Thoughts On The Port Game (post game)

[PCORF]

We got our asses kicked by Dean Brogan tonight.

Pretty bad game, we struggled under their pressure and with Brogan out there, were smashed in the ruck and Brogan himself had more hitouts than our entire team. It was a stupid descision to drop our No 20 (Maric). I'll take the 3-3 record but we could have easily been 0-6. We had some inexperienced guys out there as well. 3-3 is good, but our percentage is not good. A very difficult draw lies ahead for the team but I'm confident we'll bounce back, its tough playing at AAMI hopefully the day game next weekend could make a difference. We had some very poor passages of play ourselves and we are a MUCH better team than this.

 

[JunX]

My Thoughts

Bad effort, was as if levelling the showdown count and beating port was never on the agenda...

Walker - I feel sorry for him... Yes he has a few down points in his speed and defensive work, but what hope has a skinny 18 year old really got when the ball was bombed into the forward line to a pack of 10 players all night?? I have every confidence he will be the crows best forward ever, but they need to deliver it properly. And his goals vs TOG ratio is probably still the best in the team. Shouldnt be dropped imo.

When port went forward they had leads and free men everywhere! Yeah adelaide kick backward to allow for the switch, but not every forward thrust was as slow as this. Even our quick forward thrusts ended with a crow bombing a 50m punt into a pack of players. In the last 10 mins we saw they can kick it to a leading forward. Why bomb it. Pathetic.

A few changes should be made

Stevens is not looking good, not since his clash with Mcpharlin. Seems less confident. Rutten isnt looking the greatest right now either. Would it work to switch Rutten forward and Stevens back for a game? Rutten did kick 4 goals in his first game I think... He is having a bad patch at full back. Either that or Stevens needs a few weeks in the SANFL to get some confidence back up. Tall for a Tall, Stevens for Moran.

Griffin was what I expected. Ive always said he hasnt got much after the ruck contest is over, but even that was bad from him today. Never wanted Maric dropped, Griffin for Maric.

Missed symes hardness and guts. Douglas has been terrible for a few weeks and looks lost. Douglas needs to find some midfield form in the SANFL. He was forward all last year. Symes in for Douglas.

5 youngsters is probably too many, escpecially when alot of them only get limited game time. Perhaps Knights in for Cook?

Ruck combo of Moran / Maric
Tall Forward combo of Tippet / Moran

Walker given space...

We got smashed in the middle too. Port won alot of centre clearances because we didnt have anyone ports goal side... We need some fierceness in there, wouldnt mind seeing lil Petrenko in there to lay some pressure. Wish Joncock was fit enough to have a run in the middle now and then too.

 

[Peninsula Boy]

A few thoughts from the game.

Vince has taken half a step to a step since I've last seen him.
Otten is an excellent young player. When he muscles up, he will be top notch.
Petrenko looks the goods too. Disappointing considering I believe he's from the Port.
Walker struggled but his kicking action is beyond effortless. I think he's a FF a la Fev.
The forwards struggled but our midfield/clearance work didn't allow a lot of easy ball into your F50.
Dangerfield will become a ''utility'' and will be able to be plugged anywhere when he comes good.
Bock is AA CHB.
I admire Tyson's work ethic.
I don't think Tippett is a natural ruckman. He looks more dangerous as a forward.
Apart from on the lead, I thought Rutten was very good.
I thought you guys missed Knights. He's a ball magnet.

 

[kirky]

I admire Tyson's work ethic.
I don't think Tippett is a natural ruckman. He looks more dangerous as a forward.
Apart from on the lead, I thought Rutten was very good.
I thought you guys missed Knights. He's a ball magnet.

Can someone please explain how Edwards has not won a B & F? This bloke is a champion and still puts in 100% each week and is a great role model.

Knights was missed. Yes, his delivery at times is shocking but heck at least he goes in and gets the thing. Something that we were missing last night.

Griffen - never to play for the Crows again. End of story.

I knew that this year was going to be an up and down year but last night was our worst performance for the year.

