Opinion My Final Rant

[bird_man]

But why did we improve in the last 2 years under the same coach and I gather the same development. I believe the loss of Joey and Roo effected us more than we think We don't have one star player and maybe only 2 A graders in Steven and Carlisle. The rest have plenty of issues as players.

No doubt Riewoldt and Joey retiring at the same time has hurt us, but you think a side at our age should be able to improve enough to counteract that somewhat.

Agree we don’t have a lot of stars which hurts us, but you can’t deny most of our kids have either stagnated or gone backward.

To me Billings and Gresham looked on track to being elite players last year, they look miles off that now. Sinclair was rated elite by champion data last year at 21.

I can’t explain why we were able to improve in 2016 but haven’t been able to improve since. But to me, most of our side has shown glimpses of being able to become very good footballers, but have not been able to put it together.

Im not in the inner sanctum so I won’t pretend to know all the answers, but to me, our players look down on confidence and confused and it’s pretty obvious out coaching has been poor for most of the year.

I’m going to pretend our list is perfect either, but it’s strong enough in my opinion to be performing a hell of a lot better than it is.

 

[Saintbloke]

I cant agree that the issue is only the list. It’s obvious it needs work, but how do we go from a side pushing for the 8 two years in a row, to this shit?

I know we lost a lot of experience in Roo and Joey, but neither finished top 10 in the B&F. We are a young side that should be improving but are going backwards...

I cannot find any reason why guys like Billings, Gresham, Newnes, Steele, Membrey, Sinclair etc have all gone backwards instead of improving this year?

All of those guys have shown at some stage they have the quality needed to make it as an AFL footballer.

Acres is the only guy that looks like he has shown improvement from last year. And Long also I suppose.

That to me tells me there’s an obvious issue with the coaching and development of our players.

Too many have not realised their supposed potential this season- and I'm thinking that a couple have big heads and have fooled us with a few party tricks. I don't think Richo has a clue how to mange this, and is clearly lost for ideas- you could see it in his face during the game last night.

 

[plugger66]

No doubt Riewoldt and Joey retiring at the same time has hurt us, but you think a side at our age should be able to improve enough to counteract that somewhat.

Agree we don’t have a lot of stars which hurts us, but you can’t deny most of our kids have either stagnated or gone backward.

To me Billings and Gresham looked on track to being elite players last year, they look miles off that now. Sinclair was rated elite by champion data last year at 21.

I can’t explain why we were able to improve in 2016 but haven’t been able to improve since. But to me, most of our side has shown glimpses of being able to become very good footballers, but have not been able to put it together.

Im not in the inner sanctum so I won’t pretend to know all the answers, but to me, our players look down on confidence and confused and it’s pretty obvious out coaching has been poor for most of the year.

I’m going to pretend our list is perfect either, but it’s strong enough in my opinion to be performing a hell of a lot better than it is.

Agree. We have lost confidence. No idea why. We need to get that back. Those solely blaming recruiting or coaching are wrong imo. It’s a combination.


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[ScrappyDo]

I also didn’t see and bad positional coaching even though hindsighters will say there was. We just aren’t much good.


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Have to vehemently disagree on this one P66. Our lack of structure within 30-40 metres of the play sticks out like dogs balls imo. When we turn the ball over, the opposition are able to clear it out of the contested area with incredible ease due to their clear and well drilled structures. Saints players look like blowflys swarming around a turd by comparison. That is %1000000 down to coaching. No ifs buts or maybes.
Same goes for our offensive play.

 

[Saintbloke]

Agree. We have lost confidence. No idea why. We need to get that back. Those solely blaming recruiting or coaching are wrong imo. It’s a combination.


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I agree to an extent, but I think in our case it's a lot to do with coaching.

When a team plays with a lack of confidence, rather than just one or two players, then it should be a red flag for a coach to rectify, and when we lack strong leadership on-field, then it is even more important for the coach to really step up and direct.

We fell away badly last year in our team play, and are doing the same now.

