Our third quarters

[RandB]

Total for the 3 games so far:

Us 2.2.14

Opposition 24.14.158

What on earth are they doing at the half time breaks? They come out like zombies every week.

West Coast got a spray today and went up a notch but we just looked disorganised and stuffed at first bounce even though we ran out the second quarter well. Something is definitely wrong with our preparation IMO even though our fitness is still below par.

 

[PureFooty]

I was just discussing this, It's really frustrating a a supporter knowing that the opposition are gonna come out in the third and pile on 4 goals in the first 5 mins. It's not like it is a one-off, it happens every week. The players should be aware of this, perhaps is psychological. I just hope it doesn't happen next week.

 

[Maginot]

Even last year this frustrated me. I'm sure at half time today I wasn't the only Demons fan thinking that the acid test would be the 3rd quarter.

 

[Tulip]

IMO. Neeld reiterated his plan to them, rather than preempting the WCE fight back and allowing them to play their natural game.

 

[CM Sean]

I didn't get to see the game (because I was at work), but I was told that we went back to old tactics in the third and it cost us dearly. No longer did we run and carry the ball, even using the corridor, but instead we begun kicking it to the wings, and 9 times out of 10 to Jamar. Neeld's 'game plan' returned and we lost. Why must we use the boundary this way? FRUSTRATING!

 

[wowlace]

Well at least when we play North we will have a chance because they are struggling with the 3rd also. Just need to make sure we are with the at half time lol.

 

[stretcharmstrong]

IMO. Neeld reiterated his plan to them, rather than preempting the WCE fight back and allowing them to play their natural game.

Are you serious? Everything I've heard from the leaders and from Neeld leads me to believe that what we saw in the first half WAS THE PLAN in action. Confident, fast switching of the play, moving the ball forward quickly by the best option, running and taking it on, moving in numbers and having more numbers at the ball, being agressive when defending.

What is your comment based on, SSF?

 

[stretcharmstrong]

I didn't get to see the game (because I was at work), but I was told that we went back to old tactics in the third and it cost us dearly. No longer did we run and carry the ball, even using the corridor, but instead we begun kicking it to the wings, and 9 times out of 10 to Jamar. Neeld's 'game plan' returned and we lost. Why must we use the boundary this way? FRUSTRATING!

But the players and coaches have said that this is not the game plan, and as I said above have made many comments about the game-plan in the media that actually sound a lot like what we were doing in the first half.

Stop Neeld hating and focusing so much on the game plan, trying to string up the coach guys.

Game plans and structures, disposal efficiency and skills, all of these things don't mean shit if the effort isn't there. That's all that happened after half time - we switched off.

 

[Tulip]

Are you serious? Everything I've heard from the leaders and from Neeld leads me to believe that what we saw in the first half WAS THE PLAN in action. Confident, fast switching of the play, moving the ball forward quickly by the best option, running and taking it on, moving in numbers and having more numbers at the ball, being agressive when defending.

What is your comment based on, SSF?

The playes just didn't seem so afraid to take the game on in the FH, and that involved some riskier decisions than usual. Just the vibes I got.

 

[stretcharmstrong]

The playes just didn't seem so afraid to take the game on in the FH, and that involved some riskier decisions than usual. Just the vibes I got.

Totally agree. But I don't think it has anything to do with Neeld. I think they just weren't switched on when they came out. The Eagles got a little run on, few unpiring decisions went there way and all of a sudden we have conceded 3-4 goals in three minutes and their confidence is shot. Then they go back to being afraid to take the game on and being indecisive.

I really don't think it has anything to do with Neeld. Except that it is his role to make sure that they are switched on after half time, of course.

 

[Tulip]

I really don't think it has anything to do with Neeld. Except that it is his role to make sure that they are switched on after half time, of course.

It's pretty important that he does that, haha.

 

[stretcharmstrong]

It's pretty important that he does that, haha.

Lol. Yeah, I don't mean to play down the importance of the coach's role in getting the lads in the right frame of mind to come out firing.

Just trying to point out that I don't think it's a technical coaching (eg game-plan) issue, but a mental/communication/emotional issue instead.

 

[d33my]

Just trying to point out that I don't think it's a technical coaching (eg game-plan) issue, but a mental/communication/emotional issue instead.

I think you're right. Which is a shame, because I think a game plan issue would be a helluva lot easier to fix.

 

[CowboyFromHell]

IMO. Neeld reiterated his plan to them, rather than preempting the WCE fight back and allowing them to play their natural game.

Your hatred for Neeld doesn't need to permeate every thread. We got it the fourth time.

Lol. Yeah, I don't mean to play down the importance of the coach's role in getting the lads in the right frame of mind to come out firing.

Just trying to point out that I don't think it's a technical coaching (eg game-plan) issue, but a mental/communication/emotional issue instead.

Agree that it comes from the players as much as the coaches. Whatever it is they are doing as a collective group it's not working, and clearly something needs to change.

