Autopsy Round 1, 2023: Positives and Negatives vs North Melbourne

[boondy]

North looked bigger stronger fitter in the 1st half . Eagles were tackled and swamped . Made me wonder if the Eagles off season fitness was over hyped .
Also a new coach always gets the players hyped in their first game. As we saw with Ross the boss and St Kilda .
The 2nd half the Eagles looked like the fitter side and the strength of North was gone, Eagles were stepping through and around .

The first half performance felt so bad it was hard to accept how good our 2nd half was. Hopefully that momentum is evident next game .

 

[DanWCE]

View attachment 1634142
The no-call on the clear push in the back is pretty bad but the complete lack of any second effort standing on the spot while the game happens around you is worse. Just Auskick level stuff, could easily tailed LDU here instead LDU gets an easy clearance.

Dom flat footed there expecting a whistle. Probably fair enough. Ginbey the best of that lot in that scenario, glued to his man, on the defensive side of him so he can't run through the front of the contest if the Roos win it.

 

[Underdog]

View attachment 1634121
Take a look at the intensity at the contest/second effort from TK here within the first 40 seconds of the game. How can we possibly compete with young teams with players wanting to win when this is the level of effort applied from one of our highest paid players?

TBH, I don't mind this. He positioned well outside the contest for a quick handball and release into space. Unfortunately, the ball squirted out the other way and he was wrong footed and well out of the contest. This is just bad luck.

Not denying that he needs to lift though.

On SM-G991B using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[ConcreteWaters]

Don't understand the BW hate, he's inexperienced and thought he did some good things.

A comparison point, he's not on as bad a trajectory as people think:

KI

MK

HB

DI

GL

BH

HO

TK

RB

IF

CL

CG

FF

FA

BR

CP

UP

CM

MI

1%

BO

GA

Williams (26 games)

4.46​

1.96​

3.73​

8.19​

0.38​

0.38​

13.62​

1.85​

0.65​

1.15​

1.85​

2.04​

0.81​

0.85​

4.92​

3.5​

0.85​

0.58​

1.77​

0.15​

Cox (36 games)

4.39​

3.33​

4.61​

9​

0.25​

0.08​

13.64​

0.97​

0.83​

0.83​

1.69​

1.22​

1.19​

0.78​

0.06​

4.36​

4.72​

0.42​

0.14​

1.36​

0.11​

0​

Naitanui (32 games)

3.41​

1.28​

7.69​

11.1​

0.38​

0.38​

16.19​

3.53​

0.63​

1.88​

3.38​

2.25​

1.16​

1.47​

0.09​

7.94​

3.22​

0.69​

0.19​

2.41​

0.34​

0.34​

 

[Balls In]

Clarkson and Lyon stamping their style on teams with decisive game style shifts. Simpson rolls out the same shit and demands patience, as though it's not 2023 and we've fallen off a cliff since 2018.

 

[Miguel Sanchez]

Don't understand the BW hate, he's inexperienced and thought he did some good things.

A comparison point, he's not on as bad a trajectory as people think:

KI

MK

HB

DI

GL

BH

HO

TK

RB

IF

CL

CG

FF

FA

BR

CP

UP

CM

MI

1%

BO

GA

Williams (26 games)

4.46​

1.96​

3.73​

8.19​

0.38​

0.38​

13.62​

1.85​

0.65​

1.15​

1.85​

2.04​

0.81​

0.85​

4.92​

3.5​

0.85​

0.58​

1.77​

0.15​

Cox (36 games)

4.39​

3.33​

4.61​

9​

0.25​

0.08​

13.64​

0.97​

0.83​

0.83​

1.69​

1.22​

1.19​

0.78​

0.06​

4.36​

4.72​

0.42​

0.14​

1.36​

0.11​

0​

Naitanui (32 games)

3.41​

1.28​

7.69​

11.1​

0.38​

0.38​

16.19​

3.53​

0.63​

1.88​

3.38​

2.25​

1.16​

1.47​

0.09​

7.94​

3.22​

0.69​

0.19​

2.41​

0.34​

0.34​

I’m guessing the hitout numbers would be significantly different.

Not entirely Williams’ fault of course, he would’ve been the second banana a lot more than the other two.

 

[Vic Eagles Member]

We have had the same basic issues for many years now. Can't win ground balls or contested possessions. Can't tackle effectively. Can't apply a sufficient level of overall defensive intensity and pressure (Not even for short periods). And we have not many any progress at all in getting any better at any of these things for many years. What other conclusion can you draw other than that the current people in charge have no answers and no ideas how to make progress in these areas?

