Review Semi Final v Fremantle - Saturday 16 November @ Norwood Oval

[jimvic]

Thought there were some positives from some individuals who needed to step up to support the usual Marinoff & Randall two-woman show that’s been relied on lately. Another positive was obviously the defensive group who looked back to their early season best & the clean transition from halfback that was seen in the first half of last week’s game was carried over to this game.

I thought Newman was best on ground, was everywhere early, the main difference in her game this week compared to previous games; 21 kicks and only 3 handballs! So much more damaging when she uses those foot skills.

Jess Allan set the tone with her start to the game to quell Strom who must be said started the game like she’d been reading her own press all week, it may seem overly critical as she was so important today but do hope we start getting full 4 quarter performance from J.Allan in the future as she is still partial to a 2nd half fade-out.

Also handy for Martin to have her 1 semi-decent performance for the month her along with Levy & Ballard’s cameos at various stages were vital especially in the first half when it was obvious Ponter & Gould were playing like they were given a sedative before the game.

Still have zero faith next week as not only has Brisbane had the week off compared to playing in that weather today+no travel and on-field the obvious issues with the Crows midfield being vulnerable to speed on ball and quick hands out of the contest was there again today, not to mention the constant poor ball handling errors which were made under slight to little pressure which will only be exacerbated against a more higher quality opposition providing much more of it.

2022 season B; lose qualifying final > easily win semi at home > lose away prelim

2023; lose qualifying final > easily win semi at home > lose away prelim

2024; lose qualifying final > easily win semi at home > ???

Ballard clearly her best game in her career. She has had a physical transformation and looks like a different person, always had the skills but she now looks like she has a great physical base

 

[cmndstab]

Thought there were some positives from some individuals who needed to step up to support the usual Marinoff & Randall two-woman show that’s been relied on lately. Another positive was obviously the defensive group who looked back to their early season best & the clean transition from halfback that was seen in the first half of last week’s game was carried over to this game.

Unsurprisingly, this was the first time I can recall in ages where Sarah Allan spent the entire game down back, and it led to one of our best defensive performances.

It's been a nice experiment moving her around the ground, but she is a defender. Leave her where she belongs.

 

[cmndstab]

2022 season B; lose qualifying final > easily win semi at home > lose away prelim

2023; lose qualifying final > easily win semi at home > lose away prelim

2024; lose qualifying final > easily win semi at home > ???

Yes, this seems like the obvious pattern. In 2022B we were well below both Melbourne and Brisbane and never really likely to beat either of them. Whereas in 2023 we were every bit as good as both North and Brisbane and could have easily won either of those matches.

This year I see us somewhere between those two years. North is ahead of us, and Brisbane at home are probably ahead of us too. Still, we go in with a genuine chance, and plenty of upside - Hatchard and Ponter are two of our most important players and both have been well out of form, time to step up!

 

[Firewalker]

Unsurprisingly, this was the first time I can recall in ages where Sarah Allan spent the entire game down back, and it led to one of our best defensive performances.

It's been a nice experiment moving her around the ground, but she is a defender. Leave her where she belongs.

She looked a bit better, still had moments where she was moving like a new-born giraffe and got slightly exposed running back to goal. Don’t know how long it will take post-hamstring for her to regain her confidence or movement or whether she ever will.

Like earlier in the season that defensive group did seem to love playing against that Freo forward line especially this time around without Tighe, don’t think they really thought anyone in that Freo forward line was any danger so just played their own games and dined out.

 

[jenny61_99]

Game is SATURDAY NIGHT.

 

[cmndstab]

Game is SATURDAY NIGHT.

Let's us see the result of North vs Port before we play, at least

If Port do pull off a miracle win (which 100% will not happen) we will be playing for a home GF, and a Showdown at that!