Autopsy Rd 21 Blues luck dries up in the wet

[JustaBattler]

In wet weather football typically the faster harder better drilled game plan wins. Teague's game plan wasn't as bad as some make out in first half- Carlton just didn't convert its opportunities - simple as that. McGovern ( usually a dead eye kick) missed three shots before he put one through. Levi/McGovern and Harry did enough to have seen a more even game in first half - but poor kicking is poor football - in mucky conditions, a bit of class and clean hands comes in handy - and here DeLuca/Lang/Fisher and Jack - the supporting crew to forwards - were found wanting. I was a bit miffed at their combined inability to stifle exits -or apply any real hurt in tackling - but Richmonds extra man/sweeper didn't help.

Between the arcs: Richmond were able to stifle Carlton's clearances - whilst Carlton wasn't able to stop Richmond finding space when they won the contested ball. Carlton midfield wasn't able to find outside space so this pressure led to a lot of under pressure kicks - which were easily picked off - by their free sweeper.

Teague discovered what we already knew - against better drilled midfields - Carlton lacks the size/speed/smarts to clear the ball effectively and maintain control of possession - one developed classy mid short of being able to put 'a Richmond' on the back foot - over to you SOS and Co.

I liked hearing Teague say that he wanted to play the game on our terms - and he was prepared to give this a half to see how things panned out.
I liked even more that at half time he changed things up and from there the game became a much more even affair from a tactical perspective.

Jones/Weitering are able to halve or beat most tall combinations - but despite improvement - Carlton's exits from defensive 50 lack real hurt factor that better rebounding teams are able to produce. Simmo/Thomas/Plowman and Newman can stop effectively - but we are missing the quick rebound capability that is the difference between a middling side and a contender. How much of this is playing under developed blokes in Setterfield and Lob as the link men on wings? Whatever the answer is - Carlton will also struggle to put o a score or put sides away - if the side cant find a way to get from one end of the field to other in quick time when opportunity arises or is created - and I think that will be one of the challenges to be sorted going forward.

It is all very good looking forward to Charlie/Docherty/Cuningham/Williamson's availability - but history suggests that there will always be injuries.

Teague has been able to get a level of competitiveness out of a side which includes a few too many honest battlers who get beaten by better players.

I'd be hunting a Coniglio and a couple of true speedsters to fill in the missing pieces in trade period - but we all know that - getting a VFL side which plays to the same game plan and style as firsts will become even more obvious as we go forward.

 

[Michael Jezz]

Your last sentence is correct but your first is a bit off. Have a look at Gibbons games across the season and tell me, how he has got an armchair ride. Fish has been down lately and Deluca is in his 8th game of AFL.

They receive an armchair ride because the posts are glowingly positive when they are average footballers who I doubt can take us to top 4.

 

[Blue Chip Pass]

I’m only half way through the replay, and it’s apparent that Richmond plays with a sense of entitlement that seems to influence umpiring. Sorry, but that’s what I’m seeing.

Take Vlaustin’s response to a physical tackle by Levi late in 1st Q for instance; he proceeded to shove his clenched fist into Levi’s neck region after pinning him to the ground in retaliation for the tackle, yet the umpire ignored it. It’s like, how dare Vlaustin be subject to tackling; it can’t have been the force of the tackle that he found so offensive, because a similar force tackle by Levi on another Tigers player early in the 2nd wasn’t penalised.

Then there’s Lynch, who puts both arms out demanding a free for interference during a marking contest in the 1st Q, paid of course; while similar interference during a marking contest up the other end in the same Q, involving a silent H, was ignored.

He who insists seems to receive.

Opine, Maybe there is a bit of biased perception. But that's exactly how I see it. Richmond are masters at pleading their case to the umpires.

 

[Blue and Blue]

They receive an armchair ride because the posts are glowingly positive when they are average footballers who I doubt can take us to top 4.

So do you think the match commitee pick the side based on posts here?
Bizarre comment MJ.

 

[Blue Chip Pass]

I know we were long shots at winning the game. Especially being a wet day, totally suited Richmond.
But I just wish we could take our opportunities when they present. Seize the moment, FFS.
We missed a lot of easy goals, that would have created scoreboard pressure. Missed too many targets with either bombing or bad kicking. And we should not have left Richmond with a spare defender for that long. Blind Freddie could see it was not working. De Luca marking the ball on the right goal post and being a left footer, needed to own the moment and just kick what would have been an easy goal. Bad kicking is bad footy and it totally effects the morale and momentum of the players in a game. Whilst all that was frustrating, especially having a mouthful of stitches after surgery and I couldn't scream at the Tele. But upon reflection, there is alot to like.
I admire Teague that he can still keep his cool on the outside. He must have been livid on the inside.
Lang is out for me, papers stamped. Not good enough.
Harry, Fisher & Cripps carrying injuries.
Big thumbs up for Jones, Weiters, Plow, Simpson, Daisy, Cripps, Murphy, kruezer, SPS, Ed
McGov will be great next year when his body gets right.
We will be a much better side with Charlie & Docherty in the mix.
Throw in a GENUINE small forward and another classy midfielder and we would have beaten the Tigers.
We must beat the Saints!! Please..