 

[ScrappyDo]

But why did we improve in the last 2 years under the same coach and I gather the same development. I believe the loss of Joey and Roo effected us more than we think We don't have one star player and maybe only 2 A graders in Steven and Carlisle. The rest have plenty of issues as players.

I think unfortunately our team has had a Roo-centric structure for a generation, and it has basically prevented up from developing properly. When things went well Roo would get lots of ball, and when things went poor he was always able to pop up for a get out of jail mark, which would paper over the cracks. We'r now witnessing the reality of our list's footy education, and its poor to say the least. I blame the coach again, not the players.

 

[plugger66]

I think unfortunately our team has had a Roo-centric structure for a generation, and it has basically prevented up from developing properly. When things went well Roo would get lots of ball, and when things went poor he was always able to pop up for a get out of jail mark, which would paper over the cracks. We'r now witnessing the reality of our list's footy education, and its poor to say the least. I blame the coach again, not the players.

Of course we want to blame the coaches because we think they hard an easy fix. I don’t reckon unbiased people had around 12tg because of our coaching. I reckon they had us there because of the list


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[Mstr Strokesman]

What ever the issues, are there will be no easy fix, but waiting for a review and continuing on as we are is a waste .
The best thing here is get leading teams in first thing Monday and sit them everyone down and have it out .
No holding back admin coaches player lay it all on the table .Hell even a few grass root supporters .
We cannot afford to let this disharmony continue Whilst we have so much debt .

 

[ScrappyDo]

Of course we want to blame the coaches because we think they hard an easy fix. I don’t reckon unbiased people had around 12tg because of our coaching. I reckon they had us there because of the list


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I'd agree with that. But you're cherry picking a little. Commentary was between 13th < 7th, averaging 10th-11th. Looks right now we're bottom 4 performers though.
You're right about our list, I've no doubts there. But that does not excuse the coaching group. They are also obviously lacking, so why not fix the fixable immediately, and work on the list too.

 

[Saint12]

Last week it was clear that Hickey can only last 3 quarters (better than any of longers games) and then we used Acres as a back up ruckman?? Acres is not a damn ruckman and should be on the ball not going up against simpson/mcevoy/roughhead. We have a perfect young player in Marshall who could play 7 or so minutes each quarter in the ruck to help out Hickey and then be used as a marking forward, Yet we use Acres??

Geary is a backpocket player and only should ever play there on the best small opposition forward. Bruest was marked by White tonight?? he is their most dangerous forward and needed to have a close checking player on him. Why on earth wouldnt we play Geary/Webster on him. Yet we play White and then use Geary as a winger/mid f@ken LOL.

100% agree with this

 

[Saint12]

Roo played on 1 leg for most of the year and Joey was serviceable at best. Don't remember them 2 winning many games off their own boot.

Well by the looks of things it looks as though Roo and Joey done more coaching than the actual coaches which is becoming more and more evident as each week goes by. Fast forward another year and the players such as Membrey/Steele Dunstan/Acres/Billings/Gresham etc have had another preseason and are all around the 50+ games mark when you should really take the next step. They have ALL gone backwards from the previous 2 years besides Acres and your telling me that has nothing to do with coaching?? All of a sudden over pre season these guys lost their skills and became average footballers?

I'll give you an example of bad selections.
Round 1 playing 4 inside mids and leaving Dunstan out of the side.
Round 2 leaving Dunstan out of the side again.
Round 3 picking Wright to play and also still keeping Armo in the side who was cooked the first 2 rounds (article the other day which Richo says it was his mistake in selecting him)
Round 4 the whole structure against a Geelong team who had 0 key position players. Instead of stretching them we let them have 2 extra back there.
Round 5 against the giants we played well as a team but used Acres as the back up Ruckman. You don't play him there ever let alone 2 weeks in a row. Every one knows hickey can't last a full game so we need another tall that can relieve him (Marshall)
Round 6 against the hawks you have a team that consists of 9 players in a side that are Backman. Yet not have another tall player to help out Hickey and again use Acres in the ruck? Why wouldn't you put a tag on Mitchell at quarter time considering he already had it 15 times. Nope let's wait until half time when he has 30. Also playing Geary anywhere else but the back pocket is suicide with his skills and decision making. Play him on Bruest who is their most dangerous forward but nope you leave a 5th game player in white on him. Also Smith is running hot wouldn't you put someone on him as a hard tag instead of letting him run riot on the wing and kick 3 and set up the game?? If you can't see this than I can't help you.

