Review Round 9 vs Bulldogs @ Darwin. Sat. May 10 at 7:35pm

[Big Red Machine]

 

[RowellAnderson12]

Dogs have an elite midfield. It’s over

 

[DTLSchulzy16]

Fiorini vs Bont. What a time to be alive

 

[Young_Guns]

Darwin buff, but you’d struggle to pick 2 tougher opponents to face. If we can split these games than we’re in a good spot.

If ever there was a game to back Mally in, back home, after what we just watched….

 

[The Kings Ransom]

I'll watch the replay but on first view suggest

In
Rosas, Fiorini +- Moyle

Out
Graham (omit), Weller (int) +- Read


Hopefully Long gets up, but I assume not if hamstring injury

 

[Jen2310]

Dimma says Long just had tightness in his hamstring last friday, so he is a chance for this game

 

[GCS in 11]

In - Fiorini, Davies & Rosas

Out - Weller, Graham & Rogers

 

[KaySwizzle]

In - Fiorini, Davies & Rosas

Out - Weller, Graham & Rogers

Can’t agree with Davies as I think he is a bit off it; but our mids so underperformed that maybe we need a bigger body in there so can see some logic.

Fiorini and Rosas though I would like to see. An outside change is including Johnston off halfback as well since it’s a Darwin game and he played (mostly) ok.

Players that underperformed but are safe due to talent/leaders: Anderson, Rowell, King, Witts.

Players who underperformed but have runs on the board: Ainsworth, Flanders

Players who could go out based on previous form or just being young: Read, Holman, Rogers, Graham, Budderick.

Personally, I’d bring in:
Long (if fit) for Holman
Rosas for Rogers
Fiorini for Graham
Moyle for Read
Clohesey for Weller
Johnston (maybe) for Budders

That drops most of our under-performers for the last month, besides our midfielders.

I’d also look at a positional change for Ainsworth and Powell (maybe wing?), as both seem out of place—especially Powell, since Rioli and Noble have taken his spot/role. Either could play wing.

 

[DTLSchulzy16]

I’d rest Graham the week later vs Hawks. Just throw different midfield line ups all game at Dogs, we can’t be bullied inside again

Dimma says longy will be close

Rosas for Walter
Clohesy for Weller
Fiorini for Buda (move Ando to a wing)
Moyle for Witts
Long for Rogers
All outs play vs hawks except Weller who we probs won’t see till Freo game

And instead of a mid season trade period, can we have a loan period. We will miss Darwin specialist Luko even though he’s on one knee right now

 

[CanYouFeelTheSunburn]

Can’t believe people are calling for Graham to be dropped. I’d be dropping Swallow before Graham.

 

[KaySwizzle]

Can’t believe people are calling for Graham to be dropped. I’d be dropping Swallow before Graham.

I really like Graham. Bobs up for the odd goal which is great and he is as tough as they come, but around the ground he is having very little output. We can’t keep having semi-midfielders getting around 10 touches.

Our young players started the year well but aren’t contributing enough at the moment. This means we rely on others to carry, and it’s lead to down games across the team (usually for half a match, but last night was a full match of mediocrity). We have to cut at least two of Read, Walter, Graham, Rogers.

We need to find ways to get Ainsworth and Powell injected into the game.

Holman and Swallow can also be cut, with either or Graham/Rogers making good sub options.

I think three key changes + a Weller replacement and rotating the sub is needed for this game.

 

[Supersuns]

I like Ethan and I think he is going to be a very good player but right now he clearly can't handle the physicality of AFL footy. He just isn't ready and needs a spell.
Our other 2 key forwards really need to go to school on how to play as a key. Jed has all the athletic attributes you'd want but never uses them to create space and lead and just calls for it on his head. Then King refuses to play in front and tries to get cheap ones out the back. If our ball movement gets restricted we have no avenues to goal at all because of it.

 

[KaySwizzle]

I like Ethan and I think he is going to be a very good player but right now he clearly can't handle the physicality of AFL footy. He just isn't ready and needs a spell.
Our other 2 key forwards really need to go to school on how to play as a key. Jed has all the athletic attributes you'd want but never uses them to create space and lead and just calls for it on his head. Then King refuses to play in front and tries to get cheap ones out the back. If our ball movement gets restricted we have no avenues to goal at all because of it.

