Autopsy Round 5, 2024 - Suns destroy hopeless Hawks

[Ka Norkers]

the obvious lack of talent would be frustrating him a lot more, but he obviously wouldn't be saying that.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Compared to other clubs we don’t have the senior players and on field set up to ease our younger players in.

They are being asked to do a lot more than is ideal. It’s hard for younger players to play well in a team that’s struggling.

Put any of our younger players in a better team and they wouldn’t be finding it as difficult to get involved.

The problem is it’s a time thing having our players get the experience and build synergy with each other.

Just have to look for the small positives along the way.

I do think it gets overlooked that we are the second youngest list in the comp doing what the second youngest list in the comp generally does which is been inconsistent and struggle to cover injury.

 

[OnTheRocks]

Hardwick: Good average players who im happy to stick around

Your post was good average then it wasn't when you said this

A synapse glitch perhaps?

 

[TylerDurden]

Compared to other clubs we don’t have the senior players and on field set up to ease our younger players in.

They are being asked to do a lot more than is ideal. It’s hard for younger players to play well in a team that’s struggling.

Put any of our younger players in a better team and they wouldn’t be finding it as difficult to get involved.

The problem is it’s a time thing having our players get the experience and build synergy with each other.

Just have to look for the small positives along the way.

On top of that, Amon/ Frost aside, our senior players are in worse form than our kids. That kills a club, and puts massive responsibility onto kids that can't cope. That's what we're seeing most weeks now, and will continue until Sicily and mates can pull their flipping finger out.

 

[Briar Gold]

It's the lack of on field leadership for me. Years of it.

I definitely took Hodge and Lewis for granted

 

[hk89]

2004 was the worst I can recall.

4 wins 18 losses and a percentage of 70.2

Yes, margin wise, 8 losses in that year worse than the loss to GC last night. Looking at the players in that team, it is hard to believe we could win a flag 4 years later.

2005 not much fun either. Port smashed us by 117 with a two goal to 17 goal second half (with a midfield made up of Crawford, Hodge, Mitchell, Lewis and Sewell, and a forward line with Roughead, Franklin and Williams). Shows young talent doesn't always translate to wins, and often needs time (although Mitchell and Hodge were very handy by that stage, after a few years in the system).

More than half the players from team fielded that day won a flag 3 years later. Several others were already on the list, only 7 players played in the 2008 flag that were not already on our list when that monumental smashing occurred. Shows how quickly things can turn with ongoing player development, smart recruiting and drafting and the confidence that comes from winning some games. We did completely nail a bunch of drafting and recruitment decisions around that time, so I'm not expecting 4 flags from the current mob, but see no reason why we can't be very competitive in 3 years time.

 

[TassieGrown]

We supporters are lucky that we won’t have to watch that tripe again, unlike the players who will have to sit through it during the week.

Concerns for me are our lack of leadership, when’s the chips are down who steps up to wrestle control back….. I can’t think of any.

You win and lose based on midfield output, that was as bad a midfield performance I can recall.

Shout out to the backline to keep the loss under 120 points, would like to see Weddle played further afield. He can be the game changer we desperately need.

Shout out to the umps who tried to make it a 120 point loss, that were not to blame for the loss but FFS umpire both teams the same. Seems to be different rules for the soulless Suns compared to us.

I will not blame our youth for the loss the buck has to stop at our senior players, so many out of form.

5 games in and I am unsure what our game plan is, we lack forward pressure we can’t complete a tackle we don’t shepherd. The basics of the game we don’t do well.

Meek, Scrimma, DAmbrosio, HH & Finn were pass marks.

HH needs to play every game for rest of this season, the boy is quality.

Cricket season isn’t that far away

 

[perrdan86]

Fitness and conditioning team need to be sacked. We have a team of runners who can’t tackle and a number of soft tissue/load related injuries already.

Sicily, Nash, Newk and Lewis have looked either injured or underdone all season.

Last night was a heartless performance (outside of Finn, Mass, Weddle, Amon, Frost, Scrim and Meek).

Every player on the list has regressed bar Meek, Worpel and Scrim and our midfield is a joke and forward line is soft. Backline is doing as well as can be expected with the lack of pressure from the mids.

Whatever game style we are going for, it is not going to beat anyone if you can’t win a clearance or apply consistent forward pressure. Butler can’t play AFL again and Chol is lucky Lewis is injured.

Time to get some players with X factor and/or mongrel into the square. Why not try Weddle in there? He seriously can’t do any worse.

