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Review Round 18, 2023 - Melbourne vs. Brisbane Lions

Who were your five best players against Melbourne?


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A missed opportunity- I genuinely think we’re a much better team than them atm. Had we won, I thought Port at top 2 was gettable.
That’s gone now, but the upside is we’ll still finish top 4, so I’m prepared to reserve my judgement on the team, coaching etc until we’ve seen the finals series play out.
The MCG hoodoo is pretty lazy reporting tbh. Whilst there’s no doubt there’s some psychological issue there, the 14 out of 15 narrative is unrealistic considering we’ve played about 6 games there (max) since we turned good.
Hopefully we can gather ourselves and launch into a crack at going deeper than previously in finals. There’s really no reason why we can’t.
 
I will say I’m conflicted, I find this period more disappointing having expectations and constantly being let down compared to expecting and relieving little in return. This is just a wasted five year period with nought to show for it when the club and players have taken this period for granted expecting that it is a rite of passage that sustained success automatically equals a premiership. There is going to be a lot of everlasting regrets by the club, coaches, players and us fans with this premiership window achieving nought- unless some massive decisions are made this off season which I don’t think they will be because loyalty seems to be viewed more favourably than hard decisions that could result in the ultimate success.
I don’t understand what you are basing this on. Why would you think the club expects success to be handed to them?

History also shows mass changes are not always the answer and in fact without looking back I would guess stability in clubs contributes much more to success than turfing everyone and trying to win a flag that way.

I honestly think as supporters we underestimate how much work it takes just to win games let alone finals and a flag so I would rather be competing than not, also tend to drift away from footy when we are terrible as it’s not all that interesting to watch.
 
And Melbourne could say the same if Oliver and or Fritch played.

Oliver most overrated player in the comp, and Fritsch wouldn’t have done anything Melksham didn’t already.

Plus with the added defensive bonus of Dunks we likely don’t cough up 4 goals in the last 10 minutes
 
Given some of the average players we have on our list and how hard it is to find decent KPF it blows my mind that we wouldn’t stump up and pay McStay more. I have no idea what any of our players are on but there d have to be some guys getting paid way more than they deserve and delivering little compared to what paying more for McStay would have done for our team.

Because McStay is not a “decent” KPF. He’s a good third tall, and not worth the money Collingwood are paying him at all. If we’d matched that or beaten it, I would’ve been much more upset than I am with Gunston being down on form
 

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Fair point but sitting right near where Darcy was kicking out there was two times in the last bit where he could have gone across to the right - especially where Lester was out by himself but he choose to go left across to boundary area where Gawn was with Oscar and a herd of Melb players and Gawn marks or taps it down to Melb players. So if the set play is to go to Oscar on kick out we then didn’t adapt. Still gutted
He wouldn't have decided that by himself.

Coaching or instruction by the leaders on the field.

Yes , we were screaming to keep it away from Gawn from shortly into the last quarter.
 
He wouldn't have decided that by himself.

Coaching or instruction by the leaders on the field.

Yes , we were screaming to keep it away from Gawn from shortly into the last quarter.

Unless you think Fagan or Harris are telepathically beaming instructions into Wilmots head, I don’t know what you’re on about.

I’m a massive Wilmot fan don’t get me wrong, but he’s allowed to be criticised for errors. It’s an error that comes from inexperience, that’s all. Ironically it actually is a learning moment for him.
 
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Man today has been bad. I’m the bargaining stage where I’m just going “why couldn’t we have just closed it out and win by one instead”. Need to do something nice for myself so might bake a cake.

Carlton winning means we still have a chance at top two but would basically have to win every game from here.
 
I know Port have a lot of players out but we really want to get third, I feel Port is on the verge of running out of puff and we can take them in the finals at home there.
 
I know Port have a lot of players out but we really want to get third, I feel Port is on the verge of running out of puff and we can take them in the finals at home there.

Port have two more losses at least, against pies and cats. A loss to the Crows is not out of the question either.


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Unless you think Fagan or Harris are telepathically beaming instructions into Wilmots head, I don’t know what you’re on about.

I’m a massive Wilmot fan don’t get me wrong, but he’s allowed to be criticised for errors. It’s an error that comes from inexperience, that’s all. Ironically it actually is a learning moment for him.
I know you don't like me but just to correct you on how footy is played these days you don't give kick ins to an 18 yo when you're under the pump without a set plan that's parked in his head nor someone on the field giving him the heads up.

Just wouldn't happen.
 

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Port have a few tricky games coming up, not unreasonable to think they will drop a couple more if they play anything like they did tonight.
Is it unreasonable to think we won't win all of ours ?

I think we've blown the opportunity but it's not like we're out of it or anything.

We can still win an away first final if we're good enough.
 