With this game plan we don't seem to have enough blokes who will move it quickly and so it breaks down. If executed quickly I think it will work but you must move it quickly. Lets take a leaf out of Geelong's books and move it on at all costs. Throw caution to the wind. It may bring more pain but at least it will be entertaining!

 

[jenny61_99]

They are not executing it well yet. That doesn't mean they are not capable of executing it, and to be honest, it seems like our senior players are the ones that are having the most trouble executing it.


I doubt very much that the game plan than Neil Craig has laid out is "get the ball, hold on to it for a long time to allow the opposition to set up a zone, then slowly kick the ball sideways and backwards until you get into trouble". The game plan is pretty clear - get the ball, if you can move it forward do so, otherwise go for a switch. The problem is we are not doing it quickly enough and we are clearly scared to take risks. That is the part of the execution of the game plan that needs to change.

And when we do switch, we get booed!

I think this is why Craig is persisting with this plan - the more you do it, the better you get at it. It has to be ingrained within each and every player. Craig really can't win though. He was forced to play a defensive game plan in recent years because of personnel (or lack thereof) and he was lambasted by all and sundry for the dour defensive style we played. Now he is being blasted for creating and introducing an attacking gameplan! Fact is, when it comes off (v Collingwood) we look brilliant, when it doesn't we don't!

The clearance issue is a huge factor and I'm not sure what the answer is. Again, my first reaction would be to give it time, as our midfield grows in confidence and experience. People seem to forget that our rucks - both Maric AND Griffin - are relatively new to the caper and will lose more games than they win when up against experienced ruckmen. Last night Port had BOTH their experienced big fellas on the ground and this really hurt us. I've been calling for the inclusion of both our big guys pretty much all year which would leave Tippet exclusively in the forward lines but I'm not sure the new gameplan enables this to happen (to have a ruckman sitting on the bench the whole game).

We certainly need another tall - besides Tippy - in the forward line. If this means one of Moran/Sellar/Gill until Hentschel/Burton are available then sobeit - but it needs to be done.

And for all of you calling for Walker and/or other youngsters to be dropped back to the SANFL - were you the ones bleating about the young fellas NOT getting a game in recent years? Craig has had the courage to play these blokes - despite the fact he normally weens them in slowly and it's probably against his better judgement. Fact is, with so many young players in a team, our performances are going to be unpredictable. To me, the most remarkable thing is - we were crap last week and this week, yet were able to win last week and not get totally creamed this week yet by all accounts we probably should have. We've still been competitive against the likes of Geelong and St Kilda - yet they are head and shoulders in a different class to us.

It appears to me that many of you cannot see the forest for the trees. Think long term, because I think that is where Craig's head is at the moment. There will be some pain short term, but in the long term it will pay off.

 

[sworc]

And when we do switch, we get booed!

I think this is why Craig is persisting with this plan - the more you do it, the better you get at it. It has to be ingrained within each and every player. Craig really can't win though. He was forced to play a defensive game plan in recent years because of personnel (or lack thereof) and he was lambasted by all and sundry for the dour defensive style we played. Now he is being blasted for creating and introducing an attacking gameplan! Fact is, when it comes off (v Collingwood) we look brilliant, when it doesn't we don't!

The clearance issue is a huge factor and I'm not sure what the answer is. Again, my first reaction would be to give it time, as our midfield grows in confidence and experience. People seem to forget that our rucks - both Maric AND Griffin - are relatively new to the caper and will lose more games than they win when up against experienced ruckmen. Last night Port had BOTH their experienced big fellas on the ground and this really hurt us. I've been calling for the inclusion of both our big guys pretty much all year which would leave Tippet exclusively in the forward lines but I'm not sure the new gameplan enables this to happen (to have a ruckman sitting on the bench the whole game).

We certainly need another tall - besides Tippy - in the forward line. If this means one of Moran/Sellar/Gill until Hentschel/Burton are available then sobeit - but it needs to be done.

