Autopsy The Post-Essendon Vent Thread

[ThePuma #9]

Time to be pragmatic.

This group won't be wining the grand final and will most likely get knocked out early in the finals when the real pressure begins.


I would prefer to look bad and win than look good and lose but it has to come with a chance of winning the whole thing. Not one of our six wins this year has been a four quarter effort with polish. Not once have i sat back and been impressed by our game plan.

If we had any sense we would be making sure that Partington, Cole, Rioli, Venables, Watson get a good amount of games into them this year whilst we continue to play Barrass, Nelson, Sheed, Mutimer, Duggan...


We need to look to the future and realize that we need to make some hard calls.

I would also like a few changes in the coaching ranks too but i'll leave that rant for another day.

 

[Max zero]

Glad to see him being quite blunt there. Also, to see him acknowledge that second quarter was probably the worst in his time here. Whole new level of softness that was.

Watch us come out at home next week.

Then lose the week after.

 

[Biggie]

Watch us come out at home next week.

Then lose the week after.

Metricon v Gold Coast.

I give us a chance there

 

[MWPP]

Watch us come out at home next week.

Then lose the week after.

We have a decent record at Metricon (we have never lost , just drawn , and that rivals our record at AO and Spotless which is saying something )
Even more confident about the week after , than next week .

 

[Crimson King]

Watch us come out at home next week.

Then lose the week after.

I hope he backs up his words with personnel changes. I think he will follow through.

 

[MWPP]

If we manage to bounce back and win the next 2 games so that we're 8-3 at the bye , all will be forgiven
The only good thing about losing to the likes of Essendon/Hawthorn is that they're unlikely to play finals . But I miss our flat track days

 

[CM9000]

You're a positive poster. It's nice, refreshing even.

But surely, even you, can see this particular group isn't damaging in Melbourne.

Sure we might finish top 4, but it has to be top 2 to stay away from Melbourne ala 2015. Otherwise its bye bye early in September.

Understand your frustration with certain posts and or posters, but you can't go the complete other way with your views.

There has to be a middle ground.

This group, isn't up to it in Melbourne. And whilst we'll be thereabouts, I don't think we can quite go all the way.

Sorry Biggie, but that's just not me. I will admit we consistently go to water at the MCG, but we usually play Etihad quite well and that performance does not make any sense. Our backs have been elite the past 2 weeks and they then put up an abysmal showing in their worst game for the year. Why? I don't know, but this season has been far more random then past years, and the way the top 4 teams this year (especially in Adelaide's case) losing like they have just tells me it's one of those seasons.

Perhaps Essendon are better then we give them credit for.

Well, it is a vent thread.

Obviously Simmo won't be sacked this week, and he shouldn't be, but more of this in 2017 and there will be genuine questions asked whether he is the right man to take us forward.

I think Hurn should pass the captaincy on, which Shuey should easily win, and some senior players aren't cut out for it. Making up the numbers in finals isn't the right direction we should be happy with.

So we should sack our coach, change our captain and cut senior players because we lost one game? Yes, it was a terrible performance, but we shouldn't be giving up the season because we folded to a team that is probably a lot better then we think. Additionally, when was the last time we played at Etihad?

 

[Avalor]

Gotta say Shuey was shit today ..

Looked to be going at half pace

 

[ThePuma #9]

Sorry Biggie, but that's just not me. I will admit we consistently go to water at the MCG, but we usually play Etihad quite well and that performance does not make any sense. Our backs have been elite the past 2 weeks and they then put up an abysmal showing in their worst game for the year. Why? I don't know, but this season has been far more random then past years, and the way the top 4 teams this year (especially in Adelaide's case) losing like they have just tells me it's one of those seasons.

Perhaps Essendon are better then we give them credit for.



So we should sack our coach, change our captain and cut senior players because we lost one game? Yes, it was a terrible performance, but we shouldn't be giving up the season because we folded to a team that is probably a lot better then we think. Additionally, when was the last time we played at Etihad?

We played at Ethiad in round one and if North had kicked straight in that first quarter we might not have won.

 

[MWPP]

Perhaps Essendon are better then we give them credit for.

I agree (or rather, I think they're in better form than we're giving them credit for)
They were great against the Cats last week (who just beat the Dogs by more than we did)
I also wonder what the impact of Woosha/McKenna's inside knowledge + our long break (we have been terrible off long breaks lately) was too
The calls for wholesale changes are coming across as premature/kneejerk

 

[Crimson King]

I agree (or rather, I think they're in better form than we're giving them credit for)
They were great against the Cats last week (who just beat the Dogs by more than we did)
I also wonder what the impact of Woosha/McKenna's inside knowledge + our long break (we have been terrible off long breaks lately) was too
The calls for wholesale changes are coming across as premature/kneejerk

Season is even and no doubt Bombers are a decent team but we shouldn't be getting pumped by 10 goals away from home. There are issues there and still 6-3 isnt bad at this stage but I doubt we will be able to flick the switch come finals.

 

[Gods_Son23]

We played at Ethiad in round one and if North had kicked straight in that first quarter we might not have won.

They were very error-ridden at times in that game as well. Stuffed up lots of opportunities.

 

[MWPP]

Season is even and no doubt Bombers are a decent team but we shouldn't be getting pumped by 10 goals away from home.

There are issues there and still 6-3 isnt bad at this stage but I doubt we will be able to flick the switch come finals.

