The Good, The Bad, The Atkins

[beartoo]

The Dons ran us off our feet in the last q and that is why they won. That and the fact that they out-marked us all night all over the ground. The way their smaller players ran free through the middle of the ground in the last was an embarrassment. They ran in waves and backed one another up brilliantly. Much the same as Richmond did in the GF.
I suspect there is more pain coming our way next Thursday unless our coaching staff find some way for us to stop the Tigers swarming all over us and then getting a man clear out into the open.

 

[Big Gazoongas]

Agree - tricky draw though. Likely to return to Etihad 0-2 for a critical game v Saints. Pies at home then Swans away.

1-4 and we're cooked

IMHO this is a very real possibility.

 

[1970crow]

I thought Seedsman played pretty well and surprised me with some of his physical work

I've not seen him be anything but focussed on the ball. He hunts it as well as nearly everyone on our list.

 

[Big Gazoongas]

It was more bottom tier IMO
Hampton CEY Murphy struggled

Would like to see alot more from Gov and forget JJ completely

These two have had their opportunities and have shown nothing other than being plodders.

Murphy needs to be given some slack.

We need to stop giving games to plodders and blokes like Atkins and move on this type of player sooner rather than hang on to them and expect a miracle transformation that will never ever ever happen........it hasn't happened and it won't happen.

There are blokes in the 2's that we should give a chance rather than than continuing with the the tried and failed......to many blokes in our side like to play bruise free footy and have zero intensity.

I did hear that Atkins' kit is clean after last nights game and ready.....already in his locker ready to use.

 

[jirkago]

The Dons ran us off our feet in the last q and that is why they won. That and the fact that they out-marked us all night all over the ground. The way their smaller players ran free through the middle of the ground in the last was an embarrassment. They ran in waves and backed one another up brilliantly. Much the same as Richmond did in the GF.
I suspect there is more pain coming our way next Thursday unless our coaching staff find some way for us to stop the Tigers swarming all over us and then getting a man clear out into the open.

If its the same team, then yes. If Tex comes in, we wont be outmarked as easy as yesterday. We all new Fog would tire and jj is not that sort of player. I just xant understand why we didn't play McGovern at ff? I know he can run but we needed him to be one out to give us the best chance of winning.
Our forwards we young and made many mistakes. Either letting the ball constantly going over their heads or easily being pyshed under the ball. We lost because of inexperience not because they are better.
Those young kids will learn so much from the game and im not worried about a loss.
They could be the players at the end that make the difference, the third tier players arnt good enough and those young kids could take us to the top

On [device_name] using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[1970crow]

he will break the games record but he wont play 500 games - surely

Why not, he's selected for his running patterns alone. It's not like he actually needs to play football and deal with the physical toll that puts on the body.

 

[maxlilly]

The Dons ran us off our feet in the last q and that is why they won. That and the fact that they out-marked us all night all over the ground. The way their smaller players ran free through the middle of the ground in the last was an embarrassment. They ran in waves and backed one another up brilliantly. Much the same as Richmond did in the GF.
I suspect there is more pain coming our way next Thursday unless our coaching staff find some way for us to stop the Tigers swarming all over us and then getting a man clear out into the open.

Spot on. Very similar to the GF, where our midfield against Essendon in the last quarter, couldn't transition the ball from defence to the forward 50.
Its a big worry for our coaches and why Smith is a big loss for us

 

[Jeffcrowe]

Agree - tricky draw though. Likely to return to Etihad 0-2 for a critical game v Saints. Pies at home then Swans away.

1-4 and we're cooked

I'm tipping3/3

 

[CrowCro]

I got some audio recordings of the 3/4 time huddle. Interesting stuff.
Went something like this:

• Pyke: Ok boys, we're doing well, just one more big effort, lots of agression, keep pushing it forward and we're home.
• Sloane: HoooAAAH! Agression!
• Atkins & Mackay: *holding back tears* *strangled choking sounds*.
• Dougie: Sweet! I'm gonna smash a mutha ******!
• Atkins & Mackay: No, don't do that! They'll get angry at us! *Actual sobbing noises*.
• Jenkins: I've kicked two, done my part! *makes golf swinging action* *finger guns* *self high five*
• Sloane: HEY DON, what about Fog and Greenwood - they ok?
  
• *Greenwood and Fog have collapsed, are in a coma*.
• Pyke: Shit. Ok, remember the inner stillness and mindfulness training we've been doing? Gets you focused. Let's take it to the next level boys! OUTER STILLNESS. Just stand there. Don't move. Reeds in the wind.
  
• Sloane: Ur, what?
• Pyke: What? Oh yeah, not you Eddie. You need to do more. Fly at EVERYTHING.
  
• *Eddie jumps over sleeping Greenwood and Fog*. *Combat Rolls down to full forward*.
  
• Pyke: Huh. Look at that. Everyone dismissed.

