Killer instinct dead?

[Collin Wood]

Has anyone else been pondering our inability to really bury other teams? A win is a win but a few times we have let the opposition claw their way back a bit. We led the Scats by 50-odd points at one stage and took the foot off. Percentage is going to be key come the end of the home and away season. Thoughts?

 

[TradeDraft]

We have never Put a Side Away all Season. We have built a Big Lead and then just did what we had to do after that. Just Watch the Cats game last week

 

[spendles]

ma

Has anyone else been pondering our inability to really bury other teams? A win is a win but a few times we have let the opposition claw their way back a bit. We led the Scats by 50-odd points at one stage and took the foot off. Percentage is going to be key come the end of the home and away season. Thoughts?

maybe it's the inability of underdone or younger players to play at high intensity for four quarters?
saw it in last years granny, just couldn't sustain that manic pressure and gut running spread for long enough.
our style is very taxing and if players are not 100% fit which i suspect not all of them are it's hard
to keep the foot down.

 

[Collin Wood]

ma

maybe it's the inability of underdone or younger players to play at high intensity for four quarters?
saw it in last years granny, just couldn't sustain that manic pressure and gut running spread for long enough.
our style is very taxing and if players are not 100% fit which i suspect not all of them are it's hard
to keep the foot down.

Good thought..at least that is a legitimate reason! Thanks

 

[thecig]

What?! I loved that game back in the day! Can't believe I had to hear it this way!

 

[SuperSub17]

Geelong are still a good side, they are not going to let you just waltz over the top and bury them like that. Like others have said we may have taken the foot off because of the inability to sustain pressure, and as a good side will do, they will take advantage of it. Really the wins over Gold Coast and Brisbane were the only times we have continued to apply pressure and won all four quarters.

 

[speedytiger]

We have a really tough draw and after having those big losses our % was never gunna be good. It won't improve now but fortunately in a way we play some top 4 contenders so our % will be irrelevant.

 

[76woodenspooners]

A number of factors I think ...

(1) In 2011 we were the reigning Premiers which meant ...

(a) We had more confidence.

(b) Weaker opposition were probably more intimidated by us and gave up more easily.

(c) As a team we were probably supersensitive to any signs of complacency.


(2) In 2012 we've been decimated by injury which means ...

(a) As has already been said, we have kids in the team who don't have the fitness base.

(b) Standard of the players is lower (not a bad thing, might not have discovered Keeffe if Brown / Tarrent were fit)

(c) There is not as much competition for spots.

(d) Players might naturally conserve themselves when they're able, when they see their teammates dropping like flies around them.


(3) Our onfield leaders are older and wiser which means ...

(a) They probably don't have the youthful enthusiasm to belt teams for shits and giggles

(b) When the game has been decided, they might (consciously/subconsciously) try harder to bring the junior players into the game.

(c) Conserve themselves : Understand that shellackings count for nothing if they lose the big dance.


(4) Change in coaching personnel ...

(a) Line coaches still trying to find their feet and establish themselves.

(b) Buckley may bring a different attitude to the issue. I could be wrong, but Mick seemed to have more of a killer instinct and would be more inclined to rev the lads up to win a fourth quarter when they're already a 100 points in front. Bucks seems to be more the type to say, "we've got a big game next week fellas, take it easy and we don't want any injuries".

 

[Yidaki]

Has anyone else been pondering our inability to really bury other teams? A win is a win but a few times we have let the opposition claw their way back a bit. We led the Scats by 50-odd points at one stage and took the foot off. Percentage is going to be key come the end of the home and away season. Thoughts?

I personally think that percentage no longer matters.

 

[Swooop]

Great post 76ws - like the way you think.

Yidaki, percentage probably does matter a bit more now, as we're in the same ballpark ( or will be if we thrash GWS) as Essendon and WCE.
Geelong is similar aswell, but we certainly should finish games ahead of them.
We won't catch Swans, Adelaide or Hawks %age, so irrelevant compared to those three. And should finish with more wins than Essendon, so not important there either.

BUT, it may help us get over WCE into fourth - so that alone makes %age important doesn't it?

I'd prefer playing Swans ( or Adelaide) with the double chance, than say Geelong/Saints/Blues in a knockout 5 v 8.

Reckon we're in a shootout with WCE for fourth now.

 

[Yidaki]

Great post 76ws - like the way you think.

Yidaki, percentage probably does matter a bit more now, as we're in the same ballpark ( or will be if we thrash GWS) as Essendon and WCE.
Geelong is similar aswell, but we certainly should finish games ahead of them.
We won't catch Swans, Adelaide or Hawks %age, so irrelevant compared to those three. And should finish with more wins than Essendon, so not important there either.

BUT, it may help us get over WCE into fourth - so that alone makes %age important doesn't it?

I'd prefer playing Swans ( or Adelaide) with the double chance, than say Geelong/Saints/Blues in a knockout 5 v 8.

Reckon we're in a shootout with WCE for fourth now.

Fair point Swooop