Preview R10: Changes v GWS

[TrainRoo32]

SURELY, Pyke is proving his genius this game!!!!! surely he has devised a tactic of some sort that he tested out last week and is sure the players he has picked can execute!
surely, otherwise someone is taking the piss

 

[mattymac]

I dont disagree with the sentiment that mediocre and no-risk selection is a big recurring problem at the AFC, but when have we lost "disillusioned gun players to better sides" in the past? Danger and Gunston wanted to return to Victoria; Tippett made no secret of the fact that he hated living in Adelaide; Davis got a godfather offer; Bock got a good offer and had off-field issues he needed to get away from; Maric left for more opportunity; Vince was traded in order to get a needed pick. Am I leaving anyone out?

Not trying to pick apart your frustration, just genuinely curious if I have forgotten someone.

How many gun players leave clubs that are hunting down success and are well run (before they actually taste it like Buddy, Abblett, Judd). We can all find excuses for why we have a drain of gun players unparalleled anywhere in the league. You can say its Adelaide the city. But its not. Port doesn't bleed players. You can say "ah that was a one off event for reason X" and "that was a one off event for reason Y" but you're kidding yourself. Its a trend. When you have a trend the final trigger of each individual event becomes less meaningful. Its the underlying root cause of the trend that is the problem.

Its a cultural issue. We accept mediocrity. Success is not as important to key personnel as looking after old mates at the club and we are reminded of this almost every Thursday night. We would rather be comfortable than cut throat. The club is a gravy train for under-performers. Honestly look at the contracts we hand out to blokes other clubs would delist without a second thought. Look at all the old favourites Geelong has unceremoniously moved on (including to us) in order to remain competitive and make space for the next generation. Is our head of football anywhere near that ruthless in his pursuit of success? Unfathomable that he would've let Thommo go to Richmond or North or GWS while legarms could still walk unaided.

And who has been steering the football department throughout that trend of losing gun players over half a dozen years? Think about it seriously. Remember when Tippet left Dangerfield got frantic about us going nowhere. He was even in the press saying he is constantly talking to Noble trying to find out the direction of the club. How long do you think it took? How many conversations with Noble before he realised and made the decision?

 

[BACCS]

If their opinions are negative about selection you complain, that means you are complaining about posters giving their opinion.

And I was merely pointing out your posting style and the hypocrisy in your sanctimonious attitude. Keep it up, I don't care, I thought I'd help you and point out what's obvious to most of this board.

Yes, I'm sure you were trying to help, I've always known you to be a generous poster. Stop with the condescending crap. We clearly have different opinions about the club, fair enough, but don't patronise me with that garbage.

Same thing happens if I'm positive about selections, people like you get on my back and say I support mediocrity or some crap like that. The only post I got pissed off at in here was where someone wanted us to lose, I'm pretty certain I've provided constructive responses to other posts I've disagreed with, isn't that how a forum works?

It works both ways, you just don't see it because our opinions aren't on the same side.

 

[Bicks]

Good for you, horse racing is as boring as watching paint dry. I'll be in prime seating at AO cheering on the footy club I follow with a passion, but each to their own.

Are you Nick Xenephon or Andrew Wilkie or simply a wowser??

Speak for yourself, some of us find it quite exhilarating when we back a winner on the punt at the Gee Gees, Twotters or the Dishlickers!!

 

[BACCS]

I will be there mate.

Was talking about the piss poor management of Brad that will leave one of our few game changers twiddling his thumbs and miles away from hitting afl form. Sorry if i was unclear.

Ah no fair enough, misread your initial post.

 

[BACCS]

Are you Nick Xenephon or Andrew Wilkie or simply a wowser??

Speak for yourself, some of us find it quite exhilarating when we back a winner on the punt at the Gee Gees, Twotters or the Dishlickers!!

I don't think I'm alone in finding horse racing boring.

 

[TrainRoo32]

Yes, I'm sure you were trying to help, I've always known you to be a generous poster. Stop with the condescending crap. We clearly have different opinions about the club, fair enough, but don't patronise me with that garbage.