Every single week there are flaws on the way we set up and play and it all starts from selection night right through to shit game day tactics.

All well and good but Plugger wants to see what you'd do different to Richo

 

[Saint12]

Substitute Bruce for Marshall and you’ve just described our forward structure for the first few weeks this year.
Was that structure incorrect then?
Why is it correct now?

Because Marshall can mark and ruck. Two things Bruce cannot do.

 

[PoppedCorn]

Imagine if we had no Jake
FMD

 

[sunny3193]

Because Marshall can mark and ruck. Two things Bruce cannot do.

Thanks.

 

[wolfpup]

Imagine if we had no Jake
FMD

yep i know, jake and even brown have been our best players. imagine what would be scored against us without them? hate to think.

 

[Pardon me]

yep i know, jake and even brown have been our best players. imagine what would be scored against us without them? hate to think.

I think the more pertinent question is who would Richo throw forward in the fourth without Jake....

 

[Mowman]

I think the more pertinent question is who would Richo throw forward in the fourth without Jake....

LOL

 

[DarkSaint]

All well and good but Plugger wants to see what you'd do different to Richo

1. I'd actually play 3 talls in McCartin/Marshall and Membrey.
2. Not play 9 players that are all backman.
3. Play Geary in his best position which is a backpocket.
4. Not use Acres as a Ruckman ever again and stick him on ball.
5. Leave McCartin inside the 50 constantly with a small crumber by his feet so when we do have a rare break away we have a target.
6. Instruct the player to not bomb the ball or hack it forward and hit up 20-30 metre targets, if not the you will be in the VFL until you learn.

Think that would be a pretty good start. What you do you reckon??

 

[pebblesofsand]

Substitute Bruce for Marshall and you’ve just described our forward structure for the first few weeks this year.
Was that structure incorrect then?
Why is it correct now?

Well that structure did give us our only win of the year and a score 200% better than anything we've achieved since.

The only other time was when we "played" Geelong and I don't the make up of the forward line had any role in that disaster.

 

[plugger66]

Well that structure did give us our only win of the year and a score 200% better than anything we've achieved since.

The only other time was when we "played" Geelong and I don't the make up of the forward line had any role in that disaster.

That is complete cherry picking. Beating the winless lions by 3 goals after being in trouble at stages or drawing with a top 3 side. I still want to know how another tall helps us at the moment and who are you dropping


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[Saint12]

1. I'd actually play 3 talls in McCartin/Marshall and Membrey.
2. Not play 9 players that are all backman.
3. Play Geary in his best position which is a backpocket.
4. Not use Acres as a Ruckman ever again and stick him on ball.
5. Leave McCartin inside the 50 constantly with a small crumber by his feet so when we do have a rare break away we have a target.
6. Instruct the player to not bomb the ball or hack it forward and hit up 20-30 metre targets, if not the you will be in the VFL until you learn.

Think that would be a pretty good start. What you do you reckon??

I should've written in sarcastic mode

 

[pebblesofsand]

That is complete cherry picking. Beating the winless lions by 3 goals after being in trouble at stages or drawing with a top 3 side. I still want to know how another tall helps us at the moment and who are you dropping


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Cherry picking - ha ha ha - you are a funny chappie.

Actually its a statement of pure fact. Perhaps you should go back and refresh your mind on our team selections for the year.

We've played three games with two tall forwards for 1 win (107 points) and 2 losses (56 & 55) and 3 games with one tall forward for a draw (73 points) and two losses (43 points & 54 points).

So to answer your question as how another tall will help - certainly can't do any more harm as highest score has come from that set up and our two lowest scores for the year have come from your preferred set up.