Should be about 4-5 outs after last night (Butler, Ward, Nash, Chol and Meek injured). Frenchie and CMac would be close to being dropped as well.

Cannot see us winning against North this week sadly. They at least play with heart and system every week.

Mitchell should be under the microscope if things don’t turn around quickly. Is a very poor tactician who has been thoroughly out coached every game (bar last week).

That is a stupid over reaction

 

[TassieGrown]

Didn't watch the game last night, probably a blessing, but i watched the Dogs/scum game and turned it off after a quarter, the umpiring was appalling. So it is AFL all over, they have made it unwatchable for mine. Needs to be addressed ASAP.

Agree the AFL have lost the plot, you can throw it, drop it hold it for 5 seconds and it’s a ball up. Ump takes 15 seconds to throw it and in the mean time an additional 14 players have gone to the ball up. Pay the fu@&ing frees and the game will keep moving.

Game is unwatchable

 

[Ned Ryerson]

Thought of a positive for supporters out of that game - the match worn guernseys will be cheaper than usual if you want one.

 

[nelk boys]

No one can judge who will be elite or generational players.

Currently I think Day, Newks, Weddle, Watto, Moore, Lewis have the most chance.

Yet McKenzie, McDonald, CJ, Mass, Ward all have the potential, but need more time.

Generally need 12 or so elite players who are in the conversation for AA squad to be an elite team.

We just need time and patience.

 

[OhhhhhCyril]

I had a few thoughts on us in general not just the woful game itself last night.

I have always maintained that so long as I can see progress and what Sam is trying to do and build I’ll be happy. As supporters we have been spoilt for decades. At the moment i’am just not sure what we are trying to do. Our game plan and structure seems way off, our skills by hand and foot are VFL standard, and I feel like we are just carrying too many passengers in the team. ( I get that we have injuries to key players, and once we get Lewis, Day, Wingard ect and once they return so will structure a bit.

But for the life of me, there are certain players each week that just don’t do enough and I wonder why we persist with them rather than send a message back to box hill, get some confidence and learn to do the basics.

Nash, Impy, Newk are all well below what they are capable of, guys like Ward, CMack are really struggling.

Our internet on getting the ball is just soft and half assed. We can’t lay a proper tackle and far too often get caught out of position.

It was good to see Sam obviously pissed off after the game, and rightfully so. At the moment I just see us as a team lost.. not sure exactly what direction they are heading towards. As a supporter all I want just get a better effort and intent.

I really hope next week Gunston comes back into the team.. sorry Chol but ffs for a guy we pay a lot, he needs to do better.. much better.

Hustwaite needs to start, not a sub.
Drop Nash.. and a few others..

 

[Hawkspot]

Is anyone surprised by the result? Fully expected a loss.

Second interstate game in a row, back to back 6 day breaks after extremely physical games, injuries all over the field with a very young team, and against a team playing great at home who had played once in 3 weeks.

The best teams in the league would have lost, though the AFL would be very unlikely to give that schedule to any other team.

There were a few players that probably played the worst game of their careers last night, I trust they’ll respond.

 

[hawkman]

The free kicks against Scrimmers were absolute rubbish. The umpire may as well have grabbed the ball lined up and put it through himself.

Deplorable display of umpiring.

He is undersized so umpires are always going to look at the grabs and pushes. There were plenty of issues with the umpiring last night didn't think the umpiring of Scrimshaw was one of them. Needs to be better at competing without infringing

 

[thehardway]

I had a few thoughts on us in general not just the woful game itself last night.

I have always maintained that so long as I can see progress and what Sam is trying to do and build I’ll be happy. As supporters we have been spoilt for decades. At the moment i’am just not sure what we are trying to do. Our game plan and structure seems way off, our skills by hand and foot are VFL standard, and I feel like we are just carrying too many passengers in the team. ( I get that we have injuries to key players, and once we get Lewis, Day, Wingard ect and once they return so will structure a bit.

But for the life of me, there are certain players each week that just don’t do enough and I wonder why we persist with them rather than sendNo doubt a message back to box hill, get some confidence and learn to do the basics.

Nash, Impy, Newk are all well below what they are capable of, guys like Ward, CMack are really struggling.

Our internet on getting the ball is just soft and half assed. We can’t lay a proper tackle and far too often get caught out of position.

It was good to see Sam obviously pissed off after the game, and rightfully so. At the moment I just see us as a team lost.. not sure exactly what direction they are heading towards. As a supporter all I want just get a better effort and intent.

I really hope next week Gunston comes back into the team.. sorry Chol but ffs for a guy we pay a lot, he needs to do better.. much better.

