Rant thread...yes please.
With a couple of exceptions, leave the players alone.
Too often when we are beaten (or challenged by a lesser team) we have a forward line and indeed midfield congested to extreme. Fed up with seeing less talented teams actually structure up, each player having a role, and doing it. We are one of the most talented sides in the competition, but we are so bloody haphazard.
I am amazed Ratten keeps escaping real scrutiny. I am fed up with hearing the great job he has done bringing us up the ladder. It is called talent, we have the players, the players to at least contest a flag. Too often Juddy or Murph, throw in Simmo are tagged out. We do not work as a unit, spread the load, others need to step up. But in this era where one on one is a rarity, players are given firm instructions to do vague jobs. We have no confidence or even understanding of our core roles. Therefore the ability a Geelong, Collingwood, Hawthorn, St.Kilda or West Coast to absorb pressure an step up for each other is not there.
The era of the most talented side winning 9/10 times is gone. Structures, drills, confidence that your mate will do his job, and potentially yours if you are required to step in to a hole is not there. There is uncertainty, we either have too many, or too few at so many contests, how often tonight were three up in the back half and none down?
Finally i will say, I watched the Suns with Ablett running amok in the first quarter. Half of the team stood back and watched. They played better last week when he was not there. One man band does not work. Moral of the story, Juddy hits too many contests, drags pressure and numbers to the ball. He is still a great player, but has lost a yard, has more trouble now breaking a tag, and as a "near" mortal now makes some handling areas trying to be too clean. While I understand McLean is limited, I have stated before, and am adamant that he would be more effective at alternate contests to Juddy. Both read the play and get to the "hotspot" so get in each others way. Naturally Juddy is the senior so McLean cops the flack, and the confidence hit in the aftermath. Ratten and midfield coach could use McLean to our advantage, but are not foresighted enough to set structures as opposed to relying on individual efforts.
We have the players to be at or near a flag. We have to get smarter and more confident with each other to actually do it. It is not simply being harder at the ball, although tonight it would have been a start.
With a couple of exceptions, leave the players alone.
Too often when we are beaten (or challenged by a lesser team) we have a forward line and indeed midfield congested to extreme. Fed up with seeing less talented teams actually structure up, each player having a role, and doing it. We are one of the most talented sides in the competition, but we are so bloody haphazard.
I am amazed Ratten keeps escaping real scrutiny. I am fed up with hearing the great job he has done bringing us up the ladder. It is called talent, we have the players, the players to at least contest a flag. Too often Juddy or Murph, throw in Simmo are tagged out. We do not work as a unit, spread the load, others need to step up. But in this era where one on one is a rarity, players are given firm instructions to do vague jobs. We have no confidence or even understanding of our core roles. Therefore the ability a Geelong, Collingwood, Hawthorn, St.Kilda or West Coast to absorb pressure an step up for each other is not there.
The era of the most talented side winning 9/10 times is gone. Structures, drills, confidence that your mate will do his job, and potentially yours if you are required to step in to a hole is not there. There is uncertainty, we either have too many, or too few at so many contests, how often tonight were three up in the back half and none down?
Finally i will say, I watched the Suns with Ablett running amok in the first quarter. Half of the team stood back and watched. They played better last week when he was not there. One man band does not work. Moral of the story, Juddy hits too many contests, drags pressure and numbers to the ball. He is still a great player, but has lost a yard, has more trouble now breaking a tag, and as a "near" mortal now makes some handling areas trying to be too clean. While I understand McLean is limited, I have stated before, and am adamant that he would be more effective at alternate contests to Juddy. Both read the play and get to the "hotspot" so get in each others way. Naturally Juddy is the senior so McLean cops the flack, and the confidence hit in the aftermath. Ratten and midfield coach could use McLean to our advantage, but are not foresighted enough to set structures as opposed to relying on individual efforts.
We have the players to be at or near a flag. We have to get smarter and more confident with each other to actually do it. It is not simply being harder at the ball, although tonight it would have been a start.
