Questions to be answered....................

[Rival_V]

Whilst being confident that we can match the likes of Brisbane, Adelaide, Sydney and Essendon there still is a query of the mental toughness of a few players in big matches.

Players like Shaw, Lokan, Williams, Didak and Molloy (throw Davis in there if he was playing) have all been disappointing in big matches against Brisbane and Port this year which has been costly.

Now we are getting ready for a tough run with 4 big games in a row.

Will these players have learnt from their past experiences? Or will fold under the pressure of competing against quality sides a pressure situation?

Our September chances hinge on the answer to the question.

Interesting times ahead!

 

[MarkT]

Don't worry about Shaw. His efforts in the game when Bobby was announced as crook and his tribute game were enough to prove to me he is made of real Magpie spirit. I couldn't have been more impressed.

Williams and Didak, especially Williams, should not be playing right now. Scottland has earnt a spot with decent game time to prove himself and if nothing else we need to bolster his trade value. Molloy is a worry. At his best he is invaluable but we've seen his best twice in two years. His game against Richmond was fantastic but really what does a hard body player doing well against the Tigers prove. He is on very shaky ground right now. Had Davidson not done his knee he would have played a few games in Molloy's place. Leon is a worry in tough games. Lokan is ok. He's a first year player and has done good jobs on players the calibre of McLeod. He has done a much as you could expect from a 20 y.o. first year player. He gives us burst running and we need it.

One player who I would love to see strike some form is Rupe. We need his manic attack on the ball and his heart. His form warrants a onball roll at Willie this week though.

IMO the September answer isn't that tough:

Take Saturdays team:
Deduct Williams, Walker, Rupe and Didak or Molloy.
Add Scotland, Clement, Cloke, Presti.

Still a ruckman short of what I'd like but that team with MM at the helm is a good premiership chance. At least as much a chance as anyone else right now.

 

[Magpira]

I have no doubt Rupe will strike some form coming into finals. He is a BIG game player and always lifts against the better opposition.

Young blokes have to be persisted with. At times it's frustrating, but for some players, going back to Williamstown is a fruitless excercise.

I agree that Didak has not performed as well as we would have hoped, but he is still finding his feet imo. His Wiz Cup was sensational and he showed some brilliant form but since then has not been as great.

That, I feel, was due to a few things, namely the attention he got himself, especially from opposition coaches. you look at some big games we have played and opponents he has been given.

Carlton Round 3 - Mckay
Brisbane - Chris Johnson
Essendon - mark Johnson

All of those blokes are tough and proven premiership defenders. That is a credit to Did's imo.

He is learning to cope with being tagged, which is something every semi-dangerous player has to contend with at some point. I believe Did's will come good.

He has so much natural ability and footy smarts, which we have already seen. He is only 20 and this season is really the first season where he is getting real ground time, as opposed to 5 matches in his first and being used sparingly off the bench as an impact player in 2002. MM has also been using Did's further up the ground and has once or twice made some attempts at developing his defence game.

As I said, I believe he will come good. This kid has what it takes. It will only be a matter of time.

 

[Rival_V]

If Dids kicked 4.1 instead of 1.4 against Johnson(GUN) in Brisbane, I doubt that I would be quearying him.

He has the talent to become a gun player.

BTW, it's good to see MM playing him up the ground and gain some miles in the midfield rather than stuck on the bench or in the forward line. It's cruiciul for his development.

 

[statswiz]

That is a great thread, i was criticised for a thread " Collingwood not finishing off games" which was written before round 18 for a similar query on our performances that needed accessing.

In the long run, McGough should be in the side. Fact of a great player in big matches, Shaw can play but needs to improve his opposite foot. Betheras has strength, but needs to go out this week and Didak needs to improve buy a mile. Great point proven about 1.4 than 4.1.

 

[statman]

rup is a great competitor he will lift for the finals as for the others, it remains to be seen

 

[brentoncowell]

Rival_V you bring up a very valid point/question. I think Lokan has the goods.The question lies with the whole unit.I believed the most important game of the year was against Port.After a big week of ******** Mark"no longer a favourite son' Williams running his big fat mouth we couldnt find that motivtion enough to win.The club was under scrutiny and they didnt find that enough fuel to at least put on a show.Brodie Holland,Bucks,Rupe Scotland,Burnsy,Woey,Wakes,Clokey these are some players that can withstand pressure.

 

[statswiz]

Don't worry

 

[statman]

I think that you need some one like Molloy to split open the pacs and barge through player no matter what, that is what;s needed in the finals also, he can with stand the pressure he is a key element to finals success

 

[statswiz]

Rup wont be back, he might but unlikely.

The team is pretty good at the moment

McKee might be the only change for the Finals, Lokan we dont know about.

 

[statman]

Mckee is very vulnerable

 

[Rival_V]

Currently i see it as this -

Shaw - Had 2 poor 'pressure' games(Port and Brisbane) however the Freo match should have helped him gain some experience.

Lokan - Not worried at all with Matty...............When he is in the midfield. When he is in defence + Finals 'pressure', I will get worried. All apart of the lurning curve of AFL I guess.

Didak - Not really worried. He hasn't gone missing in big matches, just no real impact which is how he is played. The fact that he is still 20 gives me confidence that he has time on his side to get used to 'pressure' situations in big matches.

Williams - Problem. Hasn't been the same since Round 3 and a few big knocks haven't helped him. Needs more 'pressure' game experience which he has never had before?

Molloy - Big problem. When has Molloy ever played well against quality opponents? When in his rampaging best, Jarrod would be an invalauble asset in September however in 'pressure' situations, he never seems to stand up. Here's hoping for a big one this week Molly. Make me eat my words.

On the flip-side, It's good that our 2 most damaging players(Rocca/Bucks) are 'big game' players.