The ONLY POSITIVE thread

[BoxMatrix]

I honestly can't think of any negatives other than White and Cloke.

Are you able to last one thread without criticizing White?

 

[MeisterBot]

Also, I am liking how contested our team is. Last year, we had a real structural weakness with a lack of inside players who can hit the contest hard. That's completely switched over now, to the point where our midfield went toe to toe with Fremantle and gave Hawthorn a touch up on the inside.

 

[Rustin Cohle]

Are you able to last one thread without criticizing White?

Deal with it.

 

[TradeDraft]

That our Midfield Matched up well and even them in the Clearnces

 

[Mame]

Going into game I was really worried that Darcy Moore had a bit of Jack Watts about him and that he would be get slapped about, but he seems to have a bit of ticker!

No way! Since his first VFL appearance in his draft year I've had the opposite fear; that he'd get hurt. He just throws himself at the contest. Nuts for a young tall bloke.

 

[Shaneprice97]

A positive is that we should have won, and by alot too. We have good accuracy all season, and we blow that in one of the more important games.

Another positive Both sides being full strength, I think we are better than the Hawks.

my last positive is that I think we are a Patrick Dangerfield in the midfield, and perhaps even a Charlie Dixon at full forward, more development and improvement in key young players (Langdon, Scharenberg, Frost and the young rucks, plus others of course) and a good run with Injuries away from being a level above everyone else in the league for 2016.

 

[Shaneprice97]

Actually one more, Buckleys gameplan is very solid, whatever it is, and its a good accuracy from goals away from blowing them out of the game.

 

[Morganashlee]

For the past few years we have criticised the game plan under Buckley, the structures that he has set and the style of play he has implemented. We could not see these things coming together to create a successful team, or perhaps we couldn't see our team being able to adhere to these measures to fit the moulds required. Patience is no doubt a virtue that few of us possess.

In 2015, we have been able to turn up and see a pattern in the way we lead, setup from stoppages and move the ball around the ground. There is a clear and concise game style that fits with our plan and the players have been able to execute that for periods in every game this season. Consistency will come with experience, as will polish but until then we will have to accept that our list is in its infancy and requires time to develop.

More pleasing than any of that is the dramatic increase in our desire. We were seen as one-way running lazy footballers for years now. That is no longer the case. This team run for each other, they chase and tackle, they pressure and harass with intensity and determination that is infectious amongst a group of kids. They want to succeed, they want to improve and they want to win. It hasn't translated into 4 points the last two weeks and honourable losses are frustrating, but this group will get there if they maintain their willingness to work together while gaining the experience necessary to be a top team.

Our team has heart. They scrap and they claw and they force contests where in previous years we would have seen them trail off.

They fight and they fight hard. If that doesn't make you proud and fill you with hope then you are missing something very special that is being built at the Westpac Centre.

 

[TradeDraft]

Moore and Maynard Debuted and Hopefully a Start of 2 Great Career at Collingwood

 

[pinky951]

No way! Since his first VFL appearance in his draft year I've had the opposite fear; that he'd get hurt. He just throws himself at the contest. Nuts for a young tall bloke.

Living o/seas so have never seen him play, I think it was just something in his smile. Anyway, I'm not worried anymore!

 

[Maggie5]

The big positive for me is the never say die attitude.
We are no pushover and all teams we play will know it.

 

[DRIZZT]

For the past few years we have criticised the game plan under Buckley, the structures that he has set and the style of play he has implemented. We could not see these things coming together to create a successful team, or perhaps we couldn't see our team being able to adhere to these measures to fit the moulds required. Patience is no doubt a virtue that few of us possess.

In 2015, we have been able to turn up and see a pattern in the way we lead, setup from stoppages and move the ball around the ground. There is a clear and concise game style that fits with our plan and the players have been able to execute that for periods in every game this season. Consistency will come with experience, as will polish but until then we will have to accept that our list is in its infancy and requires time to develop.

More pleasing than any of that is the dramatic increase in our desire. We were seen as one-way running lazy footballers for years now. That is no longer the case. This team run for each other, they chase and tackle, they pressure and harass with intensity and determination that is infectious amongst a group of kids. They want to succeed, they want to improve and they want to win. It hasn't translated into 4 points the last two weeks and honourable losses are frustrating, but this group will get there if they maintain their willingness to work together while gaining the experience necessary to be a top team.

Our team has heart. They scrap and they claw and they force contests where in previous years we would have seen them trail off.

They fight and they fight hard. If that doesn't make you proud and fill you with hope then you are missing something very special that is being built at the Westpac Centre.

Post of the year
Like x1000

 

[rustyg70]

For the past few years we have criticised the game plan under Buckley, the structures that he has set and the style of play he has implemented. We could not see these things coming together to create a successful team, or perhaps we couldn't see our team being able to adhere to these measures to fit the moulds required. Patience is no doubt a virtue that few of us possess.

In 2015, we have been able to turn up and see a pattern in the way we lead, setup from stoppages and move the ball around the ground. There is a clear and concise game style that fits with our plan and the players have been able to execute that for periods in every game this season. Consistency will come with experience, as will polish but until then we will have to accept that our list is in its infancy and requires time to develop.

More pleasing than any of that is the dramatic increase in our desire. We were seen as one-way running lazy footballers for years now. That is no longer the case. This team run for each other, they chase and tackle, they pressure and harass with intensity and determination that is infectious amongst a group of kids. They want to succeed, they want to improve and they want to win. It hasn't translated into 4 points the last two weeks and honourable losses are frustrating, but this group will get there if they maintain their willingness to work together while gaining the experience necessary to be a top team.