Same thing happens if I'm positive about selections, people like you get on my back and say I support mediocrity or some crap like that. The only post I got pissed off at in here was where someone wanted us to lose, I'm pretty certain I've provided constructive responses to other posts I've disagreed with, isn't that how a forum works?

It works both ways, you just don't see it because our opinions aren't on the same side.

No one on here wants us to lose and all of us who can go will all be there!

But surely you cannot be happy with there not being any changes this week?

 

[Bicks]

SURELY, Pyke is proving his genius this game!!!!! surely he has devised a tactic of some sort that he tested out last week and is sure the players he has picked can execute!
surely, otherwise someone is taking the piss

LOLOLOLOLOL...pay that!

 

[Swooping Crow]

Yep selectors just itching for McKay to come back and their job is complete for the year. Incompetent hacks who love mediocrity.

GWS will either rip us to shreds or it will be another close loss due to our failure at selection.

VB, Hendo and Cheney will all choke at crucial times.

Meh.

 

[jackster83]

What annoys me the most is the week we decide to rest Matt Crouch is the one week in three that our SANFL side actually has a game. Yes he wasn't great against Geelong (was reasonable against WB) but Thompson and Douglas were even worse and we backed them in another week in the hope they'd find form. If he truly was worth dropping, why didn't he play SANFL last week and take this week as an opportunity to rest up?

Lyons was pretty good against GC, but why is it all of a sudden him vs M. Crouch for a spot in the side? We played our best football with both in the side.

Why the change?

 

[Southerntakeover]

It might just be that you're all terrible judges, and your assessment of van Berlo's game last week was wrong.

 

[jackster83]

It might just be that you're all terrible judges, and your assessment of van Berlo's game last week was wrong.

I would have kept VB but punted Henderson.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Brad could've got 30 against GC last week and be ready to explode into top form on Sat night.

Will be watching sky racing with a 6 pack instead.

Could've ...would've ......iam very happy with the tough love on Brad and Matt Crouch, plus the support for the players who did the job last week

The season is not about this week .....there are 14 games + Finals still to go .....the club is also taking the same approach with Menzel

I suspect the pace of our midfield against GWS was an issue .....the club choosing to back Lyons over Matt ....no complaints here

 

[TrainRoo32]

LOLOLOLOLOL...pay that!

i was wondering do we just get Roo to do team selection also?

 

[Swooping Crow]

It might just be that you're all terrible judges, and your assessment of van Berlo's game last week was wrong.

Lol

 

[Southerntakeover]

Could've ...would've ......iam very happy with the tough love on Brad and Matt Crouch, plus the support for the players who did the job last week

The season is not about this week .....there are 14 games + Finals still to go .....the club is also taking the same approach with Menzel

I suspect the pace of our midfield against GWS was an issue .....the club choosing to back Lyons over Matt ....no complaints here

I mount some pretty out there arguments in van Berlo's defence, but even I wouldn't have thought of 'we're not playing young talented players for the FUTURE' approach. I tip my hat to you good sir. Bravo.

 

[TrainRoo32]

Could've ...would've ......iam very happy with the tough love on Brad and Matt Crouch, plus the support for the players who did the job last week

The season is not about this week .....there are 14 games + Finals still to go .....the club is also taking the same approach with Menzel

I suspect the pace of our midfield against GWS was an issue .....the club choosing to back Lyons over Matt ....no complaints here

do you think we have the best possible team playing Saturday night?

 

[Southerntakeover]

Lol

I know, right?

I said 'might'. Lol.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

It just feels line we've gone back to being reactive and tactical as a football club.

The strategic vision that walshy had seems to have disappeared. Or maybe the vision is still there, but we lack the balls to follow through.

What I'm finding with Pyke is that he is definitely a smart coach, but under intense pressure I feel he goes for the safe option. There is nothing wrong with this and I feel it probably relates to being a rookie coach and will change over time. Walshy was a special rookie coach in that way, who was fearless in backing himself in, right from the beginning and all the way to the end.

