Structure v essendon

[Chops]

No one really explain the game v Essendon.
Who played in what positions? Anyone missing?

 

[OldSchool]

I did post a short version of the match-ups on another thread.
I general terms it was a fairly normal bulldog set-up with Murphy, Grant, Robbins, Hargrave, Bassett and Smith starting in defence and Guido joining West, Johnson and Darcy in the square and a forward line of Bandy, Wiggins, Brown, Gilbee, Alvey and Birss.
Kretiuk started on the bench.
We fell down across half forward and the Bombers were very direct with their forward attacks. There was also a bit happening off the ball

Hargrave on Hird was working OK until he got a knock to the head and was replaced by McGuinness. Grant was doing a great job at CHB and Robbins was doing well in the BP. Other than that it was the normal senior group leading the way like west, Smith and Johnson.
The midfield lacked a bit of grunt and upforward Wiggins often had to battle against two defenders. There wasn't much of a contest after half time which was disappointing

 

[jim440]

Originally posted by OldSchool
We fell down across half forward

Bandy's third ordinary performance in a row?

I'm starting to worry about the boy

 

[Chops]

Thanks OS
The whole side looks a bit short?
With another tall backman will Grant be able to help out at HF by running forward ala Paul Roos? or should we have played another tall forward?
Understand the midfield turnovers cost us, but no forward will prosper when he is 2 on 1 against.

Not greatly upset by the result, its a practice match and we are trying new things. With the number of young guys, I think we will be up and down all year. Even though we are playing Brisbane, if we get another flogging at Whitten Oval this week, I think it may be a long year.

 

[OldSchool]

Chops, I think Croft will play a little footy for us this weekend and hopefully Skipper and Harris have done enough to get a go as well.

 

[OldSchool]

Originally posted by jim440
Bandy's third ordinary performance in a row?

I'm starting to worry about the boy

The conditions were not right for Bandy on Saturday.
I'd like to give him a go in defence to run him into a little form.
He is a critical player for us this season and we need him firing by round one.

 

[Dry Rot]

Originally posted by OldSchool

We fell down across half forward

I wonder if this will be our story this year. Same happened v Cats. Nothing I can see to turn it around.

 

[Mr. Walker]

Thanks OldSchool. I have been hanging out for a bit of analysis on this game. My optimism for the season is waning fast. Of most concern to me is the way our midfield has been flogged by both Essendon and Geelong. That was supposed to be our strength and with so many young guys I would have thought they would be giving it everything to be sure of making the side for Round 1.

also, did Wiggins show anything?

It is looking as if Brown is our only forward. so we have progressed from Grant being our only forward to Brown being our only forward! And what was Hahn doing in the twos? We need some muscle in the middle so we drop him. I know its only a practice match and its the time to experiment and all that but we do need to produce something and demonstrate some real improvement soon.

The way its going Saddam will chalk up a victory before we do.

 

[OldSchool]

Originally posted by Mr. Walker
Thanks OldSchool. I have been hanging out for a bit of analysis on this game. My optimism for the season is waning fast. Of most concern to me is the way our midfield has been flogged by both Essendon and Geelong. That was supposed to be our strength and with so many young guys I would have thought they would be giving it everything to be sure of making the side for Round 1.

also, did Wiggins show anything?

It is looking as if Brown is our only forward. so we have progressed from Grant being our only forward to Brown being our only forward! And what was Hahn doing in the twos? We need some muscle in the middle so we drop him. I know its only a practice match and its the time to experiment and all that but we do need to produce something and demonstrate some real improvement soon.

The way its going Saddam will chalk up a victory before we do.

The midfield is a bit of a concern for us but know more that our forward set-up. The backline thankfully has enough options

We have often fall down across half forward and I think we need to push a third tall option there to give the midfield another player to go to if Bandy or Wiggins are out numbered.
McGuinness might be a decent option there.

It is still a little early to point the finger at Wiggins and I am not prepared to write him off just yet.

Agree about Hahn

 

[stefoid]

Originally posted by Dry Rot
I wonder if this will be our story this year. Same happened v Cats. Nothing I can see to turn it around.

We could try moving the ball quickly into the fordward zone, and putting the ball high and in front of our forwards to run onto.

Until we get the ball moving right from half back though the midfield, we arent going to have success up forward.