Unofficial Preview Round 14 vs. North Melbourne, Marvel, 1:00pm Sunday 16/06

[Cousin of Daicos]

Our defence is going alright..

I’m sure it’s because of my layman’s view of the game but I always find this sort of talk about our defence fascinating when I see some of the crappy, cheap goals we cop each week

 

[ksardog]

I’m sure it’s because of my layman’s view of the game but I always find this sort of talk about our defence fascinating when I see some of the crappy, cheap goals we cop each week

not to mention the opposition are not taking their chances against us, Melbourne having more scoring shots on the weekend. some of our turnovers have been dreadful in the back half.
we looked the better side most of the day, but we are still getting scored against more easily than i like

 

[manicpie]

I’m sure it’s because of my layman’s view of the game but I always find this sort of talk about our defence fascinating when I see some of the crappy, cheap goals we cop each week

The other option is to go back to Buckley's chip and kick style. Name one defence that doesn't leak goals in today's football. Also, having a depleted midfield hasn't helped

 

[The Magnificent Seven]

Watching at the ground you could see that we were happy to let Melbourne get a few easy marks when they were coming out of defence. We would let them get to the wing or even a little bit forward of the wing. We would then back our defence to create a turnover and launch from our own defensive 50.

I'm guessing that the coaching group has determined that it's more likely we both force the turnover AND have plenty of space to run into, given the opposition has pushed forward. If they leave a sweeper or a spare then we need to run in numbers to make it work, and if our midfield isn't switched on then we fail miserably.

Luckily we also have pretty well-drilled AFL and VFL players who understand the plan no matter what level they play at. Sullivan, Harrison, Richards and (of course) Macrae know it and have simply slotted in. Worked well against WCE. Worked less well against Dogs because of the slightly smaller ground and the likelihood that we couldn't force a turnover with their strong marking forwards and half-forwards.

It's going to be fascinating to see how this evolves over the next 2 months before finals time. Do teams actually work us out? Or do they try and fail (i.e. good in theory, tough in practice).

 

[Cousin of Daicos]

After what we did to West Coast with an equally weakened side, I’m no longer viewing games like this as “danger games”

Let’s get the job done and set ourselves up for the rest of the season and head to Gold Coast being in back Checkers, De Goey, Pendles and Richards

 

[Horaceg]

After what we did to West Coast with an equally weakened side, I’m no longer viewing games like this as “danger games”

Let’s get the job done and set ourselves up for the rest of the season and head to Gold Coast being in back Checkers, De Goey, Pendles and Richards

I like that Richards is being missed, he stepped up and looking forward to his return. Clean by hand and foot, gets to the right places and can finish

The other 3 are ok too

 

[danielnajdek]

I like that Richards is being missed, he stepped up and looking forward to his return. Clean by hand and foot, gets to the right places and can finish

The other 3 are ok too

That Pendles bloke seems like his ok.

 

[76woodenspooners]

I’m sure it’s because of my layman’s view of the game but I always find this sort of talk about our defence fascinating when I see some of the crappy, cheap goals we cop each week

It’s because we put so much pressure around the ball and the outlets. But when the opposition do get it out (you try something enough you get lucky) they have a very easy path to goal

 

[swoop42]

I've come down on the side of hoping we give Nick every chance to prove his fitness and he plays.

I can understand taking the conservative route and putting a line through him already but adding Nick to the already missing Pendlebury, De Goey, Mitchell and Cox and that's a combination of players who for many games have been our first choice midfield since 2023.

North with Clarkson at the helm are likely to treat this game as a final, it's at Marvel, they're coming off their first win of the season and if their better players all put together their best games of the season then suddenly this game could be a lot tighter than hoped.

In reality I think the only way we could possibly come close to losing this game is through complacency, with players believing the victory will just happen and that's why I hope we put our best available side out there.

 

[Cousin of Daicos]

I've come down on the side of hoping we give Nick every chance to prove his fitness and he plays.

I can understand taking the conservative route and putting a line through him already but adding Nick to the already missing Pendlebury, De Goey, Mitchell and Cox and that's a combination of players who for many games have been our first choice midfield since 2023.

North with Clarkson at the helm are likely to treat this game as a final, it's at Marvel, they're coming off their first win of the season and if their better players all put together their best games of the season then suddenly this game could be a lot tighter than hoped.

In reality I think the only way we could possibly come close to losing this game is through complacency, with players believing the victory will just happen and that's why I hope we put our best available side out there.

Reckon last week was their final personally

Travelling too

 

[The Royal Sampler]

It’s not as if the players are at risk of looking ahead to the following week, given that is a bye, and it’s Bruz’ 200th. Surely… SURELY complacency won’t be an issue.

 

[ElliottsMaggies]

It’s not as if the players are at risk of looking ahead to the following week, given that is a bye, and it’s Bruz’ 200th. Surely… SURELY complacency won’t be an issue.

I can't imagine this group under Fly, particularly with quite a few players fighting to retain their spots when others return from injury becoming complacent against any team.

The fact Roo's would be pretty pumped after their first win last week would be extra reason for us not to take them lightly.

And then add all the Bruzzy highlights the boys will be watching during the week to honour the great man ..

 

[anshell]

That Pendles bloke seems like his ok.

Yeah,the potential is there.Will be a good player.

 

[FatherTime]

I've come down on the side of hoping we give Nick every chance to prove his fitness and he plays.

I can understand taking the conservative route and putting a line through him already but adding Nick to the already missing Pendlebury, De Goey, Mitchell and Cox and that's a combination of players who for many games have been our first choice midfield since 2023.

North with Clarkson at the helm are likely to treat this game as a final, it's at Marvel, they're coming off their first win of the season and if their better players all put together their best games of the season then suddenly this game could be a lot tighter than hoped.

In reality I think the only way we could possibly come close to losing this game is through complacency, with players believing the victory will just happen and that's why I hope we put our best available side out there.

I wasn't aware that there was any concern over Nick's injury!

 

[Barrington]

That Pendles bloke seems like his ok.

Don't judge him to early , I'd wait until he's played at least a handful of games .

 

[HoraceStrasbork]

He seems awfully slow

 

[magpiewarrior]

Yeah,the potential is there.Will be a good player.

Don’t you worry that you could be going a bit early? Just saying.

 

[Peter Sidorkiewicz]

Is anyone able to buy a ticket? Ticketmaster says no availability

 

[JoinDate]

It’s not as if the players are at risk of looking ahead to the following week, given that is a bye, and it’s Bruz’ 200th. Surely… SURELY complacency won’t be an issue.

I'm glad Kirby didn't post this.

 

[ElliottsMaggies]

Is anyone able to buy a ticket? Ticketmaster says no availability

Bought mine weeks & weeks ago when they first went on sale.

 

[mumblingpie]

Can’t even get tickets wtf

 

[ElliottsMaggies]

Can’t even get tickets wtf

Why didn't you purchase them when they went on sale?

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

We should be second on the ladder by the end of this round. For a week anyway. Hopefully with a percentage boost for the inevitable drop due to the bye, to assist our climb back up again.

 

[Horaceg]

That Pendles bloke seems like his ok.

Shown enough in his career thus far, more to come

 

[76woodenspooners]

North have had their bye followed by a stirring win and an 8 day break, and will be playing us on their home deck of Marvel.

We’re limping into the bye injury wise, and will be playing off a 6 day break.

We’re quite rightly favourites …

… but there are no easy games with assured outcomes, and these are probably the most unfavourable circumstances to be playing North.