Autopsy Round 12, 2025: Positives and Negatives vs Geelong

[Dom sheed pocket]

Yeah there was a point in the first quarter where Simmo was talking about how the Eagles needed to slow down and possess the footy and even a pointed comments about how it was impossible to win games playing out of your backhalf and it perfectly summed up everything that was wrong about his approach.

Like yeah we could slow the game down and try and possess it and then Geelong knowing they were never going to be challenged would grind us down over 4 quarters to an easy 10 goal win. And worse than the margin we'd get nothing out of it. Noone would have learnt shit, the holes in our list would still be papered over, mediocre skills would still be hidden from view, the press conference would involve the same tired cliches and after two years of that the team would be on the same pathway to long term mediocrity that Simpson generated.

As i see it, the two big benefits of miniball are
-it doesn't let shit players hide. Everyone is expected to take the game on and go when it's their turn, and people who can't learn to think quick and use the ball well will quickly be found out- so it's developing a culture where elite ball movement is expected as the norm- I think its really interesting seeing some people like Brockman thrive in the system simply because whatever weakness he has as a player he absolutely can use the ball effectively under pressure, and is loving a coach who trusts and expects him to do that. Long term I think this will generate a way better list.

- it doesn't let opposition relax or play the way they want to. As you say, it helps the team stay in games because there's always a chance of a quick run of goals. And I think particularly against weak bottom 4 teams like west coast there's a preference to try and get control of a game and then just sit back and win based on quality and field position. Coaches like simmo play into that strategy because as soon as they start encouraging people to kick the ball around or hold possession to 'stop the bleeding' they cut down on their own capacity to score and just make it easier for the other team to hold the lead. An approach which means the opposition is always having to worry about what happens when the ball heads the other way might lead to some blow outs when things go wrong, but it also.means the game is never really on the opposition's terms and they always need to stay worried about what we're doing.

I don't want to get carried away with a 43 pt loss but I think this is going to work in the long term- certainly it's worth persevering with.

Simmo was right, we needed to control and possess the ball better in the first quarter, we were just fumbling from contest to contest with zero composure.

We fixed that, in part by controlling the ball better and that is when we were able to match it with them. McQualter basically said the exact same thing in his press conference when he said we were "fuelling their pressure" in the first quarter.

Every team has different speeds and modes they need to be able to go to, it can't just be kamikaze footy. McQualter has said this all along.

 

[Kegs15]

Simmo was right, we needed to control and possess the ball better in the first quarter, we were just fumbling from contest to contest with zero composure.

We fixed that, in part by controlling the ball better and that is when we were able to match it with them. McQualter basically said the exact same thing in his press conference when he said we were "fuelling their pressure" in the first quarter.

Every team has different speeds and modes they need to be able to go to, it can't just be kamikaze footy. McQualter has said this all along.

I dunno I agree with Total_Juddshanks 's assessment based on where we're at. Good teams yeah can switch speeds and modes - our 2018 team was good enough to switch from the controlled Plan A to aggressive Plan Bs because of how experienced they were. Kind of like learning to drive where you want the basic processes and reading the traffic to be automatic before you start playing with the radio settings, getting a bit naughty with what you do etc (not advocating for dangerous driving but you know what I mean).

Shit teams like us sort of need to focus on Plan A until we get it right. Maybe you saw it differently but I saw us controlling the ball better as us settling into better execution of Plan A, which was awesome to see. Simmo specifically said "slow it down" which I dunno, feels like going to Plan B too early in the game.

In Simmo's last season we were trying to play aggressive, take the game on footy but it still felt like a Plan B, with our players having learnt to 'drive' in that slower, controlled manner. I kind of love that this is our Plan A now, and it sometimes works, sometimes doesn't, is likely to gas us out like against Geelong but it's setting up a better brand for how the game is played these days. When we do specifically slow down our movement up the ground is too stagnant, our talls aren't well positioned enough and we look confused - this can be as energy sapping for players like Brockman as kamikaze footy can be.

