Discussion Paul Keating & yesterdays loss

[krusden]

Good morning all,

well I've slept on things and woken up feeling heaps better about yesterday and I have an analogy for you all that probably shows my age and personal interests.

In the early 1990s Australia was in a recession, the PM of the time Paul Keating stated it was the "recession we had to have" for the good of the economy. This was understandably unpopular at the time and annoyed many people but on refelection it busted the 80s Growth bubble, brought the economy back to earth and changed people's thinking.

On the 16th day of August 2009 the saints lost against essendon. This was the loss we had to have. It was unpopular at the time but in hindsight I believe it will bust the growth bubble, bring the side back to earth and IMPROVE their thinking.

Face it, we were probably going to "drop" one eventually and how many other people stressed like me it was going to be week one of the finals?

Roo missing the goal should be congratulated because he has forced a re-focus, forced us to look at any "holes" or deficiencies that were being papered over because we were winning every week.


we have had some excellent wins this year, but I think that perversely this loss and Nick missing the goal after the siren is not such a bad thing because we should have beaten the bombers long before that. Fact is we didn't and now I look forward to the final two rounds and a hungry side hopefully inflicting thrashings of North and the Dees to set up a finals tilt with a new found sense of self-criticism that will also hopefully engender the ultimate success.

 

[AFaiL]

Nick Riewoldt missing was the best thing he could have done.

We had no right to win, they were depleated. We lost in all areas of the ground and to cme away with 4 points we didnt deserve would be wrong. Now, with the 1 in the loss column, they can really hone in on the weaknesses

 

[Banger724]

Spot on. I almost didn't care when he was having the shot whether he kicked it or not. As Lyon pointed out, the win would've covered up some areas that need work, reckon this will make us hungrier and steel the resolve for rest of year, ala Bombers 2000.

Having said that, despite some ordinary football for nearly 3 quarters, our last quarter was absolutely sensational.

Lack of pressure around half forward and Watson's dominance also highlighted how important McQualter and Jones are to us.

 

[Squizz]

Unless we are going to learn a few things then we get nothing from the game.

Is Red Bull going to stop the panic handballs out of packs?

Is Maverick going to change his kicking technique?

Are we going to stop playing Ball in the forward line?

Will they not ask Sam Fish to play on a small forward?

Will they do some work with Grammy and Seany D on where they are aiming when shooting for goal?

Whilst I'm not Gwilt's biggest fan, he and Jack played reasonable games last week and some of the guys coming in were not cherry ripe. Not sure what message this sends.

We ended up going in tall with Kosi, Roo and Sam F up forward and Zac, Blake, Plug and Max down back. Didn't work out on the day - what do you change?

 

[Cuz2Plugger]

As Lyon pointed out, the win would've covered up some areas that need work

Bingo.

 

[Fehring]

Spot on. I almost didn't care when he was having the shot whether he kicked it or not. As Lyon pointed out, the win would've covered up some areas that need work, reckon this will make us hungrier and steel the resolve for rest of year, ala Bombers 2000.

Having said that, despite some ordinary football for nearly 3 quarters, our last quarter was absolutely sensational.

Lack of pressure around half forward and Watson's dominance also highlighted how important McQualter and Jones are to us.

Agreed. Was just loving that Roo was having a shot after the siren - just like Ross, if you saw the footage - and didn't really care if he kicked it (as long as it doesn't knock his confidence).

Unless we are going to learn a few things then we get nothing from the game.

Is Red Bull going to stop the panic handballs out of packs?

Is Maverick going to change his kicking technique?

Are we going to stop playing Ball in the forward line?

Will they not ask Sam Fish to play on a small forward?

Will they do some work with Grammy and Seany D on where they are aiming when shooting for goal?

Whilst I'm not Gwilt's biggest fan, he and Jack played reasonable games last week and some of the guys coming in were not cherry ripe. Not sure what message this sends.

We ended up going in tall with Kosi, Roo and Sam F up forward and Zac, Blake, Plug and Max down back. Didn't work out on the day - what do you change?

Agree with the last comment. I have said a few times that I reckon Zac, Max and Blake is one too many. It works against tall forward lines but was ghastly against the Dons. Who was playing on Monfries? Was watching in a very noisy room and couldn't tell.

 

[underthestars]

Well i don't think any one should be congratulated for missing a shot - and i'm sure roo is still playing it over. Hardly his fault however.

And yes it probably has helped us by relieving some of the pressure and ensuring we don't fall for the hype that was building weekly.

But ...wouldn't it be great if we were mentally strong enough not to be affected by how many wins we've racked up in succession -to ignore it and continue to take it a week at a time. To say it was the loss we needed is self-handicapping to an extent (didn't we hear from the club that they didn't believe it themselves not so long ago). We had a chance to do something unheard of and be remembered for all time for the greatest season. It's sad we lost and we shouldn't be relieved (unless we think it not worth the risk or ridicule of losing in the big one). Still, no one has yet gone unbeaten, so no point despairing over one loss - there's a bigger prize.

Next year perhaps!