Review Rd 15 vs Sydney: Post-game views and reviews

[Ironmonger]

Green sometimes reminds me of a puppy chasing a superball. Runs eagerly after it only for it to keep bouncing away from him.

 

[Bucking Beads]

Green sometimes reminds me of a puppy chasing a superball. Runs eagerly after it only for it to keep bouncing away from him.

Hahaha this is so true.

 

[lionshine]

Does anyone else agree with me when I say Merrett playing forward for this year has been the best thing that has happened to his career? You can already tell that it has made him a better defender. He can read the play a lot better and he is going for marks at the correct time and going for spoils at the correct time instead of spoiling everything like he used to He is also learning to out body his opponent more successfully.

 

[Haso]

Does anyone else agree with me when I say Merrett playing forward for this year has been the best thing that has happened to his career? You can already tell that it has made him a better defender. He can read the play a lot better and he is going for marks at the correct time and going for spoils at the correct time instead of spoiling everything like he used to He is also learning to out body his opponent more successfully.

I have been thinking this as well, lionshine. He's a different player down there, and he was handy to start with.

 

[whatboutbob]

I was relieved to see Sauce switch into defensive mode so quickly. He struggled when switched back against the Bombers but seemed to switch seamlessly against the Swan. Would be very handy if he's now learned to adjust faster.

 

[lionshine]

I have been thinking this as well, lionshine. He's a different player down there, and he was handy to start with.

Yeah I don't mean to undersell him as a defender before he went forward. He has always been a great defender but I think he will be even better now!

 

[Haso]

I was relieved to see Sauce switch into defensive mode so quickly. He struggled when switched back against the Bombers but seemed to switch seamlessly against the Swan. Would be very handy if he's now learned to adjust faster.

I mentioned this a bit earlier on the thread, buried in a long post. I agree bob, and I think it's because he's been getting down there here and there as a ruck for a couple of minutes at a time, and possibly keeping his defending touch. In any case, I was relieved as well. He was pantsed aganst Essendon, but did the pantsing last night when he went back. Very relieving.

 

[Bucking Beads]

Yeah I don't mean to undersell him as a defender before he went forward. He has always been a great defender but I think he will be even better now!

I think Merretts stints in the ruck and up forward will help in congestion down back. He seems to understand the game better this year.

 

[HPLion]

I think we have under estimated the influence of Goodes on this game (again against the Lions). He was a major contributor to Reid's bag and also kicked 3 himself. We just don't have a suitable match up or tactic to stop him!,

 

[Haso]

Maybe our first round draft pick this year should be spent on a 10 ft brick wall to set up around half back. With smooth sides. No notches.

 

[HPLion]

Add in razor wire and a moat full of crocodiles and it would be half a chance!

 

[irish]

ok i will play bad guy ! browny is he exerting enough influence ?? is he struggling ?? 2 goals last night 1 very late in junk time, its been a lean time for him more often than not this season. dont get me wrong i love the big guy and he is a fantastic captain but he is just not converting enough on a regular basis for the super star he is i reckon - thoughts

 

[jackess]

The fact that Browny gets 2 defenders most weeks shows just how dangerous he can be.

 

[Skoob]

Delivery hasn't suited much this year.
Has been a strong presence at times pushing up the ground and drawing defenders like flies to give space to other forwards.
Converting at 66% is probably good enough considering what else he contributes.

 

[Tassie4ever]

Another disappointing game for me when our hardness at the ball evaporated. And while we're on evaporation, is anyone else as annoyed as me with Roos' perpetual reference to all Sydney players as his lads, and his continual patronising of all our players. Like Eddie, should be banned from home games.

Bewick has inherited Notting's and Travis Johnson's chicken wing [non]tackling technique. And Lester and Crisp will no doubt have several very disappointing efforts highlighted in their review. All it takes is half a dozen to be way down in tackling and that's all she wrote.

Most upsetting for me as the disinclination for many to put their bodies on the line. Sydney showed us up bad in this respect. No shirkers among their ranks.

 

[Haso]

ok i will play bad guy ! browny is he exerting enough influence ?? is he struggling ?? 2 goals last night 1 very late in junk time, its been a lean time for him more often than not this season. dont get me wrong i love the big guy and he is a fantastic captain but he is just not converting enough on a regular basis for the super star he is i reckon - thoughts

He did have a shocker. At least 2 handballs went straight down a Swan's throat.

 

[The Flying Belgian]

I think we have under estimated the influence of Goodes on this game (again against the Lions). He was a major contributor to Reid's bag and also kicked 3 himself. We just don't have a suitable match up or tactic to stop him!,

They've been beaten only 3 times this season, so we're not alone. And he missed a fair chunk of footy as well!