I am not sure if Simpson is in denial by resurrecting the "Synergy" excuse at the presser yesterday or if he is just throwing whatever he can at the wall and seeing if it sticks. Although now the lack of "synergy" now is not because of Covid and injuries (as it was supposedly last year) but now it is because some players didn't play much last year. He needs to acknowledge how bad we are in the areas mentioned and accept personal responsibility as senior coach for generating improvement. The crap he throws out there like the "Synergy" excuse is, to paraphrase, just saying that it is all due to factors outside his control and there is nothing he can do about it. That is effectively what he is and has been saying at his pressers in delicate language. Thats how he processes it mentally. It's not my fault and there is nothing i can do about it is the subtext of his pressers and what is going on in his head. He needs to accept responsibility for generating improvement.

Even wiping away any culpability he has for bad decisions past and how we got to the place we are now, if you just pretend that this is the first time you have ever seen or heard Adam Simpson and you know nothing else about him but are just judging him on what he says when he speaks and does pressers, he does not look and sound like somebody who has any idea how to take the club forward. He looks tired, exasperated, annoyed at having to deal with the media, out of ideas and like he doesn't even really want to be there.

All the same issues. How long does he get? Shat The bed in 2021, last year a write off (fair enough), this year the excuses won’t wash. Sunday is massive for the club, if we don’t win we’re 0-8 at least. The goodwill won’t last forever. Sport is about winning, once you lose sight of that you’re in big trouble. How’s the Gold Coast going after 10 years of great draft selections? Already people happy to pat ourselves on the back for a brave comeback loss against North. Standards are slipping, Simmo will go down as a club legend for 2018 and rightly so but there’s something wrong at the club right now and we’re falling behind.

 

[WCE Wizard]

We could have won that really, just lacked composure and fumbling around the ball

Midfield still lacks pace, will be good to see Elijah hewitt and culley play when fit

 

[The wily weagle]

If the season goes south (as it likely might), I would love for Simpson to just scrap the zone defence entirely and go man on man

At worst, we still lose
At best, it keeps our midfield more accountable and we get better at 1 on 1 battles and contested ball

That chip/mark uncontested BS has has its day in the sun and must end one way or another

 

[Dylan82]

All the same issues. How long does he get? Shat The bed in 2021, last year a write off (fair enough), this year the excuses won’t wash. Sunday is massive for the club, if we don’t win we’re 0-8 at least. The goodwill won’t last forever. Sport is about winning, once you lose sight of that you’re in big trouble. How’s the Gold Coast going after 10 years of great draft selections? Already people happy to pat ourselves on the back for a brave comeback loss against North. Standards are slipping, Simmo will go down as a club legend for 2018 and rightly so but there’s something wrong at the club right now and we’re falling behind.

Get used to it.

On performance, he should have lost his job last year by R11 at latest.


Simpson is contracted to the end of 2025. The club won't be pulling any pins on a contract that large until the end of the 2024 season.

Regardless of how bad the record gets, he isn't leaving anytime soon.

 

[Hook461123]

Ginbey and Long the obvious positives. Shuey was good along with Ryan in the second half.
There was some pretty poor football in the first half. A lot of teams would’ve blown us away.
Xon was particularly disappointing, spent a lot of time on ball 16 CBAs and 81%TOG for 8 disposals.

 

[Cuzz09]

Wow we're 11th.

Now... it's pointless finishing 11th unless we win 8-10 games which looks unlikely so may as well drop to bottom 2

On SM-S908E using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Feeling Groovy]

Wow we're 11th.

Now... it's pointless finishing 11th unless we win 8-10 games which looks unlikely so may as well drop to bottom 2

On SM-S908E using BigFooty.com mobile app

Give it a week…

 

[Astro7]

Turn that frown upside down gents ...

We're #1 in the west babyyyyy

View attachment 1634062

See, you have to take the small positives when you get them - we're sitting above the reigning premiers, above our fishn'chip cousins, above the Crows who belted us in the scratchies, and above the Lions and the Dogs - how good is that!? We are arguably the best losing team in the round? We just have to keep on doing it!? We'll get there...
(But 11th, there goes our good draft picks?)

 

[Priddis Is Done]

View attachment 1634121
Take a look at the intensity at the contest/second effort from TK here within the first 40 seconds of the game. How can we possibly compete with young teams with players wanting to win when this is the level of effort applied from one of our highest paid players?

He's a fraud

 

[Grahame]

TK has a huge amount of talent and x-factor but it often feels like he can switch it off and on when he feels like it/feels the responsibility to do so.
His game vs St Kilda in 2020 when most of other mids were injured showed how good he can be as a primary mid.
There's been several other incredible efforts from him as well, so it's confusing why he doesn't bring this each week when the ability is there.

Gap between his best and worst is way too much for someone on such good money.