The recent team selections are a sign of a rookie coach who is starting to feel the pressure.

.......The long game is being played

 

[Bicks]

Could've ...would've ......iam very happy with the tough love on Brad and Matt Crouch, plus the support for the players who did the job last week

The season is not about this week .....there are 14 games + Finals still to go .....the club is also taking the same approach with Menzel

I suspect the pace of our midfield against GWS was an issue .....the club choosing to back Lyons over Matt ....no complaints here

Yeah sure, unlike Menzel neither of the Crouch boys have ever failed to absolutely smash the SANFL.....NEVER!!!!

 

[Elite Crow]

Yes, I'm sure you were trying to help, I've always known you to be a generous poster. Stop with the condescending crap. We clearly have different opinions about the club, fair enough, but don't patronise me with that garbage.

Same thing happens if I'm positive about selections, people like you get on my back and say I support mediocrity or some crap like that. The only post I got pissed off at in here was where someone wanted us to lose, I'm pretty certain I've provided constructive responses to other posts I've disagreed with, isn't that how a forum works?

It works both ways, you just don't see it because our opinions aren't on the same side.

Do yourself a favour and go back over our selection threads, if you think you've provided constructive responses play on.

But if you're true to yourself you will admit that you come across as someone who tries to shut down any criticism of selection. We are not in North Korea.

 

[Thetrader15]

How many gun players leave clubs that are hunting down success and are well run (before they actually taste it like Buddy, Abblett, Judd). We can all find excuses for why we have a drain of gun players unparalleled anywhere in the league. You can say its Adelaide the city. But its not. Port doesn't bleed players. You can say "ah that was a one off event for reason X" and "that was a one off event for reason Y" but you're kidding yourself. Its a trend. When you have a trend the final trigger of each individual event becomes less meaningful. Its the underlying root cause of the trend that is the problem.

Its a cultural issue. We accept mediocrity. Success is not as important to key personnel as looking after old mates at the club and we are reminded of this almost every Thursday night. We would rather be comfortable than cut throat. The club is a gravy train for under-performers. Honestly look at the contracts we hand out to blokes other clubs would delist without a second thought. Look at all the old favourites Geelong has unceremoniously moved on (including to us) in order to remain competitive and make space for the next generation. Is our head of football anywhere near that ruthless in his pursuit of success? Unfathomable that he would've let Thommo go to Richmond or North or GWS while legarms could still walk unaided.

And who has been steering the football department throughout that trend of losing gun players over half a dozen years? Think about it seriously. Remember when Tippet left Dangerfield got frantic about us going nowhere. He was even in the press saying he is constantly talking to Noble trying to find out the direction of the club. How long do you think it took? How many conversations with Noble before he realised and made the decision?

'Contracts we hand out to blokes other clubs would delist without a second thought." That's crazy talk! DMac, BMartin, SShaw, Otten, Lowden, B Reilly, JPod, MWright, LThompson, R Tambling, Lyons, N Craig were all poised to take us to a flag. Just bad luck

 

[Swooping Crow]

I know, right?

I said 'might'. Lol.

I rest my case.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

I have mates out at Centrals, Gunston absolutely hated the place with a passion. Playing in a flag with them would have meant jack shit to him personally. Of course us being a rabble at that time didn't help our cause, no shit.

If we had the Crows SANFL side then .....do you think that would have made a difference in Gunstons decision to go ?

 

[Southerntakeover]

'Contracts we hand out to blokes other clubs would delist without a second thought." That's crazy talk! DMac, BMartin, SShaw, Otten, Lowden, B Reilly, JPod, MWright, LThompson, R Tambling, Lyons, N Craig were all poised to take us to a flag. Just bad luck

Pick a point in the past and people on this board were pumping up the vast majority of those players and aggressively ranting that we were wasting time on our senior players when these future elites would take us to the promised land.