Hysteria

[Tex200]

Wow...what hysteria there is on this board today. It was just a few months ago we were readong training reports and salivating at the thought of a youth injection.

"We dont care about the results" was a familiar post together with "lets just see the kids". Well here we are now seeing the kids and to my mind they are generally speaking doing very well. In particular Walker, Otten and Dangerfield with 21 games between them have done remarkably well and should each be rising star nomination this year. Tippet has come on enormously, Mckay continues to improve also.

Looking at our draw and our personnel did anyone seriously expect to be better than 3-4 or an optimistic 4-3. 3 games against last years top 4, Pies at the G, Freo at Sooby, a Showdown...could have been much worse.

As for wanting to lynch Craig over the game plan....what we did in 05/06 was ok for those times, but since then Geelong have developed to make that obsolete..they just blow you away. So what do they do..stick with the same plan...no they try and implement something to fight fire with fire.

Essendon are a great example of a club who had made a brave decision to change thier game and about a season ahead of us. Look at their pain last season, look at them now and they are still a work in progress. You cant stand still. Geelong developed a game plan and the personnel to execute...we must catch them and we wont do that playing like we did in 05/06.

 

[King Elvis]

The only disappointing game for me was the Showdown.

As I said, with the exception of the third quarter, I was pretty happy with what we were *trying* to do yesterday. And very happy to see Otten/Walker play a lot of game time, and make solid contributions (Otten is a gun and has been all season though).

I'm about 80% happy with where we are, and where we are going - and the 20% that I'm not thrilled with relates purely to the insistence of sticking to our game plan, regardless of the situation.

Third Quarter yesterday, we should've gone man-to-man and locked it down when they got their run on, but we didn't.

But yea, all things considered, I'm pretty pleased with most things

And Peter, if you think this is hysteria, then you aint seen nothing yet mate

 

[Allefgib]

Essendon are a great example of a club who had made a brave decision to change thier game and about a season ahead of us. Look at their pain last season, look at them now and they are still a work in progress. You cant stand still. Geelong developed a game plan and the personnel to execute...we must catch them and we wont do that playing like we did in 05/06.

I've been trying to calm myself down a bit since the game yesterday by thinking about Essendon. It helps. A little.

The one thing that still concerns me is that I am just not convinced the boys enjoy their footy. If I could feel that more I would be a lot more comfortable with losing games the way we are.

 

[absolutezero]

All I hope for is that the team gives it 100% no matter the situation or score board. Plus I'm flying up to Brisbane this week to watch them - be a bloody shame if they capitulate or repeat that Melbourne game performance.

 

[Tex200]

The only disappointing game for me was the Showdown.

As I said, with the exception of the third quarter, I was pretty happy with what we were *trying* to do yesterday. And very happy to see Otten/Walker play a lot of game time, and make solid contributions (Otten is a gun and has been all season though).

I'm about 80% happy with where we are, and where we are going - and the 20% that I'm not thrilled with relates purely to the insistence of sticking to our game plan, regardless of the situation.

Third Quarter yesterday, we should've gone man-to-man and locked it down when they got their run on, but we didn't.

But yea, all things considered, I'm pretty pleased with most things

And Peter, if you think this is hysteria, then you aint seen nothing yet mate

 

[cmndstab]

The one thing that still concerns me is that I am just not convinced the boys enjoy their footy. If I could feel that more I would be a lot more comfortable with losing games the way we are.

I'm not convinced some of our older players are enjoying it, but watching the way Petrenko, Otten, Danger and Walker are going about it shows me they definitely are enjoying it. They are having a red hot crack every time (except for Walker who had a red hot crack yesterday, but honestly looks like he'd enjoy himself playing footy for the local suburb team, let alone his own Adelaide Crows )

 

[Allefgib]

I'm not convinced some of our older players are enjoying it, but watching the way Petrenko, Otten, Danger and Walker are going about it shows me they definitely are enjoying it. They are having a red hot crack every time (except for Walker who had a red hot crack yesterday, but honestly looks like he'd enjoy himself playing footy for the local suburb team, let alone his own Adelaide Crows )

What about the middle (and possibly most important group)? Not much genuine excitement/enthusiasum there at times which really concerns me. Maybe it will come back as the gameplan starts to gel and we start winning?