 

[Tulip]

Your hatred for Neeld doesn't need to permeate every thread. We got it the fourth time.



.

So because I don't like our coach, my opinion is invalidated?

 

[CowboyFromHell]

So because I don't like our coach, my opinion is invalidated?

No, it's just that every thread that I open is filled with you blaming Neeld for all and sundry.

 

[MarcMaverick]

Whatever we are doing or not doing in the third quarter needs to stop. Its embarrassing.

 

[Tulip]

No, it's just that every thread that I open is filled with you blaming Neeld for all and sundry.

Well, here's the thing.

What I saw in that first half was very BaileyBall. No defensive accountability, but fluid attack and decent manning up from the defenders.

It's well known that Neeld despises that style, hence threatening to drop anyone who played through the corridor to Casey last year.

There was a clear difference between the way we played in the first and second halves, something beyond our players all becoming dog shit again at the exact same time.

 

[CowboyFromHell]

Well, here's the thing.

What I saw in that first half was very BaileyBall. No defensive accountability, but fluid attack and decent manning up from the defenders.

It's well known that Neeld despises that style, hence threatening to drop anyone who played through the corridor to Casey last year.

There was a clear difference between the way we played in the first and second halves, something beyond our players all becoming dog shit again at the exact same time.

So.... hold on, let me get this straight.

You are suggesting that the players went out there and played a style of football that was "Baileyball" and clearly something Neeld doesn't want them to play, meaning they went against what Neeld had sent them out there to do? And then Neeld got all angry with it at half time and decided to completely change it so we could go out there and get smashed?

Your hatred for Neeld is going way over the top here. Of course Neeld is not blameless in all this, but neither are the players. Their work rate dropped right off and, once West Coast got a roll on (and who are a darn good side despite their 0-2 start) we didn't have the mental or physical capabilities to stop it. To me, it's that simple. Until we mature and build ourselves up in those areas top sides will do that to us every single time.

 

[Black Dynamite]

Have officially renamed the third quarter, it is now known as Clown Time.
We will be re-entering the ground to circus style music crammed into a small car.
This will be followed by 30 minutes of comedic acts including pointless falling over and chasing their own tails, providing light comedy relief in these dark times.

 

[CTHORANGE]

Well, here's the thing.

What I saw in that first half was very BaileyBall. No defensive accountability, but fluid attack and decent manning up from the defenders.

It's well known that Neeld despises that style, hence threatening to drop anyone who played through the corridor to Casey last year.

There was a clear difference between the way we played in the first and second halves, something beyond our players all becoming dog shit again at the exact same time.

No, the first half was full of defensive accountability, they chased and harassed with an endeavor not seen before this year, and in doing so it allowed them to win several hard balls and create turnovers. This allowed the players to break away and produce cleaner and stronger forward entries rather than just bombing away under pressure. It was the second half when their attack on the ball and defensive accountability went out the window, they were then unable to move the ball with any direction while the defenders had to try and deal with much cleaner and classier ball use from the eagle mids. So the opposite of what you have argued is what actually occurred.

 

[stretcharmstrong]

Well, here's the thing.

What I saw in that first half was very BaileyBall. No defensive accountability, but fluid attack and decent manning up from the defenders.

It's well known that Neeld despises that style, hence threatening to drop anyone who played through the corridor to Casey last year.

There was a clear difference between the way we played in the first and second halves, something beyond our players all becoming dog shit again at the exact same time.

Are you crazy mate? The defensive accountability (whatever you actually mean by that) was fantastic during the first half. That's the point, they were defending like crazy, forcing WCE to stress, panic, turnover and then they were attacking with confidence and numbers.

It's not one or the other. They have to defend like crazy AND attack with speed and confidence. They are inextricably linked.

 

[stretcharmstrong]

No, the first half was full of defensive accountability, they chased and harassed with an endeavor not seen before this year, and in doing so it allowed them to win several hard balls and create turnovers. This allowed the players to break away and produce cleaner and stronger forward entries rather than just bombing away under pressure. It was the second half when their attack on the ball and defensive accountability went out the window, they were then unable to move the ball with any direction while the defenders had to try and deal with much cleaner and classier ball use from the eagle mids. So the opposite of what you have argued is what actually occurred.

EXACTLY. You are 100% on the money!

 

[Tulip]

Are you crazy mate? The defensive accountability (whatever you actually mean by that) was fantastic during the first half. That's the point, they were defending like crazy, forcing WCE to stress, panic, turnover and then they were attacking with confidence and numbers.

It's not one or the other. They have to defend like crazy AND attack with speed and confidence. They are inextricably linked.

The tackling was great, but I'm talking having mids behind the ball.

 

[Ando727]

Well at least when we play North we will have a chance because they are struggling with the 3rd also. Just need to make sure we are with the at half time lol.

We are a chance of being less crap in the 3rd quarter against North, that's about it. Apart from that, it will be business as usual against North. We are always North's bitch.

(yeah, I do realise you are joking)