Opinion Is Our Flag Window Shut?

[Crusty Demon]

This tweet sums it up. If you want to be a doomsdayer be one. The talent is there and a lot of it in its prime. I think we could do with a refresh in the assistant coaches for some fresh ideas etc.

I wouldn't be taking Caden McDonald as the source of inspiration.

It's clear we're close, but not close enough. Hard seeing us win another premiership with this midfield. As talented as they are, they can't hit a target, are one paced and have a coach who isn't prepared to take risks or make huge change.

Backline should still be ok for another year or two..but our depth is really poor now. To the point we're playing Laurie or Schache as sub. And our forwardline needs a huge reset. Doesn't appear we're making any huge plays in the off-season for quality goal kickers, so with improving sides like Carlton, Collingwood, GWS, Port, Crows, Freo, Suns etc, it's not going to get any easier with the same or similar list and coach.

 

[demondavey]

This tweet sums it up. If you want to be a doomsdayer be one. The talent is there and a lot of it in its prime. I think we could do with a refresh in the assistant coaches for some fresh ideas etc.

Absolutely agree

 

[Johnny Karate]

Yeah can't really get behind wishing the team being s**t.

I also. However, the danger is that because we fell short by close margins the club just says we’re on the right track we were just unlucky.

 

[demondavey]

I also. However, the danger is that because we fell short by close margins the club just says we’re on the right track we were just unlucky.

I think we know now that we aren’t up to it. We went in this year not addressing much, we won’t go into 2024 like that. The board will be pretty unforgiving on Simon’s performance review.

 

[Dory_77]

I think we know now that we aren’t up to it. We went in this year not addressing much, we won’t go into 2024 like that. The board will be pretty unforgiving on Simon’s performance review.

They already gave him an extension before finals. Don't think they'll put the acid on him now.

The closeness of both losses, and that we had periods where we were on top in both finals (particularly v Carlton) makes me think they're on the same 'not far away' wavelength as Goody et al.

 

[demondavey]

They already gave him an extension before finals. Don't think they'll put the acid on him now.

The closeness of both losses, and that we had periods where we were on top in both finals (particularly v Carlton) makes me think they're on the same 'not far away' wavelength as Goody et al.

Well we actually have to change out forward 50 set up and entry, we may also be reading too deeply into it. Had we kicked two goals against Collingwood we’d be in a PF next week.

 

[Daemon]

I’m just not enthused by this. It’s better than this year, sure, but is that really good enough?

Meanwhile, someone needs to have a word with Pickett. Feel like we’ve done everything to keep him happy and make him dig in, and now he’s a law unto himself.

Yeah Pickett needs to pull his head in. These bumps are bloody stupid and dangerous. Also fades in and out of games too much.

 

[Crusty Demon]

I still blame Tom Sparrow

32

Tom Sparrow

Age

24

Ht

183cm

Wt

85kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

15.0

4star

K

6.0

2star

HB

9.0

5star

M

1.0

1star

T

2.0

4star

CL

3.0

4star

D

15.0

4star

K

6.0

2star

HB

9.0

4star

M

1.0

1star

T

2.0

3star

CL

3.0

4star

D

15.0

4star

K

6.0

3star

HB

9.0

5star

M

1.0

1star

T

2.0

4star

CL

3.0

5star

! Couldn't even hit a short 15m pass to a leading Petty. That play cost us any chance of a flag in hindsight. Petty was pivotal

 

[demondavey]

They already gave him an extension before finals. Don't think they'll put the acid on him now.

The closeness of both losses, and that we had periods where we were on top in both finals (particularly v Carlton) makes me think they're on the same 'not far away' wavelength as Goody et al.

That’s true. However, that won’t be discounted I imagine given the last fortnight. I think very well we aren’t far off.

Did I quote you twice?

 

[Dory_77]

Well we actually have to change out forward 50 set up and entry, we may also be reading too deeply into it. Had we kicked two goals against Collingwood we’d be in a PF next week.

I can understand the flipside - not shitting the bed in front of goals in either game and we're through (or more accuracy in one or two games during the year we get a QF v Port or Brisbane at home). But we've too often had these issues under Goody. We can dominate play but mangle our work forward of centre.

As much as I'd like to hope things just click we really need to look at why we bottle so many games like this and address that. Having our best forwards fit helps, but need to really work on how we deliver and setup forward.

 

[Johnny Karate]

I still blame Tom Sparrow! Couldn't even hit a short 15m pass to a leading Petty. That play cost us any chance of a flag in hindsight. Petty was pivotal

I thought he had some good moments last night but gee whiz, going at 42% DE in a 2 point loss is damn costly.

 

[LarryDavidNeitz]

We badly need a running receiving midfielder with good skills and, I think, a tagger.

Have to get away from having a “get it and kick it” midfield which is neither good at attacking or defending.

Trac 50/50 forward mid, Gus back to half back in Salem’s spot. Would like to see Langdon pushed out to a sub role or rotation. Him grinding up and down the wing with low effectiveness but lots of play going through him is bad for ball movement.

