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I thought this was a good take by Andrew Wu in the Age :
https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl...-blew-their-finals-hopes-20240719-p5jv48.html
https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl...-blew-their-finals-hopes-20240719-p5jv48.html
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AFLW 2024 - Round 3 - Chat, game threads, injury lists, team lineups and more.
This is so relevant. Smart players know where to run, when to tap the ball on (to avoid being tackled) or take possession. How many times in recent years do we see brainless players grabbing the ball when they were a certainty to be held up but had a team-mate running past they could have tapped it to = the 2000 team was so cohesive with this, they were various parts working together very well. Watching the Brisbane Melbourne match a few weeks back I thought we would struggle against that type of opponent this time of year. There was little space as the players knew how to guard space - they don't all charge in at the ball thus freeing up opponents on the outside who will cut you up. Both teams have that size, hard running and strong profile. Those matches required brilliance to break it open. Only thing is thank goodness we got Caldwell, Duz, Duursma and Martin as things would look very bleak indeed. When drafting need to look for smarts and players that stand up when the heat is on rather than kaka their pants as we saw that happen in the second quarter onslaught. I could imagine a nasty capitulation in a final.This is going to sound a bit forward, but we need to start recruiting more naturally good football players like Durham and Merrett. Players that are just good with a football in their hands. Just watch the 2000 era side, they were just comfortable with a footy in their hands, lol.
The thing that worries me is Scott's team selections as that is reflective of what will happen with the list come end of year.I'll be surprised if we're better next season.
I'll be surprised if we're better next season.
No current season stats available
You sure the kids aren't teaching themApparently there some Essnedon players coming down to our club's U12 training next week. Not really sure we want them teaching Juniors anything...
Surprise surprise Matthew Nicks said “it’s amazing how karma works” in relation to Draper in round 6. Admitted they used the vision in the lead up. Draper is as dumb as he looks.
Draper didn't rob them of anything. It's the umpires responsibility to make the call. Nothing unsportsmanlike to lay on the ball.
Agree, it was more his antics afterwards.
Hopefully only once though, although I can see us getting ‘lapped’ again if we keep this culture up for another 10 yearsCarlton went past us last year, Hawthorn this year. Soon it will be Richmond.
Collingwood player as the MRO officer.Thought Keays would get 2 weeks for his tackle on Caldwell. IMO there was a second slinging motion. Many have gone this year for less.
Totally agree; need to draft footy players not athletes.This is going to sound a bit forward, but we need to start recruiting more naturally good football players like Durham and Merrett. Players that are just good with a football in their hands. Just watch the 2000 era side, they were just comfortable with a footy in their hands.
Enough with the fumbly crap and the not running/leading for ball.
EFC have been the opposite of progress since 2004 and are only now sort of showing signs of coming back to a professional level standard.
I don't understand how some of our top picks are played out of position and seem to get worse over time, that's weird and doesn't make any sense. It shows a 100% disconnect between the coaches and the players in some instances.
I also don't understand how some of our senior players play as if they have never played football before, i mean what is that?? This is not something you would behold back in the 90s/00s so much. A good player was at least consistent even as a senior. You don't just lose the ability to take a grab or to hold onto a ball uncontested unless you develop Alzheimers.
One thing that was a real positive last night was the strong marking by the tall players for the 2nd and 3rd quarter, that's just what you'd expect to see anyway, all the time, but at least they were all doing it well.
Felt a bit like that and the way the ball was bouncing. We got lucky a few years ago too when we won by less than a goal over there - the one where Ned Cahill kicked a couple and if Jordan Ridley didn't play we probably lose by 7-8 goals that's dominant he was. From memory we surprisingly got a good run from the umps and had a fair bit of luck. Think it was part of the winning streak we had over them.Surprise surprise Matthew Nicks said “it’s amazing how karma works” in relation to Draper in round 6.