Walter also needs to not always go for the ball. He seems to always be there, even when another tall is there. Sometimes he spoils our own marks…

Our forward line spacing needs work and these guys need to work together better to create space for each other. Our synergy is low most of the time.

Missing a player like Long emphasises it more, as he would be able to lead, or be at the drop, or run to space—depending on the play. Can’t buy experience, unfortunately.

I get playing kids to give them that, but it costs us games along the way.

 

[Supersuns]

Walter also needs to not always go for the ball. He seems to always be there, even when another tall is there. Sometimes he spoils our own marks…

Our forward line spacing needs work and these guys need to work together better to create space for each other. Our synergy is low most of the time.

Missing a player like Long emphasises it more, as he would be able to lead, or be at the drop, or run to space—depending on the play. Can’t buy experience, unfortunately.

I get playing kids to give them that, but it costs us games along the way.

All 3 of them get in each other's way unfortunately, they all lack proper forward IQ. Need to learn some leading patterns and when to hold/block, move out the way. Its just frustrating to watch especially with 2 guys who have athletic attributes others could only dream of.

 

[KaySwizzle]

All 3 of them get in each other's way unfortunately, they all lack proper forward IQ. Need to learn some leading patterns and when to hold/block, move out the way. It’s just frustrating to watch especially with 2 guys who have athletic attributes others could only dream of.

It is painful to watch sometimes

I get the frustration people have with King. But if he hangs back Walter needs to run at the ball. King one-on-one is a good chance of winning, drawing the free kick or at least getting ball to ground.

King runs sideways a lot to space, which again only works off defenders are pulled out.

I think King as deepest forward is a waste though. He is a good shot from a reasonable distance and has speed. Should be running up past the ark a lot more and doubling back. Isolating King is good if we go fast though, so I get the idea but our forward structure needs to be more flexible.

Doesn’t help that half our forwards don’t make them defenders accountable because they can’t mark or kick goals.

 

[Southern Sun]

Graham needs to be in the middle more especially when Rowell isn't having an impact. Last quarter against the Lions he was one along with Humphrey who looked to be able to match it physically with the experienced lions midfield. Dimma let it roll too long with the same few, Anderson is no good if the likes of Rowell and miller can't get on top, neale went to Anderson all the time knowing he will break through his weak tackle attempts with ease.

 

[SandyToes]

I get playing kids to give them that, but it costs us games along the way.

Correct.We're supposed to be playing finals this year-not rebuilding
You could argue the most important thing we have to do is retain Rowelly
Then we dont have to worry so much about finals-that will come

 

[Jirik13]

I get all those views on our forward line, players roles, young players not up to it but compare Lions game (smashed in clearances) vs Swans 2nd half (dominating clearances). I still didn't re-watch the game but yesterday I would say 90% of deliveries were just bombs into inside 50 and often very shallow. We rarely were able to move the ball. In that case leading patterns go out of window, just trying to bring the ball to ground unless it's a quick ball to 1v1. Against Swans when we were moving the ball, there were plenty of leads. We were one of the most efficient teams going inside 50 before the game. With top quality opposition, high pressure things change.

I would focus on midfield analysis. That's the primary issue, rest is derived from it. Even commentators were suggesting constantly to mix things up early. Rowell to go to one of Lions players and so on, put other players there, tag. Just reactive, static. Anderson had 95% CBA and what did he do? Refusing to tag is silly. It was awful and not acceptable from coaches, players, IMO.

We will do changes due to fixture but if people believe Fiorini will make the difference - good luck. I watched him carefully yesterday. On multiple occasions no pressure and kick went straight to opposition. Sure he is perfect in VFL but if people believe it translates to AFL quality I disagree and his last year performance in AFL is a good assessment. Sure when players are out of form, in case of injuries play him but he is a depth/role player at best. There is a reason why other teams passed on him.

Anyway, I hope he has good games when he gets opportunity. He did have a couple of decent games last year.

To summarise my feeling this morning.
Bloody hell, that was awful performance in the middle. I felt sorry for defenders.
Dimma got on my nerve with his view. Especially with 'we know what went wrong, it's easy to fix it'. Maybe just do it and coach during the game better.

We better learned from it and respond. WB are flying and have incredible midfield.