And for all of you calling for Walker and/or other youngsters to be dropped back to the SANFL - were you the ones bleating about the young fellas NOT getting a game in recent years? Craig has had the courage to play these blokes - despite the fact he normally weens them in slowly and it's probably against his better judgement. Fact is, with so many young players in a team, our performances are going to be unpredictable. To me, the most remarkable thing is - we were crap last week and this week, yet were able to win last week and not get totally creamed this week yet by all accounts we probably should have. We've still been competitive against the likes of Geelong and St Kilda - yet they are head and shoulders in a different class to us.

It appears to me that many of you cannot see the forest for the trees. Think long term, because I think that is where Craig's head is at the moment. There will be some pain short term, but in the long term it will pay off.

Good Words jenny61

My youngest son mentioned that during the pregame warmup, he thought most of our players looked flat and seemed to struggle to kick a reasonable distance and then said he had a bad feeling about the game.

I just thought that Ports intensity and desire to win was far greater than ours. Our game plan needs the courage to take risks, seemed too many players were playing safe.

I think this all adds up to a young squad, and once this group gets a few more games under their belts I think we will be a super team. Sure they may have been poor tonight, but somehow they kept us down to a beating not a flogging. Port also had much to play for, they had a 2 week rest (they didnt turn up last week) and were after all, tipped as a top four side.

Hey, No excuses but some upsides coming our way down the track.

 

[relapse]

My thoughts

I wasnt at the game, but watching at home how much time did Walker spend on the ground, he seemed to spend a lot of the game on the pine. Put him at full foward and leave him there get the ball in quick to a one on one instead of the slow build up through handball and allowing the opposition to get numbers into defense.

The Stevens move to defense happened too late he needed to be put back there sooner.

We have to find someone to fill Nathan Bassett's old role ASAP. Rutten is getting murdered this year on the lead and we need that Bassett type player who is going to block to space to cut off those leads. It was too hard to tell again from television, but it seemed to me that is what they got Stevens to do after half time which is why Wazza went quiet after half time.

Our youngsters will be better from the showdown experience, Otten IMO played possibly his best game of football even though he has been solid all year. Patrenko played hard and tough at the ball and I agree with another poster that he is going to be a young stiffy.

The other thing which I have noticed is that so far this year we arent getting enough goals from our midfield ie VB and Co and they arent hurting the opposition enough with their possessions which is putting more and more pressure on our forward line to kick a winning score which is just not happening for us at the moment.

Do we bring Maric in next week and leave Tippy at full forward ??? Do we start leaving Walker up forward rather than half the game on the pine ??? Walker should stay in the side, but could possibly be dropped by the inclusion of Maric at his expense and have Tippy play up forward. If they drop Walker though Norwood have a bye so it isnt going to do him any good. I would give him one more week, BUT none of this leaving him on the pine for extensive periods rubbish keep him up forward and try and give him some space and GET THE FRIGGIN BALL IN THERE QUCKLY. He kicked a goal and if he didnt have that brain fade in the first quarter by quickly playing on and trying to kick the goal would have ended up with 2 goals. He hasnt been held goaless yet so even though he hasnt made a big impact in the last two weeks he has still managed to score a goal.

I agree with others on our gameplan, just because Geelong have a pretty even kick to handball ratio doesnt mean that we have to adopt the same style of football. We also dont have Ablett, Ling, Bartel etc in our midfield. I think considering we are developing lets keep it simple, we over finesse the ball way too much when we are attacking and dont attack quickly enough with long penetrating kicks.

Last night we got smashed in the clearances they got the ball in quickly by foot and wazza was carving us up. Our gameplan besides being possibly requiring more clean ball movement than is possible with some of our younger players also doesnt allow to get the ball in quickly enough so we then are outnumbered in the forward line when we finally attack.