Fair point but sitting right near where Darcy was kicking out there was two times in the last bit where he could have gone across to the right - especially where Lester was out by himself but he choose to go left across to boundary area where Gawn was with Oscar and a herd of Melb players and Gawn marks or taps it down to Melb players. So if the set play is to go to Oscar on kick out we then didn’t adapt. Still gutted
Completely agree with this comment. We were behind the goals as well and viewed the exact same situation. Our family where yelling out GO RIGHT. Even when we did try and go up the middle (only once that i can remember in last quarter) we passed, mark, passed, mark and kicked the ball 20 metres out from our goals to only have no one in sight of our goals. Became very frustrating repeat after repeat but we also commented we did not seem to have much movement going on as well.
 
I'm doing my very best not to. Makes last night even more gutting if that's possible...

Yeah I’m shattered and can’t stop thinking about that last quarter. Just such a wasted opportunity.
 
Is it unreasonable to think we won't win all of ours ?

I think we've blown the opportunity but it's not like we're out of it or anything.

We can still win an away first final if we're good enough.
I think your key word is OPPORTUNITY. IMO this is what helps you win flags. I know injuries play a big part and getting your best team on the field on that last day is critical but when opportunities are presented and we dont take them, thats what i reckon hurts you most. Only my opinion. Bloody hard to win a flag so you need to grab the opportunities with both hands when they are presented. Unfortunately we have let one slip.
 

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And it was almost inevitable Port loses... Is it wrong part of me hopes the whole club feels like this too?
We just need to toughen up.

Went to water in that last 7 minutes.

Our guys will feel terrible ,no doubt.

So the answer to that is come out firing next time and don't relent for the whole game.

I don't think we're that far away from contending for a flag. But to win it you have to take it.
 
Is it unreasonable to think we won't win all of ours ?

I think we've blown the opportunity but it's not like we're out of it or anything.

We can still win an away first final if we're good enough.
Our destiny is fully still in our hands. We’re a game and percentage is 3rd, with only round 22 as one we should be seriously worried about. If we stay 3rd, then we’re in a better position than if we slip to 4th, and still a remote chance to jump to 2nd if port stumble against pies and cats…

Sure we missed an opportunity, but the beating by Hawthorn was worse than what i saw Friday.
 
Also looking at Essendon right now and glad we didn’t go down that path after the first ten minutes of the first quarter.

We’ve fallen pretty far if “at least we’re not Essendon” is supposed to be comforting :(
 
In context it’s easy to explain away the loss - top 4 oppo away from home, 1 point, dominated for long periods.

But it was the opportunity we gave up - get right back in the hunt for top 2, mcg scalp etc

I reckon every flag has that statement game and it’s usually away from home. This was just so clearly ours. Then it wasn’t.

Every team has terrible starts every now and then. Every side has the oppo get a late run sometimes. Allowing BOTH in one game and the latter leading to a loss is what felt catastrophic. When the first happens, and you get back in front, that’s when players should have had the wake-up call.

So many small moments where we made the wrong decision. I too am at bargaining stage.

The Gunston question. Bobbed up for some goals including good contested marks. Didn’t look as fresh as last week. Looked quite slow chasing. I just think if that is him just after the big training block he will struggle to hang on. And Fagan will wait until he is running on empty to drop him. As others have said for the love of god get Rayner to do the half back role not Gunston.

Not sure what to think re lyons. Did some nice things and kicked a good goal. Even got that last kick that could have won us. Obviously he was no Dunkley. Neale being down hurt us a lot more. But maybe the key is the Neale Dunkley combo.

Okay some positives.

Top 4 totally in our hands - we knock off Geelong and it’s all but guaranteed with dogs and crows losing. That’s a big bonus.

Fletcher will be a star. Has serious wheels. Ran away from Hunter like he was in quicksand. And probably Ashcroft’s best away game? Huge sign as we head to finals.

The goal we got in the second after switching 3 times was so good. Patient. Methodical. Sign of development.

As to why we stop doing that - that’s the $64k question. Do we stop running, because players think oh getting tight we are struggling we need numbers down the line? Do kickers ignore options? Is it oppo pressure meaning no short options? I get the feeling nobody wants to be the player kicking short and turning it over. We need a no fear attitude in that situation which means a no blame approach from coaches. As many have noted the kick long to Gawn last night was excruciating and seemingly we had some options short but just didn’t take them.

Anyway lick our wounds.

Cats game becomes absolutely must win. Lose that and it will be dire. Win it though and it’s probably 11-0 at the gabba this year, and confidence up for hopefully dead rubbers to dockers and gc.
 
Whilst on a walk tonight was thinking re the Gunston move down back ( alot easier in hindsight) that since Andrews seemed to be playing on Melksham a little bit in the latter of the last quarter i wonder if a change over should have occured with Andrews saying you take Melksham Gunners and i will play the loose man?
 

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Review Round 18, 2023 - Melbourne vs. Brisbane Lions


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