Our team has heart. They scrap and they claw and they force contests where in previous years we would have seen them trail off.

They fight and they fight hard. If that doesn't make you proud and fill you with hope then you are missing something very special that is being built at the Westpac Centre.

Well said.

 

[Bard]

For the past few years we have criticised the game plan under Buckley, the structures that he has set and the style of play he has implemented. We could not see these things coming together to create a successful team, or perhaps we couldn't see our team being able to adhere to these measures to fit the moulds required. Patience is no doubt a virtue that few of us possess.

In 2015, we have been able to turn up and see a pattern in the way we lead, setup from stoppages and move the ball around the ground. There is a clear and concise game style that fits with our plan and the players have been able to execute that for periods in every game this season. Consistency will come with experience, as will polish but until then we will have to accept that our list is in its infancy and requires time to develop.

More pleasing than any of that is the dramatic increase in our desire. We were seen as one-way running lazy footballers for years now. That is no longer the case. This team run for each other, they chase and tackle, they pressure and harass with intensity and determination that is infectious amongst a group of kids. They want to succeed, they want to improve and they want to win. It hasn't translated into 4 points the last two weeks and honourable losses are frustrating, but this group will get there if they maintain their willingness to work together while gaining the experience necessary to be a top team.

Our team has heart. They scrap and they claw and they force contests where in previous years we would have seen them trail off.

They fight and they fight hard. If that doesn't make you proud and fill you with hope then you are missing something very special that is being built at the Westpac Centre.

Varcoe has really led the way in this regard IMO. His on-field leadership and presence that stems from his maniacal attack is immense. He and Frost really embody the game-plan more than any other players on the list IMO, and they're thriving because of it.

 

[damuzzdu]

Games profile from last night..

Pies total 1839 ave 84
Hawks total 3049 ave 139

That's a difference of 1210 games. That's around 2.5 seasons of footy. Think where the Hawks were around mid 2012 - they were coming hard. Now we're a fraction behind that, but that's us right now, with probably another year or so to keep our p'ship window open.

We're still a little rough around the edges and lack the real class that the Hawks have.

Add in Grundy & Greenwood. With still Caff/Ramsay/Sinkers/Young/Reid to come the future is starting to look really good.

Then include Sharenberg/Marsh/Maynard/Abbott frankly not many teams will be wanting to play us in 2016-2019.

 

[Baltimore Jack]

The effort, the ferocity, the desire....and dare I say it, the game plan

 

[Vicky Park]

Cloke rag dolling Lake. It as if he was throwing a doll to the ground. Fantastic display of raw strength and aggression.

 

[Pies_10]

Marley Williams again 27 touches, a good defensive game and a goal.

 

[Vicky Park]

Mental toughness. The will to keep going, when good teams appear to be getting on top of us. How many times last night did the scoreboard show us as 3 points down?

 

[76woodenspooners]

For the past few years we have criticised the game plan under Buckley, the structures that he has set and the style of play he has implemented. We could not see these things coming together to create a successful team, or perhaps we couldn't see our team being able to adhere to these measures to fit the moulds required. Patience is no doubt a virtue that few of us possess

Mick once said that the gameplan that won us 2010 was instituted in 2007 ... It takes that long for players to learn the systems, adapt to it, connect with each other.

Buckley's 2012 was essentially having one last crack at success by doing things the old way. Real change didn't come in until 2013. So now in 2015 we're starting to come into our sweet spot.

 

[damuzzdu]

I had a look back at Hawks games profile in mid-2011. What do you know just over 2000. We are at 1839. That's about half a season.

Buck's game plan is still really only 1.5 seasons old and players are starting to understand it.

The players now know they can match it with the best. A little more self belief, taking right option at the right time and we win these close games.

 

[PiesUserName]

Didn't expect much from Moore on debut was just happy he was getting a game into him on the big stage. What I did love was that moment that he ran back with the flight of the ball into 2 Hawthorn players (I think Hodge was one of them). He didn't take his eyes off the footy and just ran back with eyes only for the ball. He didn't take the mark, but that was something that was great to see from Moore on debut.

 

[Baltimore Jack]

Didn't expect much from Moore on debut was just happy he was getting a game into him on the big stage. What I did love was that moment that he ran back with the flight of the ball into 2 Hawthorn players (I think Hodge was one of them). He didn't take his eyes off the footy and just ran back with eyes only for the ball. He didn't take the mark, but that was something that was great to see from Moore on debut.

....and he's only 19

 

[ppoiter]

So many positives. One that hasnt been mentioned yet is that we are making ourselves a very attractive destination club for free agents, top players in their mid 20s who want to play for a team in premiership contention. Maybe thats Dangerfield, maybe it isnt. When you combine that with our free cap space maybe we become realistic contenders starting next year instead of '17.

Last nights game reminded me of a scene from the pre-season documentary the club released. At one stage Goldsack was giving a speech to all the new draftees about what their expectations of playing this year should be. He was saying something along the lines of, dont start with the attitude that its your first year so you cant expect game time, if you really want a spot in the senior team, just take it. Experience doesnt have to be a factor. Its almost what this team is doing in terms of ladder position and its great to see

 

[ppoiter]

Didn't expect much from Moore on debut was just happy he was getting a game into him on the big stage. What I did love was that moment that he ran back with the flight of the ball into 2 Hawthorn players (I think Hodge was one of them). He didn't take his eyes off the footy and just ran back with eyes only for the ball. He didn't take the mark, but that was something that was great to see from Moore on debut.

He was fairly quiet overall but that was a great moment. 3 forwards/1 ruck looks so much better in terms of structure too