Unofficial Preview Round 23, Friday, August 15th 8.20pm AEST @Optus v Dockers.

[martinson]

Our form leading into that Adelaide game was worse

It was to some degree but then maybe the Collingwood form was an illusion.

If you're getting to this point in the year and you're losing games you really need to win in the way we coughed it up yesterday it's not a good sign.

But like all of us I'm hoping we can turn it on when the real crunch comes.

 

[martinson]

The positive is that the sides likely to be in the Top 4 are all very beatable. It's not a strong year with no standout.

But we don't beat anybody unless our midfield plays with intensity and precision for most of the game.

 

[mpal6]

The positive is that the sides likely to be in the Top 4 are all very beatable. It's not a strong year with no standout.

But we don't beat anybody unless our midfield plays with intensity and precision for most of the game.

1 tackle per quarter. That's the benchmark I'd like to see for every player.

If you haven't tackled yet then maybe run harder so you'll be closer to ball carrier to execute one. Surely you have to close check the immediate player and can't play too loose, naturally you won't be slack, be more switched on etc etc etc.

 

[McIvor]

The positive is that the sides likely to be in the Top 4 are all very beatable. It's not a strong year with no standout.

But we don't beat anybody unless our midfield plays with intensity and precision for most of the game.

Which is why it is a very bitter pill to swallow that this years flag really was there for the taking even with our draw and injuries and yet we completely shoot ourselves in the foot with our pathetic attitude and mindset.

We’ve had golden opportunities in this 19-25 period, but letting this one slip when there hasn’t been a dominant team is just such a waste. And then this arrogant attitude of thinking we can just turn it on whenever we feel like it or we can do it from 7-8 is just not going to happen which is why it such a disaster. Then there’s the other alternative and miss altogether like Cats and Pies in recent years which after the Collingwood win you’d have never thought was possible.

 

[Sunny Land]

1 tackle per quarter. That's the benchmark I'd like to see for every player.

If you haven't tackled yet then maybe run harder so you'll be closer to ball carrier to execute one. Surely you have to close check the immediate player and can't play too loose, naturally you won't be slack, be more switched on etc etc etc.

We are a good tackling side. Games against Geelong, Collingwood & Hawthorn & the Granny last year for some examples were all elite in tackling. We can do it when switched on……….when swithced on being the key words.

 

[Lockie]

If Starcs has some issues around a hammy can’t see they will risk him on a long flight to Perth. I guess we’re travelling on Thursday during the day so we’ll know if he’s on the flight before the team is named Thursday night

 

[CarterS]

This game is our grand final, we are not winning from outside the 4 again.

 

[mpal6]

This game is our grand final, we are not winning from outside the 4 again.

Strangely, I like our chances more in finals this season if we stay away from Gabba.

 

[mpal6]

We are a good tackling side. Games against Geelong, Collingwood & Hawthorn & the Granny last year for some examples were all elite in tackling. We can do it when switched on……….when swithced on being the key words.

We tend to do a lot of loose checking across our half forward and midfield. The first proper defensive spoil shows up when we get to our half of the ground once Lester or Gardiner or Andrews prop up.

When we throw the loose checking away and commit early like we did against Pies, we play like a completely different unit. All I want is for us to set a 1 tackle per quarter run rate so players invariably need to play closer to their opponents. No loitering around pretending to corral but do it in a meaningful way.

I don't doubt the ability or skill, it's just the mindset and willingness to commit effort beyond their immediate vicinity.

 

[Sunny Land]

If Starcs has some issues around a hammy can’t see they will risk him on a long flight to Perth. I guess we’re travelling on Thursday during the day so we’ll know if he’s on the flight before the team is named Thursday night

They fly on Wednesday

 

[Sunny Land]

We tend to do a lot of loose checking across our half forward and midfield. The first proper defensive spoil shows up when we get to our half of the ground once Lester or Gardiner or Andrews prop up.

When we throw the loose checking away and commit early like we did against Pies, we play like a completely different unit. All I want is for us to set a 1 tackle per quarter run rate so players invariably need to play closer to their opponents. No loitering around pretending to corral but do it in a meaningful way.

I don't doubt the ability or skill, it's just the mindset and willingness to commit effort beyond their immediate vicinity.

Dont disagree with what you say however if we have posession of the footy more than the opposition, tackling isnt in the frame

 

[Paul Mac]

After watching Sydney try and play a real attacking style of footy which caused the Swans to be loose alot of times streaming through the midfield and creating loose players further afield , will be interesting to see how the dockers approach this game. With the wide open spaces of Optus Stadium if they want to try and play a run and gun approach against us it could cause us some real concerns i reckon. Its not usually their game style so will be interesting how they approach it.

 

[The Zork]

Real concerns they’ve got some players who will really hurt us.

Jackson’s athleticism I would be pushing him forward every chance I got to stretch our backs. Can see him marking a heap of release kicks from their D50 and numbers streaming past.

Serong only just been going is due for one of those games where he dominates.
Bolton always a tricky match up.
Murphy Reid has some tricks.

Will have to be one of those games we need to take our chances, including the hard and lucky ones.

