So a 135 point loss in the reserves somehow was pipped by a 138 point loss by the Seniors. Although to the credit of the Seniors, they managed to avoid (by 1 point) equaling the Brisbane Lions biggest losing margin of all time.
In all seriousness, it was just as bad as everyone thought it would be. It was a car crash that we knew was coming, but that couldn't be avoided, yet most of us still watched it take place.
How much further do we have to sink before we reach the bottom. That is really what I can't comprehend, because every time we think we have hit a new low things just get worse. There was really barely any positives to come out of last night - perhaps only Rhys Mathieson could hold his head up high after that game.
Without knowing the full inside information on injuries, from my perspective most of the blame for the last couple of weeks has to go to Leppa and the coaching staff. We were a team coming off our first win in 3 months, yet we made radical changes to the team leading into the Port game. Some might argue they were forced out due to injuries, but I tend to think they were niggles to the likes of Martin, Bewick and Gardiner that could have been played through if we were genuine about wanting to put in our best effort.
Obviously one of the upsides has been Archie given his chance and in all likelihood winning another year on our list. But that is a heavy price to pay for virtually killing any spark of form from the rest of the team.
Regardless of all of that, where do we go from here. The old quip of deckchairs on the Titanic springs to mind, but I would make at least 5 changes to the side that plays Carlton at home next week.
In all seriousness, it was just as bad as everyone thought it would be. It was a car crash that we knew was coming, but that couldn't be avoided, yet most of us still watched it take place.
How much further do we have to sink before we reach the bottom. That is really what I can't comprehend, because every time we think we have hit a new low things just get worse. There was really barely any positives to come out of last night - perhaps only Rhys Mathieson could hold his head up high after that game.
Without knowing the full inside information on injuries, from my perspective most of the blame for the last couple of weeks has to go to Leppa and the coaching staff. We were a team coming off our first win in 3 months, yet we made radical changes to the team leading into the Port game. Some might argue they were forced out due to injuries, but I tend to think they were niggles to the likes of Martin, Bewick and Gardiner that could have been played through if we were genuine about wanting to put in our best effort.
Obviously one of the upsides has been Archie given his chance and in all likelihood winning another year on our list. But that is a heavy price to pay for virtually killing any spark of form from the rest of the team.
Regardless of all of that, where do we go from here. The old quip of deckchairs on the Titanic springs to mind, but I would make at least 5 changes to the side that plays Carlton at home next week.
- OUT Nick Robertson - probably his worst game with 3 touches and no tackles despite playing 3/4 of the game. Didn't seem to be given a settled role, but was nevertheless super disappointing. IN Jansen - we need someone to help win the contested ball and tackle and therefore Jansen is worth another go.
- OUT Schache - again that is about the worst game he has played for us. Really shouldn't have been brought back into the side on form. Obviously he is not even yet 19 and has heaps of potential, but there are a number of crucial things he needs to work on. IN Close - I was disappointed he was dropped after one game despite showing a few reasonable sparks.
- OUT Smith, IN Martin. The planned experiment was always going to hurt our structures and our self-belief. Good on Archie for showing some potential, but enough is enough if we want to be half competitive again.
- OUT Hammelman, IN Cutler. I have no idea why we have gone so tall and slow in defence in the last couple of weeks given our opponents. I also can't really explain the continued selection of Hammelman. He has shown some potential and it is not his fault, but Cutler to me should clearly be in the side and back in defence.
- OUT Dawson, IN Bewick. Dawson has been pretty poor the last couple of weeks - we need someone to help on the wing / across half forward.
