Just got back from the game and i think we lost the game more than the Crows won it. I really don't know were to start because there were a fair few reasons and tactics that contributed to this:
1. First off the injuries really hurt us. Thornton's composure and experience would have helped immensely and Hartlett was presenting very well in the first quarter. Also having two on the bench for 3/4 quarters is very taxing on the players.
2. There were many many crucial errors we made that cost us goals, probably around 4 or 5, these skill error and brain fade have to be minimize for us to be consistent.
3. I noticed the crows had one or two loose players in front of Fev all the time, whereas when i looked down the other end, i couldn't see any players sitting in front of Burton or Goodwin. It was like we were playing 20 against 18. They used these men much more effectively than we did.
4. We got smashed in the clearences and that is because Cloke and Kruezer are not number one ruckman. They aren't tall enough, we have to get Hampson back in next week if he is fit. If not give Aiske a go, the hitouts were 55 to 17 their way, there is no way on earth you can win a game with that difference not matter how good the players at the ruckman's feet are.
5. On the centre square, what the hell is Ratten doing with Gibbs? Played the whole game in the defensive 50 on Thompson, Goodwin and Porplyzia when they went forward. He is a great clearance player, has shown that, he is a bloody midfielder for god sake. It's frustrating to see a great talent like Gibbs being used in a role that a Russell type player can do.
Changing my tone a little, a few positives would have to be Russell and Browne. Russell's disposal is still very suspect but his attack and defensive pressure was very very good today. Missed a few crucial shots at goal but at least he knows what he has to work on now. Before it seemed he had nothing to offer. As for Browne, very good signs, i would have liked to see him run off the hard back flank and use a little of his pace but i'm sure Ratten will experiment with this later on. Very good attack on the ball for a young player.
Was fairly disappointed in the lose because we could have won that game. It was definatley winable and to loose by 30 points is hard to swallow.
1. First off the injuries really hurt us. Thornton's composure and experience would have helped immensely and Hartlett was presenting very well in the first quarter. Also having two on the bench for 3/4 quarters is very taxing on the players.
2. There were many many crucial errors we made that cost us goals, probably around 4 or 5, these skill error and brain fade have to be minimize for us to be consistent.
3. I noticed the crows had one or two loose players in front of Fev all the time, whereas when i looked down the other end, i couldn't see any players sitting in front of Burton or Goodwin. It was like we were playing 20 against 18. They used these men much more effectively than we did.
4. We got smashed in the clearences and that is because Cloke and Kruezer are not number one ruckman. They aren't tall enough, we have to get Hampson back in next week if he is fit. If not give Aiske a go, the hitouts were 55 to 17 their way, there is no way on earth you can win a game with that difference not matter how good the players at the ruckman's feet are.
5. On the centre square, what the hell is Ratten doing with Gibbs? Played the whole game in the defensive 50 on Thompson, Goodwin and Porplyzia when they went forward. He is a great clearance player, has shown that, he is a bloody midfielder for god sake. It's frustrating to see a great talent like Gibbs being used in a role that a Russell type player can do.
Changing my tone a little, a few positives would have to be Russell and Browne. Russell's disposal is still very suspect but his attack and defensive pressure was very very good today. Missed a few crucial shots at goal but at least he knows what he has to work on now. Before it seemed he had nothing to offer. As for Browne, very good signs, i would have liked to see him run off the hard back flank and use a little of his pace but i'm sure Ratten will experiment with this later on. Very good attack on the ball for a young player.
Was fairly disappointed in the lose because we could have won that game. It was definatley winable and to loose by 30 points is hard to swallow.