 

[braddsey]

With Freo as said they won the games you think they win
Freo won 10-2 at home lost to Pies/Swans vs 5-4 away
We won 6-4 at the Gabba this year vs 8-2 and a draw away.
Gabba not the fortress it was. Why I said we lost games we should not off. GWS we kicked ourselves out of it
Melb we fell to sleep. Pies smashed us and Swans honestly they should have won by more yesterday.
We could have easily lost both our games to Swans like Freo did.
Swans on their day and Heeneys day can beat most teams

I’m pretty simple… a win is 4 points, a loss is not. No doubt we have been inconsistent, but Freo are 2 points and 1.4% above us. They also lost to Melbourne and they got thumped by the Saints. Their season has been remarkably similar to ours.

We could have easily lost both our games against the Swans, but we could also have easily won both our games.

We definitely lost games we should have one, but no one flags up games we should have lost… we expect to win them all.
We’ve been dealt what is widely acknowledged as the toughest fixture this season which I feel is clearly shaping the final 8.

Anyway, come out next week and get over Fremantle, we’ll all have our happy pants on again. If we lose it, we have another week of negativity and misery around here until we either show our muscle against Hawthorn, or raise the white flag on a tough season. Either way, i will have enjoyed the ride this year.

 

[pod17]

Sadly, Doedee ran a lot like Alex Johnson

Alex Johnson

Age

33

Ht

194cm

Wt

92kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

13.6

3star

K

8.7

3star

HB

4.8

3star

M

4.4

4star

T

2.2

4star

MG

111.5

2star

No current season stats available

D

12.2

3star

K

8.2

4star

HB

4.0

3star

M

3.0

3star

T

1.6

4star

on the weekend. It was very apparent yesterday that his body isn’t up to it. I totally understand the signing, and that he’s been unlucky doing an ACL upon arrival, but it’s crazy to think he’s still got two more years.

Outs: Marshall, Bruce and Doedee
Ins: Lester, Starce and Lohmann if fit.

Can’t see too many more changes than 3 unless forced.

 

[SpecialBruce]

We win. This is the Dockers

 

[SpecialBruce]

Strangely, I like our chances more in finals this season if we stay away from Gabba.

I'm the same. I mean, imagine if we play GC in the finals. No need to travel for a week.

The top four is uninspiring.

Adelaide's game plan won't stand up under finals pressure plus no finals experience. Fremantle average. Gold Coast no finals experience and their game plan won't stand up in finals.

We have Geelong and Collingwood covered at the G. We have GWS covered.

If we can get key personnel back, our chances are better than what people think.

 

[Big Sauce 21]

This game is our grand final, we are not winning from outside the 4 again.

If we don't win then we're playing for our season the week after

 

[Mr Ripper]

I'm the same. I mean, imagine if we play GC in the finals. No need to travel for a week.

The top four is uninspiring.

Adelaide's game plan won't stand up under finals pressure plus no finals experience. Fremantle average. Gold Coast no finals experience and their game plan won't stand up in finals.

We have Geelong and Collingwood covered at the G. We have GWS covered.

If we can get key personnel back, our chances are better than what people think.

Agree SB. Fitness (mental and physical) our biggest threat.

 

[Sunny Land]

Please no Henry Smith this week. Freo will easily run the ball through him everytime.

 

[Clarkythelion]

Look I won't be tipping us. We have a patchy record in Perth.

But I don't the talk of us being pumped, nor the dockers being in great form.

Yes they are winning but it's pretty ugly. Beat port with the last goal of the game. Best Carlton at home after trailing at 3qt. They are keeping teams in it.

We have responded well after poor losses this year. No doubt we need players back. The missing backline synergy was clear last week.

The must-in is Day. Gives us shape and doesn't get outmarked. Anyone know if his wrist is keeping him out? Wouldn't make sense given he is playing 2s

Just seems the obvious player to go with.

If they play 2 rucks again I'll spew up!

Day played reserve grade on the weekend. Pretty much unsighted but Oscar was best on ground most were saying.

 

[mpal6]

I'm the same. I mean, imagine if we play GC in the finals. No need to travel for a week.

The top four is uninspiring.

Adelaide's game plan won't stand up under finals pressure plus no finals experience. Fremantle average. Gold Coast no finals experience and their game plan won't stand up in finals.

We have Geelong and Collingwood covered at the G. We have GWS covered.

If we can get key personnel back, our chances are better than what people think.

Our personnel back and our intent to play 4 quarters. Consistently.

We're in a really funny/weird situation now where the comp knows our best is up there and the question remains whether or not we'll find it in time.

 

[mpal6]

Please no Henry Smith this week. Freo will easily run the ball through him everytime.

If we're worried about rebound then Big O or Day isn't the answer either. We need to play Gallop.

 

[Sunny Land]

If we're worried about rebound then Big O or Day isn't the answer either. We need to play Gallop.

Day is a better option. Gallop not ready yet in my opinion.

 

[Sunny Land]

Day played reserve grade on the weekend. Pretty much unsighted but Oscar was best on ground most were saying.

Beeken BOG from what I hear