from last year for reasons I cannot fathom.

Away from home we look ok but back at the old fortress, it's all gone pear shape.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Im with you once again MD our gameplan sucks bigtime, we got one week(Kangaroos Game) where it changed and worked, now it has gone backwards again

Yep, apparently there was a secret team meeting during the week where Craig got all the players in and said that whilst the Kangaroos game was exciting with good, hard-running, attacking football we were going to try and play boring, defensive footy against the Eagles.

That was the reason for what we saw. It had nothing to do with:

West Coast even minus Judd >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Kangaroos

 

[Mad Dog]

Have you ever played footy at Henley? Or Port Districts? Or Seaton Ramblers? Or North Haven? Or SMOSH? Or any footy grounds near the coast? It is always windy at AAMI. Admittedly today was not too bad but there is a prevailing sea breeze which IMO negatively effects the standard of footy we see at West Lakes.

yeah most of those actually - but the weather is still not relevant to today.......and hasn't stopped us from posting massive scores over the last 17 years

 

[just maybe]

Oh? Like Sydney at the SCG? Or St Kilda at the Telstra Dome? Actually we were 9-5 against Top 8 teams last season and three of those losses were against West Coast.

Your point being? We didn't 'smash' either of those teams.

The 'gameplan' perhaps relies on players like Hentschel, Bode, Ricciuto, Johncock, Reilly and Goodwin being on the park. C'mon Craigy, just come up with a Plan B that can cover those player losses and produces fast-flowing, high-scoring footy that can win games against the top sides. What's wrong with you? Where is PLAN B???!!!

A gameplan shouldn't rely on certain players. It shouldn't turn into a bogfest if they're not there.

When fans on here can see obvious changes, but Craig can't, something is wrong.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

yeah most of those actually - but the weather is still not relevant to today.......and hasn't stopped us from posting massive scores over the last 17 years

Why this season do we seem to play better, more attractive football away from home then?

 

[Mad Dog]

Why this season do we seem to play better, more attractive football away from home then?

we've played rubbish sides away (Carlton, Bulldogs, Brisbane.......exception Kangaroos) and good sides at home (WC, Geelong, Collingwood, Essendon)

we've also played Melbourne away....and handed them their first win in the process - so it hasn't been a complete picnic on the road.

Your ability to measure up against the opposition is a far greater determinant of the result than the venue these days

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Your point being? We didn't 'smash' either of those teams.

Our definition of 'smash' must differ then. Sydney kicked the last few goals to lose by 40. We were a few goals down at quarter time against the Saints yet won by 60.

A gameplan shouldn't rely on certain players.

Perhaps the execution of said gameplan might though? You are deluded if you seriously believe that availability of personnel does not effect performance.

When fans on here can see obvious changes, but Craig can't, something is wrong.

I'm yet to read a suggested 'change' on here that would have lead to a better result today. I've seen plenty that would have led to a worse result.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

we've played rubbish sides away (Carlton, Bulldogs, Brisbane.......exception Kangaroos) and good sides at home (WC, Geelong, Collingwood, Essendon)

The Bullodgs aren't rubbish. We also played fairly average football at home against Richmond, almost handing them their first win. There might be nothing in my theory but I just get the impression that the players don't like playing at AAMI Stadium. I wouldn't either.