As to who I would drop - any of the plethora of under performing below average small/medium players we have in the side at the moment. In order this week Billings, Gresham, Newnes, Sinclair, Mav, Sav - Coffield needs a rest - the list goes on.

Marshall has played three games and on that basis you've declared him as "average" and not worth playing in a side that is averaging 54 points a game over the last 5 games. Great selection smarts there!!! The oracle has spoken - Rowan you're average so its back to Portland for you son.

Name me a key forward of his size and I bet you his stats at this stage of his career match or equal nearly all of them at the same time.

So here's my question for you since you love questions- So how does having a plethora of average (or below average) small pressure players who provide little or no defence and provide no scoreboard pressure (actually they break the hearts of the other players by butchering shots on goal) make us a better side?

 

[DarkSaint]

Cherry picking - ha ha ha - you are a funny chappie.

Actually its a statement of pure fact. Perhaps you should go back and refresh your mind on our team selections for the year.

We've played three games with two tall forwards for 1 win (107 points) and 2 losses (56 & 55) and 3 games with one tall forward for a draw (73 points) and two losses (43 points & 54 points).

So to answer your question as how another tall will help - certainly can't do any more harm as highest score has come from that set up and our two lowest scores for the year have come from your preferred set up.

As to who I would drop - any of the plethora of under performing below average small/medium players we have in the side at the moment. In order this week Billings, Gresham, Newnes, Sinclair, Mav, Sav - Coffield needs a rest - the list goes on.

Marshall has played three games and on that basis you've declared him as "average" and not worth playing in a side that is averaging 54 points a game over the last 5 games. Great selection smarts there!!! The oracle has spoken - Rowan you're average so its back to Portland for you son.

Name me a key forward of his size and I bet you his stats at this stage of his career match or equal nearly all of them at the same time.

So here's my question for you since you love questions- So how does having a plethora of average (or below average) small pressure players who provide little or no defence and provide no scoreboard pressure (actually they break the hearts of the other players by butchering shots on goal) make us a better side?

There is no point trying to explain it to him. He wouldn't get it if you drew him a picture.

 

[plugger66]

Cherry picking - ha ha ha - you are a funny chappie.

Actually its a statement of pure fact. Perhaps you should go back and refresh your mind on our team selections for the year.

We've played three games with two tall forwards for 1 win (107 points) and 2 losses (56 & 55) and 3 games with one tall forward for a draw (73 points) and two losses (43 points & 54 points).

So to answer your question as how another tall will help - certainly can't do any more harm as highest score has come from that set up and our two lowest scores for the year have come from your preferred set up.

As to who I would drop - any of the plethora of under performing below average small/medium players we have in the side at the moment. In order this week Billings, Gresham, Newnes, Sinclair, Mav, Sav - Coffield needs a rest - the list goes on.

Marshall has played three games and on that basis you've declared him as "average" and not worth playing in a side that is averaging 54 points a game over the last 5 games. Great selection smarts there!!! The oracle has spoken - Rowan you're average so its back to Portland for you son.

Name me a key forward of his size and I bet you his stats at this stage of his career match or equal nearly all of them at the same time.

So here's my question for you since you love questions- So how does having a plethora of average (or below average) small pressure players who provide little or no defence and provide no scoreboard pressure (actually they break the hearts of the other players by butchering shots on goal) make us a better side?

Because they make us more competitive. You said the Brisbane was 200% better than any other result. Unfortunately that only stacks up if they are as good as gws and even you know they aren’t and that is fact. Gws was clearly our best game this year. I don’t care about how many points we kicked. I care about how we played against certain sides. And clearly our worst result this year was north. You will most likely get your wish this week. I’m still interested as to what sides put 3 average marking players in the forward line each week. Still can’t think of any but let’s be that side. We know more than the rest.


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[psychosaints]

But the rest you can finally see now yea? We need another marking to help McCartin out and pinch hit in the ruck. It's simple and you can quote me on this that Marshall WILL play next week along with Membrey and McCartin and we look a shit ton better.

Yes and that option is NOT Josh Bruce, injured or not.