 

[TheLeftFist8]

- Griffin failed to meet the first decent test. A pass mark did not have to be beating Brogan/Lade BUT it had to be a competitive performance. He was soft. Cannot use his body size as an excuse any more. Other players with his size are not all insipid, yet his performance was physically weak. Clearly noted times when he wimped out of putting his body on the line. Absolutely shocking to see that consistently in a players game. Every now and then it happens but when it becomes a trademark, it's time to go. One last chance this week, with either Moran or McKernan coming in to add an extra tall in the line-up capable of rucking.

- McLeod has no will for a difficult contest. If the opposition are accountable on him we can expect poor games with the occassional cameo to wind back the clock. Not the contributor he once was and certainly not the guy for permanent HBF if the opposition coach gives him respect. He can start on the bench and plug holes.

- Stevens needs a rest. Played appallingly for a guy of his ability and pre-injury form. Go to the SANFL to get your head right...whatever that means in his situation.

- Mackay will be a gun but the way he played was indicative of why i suggested he be dropped prior to that game. Freshen up and come back and win some ball. Better yet, go to the HBF instead of McLeod and rise to the challenge!

- Rutten struggling defensively and when you are full-back that is sorta important Only thing he is doing well is the odd contested mark as we move forward. Disposal, spoiling, preventing leads from taking uncontested marks are all poor.

- Walker i am willing to carry but at least get him on the ground. He has lost confidence due to benching and the deplorable delivery from upfield. We have seen a guy who naturally leads strongly for the ball now just standing back unsure of himself (because he cannot trust his teammates). If we continue to screw him around, back to Norwood. Supposedly 50 forward entries last night! Most were absolute crap and gave forwards minimal chance.

- Petrenko and Dangerfield showed why i want them forward. As they are young players they are not yet Crowbots, and they have attacking intent and an actual desire to tackle (as opposed to going thru the motions). With all the other plodders in the forward line we desperately need some pace (and intensity, so i dunno if McLeod is the answer) up there. If these guys aren't forward, lets get Jacky in.

- Vince is a gun, who actually tries to go forward. Without him yesterday we lose by 50 points. Even he started screwing up as the game wore on but at least he did plenty on the positive side of the ledger.

- Edwards also consistent and warranting his selection.

- Goodwin overrated by possessions. Not damaging enough in the role. Should have been sacrificed early to play the rest of the game on Motlop. Otten could have played the Goodwin role even better (less possessions but likely more forward attack). Defensive match-ups were absolute crap all night (hard when players not performing but still). Stevens on Motlop...stupid. Problem is that Rutten so limited we cannot put him on many players.

- Bock was good yet again but his attack being nullified by the crap upfield. I believe that when Stevens gets back in form from his head injury, he and Bock play in key defensive posts, with Rutten having a stint forward for a while. I have no issue if Bock technically at FB. Let's be honest, he and Rutten get most of their ball in the back 50, the technical position doesn't mean he wont provide run. Just gotta get Stevens in form asap!

- Otten performing very well for his age (and indeed very well full stop!).

- Cook showed glimpses. Maybe not enough but I'd try to get him another week if possible.

- Douglas was so disappointing, especially in the first quarter. Have not checked the stats but had a few. Most were to Ports advantage. There is so much to like about Douglas that you think one day he will be decent but again he lets us down. How many years can one be a 'promising player of the future' who just needs to get fit and find the pace of the game? decision making poor but maybe he is another victim of the game plan???

- van Berlo has the disposal issues of Douglas but at least is decisive most of the time! But hats off to both of them for their effort and intensity. Cannot criticise them for not trying

- Porplyzia great goalkicking. If we had a better system we could isolate him more. Not getting big possessions but seriously what do we expect with the delivery he gets. I dont blame him at all.

- Game Plan...the biggest question of all, probably needs a seperate thread. But so many holes it isn't funny, and it was clear at the ground we have so so many passengers doing next to the nothing, their efforts being hidden and unaccountable. How can we have no forwards, minimal defence (therefore most between the 50 arcs) and yet the ball transitions end to end with only a couple of Crows near it down one whole side of the ground. Farcical! It's like we guess where the opposition want to go with the ball and 12 of our 18 blokes all huddle together in the alternate location just having a chat while pretending they are 'zoning'.