Mackay is light but I have never questioned his endeavor and attack on the ball. Seriously people on here just wanna bash. Do you actually watch the game or ate you pissed by quarter time. I say we play our youngsters this year. It's s strong draft and if we are ever going to have a poor year with all our picks this is the year to do it

 

[azza77]

Don't think it's harsh to want more from him?

I'm not suggesting he become an accumulator, but just get a bit more involved this year as a 24 year old that's been in the system for a few years now.

Just failed to really get going in the pre season games and then the first match of the season last night where I would have been hoping we might see an even better McGovern this year and more of a chance to shine last night without Tex in the side.

It's early days and I'm not putting a line through his name or anything as I love how he competes in the air, I just want to see him compete a bit more and find ways to involve himself in the game more.

Yep agree.

It's game like this that he needs to get more involved and start stamping his authority. 2 big forwards out means he has the chance to show what he can do as the main target.

But barely seemed to be able to work into some space at all and get into good positions. Has a lot of almost moments, as he does in every game. Really needs to start turning those almost moments into oh wow moments.

 

[Mismatched]

Agree - tricky draw though. Likely to return to Etihad 0-2 for a critical game v Saints. Pies at home then Swans away.

1-4 and we're cooked

We should be able to account for the Saints at Etihad and Pies at home and we’re always a chance at home. Given the state of our list and our poor preseason, if we can be 2-3 going into round 6 that’s a win IMO.

Quite frankly, I think we need to treat the tigers game as essentially another trial game, anyone who’s carrying an injury is out, Fog and Murphy get another go, Greenwood plays to hopefully help get him match fit, Walker gets another week, let’s have him champing at the bit to be back.

Aim to hit the Saints and Pies hard, as a lead into the Sydney game, where hopefully the team will be starting to gel and our key players will hopefully be running into some form.

 

[DangerSloane]

It's Round ONE, ffs, and we fielded a depleted side.
I'd prefer a win, of course, but we looked underdone (ran outta puff) with a few nervous debutantes mishandling the ball.
Too early to talk about Top 4 and Betts' being "finished".

I know I'm late on the scene but you cant blame the debutantes for the fumbles, it was the experienced players.
Doedee and Fog were 2 of the cleanest on the field the entire night.

 

[baldandbroke]

We should be able to account for the Saints at Etihad and Pies at home and we’re always a chance at home. Given the state of our list and our poor preseason, if we can be 2-3 going into round 6 that’s a win IMO.

Quite frankly, I think we need to treat the tigers game as essentially another trial game, anyone who’s carrying an injury is out, Fog and Murphy get another go, Greenwood plays to hopefully help get him match fit, Walker gets another week, let’s have him champing at the bit to be back.

Aim to hit the Saints and Pies hard, as a lead into the Sydney game, where hopefully the team will be starting to gel and our key players will hopefully be running into some form.

I hate this sort of flippant comment ... it's not so easy. We will have to scrap and scrape for every win against these "middle" teams. It's why we were all so devastated by the way we played in the GF, it is just so hard to get into that position.

I know you weren't saying it would be easy, but please don't "pencil in" or "should" any of the games you see on the fixture as being easier wins :-(

 

[Crow_Magnon]

All this

Eddie flying for speccies is a sign we are in trouble. When Eddie’s flyin’ we’re dyin’

And only 50 tackles says it all

The lack of ability for any our forwards to take an overhead mark was probably the reason Eddie had to fly for marks all night. Gov was useless, as was Jenkins, Fog took a couple of nice grabs, but we really have no-one who can effectively judge a high ball. Essendon outmarked us all night across the park. Very similar to the GF. Reckon we need a bit of a re-think structure-wise if we're to go close to Richmond this week.

 

[Rory Walkerfield]

The lack of ability for any our forwards to take an overhead mark was probably the reason Eddie had to fly for marks all night. Gov was useless, as was Jenkins, Fog took a couple of nice grabs, but we really have no-one who can effectively judge a high ball. Essendon outmarked us all night across the park. Very similar to the GF. Reckon we need a bit of a re-think structure-wise if we're to go close to Richmond this week.

Yep. Gov and JJ constantly being out marked by Hartley and Brown was a joke.

It put into stark reality how important Lynch is as a link player for us.

 

[adelcrows]

Good - Doedee!! M Crouch and Gibbs (Especially his 3rd qtr apart from brain fade pass)
Dougys bump - How does Cotchin get off and he doesn't???? This new bloke in charge would never had let Cotchin off.

Bad -Some of the umpiring decisions (That holding the ball not called that lead to I think hooker mark and goal and the Green free, should have been ours instead, we prob still lose as had nothing left anyway)
Atkins!!

Ugly - Fitness... WTF is going on here! Seems the Freo and Port games were nothing to do with playing around with things, we genuinely have no fitness, the last qtr they were getting 5m in front on a lead without any effort as we just couldn't go with them.
GOAL KICKING and taking chances! Either Dougy or Greenwood convert the game was iced..