 

[Blue and Blue]

Opine, Maybe there is a bit of biased perception. But that's exactly how I see it. Richmond are masters at pleading their case to the umpires.

A bunch of crybabys is what they are. Soft players and a soft style. They do all they can to avoid contact except when its crashing in late.
They dont attack the footy they attack the man that just went and attacked the footy while they hang back. Gutless football. Won't be long till they fall off the perch.

 

[Bearded Carpenter]

I’ve tried and tried to love him, I love how he cracks in hard a few times a match, but gee whiz Kade Simpson is a shocking footballer. Please get a Jack Martin or somebody to replace him.

Me thinks you would love 4b2.
Would you like to meet him?

 

[FRUMPY]

Kruezer getting a 50m penalty and missing was huge. The crowd roared when he got the 50m and would have been the perfect start to the last quarter. It would have been like against Melbourne when the crowd was going nuts and we had all the momentum.

 

[tugga]

I come in peace as I did after round 1.
Lots to like about your club going forward.
Kudos to Weitering for destroying the most in form big forward in the comp.
SPP good.
Silvagni playing with confidence is good to see.
McGovern was dangerous and looks fit.
Reckon you can make finals next year.

 

[Burgers45]

I come in peace as I did after round 1.
Lots to like about your club going forward.
Kudos to Weitering for destroying the most in form big forward in the comp.
SPP good.
Silvagni playing with confidence is good to see.
McGovern was dangerous and looks fit.
Reckon you can make finals next year.

Thanks for the compliments. If you maintain your current form you'll go close. Cheers.

 

[bluemahogany]

I have genuine disdain towards jack Riewoldt and the way he plays, played for free every single time the ball went near him. Good on the ump for not getting baited and well done to Jones for absolutely annihilating him. Love that man.

 

[Aphrodite]

I thought your blokes played well,in the 2nd half when you went one on one.

The days of the blues being spuds are over. Dees can have that title again . You have some serious talent.

Spuds



You username says it all!

 

[Burgers45]

That siren went well before he marked that.

We missed our chances early in the last qtr. Could have put a few on early but couldn't convert.

I know it won't make any difference to the outcome of the game, but a number of supporters have brought it to the attention of Whately's program on SEN this morning. Impact it has had on betting, etc.and also impact if happens in finals. He was skeptical that it occurred, but is going to look into it this afternoon. I'll be watching 360 tonight for any result.

 

[Blue and Blue]

Oh how wonderful that betting can have attention drawn to discrepancy's.
Never mind the actual game.............
What a colossal stuff up in priorities.

 

[Large Hawaiian]

Or you, know, the other option? Lang just isn't good enough.

I watched him closely yesterday, on several occasions he wanted to engage with his opponent with the ball in the air rather than just attack the ball which is what his man did. He was outclassed and looked devoid of confidence. I was happy when we got him from the Cats but I don't see a spot for him now. I'd be delighted to be proven wrong.

 

[Aphrodite]

Love this!

 

[Aphrodite]

I come in peace as I did after round 1.
Lots to like about your club going forward.
Kudos to Weitering for destroying the most in form big forward in the comp.
SPP good.
Silvagni playing with confidence is good to see.
McGovern was dangerous and looks fit.
Reckon you can make finals next year.

Hey tugga hi

 

[El Topo]

They receive an armchair ride because the posts are glowingly positive when they are average footballers who I doubt can take us to top 4.

Check out the bottom six from any premiership side this decade.

 

[Duigan Alley34]

It wasn't him that set the Tiggies up like he does so often though. De Luca reduced his impact on the game. His previous month of games was so much better than what he provided today. Prestia was the one who killed us today with his 11 clearances, including a game high 5 clearances from centre bounces.

When it's all said & done, Houli was probably not in the best half a dozen defenders on the ground & this is a credit to De Luca given Houli's form across the season (today was his 3rd lowest disposal game this season).

Fair enough, not the way I saw it, but that's ok.
Prestia did kill us. It was Houli's 3rd lowest disposal count but he was exquisite with nearly every possession and that hurts in these conditions. Ultimately, it was the tigers ability to string clean chains of possession that allowed them to score more heavily than us and Houli was a big part of that imo.