 

[Coopers]

Hang on, I just spent 50 bucks on a good peice of rope, and 3 hours learning to tie a noose.

And now you guys are being all "rational" and "realistic".

I don't come onto the internet for this BS.

 

[WALL-e]

[/b]

Read Dangerfields threadin the locker room

People were going mental that we didn't take local Ebert.

 

[WALL-e]

What about the middle (and possibly most important group)? Not much genuine excitement/enthusiasum there at times which really concerns me. Maybe it will come back as the gameplan starts to gel and we start winning?

Yeah the look on a few seniors faces pissed me off a bit. But no probs with where we're at.

My major peev is at the 'supporters'

 

[mulz]

Hang on, I just spent 50 bucks on a good peice of rope, and 3 hours learning to tie a noose.

And now you guys are being all "rational" and "realistic".

I don't come onto the internet for this BS.

lmao!

 

[cmndstab]

Hang on, I just spent 50 bucks on a good peice of rope, and 3 hours learning to tie a noose.

And now you guys are being all "rational" and "realistic".

I don't come onto the internet for this BS.

Hahahahaha Post of the day.


Allefgib - I dunno, I assume you're referring to people like VB, Douglas, Vince, etc. VB made some ghastly mistakes but he was also desperate, dogged and courageous down back and I thought was servicable at least. Certainly looked like he was giving it a crack. Knights was pretty good I thought, Vince had a down second half but always gives it a crack. Douglas has upped his chasing this year. Thompson had a great game and an awesome first quarter. Our rucks are down a bit but yeah, in general I think that group of players are still trying hard (I'm equating trying hard with enjoying footy which is perhaps not a true reflection but certainly if they were hating it they probably wouldn't be trying as hard) so I'm not too concerned about their attitude there.

 

[aneale]

I can see us winning 8-11 games and being a WLWLWLWLW type of team. That is to be exected with so many young players in the team. Even guys like Vince are less than 50 games. Look at Geelong's results when all their current group of players were at the 1-50 game mark. They were ready to lynch Bomber with the same rope that Coopers just bought for a fiddy.

 

[jenny61_99]

Yeah the look on a few seniors faces pissed me off a bit. But no probs with where we're at.

My major peev is at the 'supporters'

It has to be hard for the players when their own supporters boo them. Can't be fun for any of them.

 

[CaptainDangerfield]

I'm generally really happy with most of our kids. Thommo, Bock and Edwards aside, its our senior players who have really disappointed me. They appear to be either disinterested or going in reverse and have not stood up to show the kids the way.

 

[TheLeftFist8]

I am also extremely pleased with the kids...and well done to Craig for upping Walkers responsibility this week. Payed handsome dividends. Otten, Tippett, Petrenko, Dangerfield all looked good in glimpses of various consistencies. Love the way they seem to take the game on. I hope it isn't nullified as they become more ingrained in the system.

Results wise, not too fussed. Hate losing but understand we are a younger side now.

But 3 things are raising my level of hysteria:

Like others have said, the senior players are dropping with McLeod looking particularly disinterested. Edwards continues to try hard. Goodwin a shadow of former self...time to get out of the backlines. Understandable for older blokes to drop off but the intensity os shocking at times.

The mid-range group as a whole have gone dramatically backwards. Knights a shining light on the weekend as a wonderful exception. I really hope its just poor form for some rather than reaching their ceiling or realising they are just not very good. I still feel the gameplan has a lot to answer for re skills and decision making. The question is whether this is an inherent problem or whether it just requires further practice.

