Well I wrote this thread at half time when I was seriously pissed. We started to rectify our faults after 2 and a half quarters. I'm still going to post it because it's still relevant and I spent ages writing it.
I want to know what has happened to our run from the backline. Whether it is a directive from the coach regarding our game plan, or whether it is a complete loss of confidence I am unsure.
At the moment, there seems to be nobody in the team willing to take risks, take the game on, and make an effort to run in waves out of the back line and through the middle of the ground. It is not that we're ****ing it up. Far from it. It is the lack of intent that is most worrying. At the moment, we are perfectly content to chip it around the back line, make it somebody else's problem, and then wonder why we're not scoring. Believe me, I can handle the odd mistake if we are taking the game on. Such is the nature of risks. On the odd occasion you will get burnt, the back line will be left exposed and you will be scored against. The idea is that you must believe you are a good enough football team to succeed more than you fail. We have not got that belief.
What I cannot handle is the mistakes that come from overuse in the back line. Take this example in the 2nd term: Grigg has it on the D50 after a series of short passes. He goes short up the line, a 10m pass to a 50/50. Jackson drops the mark. Turnover, shot on goal Brisbane.
Whether it was Grigg's or Jackson's fault is immaterial. The point is, when you are playing this style of game, these mistakes will occur. And we are not even risking anything in return. It is a lose-lose situation.
Another example: 2nd term, Houli has the ball near the boundary, about 10m forward of our D50, after taking a mark. Looks for an option, doesn't see one. Chips sideways, further towards the boundary, where someone marks on the boundary line.
Not sure whether this was the choice of Houli or something Dimma encourages. But what does this achieve exactly? We are in a worse position on the ground, and the Lions have had 5 extra seconds to set up their defensive structures. Switches are fine. Centering the ball is fine. That kick is not.
It is no surprise that we dominated the I50s in the first half and yet could not convert our chances. That is the result when you are playing a crap football team but refuse to move the ball quickly. Dominance in possession comes easy, but the forward line is inevitably crowded and tough shots from the boundary, hurried shots or bombs to the square followed by rushed behinds result.
I think in the last quarter and a half we showed what we could do once we realised how much getting the ball in quickly to the forward line makes it easier to score. Players of the calibre of Martin and Riewoldt will beat their man more often than not.
So who is it going to be that will stand up next week, throw caution to the wind, run with the ****ing pill, and take some risks? That is what I would be asking the playing group if I was Dimma. I refuse to believe having Lids, Rance etc out makes this much of a difference. It is an attitude thing. If the group is serious about giving this year a crack, we should be looking towards next week as a golden opportunity. **** what the pundits think. Why not beat the Hawks? Many here may think we aren't good enough. That doesn't matter. What matters is that the players think they are good enough.
I want to know what has happened to our run from the backline. Whether it is a directive from the coach regarding our game plan, or whether it is a complete loss of confidence I am unsure.
At the moment, there seems to be nobody in the team willing to take risks, take the game on, and make an effort to run in waves out of the back line and through the middle of the ground. It is not that we're ****ing it up. Far from it. It is the lack of intent that is most worrying. At the moment, we are perfectly content to chip it around the back line, make it somebody else's problem, and then wonder why we're not scoring. Believe me, I can handle the odd mistake if we are taking the game on. Such is the nature of risks. On the odd occasion you will get burnt, the back line will be left exposed and you will be scored against. The idea is that you must believe you are a good enough football team to succeed more than you fail. We have not got that belief.
What I cannot handle is the mistakes that come from overuse in the back line. Take this example in the 2nd term: Grigg has it on the D50 after a series of short passes. He goes short up the line, a 10m pass to a 50/50. Jackson drops the mark. Turnover, shot on goal Brisbane.
Whether it was Grigg's or Jackson's fault is immaterial. The point is, when you are playing this style of game, these mistakes will occur. And we are not even risking anything in return. It is a lose-lose situation.
Another example: 2nd term, Houli has the ball near the boundary, about 10m forward of our D50, after taking a mark. Looks for an option, doesn't see one. Chips sideways, further towards the boundary, where someone marks on the boundary line.
Not sure whether this was the choice of Houli or something Dimma encourages. But what does this achieve exactly? We are in a worse position on the ground, and the Lions have had 5 extra seconds to set up their defensive structures. Switches are fine. Centering the ball is fine. That kick is not.
It is no surprise that we dominated the I50s in the first half and yet could not convert our chances. That is the result when you are playing a crap football team but refuse to move the ball quickly. Dominance in possession comes easy, but the forward line is inevitably crowded and tough shots from the boundary, hurried shots or bombs to the square followed by rushed behinds result.
I think in the last quarter and a half we showed what we could do once we realised how much getting the ball in quickly to the forward line makes it easier to score. Players of the calibre of Martin and Riewoldt will beat their man more often than not.
So who is it going to be that will stand up next week, throw caution to the wind, run with the ****ing pill, and take some risks? That is what I would be asking the playing group if I was Dimma. I refuse to believe having Lids, Rance etc out makes this much of a difference. It is an attitude thing. If the group is serious about giving this year a crack, we should be looking towards next week as a golden opportunity. **** what the pundits think. Why not beat the Hawks? Many here may think we aren't good enough. That doesn't matter. What matters is that the players think they are good enough.