 

[Jimmyonesix]

I think the wet weather impacted O’Brien’s game. He will be better for it. Still very young and raw, i wouldn’t drop him next week

Do you think the fact we didn’t want to use our wings and flanks out of congestion (Richmond does very well)to run the ball instead we persisted bombing forward attributed to his Setterfield gibbons output and bought there spare in to play this may be the main reason we couldn’t get deep entries and no chance for forwards to set up .. maybe it more to do with our work around clearances that needs to be looked at — you want runners receiving ball no going in and getting there own — just my opinion

 

[Duigan Alley34]

Point missed.......

Let’s just see if 360 blows up about Reiwoldt’s “chicken wing” on Liam the same way the media did on Judd?

Then we’ll both know the answer.

I was ******* furious at this pathetic weak dog act by Reiwoldt. Great way to do some serious damage. One thing to hold a blokes arm in that position but then to put extra force into it...

Deliberate endangerment of Jones. This should get multiple weeks in my opinion, but won't, probably won't even get looked at by that grub.

 

[Duigan Alley34]

I think the wet weather impacted O’Brien’s game. He will be better for it. Still very young and raw, i wouldn’t drop him next week

Yep, took some time for him to adapt and find a way to influence the game which wasn't suited to his natural style. Good learning experience for the lad.

 

[Opine]

100% completely agree.
...
PS - I’ve posted seperately that Tiggers were constantly appealing for frees and sooking to the umps when they didn’t get them. Jack is a “leader”!!!!

This is my point, it's driven by their leaders starting with their coach; he snaps at post match media for daring to pursue a line of questioning; retaliates against crowd for daring to question his team's ability away from MCG; snaps at media for daring to question his teams prospects.

 

[BrisbaneCFC]

I only really have three things to say.

Can we please put a moratorium on the phrase or variations thereof, "I don't usually bag out umpires...'? You want to criticise the umpiring, go right ahead; I'm not Thy, this thread is as much for venting as it is for coherence. But the only time that particular phrase or its variants is used is prior to criticism, whether valid or otherwise. Whether you do it normally or you've never done it before in your life, you're doing it now; has approximately the same value as 'I'm not a racist but'.

The second - concerning the game itself - is that if Teague is to get the job, he will need to have some means of addressing what is and has long been an issue at Carlton on this side of 2000, the simply inadequate means of exiting a stoppage. At no point have we had a good or better clearance coach who was capable of winning the ball and ensuring the string of possession is continued afterwards whilst moving the ball quickly. We've had the former, but never the latter, and with the quality we have across the 22 now we lack any excuses outside of poor coaching and development within our senior players; formerly Gibbs and Mitch Robinson, but also Kruez, Murphy and Simpson. It might just be a Barker thing; Walsh cites Barker as having a huge influence over him, and Walsh is starting to bomb the ball when within a clearance context.

Get Caracella. Get McCarthy. Get Voss. Get Ratten. I don't care who you get to be the midfield/stoppages coach, as long as they can create a system which allows us to win the ball free to a situation in which we can move from a clearance through the flanks cleanly, with space.

The final part is that we have some difficult decisions to make, list wise. We have TDK, Charlie, Harry, Kerr as KPF, with strong medium forwards in Gov, Kennedy and Jack. We have Cripps who can rest forward, who is KPF height. We have Jones, Weitering, Plow, Marchbank, Goddard, Macreadie, Ben Silvagni as KPD, with Williamson being barely cm below KPD height and Finbar who could be either eventually and Levi who is anything already. We have seen it already. We simply possess too many talls to use them all adequately. We do not play as well when they're all available, and we cannot match a smaller faster opponent when we play all of them when they are fit. We are going to have to trade some of these players over the next 2-3 years, and we are going to have to make decisions that we will regret in the short to long term, but as of right now our list is unbalanced. It's funny, if we had Harry and Kennedy in 2011 we'd have been a genuine top 4 chance; hell, if we had Kerr and Kennedy in 2011, we'd have been a top 4 chance. It's good to have such a glut of talent in talls, but the downside is that you cannot always expect to play at Docklands under a closed roof, and you cannot risk being overrun against smaller opposition in a grand final purely because you didn't want to lose a talented player.

Whatever you do, don't propose trading a tall. You will get ripped to shreds.

 

[DangerousD]

A bunch of crybabys is what they are. Soft players and a soft style. They do all they can to avoid contact except when its crashing in late.
They dont attack the footy they attack the man that just went and attacked the footy while they hang back. Gutless football. Won't be long till they fall off the perch.

Soft players playing a soft style don’t win grand finals, I’m sorry but this is just pure fantasy, we got a lesson on Sunday on how to win in the wet.