Quarters where we go missing

[Klug]

Thinking back to the end of 2009, we had a few games where we got absolutely smashed in a particular quarter, even in games that we win well in.

Against Hawthorn at the MCG, we were horrendous for the first quarter or so (down by 5 goals if I remember correctly), before turning it around in the second, and thumping them in the 2nd half.

The same sort of thing against Carlton at Docklands, we couldn't get out hands on the footy in the first quarter to save ourselves, before a strong second half.

And then we all know what happened in the 3rd term during the Collingwood final at the G, with 3rd quarter fadeouts being an issue on and off over the last couple of years for the Crows.

Maybe the way we finished against Hawthorn and Carlton was so strong that perhaps it masked some concerns about our centre-bounce/ruck setup and rotations.

I understand that footy is a game of momentum, but it does seem to me that as a top 8 team from last season, we seem to experience these 'gone missing' quarters more than other teams in the 8. And we don't just lose these quarters -we get smashed, Craig dropped a loose man in defence after 2 consecutive goals, we go into our shells and start chip, chip, chip around defence, which changes the whole flow of the game.

I don't think its is due to fitness reasons, since we usually bounce back at some point during these games. Strategy-wise Malthouse often goes man on man, which we seem to struggle with, but apart from Collingwood, no other major structrual changes tend to occur from the opposition during these games. Or maybe understanding your role in Craig's zone gameplan is so taxing, that there are bound to be times where players get lost about what role they are meant to be playing.

The main thing I can think of is lack of mental toughness of the Crows to keep applying the same intensity consistently in all quarters, which may be the hardest thing to improve on.

For the Crows to press for Top 4 this year, it is so important that we have a consistent effort all game, win or lose. We will not be able to consistently match it with any top teams unless these complete quarter fadeouts are eliminated.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

I understand that footy is a game of momentum, but it does seem to me that as a top 8 team from last season, we seem to experience these 'gone missing' quarters more than other teams in the 8. And we don't just lose these quarters -we get smashed, Craig dropped a loose man in defence after 2 consecutive goals, we go into our shells and start chip, chip, chip around defence, which changes the whole flow of the game.

I can't remember which coach said it, but they made the observation that the competition is so even that it is inevitable that there will be times in games where you have the momentum and times when the opposition has it. No one dominates full matches. Whether you win or lose depends on your ability to maximise scoring at the times when you have the momentum and to limit the damage when the opposition has it.

In NC's early years we were outstanding defensively and could absorb a lot of opposition pressure without leaking goals. A lot of the time we won by attrition as much as anything.

Since we have made the switch to be a more attacking team this has opened us up to be scored against more heavily. I guess it is a double-edged sword.

I maintain that it is our centre square work that needs the most attention. If the opposition scores and goal AND gets the next centre clearance this is when the siege mentality creeps in and the defence is a under the most pressure. Momentum shifts and it is hard to win it back. At times it seems we need to ride it out until the next quarter break.

 

[SugarShane]

Going by the one game we've played so far this year, the quarters we go missing seem to be 1st, 2nd, 4th and a bit of the 3rd.

 

[Allbetsroff]

Going missing implies you were somewhere to being with.

 

[RUNVS]

The Swans rarely if ever put in a 4 quarter effort. More often than not i find that we are at our worst in the 2nd quarter for some reason.