 

[Jirik13]

Correct.We're supposed to be playing finals this year-not rebuilding
You could argue the most important thing we have to do is retain Rowelly
Then we dont have to worry so much about finals-that will come

A lot of blame yesterday should go to Rowell too (and coaches). When he finally moved to forward line he looked lost there, often out of position. Basically, you tag him (or Anderson) and they disappear. They are 6 years in a system, learn how to deal with tag.

 

[GC2015]

Dimma says Long just had tightness in his hamstring last friday, so he is a chance for this game

I hope that's true. We really missed him yesterday.

Just goes to show that we still need to recruit a proper small forward in the off season. We can't just rely on Long because there's no guarantee he'll be healthy for every game. I'd probably give Rosas a chance in this game just to see if he's got anything left in our colours.

A lot of blame yesterday should go to Rowell too (and coaches). When he finally moved to forward line he looked lost there, often out of position. Basically, you tag him (or Anderson) and they disappear. There were 6 years in a system, learn how to deal with tag.

Dimma must have thought Rowell would eventually break the tag and it just never happened. That's a learning experience for everybody involved and I'm sure Dimma will pull the trigger earlier if it happens again.

 

[Jirik13]

Dimma must have thought Rowell would eventually break the tag and it just never happened. That's a learning experience for everybody involved and I'm sure Dimma will pull the trigger earlier if it happens again.

The same happened in previous QClashes under Dimma.

 

[SandyToes]

A lot of blame yesterday should go to Rowell too (and coaches). When he finally moved to forward line he looked lost there, often out of position. Basically, you tag him (or Anderson) and they disappear. They are 6 years in a system, learn how to deal with tag.

He is elite.
Whether he got beaten yesterday makes zero difference to what he means to the Club and the team
We have no ability to replace him no matter what you think

 

[KaySwizzle]

I hope that's true. We really missed him yesterday.

Just goes to show that we still need to recruit a proper small forward in the off season. We can't just rely on Long because there's no guarantee he'll be healthy for every game. I'd probably give Rosas a chance in this game just to see if he's got anything left in our colours.


Dimma must have thought Rowell would eventually break the tag and it just never happened. That's a learning experience for everybody involved and I'm sure Dimma will pull the trigger earlier if it happens again.

Have Rowell or Anderson ever broken a tag though? Like, a proper one. I’d say no. We know how good they can’t be but they are easy to shut down and get completely taken out of a game.

Witts is a monster, but a very easy ruck to beat if the opposition know what they are doing. That has to be among the lowest hit outs to advantage games anyone has witnessed.

The reality is that if our mids aren’t at the level, our team has nothing (true of most teams, to be fair).

But last night wasn’t losing in the middle. Last night was one of the worst performances of a midfield group I’ve ever seen.

Not one player can hold their head high in that group. Every match up was beaten. Every player was embarrassed for nearly the whole game.

Rowell was absolutely blanketed. Noah was so ineffective. Touk ran all day but hardly impacted. And to be honest, our midfield haven’t been dominant in a game (barring quarter bursts) for quite a while. Serious warning signs have been building and it culminated in last night’s “performance”.

 

[Jirik13]

He is elite.
Whether he got beaten yesterday makes zero difference to what he means to the Club and the team
We have no ability to replace him no matter what you think

I was not talking about what he means to the club. I am talking about yesterday performance.

Yes, he was elite in some games. He/coaches can't deal with oppositions tagging him at the moment. It's not for the first time.

 

[Jirik13]

Have Rowell or Anderson ever broken a tag though? Like, a proper one. I’d say no. We know how good they can’t be but they are easy to shut down and get completely taken out of a game.

Witts is a monster, but a very easy ruck to beat if the opposition know what they are doing. That has to be among the lowest hit outs to advantage games anyone has witnessed.

The reality is that if our mids aren’t at the level, our team has nothing (true of most teams, to be fair).

But last night wasn’t losing in the middle. Last night was one of the worst performances of a midfield group I’ve ever seen.

Not one player can hold their head high in that group. Every match up was beaten. Every player was embarrassed for nearly the whole game.

Rowell was absolutely blanketed. Noah was so ineffective. Touk ran all day but hardly impacted. And to be honest, our midfield haven’t been dominant in a game (barring quarter bursts) for quite a while. Serious warning signs have been building and it culminated in last night’s “performance”.

Agree with everything except your view on Miller. IMO, he was pretty good.