 

[Crusty Demon]

We badly need a running receiving midfielder with good skills and, I think, a tagger.

Have to get away from having a “get it and kick it” midfield which is neither good at attacking or defending.

Trac 50/50 forward mid, Gus back to half back in Salem’s spot. Would like to see Langdon pushed out to a sub role or rotation. Him grinding up and down the wing with low effectiveness but lots of play going through him is bad for ball movement.

Yeah, our wing situation is a concern. Walsh and Acres murdered them. Langdon been terrible since the flag. Hunter, while far from our worst, really wasn't as effective as we'd hoped. We have bigger needs though

 

[Johnny Karate]

This side has become an if side.

If it doesn’t rain.
If our stars play well.
If the stakes aren’t too high.
If we don’t get injuries.
If the midfield puts pressure on.
If we kick straight.
If May and Lever are able to intercept mark.
If we improve our efficiency.
If we start this quarter well.
If we don’t give up easy goals to begin this quarter.
If we stick our tackles.

 

[markm106]

We badly need a running receiving midfielder with good skills and, I think, a tagger.

Have to get away from having a “get it and kick it” midfield which is neither good at attacking or defending.

Trac 50/50 forward mid, Gus back to half back in Salem’s spot. Would like to see Langdon pushed out to a sub role or rotation. Him grinding up and down the wing with low effectiveness but lots of play going through him is bad for ball movement.

We definitely need they hard running mid who can hit targets. We have a lot of inside beasts who do really well to win a contested footy but then have no option other than blaze. Trac can work his way out of traffic. Langdon and Hunter as running machines. But lack real hurt factor. Plus they hold their width. We really need that guy who can run through the middle and hit a target up forward.
Go and get a player like Chol. Can play forward and back up Gawn. Gawn gets absolutely assaulted each and every week and it’s amazing he can keep going for a full season TBH.

 

[richskee]

Would love to see what another coach could do with this list….

 

[booshboy]

really who's stocks went up compared to this time last year?

• McVee
• Rivers
• Smith
• 32 year old Melksham
• JVR
• maybe Sparrow??

This year has been an unmitigated disaster.

 

[Scythe94]

really who's stocks went up compared to this time last year?

• McVee
• Rivers
• Smith
• 32 year old Melksham
• JVR
• maybe Sparrow??

This year has been an unmitigated disaster.

Saw enough from Petty as a forward to have some optimism about his future, Chandler and Hunter outperformed expectations and Viney had his best year, but yeah, apart from that not a whole lot.

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

Remind me again how many premiership metrics we were clear of our nearest rival....

The ARG the only winners after another straight sets exit sadly.

Wont happen but will say it again, trade Oliver for a multiple firsts. Thats the quickest way to fix this side.

 

[SugarHealey]

Closed for this 22. Maybe open for another couple if we make changes.

I agree.

Drop langdon, hunter, from this 22.

Change lever's gamestyle mind. We need a new head defender.

Try Tomo as a CHF, playing mostly between the arcs. If he can mark the high ball in there, between the arcs.

 

[SugarHealey]

What blows my mind is how we went from playing terrific finals football in 2021 to turgid also rans in 22-23. Barely a player that’s improved since then and nothing of note coming through.

The game has continued to open up further, and so the ball moves quicker... this is putting more pressure on our defensive mindset, and our key defenders... exposing Leveer even further, one out.

Leveer was excellent in the flooded games, and with the forward presses. He isn't any longer. He can be a liability.


Then on rebound we slow the ball out of our back 50. And go along the line, time and again. High and slow to the wing, and long high to the F-Flank/Pocket.
The F50 is choked up by this time. Causing all sorts of scrambling.

It doesn't work any more.

 

[SugarHealey]

The big concern with our midfield is the core of them are all shocking ball users, especially when it comes to delivering the ball inside 50, and the guys who aren't like ANB, Chandler, Spargo etc, are limited and would be the first to be pushed out by anyone we bring in, leaving us with that crap midfield balance.

We probably need to find someone to replace Petracca in the midfield so he can play as a permanent forward and we can find some mids with actual skill.

Without Petracca in the mids, I think we need hReid. Oliver does not carry the ball or deliver it well enough most times.

 

[The Dr]

Without Petracca in the mids, I think we need hReid. Oliver does not carry the ball or deliver it well enough most times.

Is hReid related to Leever?


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[Jimthegreat]

Nothing a good key forward wouldn't fix. Once Melbourne get that real dog-hunger back after winning their flag then they are good for another one. Too much ability not to be in contention for a few more years. Only had to play remotely well in the QF and you'd be waiting in the PF for tonight's winner. That's how close you were to another GF appearance. Once the disappointment wears off then Melbourne people will realise they are in it right up to their necks for a few years. Just 9pts total in 2 games, that's how close.

 

[raven echo]

Fix our dogshit, stodgy, move it slow and bomb it in boring game style and we might be able to retool.


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