The positives thread

[T Rick]

Squizzy is the f**king man. Needs to re-sign ASAP. He personifies this attacking game style that will win us games. I am loving the endeavour of the boys right now and am expecting with more gel a couple of decent outcomes. That gel starts with rocky though who is somewhat deplorable at the minute. Understanding that he's match fitness isn't there, I'm drawing correlations to last year when he came back early from rib injuries and played with some mongrel. He is being monstered at every stoppage and needs to lead the way a bit more.

Rocky is clearly not right and operating on about 2/8 cylinders at the moment.

 

[jackess]

I think Walker has been a great addition. Playing his role very well. Not quite the answer to our prayers but a brilliant pickup.

 

[POBT]

Hanley goes from 0.3 to 3.0 and we'd be raving about his performance. He's starting to work into the season nicely.

 

[Kevvo]

I felt really great about Taylor last night. Midway through last year, I fought a bit of concern that he might've been the type to peak really early, and that he may not have grown into a more complete footballer. We knew the lack of a forward line was hurting him, but I was never sure how much. The last couple of games have smashed that concern. He really is an excellent young player.

 

[carnthemlions]

I felt really great about Taylor last night. Midway through last year, I fought a bit of concern that he might've been the type to peak really early, and that he may not have grown into a more complete footballer. We knew the lack of a forward line was hurting him, but I was never sure how much. The last couple of games have smashed that concern. He really is an excellent young player.

I can't see any 'Lewis Taylor runs around in circles and doesn't hurt the opposition' articles being written this year. He's been a lot more direct and willing to take the game on, although I suspect part of that is due to the fact that he actually has options further forward.

 

[Lace Out]

I have always believed Squizzy's circular efforts have been caused by his high priority to use the ball well.

 

[mpal6]

Well that makes it even better doesn't it . Pick 19 here we come.

Another incentive for us to beat saints this year and make them stay below us in ladder

 

[Bucking Beads]

I have always believed Squizzy's circular efforts have been caused by his high priority to use the ball well.

That bloke Ablett does plenty of circular efforts too.

 

[bato]

While we're frustrated over not converting our chances, at least we had chances and were comfortably controlling the game at one stage. Same can't be said for Melbourne or Port this round. Both were woeful - so we're not the only disappointed supporters.

 

[carnthemlions]

While we're frustrated over not converting our chances, at least we had chances and were comfortably controlling the game at one stage. Same can't be said for Melbourne or Port this round. Both were woeful - so we're not the only disappointed supporters.

At least we're just disappointed, I get the feeling that a lot of Melbourne supporters secretly despise that club.

 

[Keays2myBeamas]

If you tell me before the game that we'll miss heaps of shots we would normally nail, butcher the ball even more than usual, and Rockliff and Rich will have no influence on the game, oh and we're coming off a horrible season preparation and a 6 day break from a trip to Perth, up against North's experience, against a team we got annihilated by twice last year, I'd be thinking we're talking a 15 goal loss.

Just looking at the pure age and experience difference, the only logical explanation as to why we managed to even compete with North is that our inexperienced players are performing well above what you would normally expect of them. Schache, Andrews, Taylor, and McStay will be seriously seriously good players, and wait till players like Cutler, Walker and Claye get up around the 80 game mark, they'll be very handy contributors. The gap is not so far.

 

[chopperduck]

Only early in the season but some very promising signs from Squiz.

2015 (22 games) - 2016 (2 games)
215 - 395 / av meters gained
17 - 5 / goals season
4.6 - 10.5 / av score involvements
2 - 5.5 / av i50

He is also going at nearly 78% disposal eff.

 

[Back2Back2Back]

While we're frustrated over not converting our chances, at least we had chances and were comfortably controlling the game at one stage. Same can't be said for Melbourne or Port this round. Both were woeful - so we're not the only disappointed supporters.

You raise a good point. We had two more forward 50 entries last night vs North, 51 to 49. We had more tackles too, 51 to 46. Unfortunately the only other stat higher than North was two more interchanges. But if we could have turned 7 of our 17 points into goals we'd be in a totally different mood. And that's not really such a "yeah and pigs might fly" thought either - we had 51 entries. We got the ball there. What we do need to do is up the marks in the 50 from 12. And move them a little closer than the 40 - 45m arc as well.

There's some promising signs.

