Autopsy Round 9 = Collingwood 51-99 Western Bulldogs

[Maggie Greg]

Dane Swan, Scott Pendlebury, Alan Didak, Dale Thomas, Steele Sidebottom, Dayne Beams, Marty Clarke, Leon Davis, Ben Johnson, Taryn Lockyer, Paul Medhurst and Josh Fraser and the plan was to go around the boundary because there wasn't enough skill?

Results like tonight just confirm how virulent flu season is when you don't have a jab or wear a mask...

Compared to Geelong of 2007-2009, yes.

Oh and Marty Clarke and Tarkyn Lockyer? You are joshing....

...and speaking of...Josh Fraser was the world's tallest half forward flanker.

 

[eyeroller]

We won’t become the dees if he keeps selecting the Brown brothers.

well...you might have got me there

 

[SouthernPie]

Thought when McRae was appointed he was the coach we needed now (someone development focused), but wasn’t sure if he was the coach for long term

I am hoping then that he now focuses fully on development and gives all the young ones a chance to develop! Give them all a decent tilt at it now.

I was staggered that when Pendles had to withdraw, that the coaching panel selected Callum first to come in, ahead of Macrae, who hadn't had a seniors game up until today.
Surely they didn't need to see more of Callum to gauge what he brings to the table????
Macrae should've been on the ground from the start if development is their number one priority.
Like all coaches though, trying to keep up their winning percentage is actually what counts the most for them, ahead of team rebuilding.

 

[TradeDraft]

People are too preoccupied with strategies and the coach making the right moves. Who cares with all that shit. The players simply don't have the basic skills to carry out any strategies. Address the skills issue first, then worry about strategies.

Could have a Big Clean out then

 

[sr36]

He was right as he meant you cut your game plan cloth to suit the personnel you have. And this game plan is totally ridiculous to employ with this team.

He's right in the short term, but Richmond and Hawthorn had dynasty success after they set a game style and then recruited for it.

 

[Mollythedolly]

he was gesturing for someone to lead up to him as he was running a couple of times
you could see it on the replay

That’s the biggest issue with the constant changes to the team, you loose cohesion. Adding more youth or inexperience only compounds that imho.

 

[Jen2310]

Yeah it was a poor game. We were poor. Especially that first quarter and we always were gonna be tracking behind.

But I think just shows we are where we thought we would be at the start of the season, which is fine. New coaches. New game plan. Miracles aren't worked overnight.

In the first 9 rounds, we have discovered some kids. Have realized some players that you may not have rated prior, can actually play. and that we are capable of scoring more.
If anyone said we would be 4 wins in the first 9 weeks when we started the season, I'm sure we would have taken that 100%

Still so many things to work on though, which is not uncommon.

Just need to aim to get better. Onwards to Freo.

 

[Mollythedolly]

Moore was atrocious again. That ridiculous free he gave away when the ball was going out and he cannoned into the back of Naughton was so selfish and sloppy from someone with aspirations of leading this club. His body language has been shocking at times this year.

So players with leadership aspirations don’t make mistakes, or aren’t allowed to make mistakes?

 

[PonsfordMagpie]

Match was lost in the first 18 minutes of the first quarter. At one stage it was 6.5.41 to 0.2.2 in favour of the Dogs. After that point in time, it was 8.10.58 to 7.7.49 in favour of the Dogs so at least it didn't blow out any further but the damage was done unfortunately.

Hate the excuses, but I do wonder whether three consecutive 6-day breaks took its toll on the playing group as well as the flu outbreak which has hit us hard along with several other clubs. We just looked very flat for a lot of the game.

The Dogs midfield dominating us and winning the majority of clearances was the big difference between the two sides. Just couldn't get our hands on the ball when the game was on the line in the first quarter.

I still have faith in Henry. He has all the attributes to be a good footballer, but he's an incredibly raw player at this stage. He needs to get physically stronger and just be more composed with his decision making.

Been good to give Begg a few games at this level. Just wonder whether it might be time for him to head back to the reserves. Poulter and Macrae didn't show as much as I was hoping. Look like VFL footballers at this stage.

Good crowd (44K) tonight, despite it being at Marvel. Highest Marvel crowd involving Collingwood since 2012.

Taking my Collingwood lenses off, the dissent rule is putrid. It's killing football as we know it and will be a real turn off for supporters if it remains a constant going forward. Another example of the AFL overcorrecting and being amorphous in what constitutes 'dissent'.

 

[Finnishpie]

By my guestimate I'd say we're both missing 7 best 22.

Hmm, I though I saw on afl 360 a list showing them missing 12 senior players, of which about 9 were first choice.

We’re missing Grundy, Roughead, Elliot, and … ? I mean, I could be wrong.

 

[Finnishpie]

Really?

Johannisen Bruce Hunter Vandermeer Hannan Wallis Garcia Darcy O'Brien English McLean

Johnson Grundy Dean Elliott Roughead Kreuger Wilson Kelly Pendlebury Ginnivan

That's 1 extra player by my count and losing Madge balances the ledger. Are you suggesting it's a quality differential? Not seeing that either. And I'd have thought a GF from last season should have better depth than us. We were still 4-5 months average younger than them and had 2 more <50 game players. Despite all that, we generated enough opportunity to be competitive, just didn't make the most of it.