Game plan is too one-dimensional. I love the tactics of modern football but i don't believe 'handball first every time' is the right mindset. The mindset should be to create quick movement through choosing the best positive option available. It is clear at the ground on numerous occasions that the best option was a forward kick to a bloke in space but no we went sideways to handball. Trust me, i love positive handball and seeing a wave of runners stream forward but it is not the best option every time! Give players enough credit to make the decision whether to kick or handball, let some natural footy instincts take over within a structure that allows for it. Otherwise we will curb the young talent too much and they will end up average, bland error-ridden mid-range players

 

[jenny61_99]

I am also extremely pleased with the kids...and well done to Craig for upping Walkers responsibility this week. Payed handsome dividends. Otten, Tippett, Petrenko, Dangerfield all looked good in glimpses of various consistencies. Love the way they seem to take the game on. I hope it isn't nullified as they become more ingrained in the system.

Results wise, not too fussed. Hate losing but understand we are a younger side now.

But 3 things are raising my level of hysteria:

Like others have said, the senior players are dropping with McLeod looking particularly disinterested. Edwards continues to try hard. Goodwin a shadow of former self...time to get out of the backlines. Understandable for older blokes to drop off but the intensity os shocking at times.

The mid-range group as a whole have gone dramatically backwards. Knights a shining light on the weekend as a wonderful exception. I really hope its just poor form for some rather than reaching their ceiling or realising they are just not very good. I still feel the gameplan has a lot to answer for re skills and decision making. The question is whether this is an inherent problem or whether it just requires further practice.

Game plan is too one-dimensional. I love the tactics of modern football but i don't believe 'handball first every time' is the right mindset. The mindset should be to create quick movement through choosing the best positive option available. It is clear at the ground on numerous occasions that the best option was a forward kick to a bloke in space but no we went sideways to handball. Trust me, i love positive handball and seeing a wave of runners stream forward but it is not the best option every time! Give players enough credit to make the decision whether to kick or handball, let some natural footy instincts take over within a structure that allows for it. Otherwise we will curb the young talent too much and they will end up average, bland error-ridden mid-range players

Funny you say that about McLeod because I thought HIS intensity was much harded in this last game than in the previous few. He was tackling and going in for the ball - something we haven't seen for a while.

 

[Elite Crow]

TheLeftFist8 that is a pretty spot on. Besides the veterans, the next oldest on the list are okay footballers who are also on their way out. Guys like Shirley, Doughty and Stevens. And thats where our problem lies.

 

[spexau]

TheLeftFist8 that is a pretty spot on. Besides the veterans, the next oldest on the list are okay footballers who are also on their way out. Guys like Shirley, Doughty and Stevens. And thats where our problem lies.

Exactly. We don't have any players in the 100-150 game bracket that have hardened bodies or a consistent performance level. The only way to rectify that is with time.

 

[Jars458]

Supporters are passionate and react accordingly.

Most don't mind losing but its how we lose.

Craig wrote soft on his match notes and would have us believe it meant the way we delivered to the forward line. Seriously give me a break.

Our performance in hte last two weeks has been unacceptable and I certainly don't mean the result.

Little leadership in either skills or hardness to be seen from those that should be leading/

The kids have been great and they bear no responsibility. Some of the shit heaped on walker for his so called lack of defensive effort is just rubbish for example

However the lattitude shown to VB Porps and others is similarly wrong as they have been very very poor in recnet weeks.

When its good you can call it great and when its bad you call it shit. That's the way it is and should be. Hopefully the reaction puts some sort of pressure on the palyers not to win but to be accountable. Last two weeks they have not been.

 

[jenny61_99]

Last two weeks they have not been.

Did I watch the same game??? In all but one quarter of that game on the weekend we WERE accountable. We were playing flowing, attacking, corridor footy. We were winning the clearances. And then, in a 30 minute period, all the good work came crashing down. Bulldogs upped the ante and our skills and execution fell in a hole. Probably one of the main positives to come out that game (apart from the young players performances) was that we didn't roll over and say "just give it to us" - we fought it out to the end. Once again, what could have (and in past years WOULD have) been a 50+ shallacking wasn't.

