Game Day Round 2 vs. St Kilda, MCG, 7:30pm Thurs 21/03

[Tadpole]

The AFL has been rooting up the fixture for years now. This year, they’ve taken it to another level!!!

And that takes some doing. Just when I think they can’t bugger things up any more, they find a new and inventive way to surprise me with absolute crap.

 

[Tadpole]

The ladder is irrelevant at this stage of the season. Have some faith that we will bounce back.

I like to think of the Pies as one of those high bounce balls. Having been dropped from a great height, it’s not long before it soars upwards again.

 

[unplugged]

I’d play Jordan forward. He has looked disinterested in the midfield.

Mitchell has played 3/4 of a game where he was down on input. Don't forget how many times last year we saw the Mitchell to JDG combination.

JDG is reliant on a fit and firing Mitchell.

 

[greening22]

Owen-three coming up.

We'll be lucky to kick 6 goals against Ross's defence.

They have big key forwards who can occasionally kick bags of goals. We do not apart from a battered & bruised & over-worked Mihocek. I am not overly optimistic. The small forwards & the mid-fielders & resting rucks will have to kick quite a few goals to get us over the line. Goodnight & good luck.

 

[Fat Jesus]

Mitchell has played 3/4 of a game where he was down on input. Don't forget how many times last year we saw the Mitchell to JDG combination.

JDG is reliant on a fit and firing Mitchell.

Or Macrae. Gun

 

[Mollythedolly]

Lions would have to be absolutely smashed to finish below us.

Looks like those who have only played 1 & lost are below those who have played 2 & lost both.

% plays a part, separates those on the same points. North, Doggies and Weagles all have a lower % so sit below us.

 

[live fast pieyoung]

Team defence and sticking tackles to all Saints' forwards. (Lessons learned from Swans game).
Frampton in for AJ to tie up Saints' best defender and exploit a height advantage.
Our response must be system based, rather than based on particular individuals being singled out.

100%

 

[Bianconeri]

At this time of year when teams are fit and running on top of the ground. We can't play too many plodders. Give Macrae a chance but leave both Lippa and Twitch out of the 22 - one as sub. Unless you want to leave out one of our 300 gamers, which would make me sad..

This time last year we had plodders in the midfield yet we still managed.

I think the bigger issue is workrate based. Our mids are happy to run forward but don’t work hard enough the other way. Plus our transition from defence isn’t break games open anymore so our when our mids run forward there less likely to get the ball.

 

[sr36]

This time last year we had plodders in the midfield yet we still managed.

I think the bigger issue is workrate based. Our mids are happy to run forward but don’t work hard enough the other way. Plus our transition from defence isn’t break games open anymore so our when our mids run forward there less likely to get the ball.

This time last year teams were allowing us to have an extra player or 2 through the midfield - they're not anymore.

Ultimately though I think we've played two very good teams.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

This time last year teams were allowing us to have an extra player or 2 through the midfield - they're not anymore.

Ultimately though I think we've played two very good teams.

Possibly the best two teams.

 

[manicpie]

This time last year teams were allowing us to have an extra player or 2 through the midfield - they're not anymore.

Ultimately though I think we've played two very good teams.

They are also tagging JDG and IQ. If you add the fact that they are taking away our extra midfielders then no wonder we are struggling. Hopefully the coaches can re work things to fix those problems

 

[sr36]

They are also tagging JDG and IQ. If you add the fact that they are taking away our extra midfielders then no wonder we are struggling. Hopefully the coaches can re work things to fix those problems

I think Sydney were really ****ing good and are going to take some beating. They smashed us everywhere other than stoppage - and at stoppage they had their 3 best inside mids injured...

 

[CPH12]

Would prefer to persist with Dean. He got caught out on a couple of occasions but 21 yr old who has missed 2 yrs of footy. We need to have one eye toward the future and he is the best option until Murphy, eyre or jiath may be ready.
If this year doesn't work out for AJ as a forward, I'd be interested seeing him trialled behind the footy. I'm not sure he has the natural instincts for leading patterns and presenting at the footy, but could be a potential Howe replacement.

 

[Scodog10]

I think Sydney were really ******* good and are going to take some beating. They smashed us everywhere other than stoppage - and at stoppage they had their 3 best inside mids injured...