 

[thoselionslads]

Too many individuals under performing really hurt us collectively. Sydney are a top four side, but in order for us to take the next jump in our development as a young side we need more good performances against the good teams. Last night was a good indication of where we are at in terms of the elite in the comp. The first quarter showed we can compete in patches. Needs to be sustained.

A half competitive performance from our midfield against Sydney wouldn't go astray.

 

[Voss the boss]

Sydney are on top of the ladder. As disapointed as i am with some efforts and the result, it really is reflective of our ladder positions. They are a classy, well drilled, experienced side that will go very deep into the finals. We were made to pay with our mistakes, turnovers missed tackles, they hunted in packs and spread in numbers. This is how a side becomes successful - all vaulable learning expreriences for our boys id say.

 

[Skoob]

Too many individuals under performing really hurt us collectively. Sydney are a top four side, but in order for us to take the next jump in our development as a young side we need more good performances against the good teams. Last night was a good indication of where we are at in terms of the elite in the comp. The first quarter showed we can compete in patches. Needs to be sustained.

A half competitive performance from our midfield against Sydney wouldn't go astray.

Actually we were pretty bad from the get go. The quarter time score and our early lead was flattering thanks to the Swans' early inaccuracy ( they missed a few easy early ones)
I think there was a definate mental obstacle last night with a number of players possibly put off by the opposition's reputation, location and ladder position. Of course once a couple of players start to show cracks and struggle, their teammates are then trying to cover for them as well as cover their own opponent, start to struggle and the domino effect is activated. Inside they're 50 early, every Lion was struggling to cover each others errors.
This is all down to experience which with time will allow players to retain or at least regain composure. The applied pressure was just too much for a handfull of guys and others struggle trying to get things back on track.

 

[dlanod]

Actually we were pretty bad from the get go.

In the first quarter Sydney had a dominant ten minutes, but we were definitely on top for the next 20. I had little hope it was going to continue, but it was fun to be in the crowd while we're on top at the SCG. Doesn't happen enough.

 

[Stocka]

The margin in the end wasn't too bad, considering the actual difference between the two teams over the course of the year. At least we had some occasions during the game where we got on top for 10 minutes or so and were able to hit the scoreboard. I was disappointed that Rockliff and Redden were very quiet in the first half, but I guess they were coming up against one of the toughest midfield units in the game and are still learning their trade against the better midfield units.

I think it might be time to bring Lisle in, so that Merrett can go back, given that our defense is starting to look limited without Maguire and Golby. Also, an extra tall will help to stretch St.Kilda's defense and ruck, which has had some issues with a lack of talls. I'd probably drop Beams to bring Lisle in.

I think Green looks like he needs a rest. I'd be keen to see Docherty given a run, so maybe this could be a straight swap.

I reckon the likes of Bewick, Stiller, Lester, Crisp, Polkinghorne and Karnezis will all hold their spots, despite their somewhat limited output, unless of course, we opt to bring Cornelius in as well (but this could reduce our running capacity, so I expect only one of Lisle or Cornelius to be brought in) or if Polec is given the nod for a return (but I think he is only in the mix with those names anyway).

 

[PattyKwasagun]

After a day's reflection, I feel like I'm now sure yesterday wasn't a step backwards. That's what matters the most.

The real danger is that it could trigger one. Only Saturday night will tell. Is it just me or does it feel like forever since we've played at home on a Saturday night? Return of the dew...

 

[Baby_Jenks]

I was going to write a pithy and witty post to try and kick start my brain on this cold and dark monday morning but this is all I could come up with :

McKeever - Told you so
In all seriousness he was on the backend of a midfield that was getting pumped but Reid is a good developing key forward. McKeever is obviously less than good. Developing certainly. Improving most definitely but good is a stretch of the term. Kudos to him for keeping his head up all day though. Could have easily had a sook or lashed out at teammates but didn't.
I apologize if this sounds too harsh but I think he needs to be dropped this weekend. Merrett looked at ease when he went back and by all accounts Lilse is tearing up the magoos. I applaud Voss' determination to stick to his guns with Merrett forward but injuries rather than ideologies make this change necessary.

 

[patfullfankezz]

I think we have under estimated the influence of Goodes on this game (again against the Lions). He was a major contributor to Reid's bag and also kicked 3 himself. We just don't have a suitable match up or tactic to stop him!,

We do, he just decided it was all too hard and didn't bother!

(Not mad...disappointed!)