Oh and if we happen to get it, 2 blokes can run it down the wing and try to bring rain by bombing it as high as possible onto the forwards head who by now is a jibbering confused mess after watching what has happened upfield and sprinting back.

Either that or we can give it to Douglas or Doughty and crab our way forward, look up (if the 20 handballs ever result in forward movement), and see 10 grinning opposition waiting to feast on the incoming ball.

I understand we have young blokes, we even have average older players, all trying to learn the system but i fear the system is flawed to some degree and we will ruin the attacking development of our young stars.

As Cornes used to say, you learn more from a loss

Effort: Rarely do we get embarrassed as Crows supporters by a pathetic, insipid, soft attack on the ball and man. Unfortunately as i sat in the crows i was embarrassed that our boys put in the very type of display that we have berated Port about so many times. The scoreboard was extremely flattering and i believe 50 points would have been a more reflective margin.

 

[footy4ever]

- Griffin failed to meet the first decent test. ........so many times. The scoreboard was extremely flattering and i believe 50 points would have been a more reflective margin.

TLF8,

You just took the words right out of my mouth. Exactly how i saw, and see, the crows.

Our forward set up and delivery to them - please see my post in the 'what are we doing up forward' thread.

 

[footy4ever]

And another thing!

As D. Cometti said...a couple/few weeks back Ess Vs....some team...

"...and Lloyd takes an uncontested mark while his opponent was guarding the space."

The 'zone' - highly overrated. I don't care how well drilled at it we are.

 

[pjcrows]

Our next month:

Bulldogs AAMI
Brisbane GABBA
Carlton AAMI
Hawthorn AAMI

We're in strife.

 

[Elite Crow]

Craig in his post match press conference said we dont move the ball forward quick enough, no shit sherlock! But I believe he is laying too much blame at the feet of his players and not taking some of the responsibility. How is it this year, ALL the players, are looking for the first give backwards or sidewards instead of moving towards goal. This is not coincidence, it is the game plan he has trained them on all summer. He needs to accept the blame and change it.

At the end of this round we will I think have the 4th worst points for. That is pathetic. The game plan has to change before we truly do take the mantle as the most boring team in the AFL.

 

[footy4ever]

The game plan has to change before we truly do take the mantle as the most boring team in the AFL.

Too late! she cried. Most other team posters always refer to how boring the crowbots are.

I'd prefer to use the term...the most predictable ...and therefore the easiest to plan against.

I remember a brief conversation with an afl player (a captain no less) in 2006 being relayed to me by his relative. He said that the crows were the most studied, most viewed on video, most dissected team, at his club, and he believed, at other AFL clubs. Today, if you mentioned the Crows to the teams that matter, they would shrug, yawn, and say 'yair, what about them?'

 

[TheLeftFist8]

Craig in his post match press conference said we dont move the ball forward quick enough, no shit sherlock! But I believe he is laying too much blame at the feet of his players and not taking some of the responsibility. How is it this year, ALL the players, are looking for the first give backwards or sidewards instead of moving towards goal. This is not coincidence, it is the game plan he has trained them on all summer. He needs to accept the blame and change it.

Agree with this.

All these players would never had made AFL with this mindset. They have risen to the elite footy competition with a high level of skill (some more than others) and the ability to make an impact on a game of footy in a positive way.

Now they are being taught to stifle all natural instincts and it results in paralysis by analysis and woeful confusion. This in turn creates skill errors, lack of confidence and forwards who must curl up in the foetal position murmuring gibberish after another mauling.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Lots of thoughts, in no particular order...

Reilly has now strung 6 games together - without getting injured! He started up forward with little impact but when he moved further upfield he gave us some drive and delivered some quality passes. Probably is now ready to be thrust back into the midfield, especially with our clearance issues. His form one of the few positives.

Douglas played further up the ground than he has previously this season and found a lot more of the ball. Worked hard for his touches but delivered a few terrible handballs and got run down and pulled off his kick twice, as he always seems to. No impact on the game.