Really? If all 5 were on offer right now I’d go:

1. Heeney
2. Mills
3. Warner
4. Parker
5. Adams

Adams injury was shitful timing because I reckon he gets squeezed out to a peripheral role once he’s back.

I’m largely buying that we’ve lost to two legit teams, but the way we’ve lost is super concerning. We barely gave a yelp on Friday and the form line of our past 10 might actually be a decent indicator now of where we’re at. If St Kilda can break that first defensive line I think we’ll be in big trouble because right now we have just two players in form (Daicos and Cameron).

 

[TheGreatGrundy]

This time last year teams were allowing us to have an extra player or 2 through the midfield - they're not anymore.

Ultimately though I think we've played two very good teams.

But last year we were one of the very good teams and we always won. This year other teams are the very good teams and we are losing - we could not lose more convincingly to them than we are either. We are being smashed. Playing two very good teams that soundly beat us currently places us third in a competition with other teams that could prove equally good and destroy us on the field, leaving us to finish somewhere near the bottom.

With no Murphy and a very ordinary Dean playing the crucial Murphy role down back, and a chap in the forward line barely able to win the odd ball that drops directly into his hands, armed with only a spot of poise and elegance against an opponent who will beat him pointless in every other aspect of the game, I'd say we'll be a dying carcass picked over each week by vultures in club jumpers intent on removing every morsal of flesh from our exposed bones.

Then when you add the blokes over 30, all busy dying rather than being born, we're in a bit of bother.

By year's end we will be psychologically and physically destroyed.

There's the glass half empty view of our prospects. Now come back at me with the half full version.

 

[Scodog10]

But last year we were one of the very good teams and we always won. This year other teams are the very good teams and we are losing - we could not lose more convincingly to them than we are either. We are being smashed. Playing two very good teams that soundly beat us currently places us third in a competition with other teams that could prove equally good and destroy us on the field, leaving us to finish somewhere near the bottom.

With no Murphy and a very ordinary Dean playing the crucial Murphy role down back, and a chap in the forward line barely able to win the odd ball that drops directly into his hands, who is averse to rough house opponents, armed with only a spot of poise and elegance against an opponent who will beat him pointless in every other aspect of the game, I'd say we'll be a dying carcass picked over each week by vultures in club jumpers intent on removing ever morsal of flesh from our exposed bones.

Then when you add the blokes over 30, all busy dying rather than being born, we're in a bit of bother.

By year's end we will be psychologically and physically destroyed.

There's the glass half empty view of our prospects. Now come back at me with the half full version.

I think Sr will provide a better system breakdown because I’m seeing alarm bells everywhere and I was worried about our system for much of last year. For instance I reckon we played 3 full matches to the standard GWS have brought in the first 2 (v Port, v GC and the GF). That said I’ll provide some context.

This time last year 3 of the 6 teams that ended with 15+ wins were behind the ledger. Port were 1-2, Brisbane 1-2 and GWS 1-2. This scenario feels different because we were the front runner for all of 2023, but we were also 1-2 in 2022. Whilst we must win this week to keep top 4 alive, IMO, it’s really all about streaks because all of the 4 teams that struggled at times had a hot streak of 10 plus matches (Brisbane’s was winning every match at the GABBA). That all said 0-4 puts us out of top 4 contention and perhaps top 8 because the industry will be all over us.

 

[ksardog]

massive game for us on thursday, almost season on the line stuff. if we lose to the Saints, we have to go to Brisbane on a 6 day break with them coming off a bye.
can we turn it around, of course we can, but i havent liked what ive seen from the opening practice match, our defence getting sliced and diced with ease.

 

[Cousin of Daicos]

Would prefer to persist with Dean. He got caught out on a couple of occasions but 21 yr old who has missed 2 yrs of footy. We need to have one eye toward the future and he is the best option until Murphy, eyre or jiath may be ready.
If this year doesn't work out for AJ as a forward, I'd be interested seeing him trialled behind the footy. I'm not sure he has the natural instincts for leading patterns and presenting at the footy, but could be a potential Howe replacement.

I think Frampton might need to come in for Dean

The moment for me was when he lost the 1 v 1 against Heeney when Heeney had slipped over.

