Ratts: "We weren't switched on"

[Donstuie]

Ratts: We weren't switched on

“I didn’t see it [coming] beforehand, but when [they] have the first five clearances of the game and they score four goals, I think, ‘Yeah, we’re not really switched on too much’,” Ratten said from Telstra Dome.

This seems to be an epidemic that's plagued us for years. Why aren't they switched on? Why do they have to be pounded to near-oblivion before they wake up? Why do we always have a quarter or so where we go to shit?

This tells me the players still have problems mentally. The same thing happened against Port.

 

[thylacine60]

Catch up footy gets a bit tiresome to watch when the game lasts 5 ****ing years.

 

[bomba4eva]

Ratts: We weren't switched on


This seems to be an epidemic that's plagued us for years. Why aren't they switched on? Why do they have to be pounded to near-oblivion before they wake up? Why do we always have a quarter or so where we go to shit?

This tells me the players still have problems mentally. The same thing happened against Port.

He is just making excuses. The Blues were poor tonight and all fans would admit that. There is plenty of room for improvement. It is still very early though. At least there isnt going to be anymore jokes about you winning the NAB cup then having a horrible season.

 

[thylacine60]

Who's responsible for switching them on, Rats?

 

[GPW1]

still clinging to the "its only nab cup...who cares?" thought process.

 

[AndyWalkersGirl]

Who's responsible for switching them on, Rats?

50/50 I'd say. Ratt's job, but also the players' responsibilty to want to play.

 

[Butera]

Coach can only do so much to turn on players, he can tell them the importance of the game(in this case, not much), he can tell them all the tactics, the strategies, the information about the other side, then once he has done that he just sits back, he may go talk to individuals who have a certain job, but after he does that the players are in charge of their warm up, of how they want to get switched on.

 

[Funkalicous]

Was not being "switched on" the problem? I thought the intensity was good early. The skills were terrible unfortunately, and I think for our short game to work we need to be one of the better kicking teams in the AFL. What I also noticed was that the NAB Cup rules really hurt our game style. It seems like nothing you can do warrants a mark. Kicking backwards - not a mark. Kicking sideways - not a mark. Kicking 15 meters - not a mark. And even kicking 25 meters at times - not a mark. No wonder we always find ourselves under pressure. Pagan's plan on the other hand fits NAB rules perfectly. - Nothing short and always direct. Still, at least with Ratten's plan it'll become more effective when the real stuff begins, whereas Pagan's became less effective.

We'll be fine.

 

[The Grover]

Was not being "switched on" the problem? I thought the intensity was good early. The skills were terrible unfortunately, and I think for our short game to work we need to be one of the better kicking teams in the AFL. What I also noticed was that the NAB Cup rules really hurt our game style. It seems like nothing you can do warrants a mark. Kicking backwards - not a mark. Kicking sideways - not a mark. Kicking 15 meters - not a mark. And even kicking 25 meters at times - not a mark. No wonder we always find ourselves under pressure. Pagan's plan on the other hand fits NAB rules perfectly. - Nothing short and always direct. Still, at least with Ratten's plan it'll become more effective when the real stuff begins, whereas Pagan's became less effective.

We'll be fine.

Thats very true, seemed every short pass we made we had to play on.

Also highlights that we don't have many players prepared to run & carry.

Our best 2 players in this area would be Judd & Walker, desperately need these 2 up & firing. I hope Gibbs can also develop this part of his game.

 

[sosos]

In all the blather of posts, I haven't seen anyone really credit hawthorn for their superb defensive pressure.

EVERY time a carlton player had the ball(especially the first quarter)within milliseconds they were tackled or corralled or pressured.....then the next guy down the line copped it too, until a mistake was made.

Ratten's gameplan was never given a chance to breathe. IMO he will need to develop a plan B to combat sides with good midfield pace.

I thought prior to the game our problem would be winning the ball out of the centre, but watching it was apparent that we were a little slow with our pace, and the speed of our decision making.

One other point.

They will need to develop a lot more trust in each other.

 

[Blue Dimension]

Was not being "switched on" the problem? I thought the intensity was good early. The skills were terrible unfortunately, and I think for our short game to work we need to be one of the better kicking teams in the AFL. What I also noticed was that the NAB Cup rules really hurt our game style. It seems like nothing you can do warrants a mark. Kicking backwards - not a mark. Kicking sideways - not a mark. Kicking 15 meters - not a mark. And even kicking 25 meters at times - not a mark. No wonder we always find ourselves under pressure. Pagan's plan on the other hand fits NAB rules perfectly. - Nothing short and always direct. Still, at least with Ratten's plan it'll become more effective when the real stuff begins, whereas Pagan's became less effective.

We'll be fine.

Exactly. Very well said.

The game plan relies on short kicking, and Carlton were struggling to find their way down the ground.

Fair enough our disposal wasn't great, but pressure was amplified no doubt.

 

[Il Naso De Gastev]

The run and carry from half back game style was countered by superb pressure from Hawthorn. When the turnover eventually came, our defenders were nowhere. Hawthorn are a side you need to choke up and not allow them space to run and carry... if they get space they'll cut you to pieces. Too much talent to go head-to-head with.

 

[HBF]

50/50 I'd say. Ratt's job, but also the players' responsibilty to want to play.

If Ratten didn't see it prior to the game, how would he know if the players needed to be switched on or not. I would have thought the players should switch themselves on. Otherwise, the coach has to go around to 22 individuals and switch them on.

 

[MBIB]

If Ratten didn't see it prior to the game, how would he know if the players needed to be switched on or not. I would have thought the players should switch themselves on. Otherwise, the coach has to go around to 22 individuals and switch them on.

That's true and for Ratts we can kind of think of this as his second game coaching. Last year at that time of the year shouldn't be much to go on. He's still sorting that out and learning a lot about the players and how they respond as a group and individuals.

 

[borissey]

I hated this excuse when Pagan uttered it and it would be hypocritical of me to not hate it when Ratten utters it. To not be switched on as a professional footballer is a bit of a stretch...

I think sosos's response is right on this one. I think the Hawks were always there, pressuring the running defender and forcing the disposal, which more often than not was pressured. In the second half you see both a distinct loss of pressure from the Hawks and greater room for the Carlton defenders to move the ball.

Im sure Carlton are working on this, as ar emany Clubs because the game plans seem so often similar to other teams. Port are great at getting extra men back at half back to run the ball but their skill level is also very good.

 

[Sublime]

If Ratten didn't see it prior to the game, how would he know if the players needed to be switched on or not. I would have thought the players should switch themselves on. Otherwise, the coach has to go around to 22 individuals and switch them on.

Well it is the coaches responsibility to help switch them on regardless. Its up to him to give each player their gameday job and to get the team all focused on the teams objective.