Sort of read McQualter's speeds and modes comments that you've mentioned as part of our development and almost the next step for us as a squad vs something to be expected this year. Get our aggressive Plan A sorted this season, + a few things we've also demonstrated like setups for the last few mins of quarters etc, and if we fumble or have patches of poor composure that's ok.

Then next season and beyond work on those other modes that'll make us an actual competing team. But yeah love our default setting atm for the reasons Total_Juddshanks listed.

 

[CursoryMercenary]

Maric needs to get out of defence we've been saying that for most of this season, maybe McQ has finally seen the light.

 

[Big_Birdy]

13

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The less than 50 games stat isn't telling the whole story either.

Our blokes on less than 50 games were for the most part 19-21 years old. Cats under 50s have more mature guys like Humphries (22), Dempsey (22), Mullin (25), Neale (23), Mannagh (27) making up the bulk.

 

[Rowan18]

Yeah, but the wooden spoon is basically the looser team of the year. We've had a couple now, no more please.

Everyone (maybe not everyone) remembers the Primer and the Wooden Spooner. That shit hangs over the club all the following year

Sorry to be this guy, but:

Lose = to not win
Loose = not tight

 

[eaglesnutcase]

I agree with all the above. We lose but at least we don’t have that excruciating pain of kicking 2 goals in a half. We are sorting out the style,we are sorting out the players, but at least we get some excitement along the journey.We are a much better side than previous years.

 

[kranky al]

Maric needs to get out of defence we've been saying that for most of this season, maybe McQ has finally seen the light.

Meanwhile he’s been learning defensive traits that will stand him in good stead.

 

[Bushhopper]

Hutchinson's turnovers are often not just garden variety turnovers. They are so bad that they often cost us a shot at goal at our end plus a goal to the opposition on the rebound. He seems to actually pick out the opposition out in space in a dangerous position when all his team mates have spread and run to give him an option.

Not sure he is worth continuing to invest in. I know he has only played 15 games, but what is he actually good at? What assets/attributes/weapons does he have that will allow him to impact games in the future? You don't have to great at everything but you have to have a one wood in your bag.

The guy is fast, tough, tackles well and never gives up. Just needs to find the correct position suited to him. As a guess I'd say inside, distributer by hand midfielder would be his go.

On the outside has plenty of pace to run and tackle, just not the best skills. I'd persist with him

 

[Footfalcon]

Maric needs to get out of defence we've been saying that for most of this season, maybe McQ has finally seen the light.

He's actually really good at nullifying the opposition in a contested mark. Just lacks the high body contact and accountability needed in defence

 

[DorothyG]

Sorry to be this guy, but:

Lose = to not win
Loose = not tight

All good. I have a terrible, terrible grasp of spelling/grammer. Always appreciate the corrections

 

[Scotland]

+ve

Noah Long had a chance to level the game a few minutes into the last quarter. Yeah he missed but the last time we played Geelong it was 114-14. At half time. I'm marking it down as our 5th winnable game out of 12 (St K, Bris, Ess, Rich, Geel). Unfortunately were 1-4 in those but given how the first 20 minutes went it looked ominous. Honourable losses are frustrating but a necessary stepping stone from losing by 90 every other week.

-ve

We still give away multiple goals each week from the dumbest mistakes. Jack Williams kicked across goal and got Bo Allan suspended vs Melbourne. Matt Flynn I think it was did it vs Geelong and gave away a goal. New rule: ruckmen don't get to kick sideways. One of Cameron's junk time goals came from a 2 on 2 where we didn't rush the ball through, get it out of bounds for a throw in or hold it in for a ball up. Both Cole and Edwards owe Ginbey a coffee for some of their nuffy play in the last quarter.