I definitely was suggesting there was a differential but I stand corrected. I think they’re missing more senior players who are capable. Their depth is probably better though.

 

[Finnishpie]

We won’t become the dees if he keeps selecting the Brown brothers.

To be fair, they had about 10 first top 10 picks over 6 years. And they nailed them.

 

[Mollythedolly]

David King was smashing Moore, thought he was the biggest problem. Howe criticised again but very hard to defend against a shocking midfield.

Wow! David King. Thanks that settled then.

 

[Finnishpie]

David King was smashing Moore, thought he was the biggest problem. Howe criticised again but very hard to defend against a shocking midfield.

Moore didn’t play a great game but he was fine. As you say, problems were elsewhere. Not least midfield.

 

[Mollythedolly]

It is because of the stupid all out attack game plan we have currently.

I remember in 2009 when we were defeated I think by Geelong and Malthouse was criticised for not adopting a more attacking game plan like Geelong.

Malthouse as much as I don't like him responded correctly that you need the players to have sufficient skill to carry out the Geelong game plan and Collingwood was unable to do that. That is why the game plan was more defensive.

If you cant get defence right everything else is crap.

McRae has thrown the defensive game out completely instead of trying to secure it and the gradually improve attack.

His game plan is more attuned to Ormond Under 12s at E E Gunn Reserve on a Sunday morning.

Our defence did a mighty job given the weight of supply. The issue isn’t with the back 6 or 7. It’s the defensive contribution, or lack thereof, of the midfield and forward groups that is hurting us.

 

[Everybody Panic]

Lots of anger towards this idea of not making progress. Despite us like, winning almost as many games as last year so far. Bulldogs were grand finalist last year. We finished 2nd last. McRae hasnt had the chance to actually build a team so we're stuck with mostly the same players as previous. Our recruiting team though should be sacked. Not a lot of elite talent drafted.

 

[Mollythedolly]

some very unrealistic expectations of our coach in here... he's not a miracle worker. can't become the dees overnight...

He’s copping criticism for it but I wonder how much the lack of change is by design.

 

[Mollythedolly]

There list has a handful of premiership players a norm smith medalist. There’s a key forward capable of kicking goals and English plays how Grundy use to. Darcy was also a top 3 pick. Our list is basicallt scrap heap minus Pendlebury

Wow, you’re funny.

 

[Finnishpie]

Could have a Big Clean out then

The big clean out started a couple of years ago really.

 

[Finnishpie]

He’s copping criticism for it but I wonder how much the lack of change is by design.

What lack of change? I mean, we’re still playing a bunch of inexperienced players. Not like North but I think any more and we’d be getting flogged every week.

Tbh, we should have played Cox over Begg this week.

its a balance.

 

[Maggie Greg]

Our defence did a mighty job given the weight of supply. The issue isn’t with the back 6 or 7. It’s the defensive contribution, or lack thereof, of the midfield and forward groups that is hurting us.

That’s what I mean - team defence.

 

[Mollythedolly]

Lots of anger towards this idea of not making progress. Despite us like, winning almost as many games as last year so far. Bulldogs were grand finalist last year. We finished 2nd last. McRae hasnt had the chance to actually build a team so we're stuck with mostly the same players as previous. Our recruiting team though should be sacked. Not a lot of elite talent drafted.

Exactly. It’s a development year. A year in which we could Ill afford to be without a few key players, most of whom were sitting in the stands tonight. I think a few posters were getting ahead of themselves. The team has exceeded my expectations ytd. Freo next week could get really ugly.

 

[Mollythedolly]

What lack of change? I mean, we’re still playing a bunch of inexperienced players. Not like North but I think any more and we’d be getting flogged every week.

Tbh, we should have played Cox over Begg this week.

its a balance.

Yeah, I was referring to posters calling for in game changes like Begg to be moved into defence, Maynard into the midfield, Crisp to defence etc etc.

I’m actually happy to see players like Begg given opportunity.

 

[Jen2310]

Craig MaRae post-game: “I think there is a real core of leadership that we’ve got at the club, there’s enough there to lead from the front.
I think the one thing about leadership is you need good followers and we’re developing a core of followers that know how to play a system.
We’re nine games into a new game plan.
I must admit at times, I reckon we had 14 Collingwood jumpers on and four or five and we’re like are they wearing our jumper tonight? Are they predictable to what we’re doing?
These are questions as coaches you go, we need to get on the same page.
So a lot of that for me is coaching and I take responsibility for that.
If we’re not all on the same page, we need to work harder to make sure we do.

Collingwood Magpies vs Western Bulldogs: AFL live scores, blog

Round 9 begins under the roof at Marvel Stadium, with the Western Bulldogs desperate to reverse their poor recent form against Collingwood in a…

www.theroar.com.au

also:

He's not making excuses. He knows we were poor

McRae reviews the loss

Magpies coach Craig McRae was left frustrated by his side’s slow start to the contest.

www.collingwoodfc.com.au

 

[Hazz]

you lost me after this bit

Fair call. Need to give myself an uppercut.