fwds vs backs

[Shaymuhz]

toward the end of last year our back six was air tight, this year there are holes appearing everywhere. however, our forward line seems to be functioning quite well, even thought delivery has been below standard and the wiz is missing.

anyone else notice that last year mark harvey coached backs and this years its forwards? think it has something to do with it? or am i just connecting dots which are too far apart

 

[midorigreenwood]

blame your midfield..... their forward delivery was so woeful that the weagles had no problems bouncing back quickly from defense...... which means plenty of holes in the backline for running WC players to exploit.

 

[Scham]

I think Harvey is clearly our best assistant, but thats probably a too long a bow to draw.

I think the problems with the backline are personel issues i.e. Parker is past it and is a real liability back there, Mundy is being asked to play a role that he just can't and never has been able to.

I thought our forward line was a bit weak last night too Shaymuhz.
Headland needed to play the role that Armstrong did for the Eagles, Tarrant was a bit cold and Jlo did SFA, and even Pav wasn't up to his normal high standards.

 

[Ysaye]

toward the end of last year our back six was air tight, this year there are holes appearing everywhere. however, our forward line seems to be functioning quite well, even thought delivery has been below standard and the wiz is missing.

anyone else notice that last year mark harvey coached backs and this years its forwards? think it has something to do with it? or am i just connecting dots which are too far apart

Johnson had a big part to play in last years effort - he played really well on a number of the KP players he was asked to stand on and was probably our best player half way through the season. Without him, we look not as good down back.

Our forward line is primarily functioning well because the opposition cannot counter two key forwards with superior endurance/speed. On the other hand, Murhy has lost form, Farmer has lost the plot and Solomon has almost lost the plot....

 

[Shaymuhz]

fair enough, i suppose im just trying to find reasons for our poor start. the frustration is unbearable.

having said that, im confident we can beat melbourne this week

 

[pistol17]

Main reason for the poor start to the year is our injuries and suspensions. Johnson, Farmer, Thornton, Black and Schammer have all missed the start of the year, these guys were key players in our push forward last year. Not having these guys in the lineup hurts with guys like mundy having to do a job he would never have done last year.

IMO we will make the finals however a top 4 finish is now out of reach.

 

[Scotland]

fair enough, i suppose im just trying to find reasons for our poor start. the frustration is unbearable.

having said that, im confident we can beat melbourne this week

Outsiders view

Backs

Johnson and Black (as well as Peake and Schammer). These guys provide run and carry from D50. While Grover, Mcpharlin and Parker are the better true defenders, these guys provide most of the counter-attack. Defence was alright on Saturday, but the frequency of ball coming in won us the game.

Midfield

Play the ball, not the man. Drop the tough guy act and focus on getting the ball. The likes of Solomon, Crowley, both Carr's at times on Saturday all looked for their opponent first and the ball second. Undisciplined frees and 50m penalties hurt. When Freo were on fire in late 2006 they were the ones going in hard for the ball and making the play.

Forwards

In the derby, one dimensional. Kick to Pav, who has a shot or kicks to Tarrant (or vice-versa between the 2 players). JLo offered nothing up forward, and didn't ruck. With Gilmore rucking, a half forward like Webster or Campbell or a little guy like Collard would've been more useful IMO. Farmer out obviously hurts, and will be back in 3 weeks. Tarrant works well up the ground to get space. For Pav to be used as the inside 50 target as often as he is, the other players need to work to make space for him, (Pav's paddock?) otherwise other side will chop off his leads as we did on Saturday. Mind you, he still kicked a couple playing on the AA FB who had assistance. Gun.

 

[daics cousin]

I disagree,the dockers will find form,and still make the top 4 .If you can win 14-15 games top four is yours.Once a few more players come back in and Farmer gets back into your side.The dockers will string a lot of wins together.
You had a very good season last year after a slow start.
Don't forget,in the first 5-6 rounds there are always upsets because the top teams take a few rounds to find form.while the others that peak early,will drop in form as the year progresses.So really you guys shouldn't be worried at the moment.The momentum will change.