Our slow, circle-work ball movement was unbelievably frustrating. Sure, we had as many forward fifty entries as Port did. But ours were indirect and gave our forwards very few one-on-one contests. The worst things is that it is our experienced players - Rutten, Bock, McLeod, Doughty - who are the major culprits in instigating this method of attack. They are the first ones to look sideways and backwards. Almost as though they have been in the AFL system too long. Institutionalised. I'd be very interested to see how many times we have a shot at goal during a passage of play where Bock has a bounce. **** all I'd estimate.

You wonder whether Stevens is still feeling the after effects of his clash with McPharlin. Was pathetic up forward early before shifting down back, where he was much, much worse. His worst game for the AFC since coming back from the Magpies 3-4 years ago. Unfair on Tippett and Walker to have such limited support from one of our senior players.

Griffin has had two games now. He was picked for the right reasons; his SANFL form was excellent and Maric wasn't playing well. But it is clear now that Maric is the superior player. More aggressive, has a presence out on the ground and gives us a contest every single time. Not saying that Griffin shouldn't be in the 22, just that Maric needs to be picked ahead of him. Not necessarily a selection error though - at least now we know.

Otten looked lost in a few marking contests. Great experience for him matching up on some in form, dangerous forwards. He came through ok, won a few contests himself and looked assured when he had the footy in his hands. Will only get better. Petrenko was great, third quarter in particular. Put this bloke on the ground. Please.

Our clearance work this season has been poor but reached a new low last night. Absolutely smashed in the centre and around the ground. Not just in the number, but also the quality of the ball movement. When Port won the ball they were clean, direct and fast. A nightmare for our defence. Us on the other hand were rushed, fumbly and indirect, the few clearances we got anyway. Todd Viney has got his hands full. A number of our 'new guard' of midfielders (Vince, van Berlo, Douglas, Mackay) aren't naturals in and around the stoppages. Much, much work to be done.

Obviously we are short a couple of forwards. The fact that Reilly and Otten were played up there just shows that the cupboard is bare. Didn't help that Stevens had a poor game but we looked genuinely toothless last night. I could not believe that we played a 7 man defence in the last quarter. Couldn't you see the scoreboard from the coaches' box? A disgrace. We aren't Melbourne trying to cobble together a respectable competitive performance.

 

[kulak]

I think one tweaking of our game plan that should occur is the margin of error we are allowing before we decided not to go forward. It's as if we won't go forward unless there is a "perfect" option which there is never going to be - and even if there is, there's no guarantee we will execute the kick perfectly. We need to simply back ourselves more often, and at the same time, the guys forward of the ball need to be instructed that they have to work their ass off to ensure that when we do back ourselves and go forward, there are players at the contest, ahead of the contest, and behind the contest so that we have a chance to win it.

This is an interesting one.

If we try to kick through the zone, and we miss a target or just lose a contest, due to opposition numbers in the area the ball will go back over our heads for a goal pretty quick.

On the other hand, if we kick around the boundary, then it's more likely to just go out of play - and if we try to handball through the zone, then we can just tackle the dude we handballed it to by mistake.

My feeling is that we choose the "handball through the zone" option not only because it's lower risk, but also because the club rates our run & carry skills more highly than our kicking & contested marking skills.

I'd probably enjoy watching us a bit more if we were more willing to try to kick through the zone at times. But I don't think it would've made much difference to last night's result.

Here's what I'm concerned about; once again we do okay on the Inside 50 count, but are well beaten.

Our forward line may be inexperienced, but why do we insist on kicking long to packs so often? We've got a few good leading forwards, so why not try that more often?

I'm also not sure our defence (and defensive action around the ground) is as solid as we like to think.

In the Craig era, the sign of a Crows team playing well has been an opposition team which can't decide on the best way to bring the ball forward, and is eventually smothered - and our best offence comes from the turnovers this forces.

But so often last night, and in a few games this year, there are periods where there's just no pressure whatsoever applied to our opponents as they bring the ball all the way down the field for a goal. Together with getting smashed at the clearances, this played a much larger role in our defeat than the way we moved the ball forward.