 

[DanWCE]

All good. I have a terrible, terrible grasp of spelling/grammer. Always appreciate the corrections

 

[Mop]

We still give away multiple goals each week from the dumbest mistakes. Jack Williams kicked across goal and got Bo Allan suspended vs Melbourne. Matt Flynn I think it was did it vs Geelong and gave away a goal. New rule: ruckmen don't get to kick sideways. One of Cameron's junk time goals came from a 2 on 2 where we didn't rush the ball through, get it out of bounds for a throw in or hold it in for a ball up. Both Cole and Edwards owe Ginbey a coffee for some of their nuffy play in the last quarter.

I said it earlier, but what annoyed me most about Flynn was context, what was it, 40 seconds until 3QT, a goal down, Oscar Allen, admittedly not with any momentum, was right there ready for the receive on the outer side. Flynn chose the wheelaround turnover. Allen has a shot at goal, tight angle, but he was on song and at least a 50/50 chance to goal, or he chooses to send it to a contest it with a better kick than Flynn could give. Either way, Allen was the better choice. You want the ball in the hands of arguably your best and most in form player.

 

[Ambrose Burnside]

I said it earlier, but what annoyed me most about Flynn was context, what was it, 40 seconds until 3QT, a goal down, Oscar Allen, admittedly not with any momentum, was right there ready for the receive on the outer side. Flynn chose the wheelaround turnover. Allen has a shot at goal, tight angle, but he was on song and at least a 50/50 chance to goal, or he chooses to send it to a contest it with a better kick than Flynn could give. Either way, Allen was the better choice. You want the ball in the hands of arguably your best and most in form player.

Oscar was burnt multiple times.

 

[bradz]

Oscar was burnt multiple times.

Mind you, Oscar seriously burned Tyler Brockman when he snapped from about 25m out on the angle in the pocket. Brockman was at least 15 metres in the clear, nearly at the top of the goal square. Luckily it went through.

 

[mehow2g]

Gameplan good, intent and desire to compete and win, to keep up with an experienced and talented side like Geelong was impressive.

Talent lacks like it will for the next 2-3 years.

 

[Scotland]

Mind you, Oscar seriously burned Tyler Brockman when he snapped from about 25m out on the angle in the pocket. Brockman was at least 15 metres in the clear, nearly at the top of the goal square. Luckily it went through.

It is his job to kick goals, though. You'd prefer the handball or chip over the top to make the goal a certainty, but give me a forward snapping for goal over a ruckman deciding to take the game on any day.

 

[wce4premiership]

Sorry to be this guy, but:

Lose = to not win
Loose = not tight

In the context of a sport with more than two competitors do you say you lose only if you come last? Or to anyone who doesn't win?

Not being a smart arse, genuinely curious.

I would say someone in a running race coming 2nd hasn't lost, but others would argue that if you don't win you lose.

 

[Rowan18]

In the context of a sport with more than two competitors do you say you lose only if you come last? Or to anyone who doesn't win?

Not being a smart arse, genuinely curious.

I would say someone in a running race coming 2nd hasn't lost, but others would argue that if you don't win you lose.

I agree, lose does mean finish last in that context.

 

[Seadog]

All good. I have a terrible, terrible grasp of spelling/grammer. Always appreciate the corrections

Probably the first time on BF anyone has appreciated being pulled up on dodgy spelling. Either you are a well adjusted individual or a master in the art of irony.

 

[Scotland]

In the context of a sport with more than two competitors do you say you lose only if you come last? Or to anyone who doesn't win?

Not being a smart arse, genuinely curious.

I would say someone in a running race coming 2nd hasn't lost, but others would argue that if you don't win you lose.

 

[eaglesnutcase]

Probably the first time on BF anyone has appreciated being pulled up on dodgy spelling. Either you are a well adjusted individual or a master in the art of irony.

Keep your eye on that one. Something dodgy there!

 

[DorothyG]

It's grammar isn't it?

 

[Astro7]

Probably the first time on BF anyone has appreciated being pulled up on dodgy spelling. Either you are a well adjusted individual or a master in the art of irony.

 

[Astro7]

In these stats they should deduct turnovers and resulting metres lost, from metres gained! It's only true and fair? (but I guess the oppo players gets those metres gained)