He may just need to find his footing in the VFL. I still maintain we should have taken Sofronidis in the pre-season too.

 

[Bianconeri]

This time last year teams were allowing us to have an extra player or 2 through the midfield - they're not anymore.

Ultimately though I think we've played two very good teams.

Are teams not allowing us or we’re just deploying them?

This time last year we had Naicos and Noble at half back pushing right up and Adams at half forward. Now we’re playing with an extra small forward and half backs that don’t push up as high at the stoppage.

We played two really good teams but we also made them look really good.

 

[Scodog10]

I think Frampton might need to come in for Dean

The moment for me was when he lost the 1 v 1 against Heeney when Heeney had slipped over.

He may just need to find his footing in the VFL. I still maintain we should have taken Sofronidis in the pre-season too.

I liked your post for the bolded. He hasn’t played much footy and it feels about the right time to say you’ve had the taste let’s build you up at VFL level.

That said I’ll stick up for him and I agree less with the Heeney stuff. Murphy was equally exposed in 2021 and wasn’t clear best 23 until mid 2022 so that can turn really quickly.

I’m more looking at the significant drop in form of Crisp, Steele, IQ and Moore which is putting pressure on our weakest link. I don’t think that’s a reason to add another player to the list and is more about demanding more from those 4 to support a kid in his first few games.

 

[Finnishpie]

I think Frampton might need to come in for Dean

The moment for me was when he lost the 1 v 1 against Heeney when Heeney had slipped over.

He may just need to find his footing in the VFL. I still maintain we should have taken Sofronidis in the pre-season too.

I'd play them both. That allows Moore to play the interceptor and Howe up forward. Or Moore up forward and Howe the interceptor.

 

[sr36]

Are teams not allowing us or we’re just deploying them?

This time last year we had Naicos and Noble at half back pushing right up and Adams at half forward. Now we’re playing with an extra small forward and half backs that don’t push up as high at the stoppage.

We played two really good teams but we also made them look really good.

They're not allowing us and didn't for the second half of last year.

Teams were winning by pushing a forward and defender to the edge of congestion - teams who tried to create the plus 1 from that by having their opponent remain behind or ahead of the contest were getting smashed in the midfield, having their defensive lines broken and losing.

 

[Scodog10]

I'd play them both. That allows Moore to play the interceptor and Howe up forward. Or Moore up forward and Howe the interceptor.

Might as well play McInnes down back and IQ up forward! They’re both last role of the dice type moves that won’t sort any of our ongoing issues. My guess is Moore isn’t right anyway and is closer to missing than being thrown forward.

 

[De Glueie]

The saints game is crucial .A must win because we play Brisbane in Brisbane the week after. If we lose to Saints and lost to Brisbane we are 4 losses no good playing catch up footy. We could miss finals we need top 4 finish to any chance at at back to back. Otherwise well get kicked up the backside and end up watching other teams fight it out for the flag. We don't want that
Number of things to consider heavy off field work load during pre season.
Starting the season early has already created a lot of casualties with many sides not just us
Non functioning backline (missing Murphy and out of form Howe and Moore)
Terrible forward structure ( no key position players ) Only Mihochek loan hand and carries too much work load)

Elliot and Schultz and Bobby hill need to synch together. We need youth in the midfield. I am not sold on Fin Macrae.I think he is not confidant player panics too much. Krueger is always injured no use cant get himself fit and stay on the park to get continuity in his game. We have Pendles, Sidebottom, Howe ,Mihochek, Mitchell ,Elliot way over 30 we may lose Murphy too forced retirement so we have a lot of gaps when you actually analyse the team. Losing all those players thats a lot of experience coming out we need to target some guns from other clubs go out and get them especially a Key position players to help Macstay Mihochek has what another year left max. i was hoping this team could go back to back as last hoorah but by the ;looks of things i doubt it.
It would be a mighty achievement, now we can all understand how hard it is to win flags in a row or win multiple flags like the Hawks, Richmond and to a lesser degree Geelong have done.

Must win this week Pies by 10 points

 

[BuildEmUp]

He plays with passion and verve. But where do we play him?

Manges Sidey, an d play him on wing?