Strategy Changes & Pre-match Discussion - Round 24 vs. Essendon, MCG, Fri 25/08, 7:50pm

[Scud2]

I think our zone defending when the opposition has the ball gets found out with teams that can kick accurately chipping it down the ground. I lost count how many times Brisbane were able to move the ball from one end to the other without much opposition with short 20-30 metre passes cutting through our zone rather than man on man defence.

Amen to this.

Happened every time that we have lost periods of games. The teams that beat us kept it up the whole game.

 

[3rdMan]

There wouldn't be many players at this time of the year who are 100%.

We either want to win next week & pick a team accordingly.

Or we put a bunch of young kids in who are clearly not AFL standard so we can rest players from our best 22 for 2 weeks going into the finals.

Not sure I'm keen on risking another loss for our last match of the year resulting in 3 losses in 4 weeks heading into the finals series.

We'll go for the win next week but some players who would have played if the game were important will miss, just like this week. There's no sense in risking further injury to those who are banged up.

Also like this week our mentality is not likely to be fully switched on. It's not easy to fake that. We should have enough for a win but it's not the priority right now.

 

[Mostfamousclub_Pies]

Make the tough call drop Mitchell or Lipinski for Harrison or even mcinnes

It’s make or break now, isn’t it. Lipinski isn’t going to be a determining factor in winning the flag.

 

[manicpie]

Has anyone got any reliable info from a source re: heavy training loads? or are we reading between the lines of pressers and being optimistic?
Serious question as I remain hopeful it's the reason for our form in the last month.

The reason for our form slump in the last month is because the boys have had their heads in September. I think we'll come good in the finals

 

[3rdMan]

No problem with Beau getting a week off. Enforced resting is a good thing right now. All we need is to have as many as possible available for week one of finals. Beau now pretty much locked in.

 

[eyeroller]

The reason for our form slump in the last month is because the boys have had their heads in September. I think we'll come good in the finals

This is my last hope. I wonder if being pretty much guaranteed top 4 for 5ish weeks (or whatever it has been) has a subconscious psychological effect. In some ways, I hope it does...

 

[manicpie]

This is my last hope. I wonder if being pretty much guaranteed top 4 for 5ish weeks (or whatever it has been) has a subconscious psychological effect. In some ways, I hope it does...

I'm very confident this is what's happening. I'm not even fussed what happens next week. Come finals time, we'll be ready for anyone

 

[legendstatus]

No, it’s not. They are done.
We will win very comfortably.

You’ve got some serious issue man

 

[Harry O]

It's a dead rubber

Like when we beat Melbourne last round under bucks to knock them out of finals

 

[Captivating]

I'm very confident this is what's happening. I'm not even fussed what happens next week. Come finals time, we'll be ready for anyone

Watching Carlton, Hawthorn, Geelong and Brisbane mids waltz around our players is more a symptom of our one dimensional midfield rather than training loads. Take Nick out and everyone else is treacle slow. Sure, when we get our hands on the ball we look ok, but when the opps gets it, they blast past our players. The 6-6-6 makes us vulnerable to quick goals.

 

[Harry O]

St Kilda making our 8 point win over Geelong look less impressive by the minute

 

[TheGreatGrundy]

IN: McInnes, Cox (from sub), De Goey, Hill
OUT: Mitchell, McCreery (susp), Ryan, Elliott (concussion)

 

[stormskye]

St Kilda making our 8 point win over Geelong look less impressive by the minute

And ess making our 10 goal win against GWS even more impressive, likewise Carlton making our 70 point win against suns even more impressive.

 

[Harry O]

IN: McInnes, Cox (from sub), De Goey, Hill
OUT: Mitchell, McCreery (susp), Ryan, Elliott (concussion)

Doubt Hill only misses 1 week with a hammy

 

[ElliottsMaggies]

Doubt Hill only misses 1 week with a hammy

It was just hamstring 'awareness'.

Whatever that means.

 

[big german D]

Great to see a Pie supporter from overseas. Glad that you love our game. Be wary though friend, this team will break your heart several times.

Thanks Mate. I know, i got to know the history of the Club by now.

I witnessed the painful losses since our last Premier 2010.
But Well, i am no bandwagon changer. Stand by their side in good Times and More so in Bad Times.

 

[swoop42]

Across the last 4 games we've lost our ability to overrun teams in the final quarter.

3.3 vs 5.3 Brisbane
3.2 vs 5.6 Geelong
3.2 vs 4.2 Hawthorn
4.5 vs 4.3 Carlton
6.3 vs 3.2 Port Adelaide

So is this a culmination of our current form, an indication of our effort, mindset, training loads or simply the good work of the opposition?

A combination of everything is the easy answer I guess.

More worryingly can we flick the switch and regain that overwhelming belief we can win a game from any position?

We've achieved some truly special victories under Fly but the very fact we recognise how unique our situation has been means we know it can't last forever.

I was hoping however it can last 6 more weeks.

 

[big german D]

This is actually the best analysis I've seen on the current problems. Spot on!

Probably more aware than some of our coaches. Do post more.

Thank you for the acknowledgement of my ideas.
I will admit, i heard a couple on the Board by some Posters, too.

 

[3rdMan]

Across the 4 games we've lost our ability to overrun teams in the final quarter.

3.3 vs 5.3 Brisbane
3.2 vs 5.6 Geelong
3.2 vs 4.2 Hawthorn
4.5 vs 4.3 Carlton
6.3 vs 3.2 Port Adelaide

So is this a culmination of our current form, an indication of our effort, mindset, training loads or simply the good work of the opposition?

A combination of everything is the easy answer I guess.

More worryingly can we flick the switch and regain that overwhelming belief we can win a game from any position?

We've achieved some truly special victories under Fly but the very fact we recognise how unique our situation has been means we know it can't last forever.

I was hoping however it can last 6 more weeks.

It's either a drop off due to top two pretty much locked in or a failure in coaching (adjusting to oppo tactics) or player management. We'll find out in finals.

 

[Jen2310]

It was just hamstring 'awareness'.

Whatever that means.

We'll see lol Thats what they said about Moore

 

[stormskye]

It was just hamstring 'awareness'.

Whatever that means.

Prob means he won’t be risked tbh with mccreery also likely out not ideal as speed is a huge issue of ours

 

[manicpie]

It's either a drop off due to top two pretty much locked in or a failure in coaching (adjusting to oppo tactics) or player management. We'll find out in finals.

I'm confident it's the first one

 

[manicpie]

Prob means he won’t be risked tbh with mcreery also likely out not ideal as speed is a huge issue of ours

I thought fly said both Hill and JDG would be right to play

 

[stormskye]

HH was pretty good today, might come into consideration if both Hill and mccreery miss

 

[stormskye]

I thought fly said both Hill and JDG would be right to play

Perhaps. But with hammys do we risk it? You’d hope we don’t IMO. It really is a pretty nothing game