 

[macca23]

Supporters are passionate and react accordingly.

Most don't mind losing but its how we lose.

Craig wrote soft on his match notes and would have us believe it meant the way we delivered to the forward line. Seriously give me a break.

Our performance in hte last two weeks has been unacceptable and I certainly don't mean the result.

Little leadership in either skills or hardness to be seen from those that should be leading/

The kids have been great and they bear no responsibility. Some of the shit heaped on walker for his so called lack of defensive effort is just rubbish for example

However the lattitude shown to VB Porps and others is similarly wrong as they have been very very poor in recnet weeks.

When its good you can call it great and when its bad you call it shit. That's the way it is and should be. Hopefully the reaction puts some sort of pressure on the palyers not to win but to be accountable. Last two weeks they have not been.

That just won't wash with the masses, Jars ..........


......... because it's true!!

Just on game plans, I really spat the dummy after the Port Adelaide game acfter watching that ridiculous game plan where we get the ball at HB flank, cross to CHB, cross to the other HB flank, kick to the wing, turn it over, they kick a goal etc. Rubbish. and were softish.

The change in game plan against the Bullies was welcome. It was just the ridiculous inability to hit targets that killed us, plus a massive non-competitive streak in the 3rd quarter.

 

[spexau]

The change in game plan against the Bullies was welcome. It was just the ridiculous inability to hit targets that killed us, plus a massive non-competitive streak in the 3rd quarter.

Hopefully if we continue this style of play our boys will get used to having to kick or handball quicker and their efficiency will rise. We can only hope!!

 

[jackster83]

Did I watch the same game??? In all but one quarter of that game on the weekend we WERE accountable. We were playing flowing, attacking, corridor footy. We were winning the clearances. And then, in a 30 minute period, all the good work came crashing down. Bulldogs upped the ante and our skills and execution fell in a hole. Probably one of the main positives to come out that game (apart from the young players performances) was that we didn't roll over and say "just give it to us" - we fought it out to the end. Once again, what could have (and in past years WOULD have) been a 50+ shallacking wasn't.

Give some credit where due, we fought back some respectability with our last quarter but you gotta admit that the Doggies went into cruise control after 3/4 time. The sides that have beaten us are the top 4 sides so we have had a pretty tough draw so far.

Why did it take an entire 30 minute quarter for us to respond to their charge? Throw extra numbers back, waste time, whatever just try to cull their momentum. We used to be exceptional at this. The 3rd quarter was shameful by the coach and the players. It wasn't the goals WB kicked but rather the ease in which they strolled inside 50 and coolly slotted it through.

With Bass retired and Bock injured, there seems to be no one giving orders or instilling some leadership on the group. Now is a golden opportunity for someone like Reilly or Vince to show their captaincy credentials, with Goodwin injured and on his last legs anyway.

 

[jenny61_99]

Give some credit where due, we fought back some respectability with our last quarter but you gotta admit that the Doggies went into cruise control after 3/4 time. The sides that have beaten us are the top 4 sides so we have had a pretty tough draw so far.

Why did it take an entire 30 minute quarter for us to respond to their charge? Throw extra numbers back, waste time, whatever just try to cull their momentum. We used to be exceptional at this. The 3rd quarter was shameful by the coach and the players. It wasn't the goals WB kicked but rather the ease in which they strolled inside 50 and coolly slotted it through.

With Bass retired and Bock injured, there seems to be no one giving orders or instilling some leadership on the group. Now is a golden opportunity for someone like Reilly or Vince to show their captaincy credentials, with Goodwin injured and on his last legs anyway.

Did they go into cruise control or did we lift our tempo? As to your question about the 3rd quarter... Craig is in a no-win situation. If he plays the hands-off, circle work type of footy he gets booed. If he doesn't, he gets booed. Who'd bloody coach eh?