 

[Mulldogg]

View attachment 1634142
The no-call on the clear push in the back is pretty bad but the complete lack of any second effort standing on the spot while the game happens around you is worse. Just Auskick level stuff, could easily tailed LDU here instead LDU gets an easy clearance.

Reflective of Sheed’s entire first half yesterday.

Pulled his finger out in the second half but man he can come across as lazy/laconic. Expect far more from a senior on-baller.

 

[bzparkes]

If the season goes south (as it likely might), I would love for Simpson to just scrap the zone defence entirely and go man on man

At worst, we still lose
At best, it keeps our midfield more accountable and we get better at 1 on 1 battles and contested ball

That chip/mark uncontested BS has has its day in the sun and must end one way or another

Nobody has played 'man on man' in the AFL as a gameplan this millennium.

 

[WCE_phil]

After watching the absolute trash the Hawks turned into once their youngsters started to run out of puff in the second quarter I don't think we are the worst side in the league.

 

[Grahame]

While I’m disappointed, we know we are in a rebuild. This is what it looks like. And … it’s only the first game.
Yesterday we saw two future players. And while Chesser didn’t shine he didn’t stink it up. Small steps.

The big issue will be if the MC unjustifiably keep selecting the ‘credits’ i.e. the oldies (the dozen aged 27 or older) plus others like Cole, Duggan, Waterman, Rotham, Petro, SPS and Witherden.
Obviously we need a mix of their experience and the young. But to get enough games into ‘the future’ they can’t just be making up the numbers. There needs to be a strategy that allows say eight spots a week. And that will involve some ‘managing’ of the ‘credits crew’.

 

[KERRPOW]

How Kelly hasn't had the blow torch put on him by you lot is disgraceful!

Need a meme where kellys image is replaced i by des headlands.

 

[maverick001]

Get used to it.

On performance, he should have lost his job last year by R11 at latest.


Simpson is contracted to the end of 2025. The club won't be pulling any pins on a contract that large until the end of the 2024 season.

Regardless of how bad the record gets, he isn't leaving anytime soon.

If we have a season anything like last season, and he's still there in 2024, I and many others will be very very unhappy.

How can we be this bad with so much experience and credentialed players in our team? Nic Nat, Yeo, Shuey, Gaff, Kelly, Sheed, Cripps, Darling, Allen, Ryan, Gov, Barrass, Hurn, Duggan. That is 14 players who should be playing good consistent footy each week. 8 different all australian players plus another who is a norm smith medallist and another who is our reigning B&F. None of those apart from Shuey and Hurn are at an age where you might expect their output would significantly decline. And it hasn't for Hurn that much, and Shuey is probably still our best mid when fit. How can the coach not get more out of that group? Most teams who've historically gone as bad as us are largely unexperienced and/or lacking talent. We've had two glaring weaknesses for at least 3 seasons now - ball movement and contested ball in the middle, and have not improved on either. At all. Simmo talks of synergy, well to me the person who has the responsibility for developing group synergy is none other than the head coach. We have seemed to lack desire and hardness a lot over the last couple years, and while the players need to take some blame for this, it ultimately reflects very poorly on the coach if it is a continuing trend that he can't address. Player motivation and attitude are also overwhelmingly the responsibility of the head coach.

Sorry Simmo, but you look like a coach who is all at sea. If the club don't have the balls to pull the trigger (assuming another very bad season), then they're a pack of flipping idiots. The longer it goes on as it is now, the more damage is done. Don't **** with the development of our young players coming through, if they have much longer under this system then I fear that ground will not be recovered.

 

[Farang83150]

Maybe I’ve just erased that second term from my memory but I can’t remember anything that might have been reportable.

Same, had totally erased that as well

 

[Farang83150]

Clarkson and Lyon stamping their style on teams with decisive game style shifts. Simpson rolls out the same s**t and demands patience, as though it's not 2023 and we've fallen off a cliff since 2018.

Don't bet on it, nth and saints doing the new coach win 1 or 2 thing, don't get carried away just yet.

 

[RanaNaved]

Someone yesterday said that Ginbey was lead to the ball but due to his athletism was able to close the gap and blunt the opposition.

Is he able to hunt the ball on his own merits?

One game I know but it's not a bad thing if he's a defensive midfielder and then Hewitt an offensive one.

Would've been his role at stoppages.

Shuey, Sheed and Kelly were the ones in offensive positions and were the targets of most ruck taps. Ginbey was used more defensively as a blocker/negater giving them more space. That's what it looked like at the game.

One of the few times he was used offensively was when he scored the point. Was a prime location for him to swing around on his left, and it very nearly came off.

He's going to be so valuable for us for a long time