Hustwaite needs to start, not a sub.
Drop Nash.. and a few others..

No doubt there are plenty who deserve to be omitted but who do we bring in. Box Hill weren't much better than the seniors. Possibly Serong but he's a back and our backs did a reasonable job considering the avalanche of ball they had to contend with. CJ probably ready but another back and a big ask having not played a game all year. Maybe Morrisons and Gunstons experience could come in handy. The midfield is where the problem lies. Regardless of the forwards and backs we'll get pumped every week if they continue to perform poorly like yesterday. Sammy tested like he's never been before. Will be a big week at the club and we need to close ranks and stay united.

 

[TylerDurden]

Morrison has to come in next week. Need a cool head on the wing. And was one of the few yesterday at VFL who gave his all.

 

[Siri]

Is anyone surprised by the result? Fully expected a loss.

Second interstate game in a row, back to back 6 day breaks after extremely physical games, injuries all over the field with a very young team, and against a team playing great at home who had played once in 3 weeks.

The best teams in the league would have lost, though the AFL would be very unlikely to give that schedule to any other team.

There were a few players that probably played the worst game of their careers last night, I trust they’ll respond.

You're missing the point mate. No one really expected a win. Like anything in life, it's how you go about it that matters. We can make all the excuses we like, but we're a rudderless ship, & even with a 10 day break I anticipate we would have been just as lost. It's the bigger picture stuff that's got us all spooked.

 

[Sixpence]

I have seen the game twice now.

You sadistic bastard!

 

[kenneje]

Do track or Box Hill watchers think Phillips or Serong are capable of holding down a key position spot?

Sicily isn't thriving in his current role. I imagine it's hard to bark instructions at the rest of your team and help with systems when you're locking down on someone that intensely.

 

[TylerDurden]

Do track or Box Hill watchers think Phillips or Serong are capable of holding down a key position spot?

Sicily isn't thriving in his current role. I imagine it's hard to bark instructions at the rest of your team and help with systems when you're locking down on someone that intensely.

Serong has to come in. Regardless. We need to see what he can do at the level.

 

[Millsie69]

Who was saying Norf were competitive?

This is going to be one for the ages next Sunday….a more fitting timeslot than Sunday twilight at Marvel, there is not.

 

[TylerDurden]

Who was saying Norf were competitive?

This is going to be one for the ages next Sunday….a more fitting timeslot than Sunday twilight at Marvel, there is not.

They are non competitive. They have the worst back 6 I've ever seen.

 

[JoeHawk]

I had a few thoughts on us in general not just the woful game itself last night.

I have always maintained that so long as I can see progress and what Sam is trying to do and build I’ll be happy. As supporters we have been spoilt for decades. At the moment i’am just not sure what we are trying to do. Our game plan and structure seems way off, our skills by hand and foot are VFL standard, and I feel like we are just carrying too many passengers in the team. ( I get that we have injuries to key players, and once we get Lewis, Day, Wingard ect and once they return so will structure a bit.

But for the life of me, there are certain players each week that just don’t do enough and I wonder why we persist with them rather than send a message back to box hill, get some confidence and learn to do the basics.

Nash, Impy, Newk are all well below what they are capable of, guys like Ward, CMack are really struggling.

Our internet on getting the ball is just soft and half assed. We can’t lay a proper tackle and far too often get caught out of position.

It was good to see Sam obviously pissed off after the game, and rightfully so. At the moment I just see us as a team lost.. not sure exactly what direction they are heading towards. As a supporter all I want just get a better effort and intent.

I really hope next week Gunston comes back into the team.. sorry Chol but ffs for a guy we pay a lot, he needs to do better.. much better.

Hustwaite needs to start, not a sub.
Drop Nash.. and a few others..

Agree. Had big concerns about Chol during the preseason games. A Richmond supporter mate of mine warned me about him and not much has changed. Will show some flashes of brilliance then goes missing for long durations. For a big athletic body he goes to ground far too easily, with the slightest body contact. Granted he's been ok in the first 4 rounds, but was atrocious yesterday. He certainly isn't the key forward we would like at this stage. I've got Vickery vibes about him. And unfortunately Lewis is made of glass.

 

[Marlone]

You sadistic bastard!

masochistic, even

 

[Hawk88]

How many more of these putrid losses until Mitchell comes under fire?

I think he has the runs on the board so far in our development but we need to see some progress! The not trying part is the worry, hopefully he hasn't lost the playing group

Our list is so far away from doing anything in September it isnt funny