 

[Toffee Lion]

Still a higher percentage than Collingwood.

It's the small things that count.

 

[Hollow Knight]

Still a higher percentage than Collingwood.

It's the small things that count.

We're in the top 8 for points scored (although Sydney are about to push us out). That feels like progress to me. Particularly given that we've played a grand finalist and prelim finalist from last year.

If we slowly start eliminating those turnovers, the points for go up and the points against go down. Feels like we're on a path to somewhere. Albeit with a reasonably long journey ahead.

 

[MacMum]

Feels like we're on a path to somewhere. .

^^ UP ^^

 

[Skoob]

We're in the top 8 for points scored (although Sydney are about to push us out). That feels like progress to me. Particularly given that we've played a grand finalist and prelim finalist from last year.

If we slowly start eliminating those turnovers, the points for go up and the points against go down. Feels like we're on a path to somewhere. Albeit with a reasonably long journey ahead.

Which means some (including possibly some in our "best" 22) are place holders. With a few hopefully/likely outside the 22 to develop and come in, and some fringe types to reach a 'use by date', the trade/draft acquisitions remain critical, but the keys (or Keays) seem to be in place.

 

[wattoxi]

Only early in the season but some very promising signs from Squiz.

2015 (22 games) - 2016 (2 games)
215 - 395 / av meters gained
17 - 5 / goals season
4.6 - 10.5 / av score involvements
2 - 5.5 / av i50

He is also going at nearly 78% disposal eff.

Where do you find those stats?

 

[AFLQLD]

We're in the top 8 for points scored (although Sydney are about to push us out). That feels like progress to me. Particularly given that we've played a grand finalist and prelim finalist from last year.

If we slowly start eliminating those turnovers, the points for go up and the points against go down. Feels like we're on a path to somewhere. Albeit with a reasonably long journey ahead.

I think this is exactly what it is about for us at this point. Play a game style that gives us a chance of being competitive against the top of the ladder. Accept that it is a learning process and we will not instantly have the experience or skills to make it happen consistently. But it is the right path.

We will have plenty of setbacks...but that is what they will be, setbacks on a path up the ladder. Instead of a path to nowhere.

 

[Skoob]

Where do you find those stats?

He writes them down during the games. Such a nerd.

 

[Panthera]

We're in the top 8 for points scored (although Sydney are about to push us out). That feels like progress to me. Particularly given that we've played a grand finalist and prelim finalist from last year.

If we slowly start eliminating those turnovers, the points for go up and the points against go down. Feels like we're on a path to somewhere. Albeit with a reasonably long journey ahead.

Nothing surer than a defender or two coming in at season's end

Even if it's a stop gap / teaching assignment.

 

[Len S]

I felt really great about Taylor last night. Midway through last year, I fought a bit of concern that he might've been the type to peak really early, and that he may not have grown into a more complete footballer. We knew the lack of a forward line was hurting him, but I was never sure how much. The last couple of games have smashed that concern. He really is an excellent young player.

Anyone who doubted Taylor didn't know much. ...leader of Falcons,and rated there as better than Ablett at the same age,great leader in strong Vic Country side....hasn't been other than terrific since arriving with no pre season and playing every game ! WHY isn't he leading the midfield instead of no goers like Ri

You raise a good point. We had two more forward 50 entries last night vs North, 51 to 49. We had more tackles too, 51 to 46. Unfortunately the only other stat higher than North was two more interchanges. But if we could have turned 7 of our 17 points into goals we'd be in a totally different mood. And that's not really such a "yeah and pigs might fly" thought either - we had 51 entries. We got the ball there. What we do need to do is up the marks in the 50 from 12. And move them a little closer than the 40 - 45m arc as well.

There's some promising signs.

Hawthorn had well over 80 tackles today

 

[Toffee Lion]

Taylor can be AA good, not sure why he had any critics last year as his stats were actually better than his rising star winning year.

And he is improving again this year, absolute gem and arguably right now a top 6 player at the club already behind Beams, Rockliff, Hanley, Zorko & Martin.

 

[luthor]

Squizzy's fave band is The Cars

 

[Cockliff38]

Bewick v North. Played like he had a point to prove. I daresay he was given a rocket after the West Coast game but yesterday his intent was clear and he had some really nice moments.

On Rockliff - I daresay the bloke is putting off back surgery to be out there atm. Let's not slam him based from the minimal information we have