 

[adelcrows]

Yep. Gov and JJ constantly being out marked by Hartley and Brown was a joke.

It put into stark reality how important Lynch is as a link player for us.

Gov playing that higher link man role in the third, he was actually bloody good, why did they not persist with that??

 

[CrowBloke]

I know I'm late on the scene but you cant blame the debutantes for the fumbles, it was the experienced players.

Fair point. Please have a look at:
http://www.afc.com.au/season/statistics
It's no surprise that the 3 worst-performed players were Fogarty/Hampton/Murphy, but it's not the single reason why we lost and I wasn't blaming them for the loss. Yes, they will be nervous. Yes, they will fumble because of inexperience and run out of puff. It's to be expected and I reckon Fog and Murphy have big futures. Unfortunately, Hampton looked out of place, entirely.
Put in only a fit Lynch for Hampton and after our 20-point lead at 3/4 time, we probably win (eg look at the effect Erin Phillips had on the Crows in AFLW after their first 2 losses --- one really good player like Phillips, like Lynch, can make all the difference).

 

[mistylake]

We should be able to account for the Saints at Etihad and Pies at home and we’re always a chance at home. Given the state of our list and our poor preseason, if we can be 2-3 going into round 6 that’s a win IMO.

Quite frankly, I think we need to treat the tigers game as essentially another trial game, anyone who’s carrying an injury is out, Fog and Murphy get another go, Greenwood plays to hopefully help get him match fit, Walker gets another week, let’s have him champing at the bit to be back.

Aim to hit the Saints and Pies hard, as a lead into the Sydney game, where hopefully the team will be starting to gel and our key players will hopefully be running into some form.

Yep if it’s an attitude thing that we can sort of snap out of, we need to go for it.
But if no one is fit we need not risk unready players, blood some youth, then hopefully get fit and as close to full strength by that Sydney game. If we’re 0-4 by the Sydney game I’d say the year is done. But if we could snatch those easier games with the youth playing maybe we can be ok. We can’t lose 6 in a row like Sydney 2017 though.

 

[SugarShane]

I felt like both Betts and McGovern kept trying to take mark of the year instead of just playing the percentages.

Yep. Betts in particular just continually took himself out of contests where he would have been invaluable on the ground. Just dumb football from a guy who is supposed to have a great football brain.

 

[jaytex]

good write up, equal parts hilarious and depressing:

https://indaily.com.au/sport/touch-.../touch-of-the-fumbles-like-the-tigers-of-old/

"It was all going along so well. Friday night under lights. The Velvet Fog had dobbed a major with his first kick, the new Bryce was right as Gibbs racked up touches and (briefly) goals, and I was reconditioning myself to the zeitgeist novelty of enjoying D.Mac's game. And then..."

 

[SugarShane]

Not really. Look closely at the photo. If you concentrate you can see the player being tackled has red and yellow stripes between the white and navy. If these colours were not present and were instead replaced by more navy and white stripes, then it would have been a high tackle. Pretty simple really.

 

[Bicks]

Not really. Look closely at the photo. If you concentrate you can see the player being tackled has red and yellow stripes between the white and navy. If these colours were not present and were instead replaced by more navy and white stripes, then it would have been a high tackle. Pretty simple really.

My 1st thought was WTF but then I read it more closely.

 

[DangerSloane]

Fair point. Please have a look at:
http://www.afc.com.au/season/statistics
It's no surprise that the 3 worst-performed players were Fogarty/Hampton/Murphy, but it's not the single reason why we lost and I wasn't blaming them for the loss. Yes, they will be nervous. Yes, they will fumble because of inexperience and run out of puff. It's to be expected and I reckon Fog and Murphy have big futures. Unfortunately, Hampton looked out of place, entirely.
Put in only a fit Lynch for Hampton and after our 20-point lead at 3/4 time, we probably win (eg look at the effect Erin Phillips had on the Crows in AFLW after their first 2 losses --- one really good player like Phillips, like Lynch, can make all the difference).

I've watched the game twice. Doedee was as clean as anyone on the Oval.
Fog took a couple of contested grabs under severe heat.

unfortunately none of Hampton, Murphy or CEY lifted like at least one of them needed to

 

[BRL121]

I've watched the game twice. Doedee was as clean as anyone on the Oval.
Fog took a couple of contested grabs under severe heat.

unfortunately none of Hampton, Murphy or CEY lifted like at least one of them needed to

Look, it's much bigger than wanting a couple of specific players to lift. In the last quarter, noone was back to block up the quick entries to one-on-ones by Essendon; and none of the forwards were getting back into position when we tried to exit defence. Game over. Whatever the reasons, probably lack of fitness, despite what Mackay said today, it was a team-wide phenomenon of breakdown.