I don't deny that there are issues, but I just don't think that sacking the coach and/or wholesale changes in our team are the answer
I wonder if our poor record after a long break is a preparation issue
When it comes to the MCG, there's certainly an element of it being *between the ears* , but I also think our gameplan isn't good for it
Thankfully every other team has had and/or is having issues too
I'm also glad that the most highly rated teams in Adelaide/GWS are non-Vic teams (and play at venues we have good records at)
In previous years, we have peaked too early, so I'm enjoying winning without being at our best/remain optimistic that we'll be able to flick the switch come finals
Otherwise, there's always next year (with NicNat back) .....
I wonder if the new Perth Stadium's dimensions (?which will be more similar to the MCG) will result in short term pain for long-term gain too

 

[MWPP]

It's funny- after NicNat did his ACL, I not only wrote-off last year, but had very low expectations for this year (ie thought we'd only scrape into the finals)
At 6-3, we haven't exceeded (or failed to meet up to) my expectations, but other teams have been worse than expected
Given how close the season is, 16 wins should be enough for top 2, and 15 wins for top 4 this year

 

[Ok Boomer]

I think its somewhat funny that two of Darlings better games have been in the two debacles this year.

 

[ziad]

Time to be pragmatic.

This group won't be wining the grand final and will most likely get knocked out early in the finals when the real pressure begins.


I would prefer to look bad and win than look good and lose but it has to come with a chance of winning the whole thing. Not one of our six wins this year has been a four quarter effort with polish. Not once have i sat back and been impressed by our game plan.

If we had any sense we would be making sure that Partington, Cole, Rioli, Venables, Watson get a good amount of games into them this year whilst we continue to play Barrass, Nelson, Sheed, Mutimer, Duggan...


We need to look to the future and realize that we need to make some hard calls.

I would also like a few changes in the coaching ranks too but i'll leave that rant for another day.

I am with you Puma

 

[MWPP]

I think its somewhat funny that two of Darlings better games have been in the two debacles this year.

Yeah , especially since our team's often given the flat-track bully tag
Much of the criticism levelled at Darling is unfair

 

[Forward Press]

So we should sack our coach, change our captain and cut senior players because we lost one game? Yes, it was a terrible performance, but we shouldn't be giving up the season because we folded to a team that is probably a lot better then we think. Additionally, when was the last time we played at Etihad?

Three meek losses this year, not just this one.

Questions are rightly being asked. I prefer to not settle for mediocrity, especially given the list we have - are we or are we not pushing for a flag? I can guarantee I wouldn't be calling for heads to roll if we fought a close loss today. Shit was putrid, game was over in the second quarter.

 

[Ok Boomer]

Yeah , especially since our team's often given the flat-track bully tag
Much of the criticism levelled at Darling is unfair

And I'm one of his biggest critics. But he looked hungry today.

I still think his confidence is shot to bits after 2015, firstly because of the foot injury, and then the grand final debacle. It shows with his set shots, he was normally better than 50/50.

 

[MWPP]

Three meek losses this year, not just this one.

Our Richmond loss wasn't a meek loss , so it's 2 rather than 1.

 

[Eaglemaniac]

Can't believe there are still people saying "it's only one game"...

This shit has been going on for years with this side, and it's always the same result. We are heroes at home and soft as butter away when the opposition hits us hard. Bruise free footy is what we are good at, but put intense physical pressure on us and we go to water.
We have the slowest midfield in the league, the slowest! When we come up against a side that has pace in any way (footskills and or run and carry speed), we get reamed. Today w were second to the ball at almost every midfield contest because we either can't get to the ball first (too slow), or we don't hit the contest hard being coz we're soft as butter. The problem is it's the same guys that go missing when the pressure is on and it's the same guys that get selected every week. This is the coach and MC's fault as much as it is the players because they've had enough chances to show their good enough and they're not. Time to **** off Priddis, Redden, Masten, Butler and bring in some of the guys who have been performing in the WAFL (Lamb, Hutch, Venables, Karps, Parto) and play the young guys who are already in the Eagles side in their proper ****ing positions.

It doesn't matter if we dont finish in the 8 this year because we aren't going to win the flag with this current side, however, half a year of exposure at the top level could help the young guys settle and us be better positioned for next year when Nic & Lycett are back. Sick of the same old shit with nothing different really being done by management.

 

[Seadog]

Terrible leadership amplifies any other flaws we have.

Didn't see the game but let me guess.
When shit went south Hurn moped around admiring the job the groundsman had done on the grass.

 

[Forward Press]

Our Richmond loss wasn't a meek loss , so it's 2 rather than 1.

Oh yes it was, when the rain came we didn't bother getting dirty and paid for not making the most of the first half opportunities.

Still disappointing. I wish I could see the team actually give a f*** when the opposition is well on top but that doesn't seem likely.

 

[Biggie]

Problem is - when the chips are down we all know we won't respond.

We do well to protect a lead, but gee whiz I can't recall a majestic come from behind win in Melbourne

So disappointing.

 

[MWPP]

Oh yes it was, when the rain came we didn't bother getting dirty and paid for not making the most of the first half opportunities.

We were inaccurate and we have never been good at wet weather footy. That doesn't make it a meek loss though.

Still disappointing. I wish I could see the team actually give a f*** when the opposition is well on top but that doesn't seem likely.

You seem to have forgotten the Port game (and even last week , when we withstood the dogs being well on top in the second half)
Or conversely, the North/Saints games