 

[crowsarethebest]

http://bigpondvideo.com/adelaidetv/124637

Watch the press conference by NC. Nice to know that he realizes that we just don't move it quick enough and that we don't take enough risks at the moment and that he's trying to change that.

 

[Lightning_Rod]

Porp's streak still continue

Dangerfield you are the mann

Petrenko's chasing was good

overall.... it was just a bloody awful game for us

thought porps soccered a goal that was touched or hit the post early on? correct me if im wrong

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

I agree with what most people have said, but I think we should give the veterans a break. I think some people still expect them to be game breakers, when they clearly will not be. They are in the twilight of their career, we should only expect them to be the supporting cast, with the focus and reliance on the next generation to play the major roles in the side, and to decide matches. I believe their role is to help the younger players along and provide a cool head and some leadership. To expect them to have the same impact they did in the past is fanciful, lets accept that.

Agree with this

It is an absolute disgrace that opposition clubs are still tagging Andrew McLeod. What is he? 32? How many knee operations? Yet when they sit down at their match committee meetings he's still the one they consider our most dangerous player.

I use the example of Shane Crawford last year at Hawthorn. Was in the twilight of his career. He got an armchair ride. Sat out on his wing without an opponent, still won a fair bit of the ball, still had an impact and got to have a month off during the season when he was a bit sore. Despite being a Brownlow Medallist he was no longer their No. 1 Man. Other players had stepped in to fill the breach which allowed Crawf to do his thing without an ounce of pressure on him.

This is how it should be for our veterans. Instead Edwards, McLeod and Goodwin are still our three most important players. We only win when the three of them have big games (or we play a shit team). Vince, van Berlo, Douglas, Knights, Reilly... the opposition clubs do not spend a millisecond of time worrying about those guys. They never tag them. They are happy for them to get as much of the ball as they like. Because it has no bearing on the result of the game. Only Thompson could say that he has taken any pressure off our veterans.

 

[jenny61_99]

Agree with this

It is an absolute disgrace that opposition clubs are still tagging Andrew McLeod. What is he? 32? How many knee operations? Yet when they sit down at their match committee meetings he's still the one they consider our most dangerous player.

I use the example of Shane Crawford last year at Hawthorn. Was in the twilight of his career. He got an armchair ride. Sat out on his wing without an opponent, still won a fair bit of the ball, still had an impact and got to have a month off during the season when he was a bit sore. Despite being a Brownlow Medallist he was no longer their No. 1 Man. Other players had stepped in to fill the breach which allowed Crawf to do his thing without an ounce of pressure on him.

This is how it should be for our veterans. Instead Edwards, McLeod and Goodwin are still our three most important players. We only win when the three of them have big games (or we play a shit team). Vince, van Berlo, Douglas, Knights, Reilly... the opposition clubs do not spend a millisecond of time worrying about those guys. They never tag them. They are happy for them to get as much of the ball as they like. Because it has no bearing on the result of the game. Only Thompson could say that he has taken any pressure off our veterans.

And yet, of the four, Thompson would have to be THE most disappointing. We shouldn't expect Macca, Goodwin or Edwards to be our match winners. But we SHOULD be expecting Thompson to be contributing far more than he does. To me, this year, he has disposed of the ball as quickly as possible (if not quicker ) the second he gets the ball. He either handpasses to a player under direct pressure or bombs the ball up to a contest. His lack of footy smarts is hurting us terribly.

 

[RoosterLad]

What a disgusting performance that was. The players and Neil Craig should hang their heads in shame. Skills were crap, we were soft at the body and the ball, and I'm not sure what gameplan that was??? We just had nothing going forward, the players up the ground didn't work hard to get space and we just ended up kicking the ball backwards and sideways.

Dangerfield was just about the only youngster to do anything, Petrenko wasn't too bad I guess but Taylor Walker, did he even play?

His snap at the end of the 3rd term was stupid and his tackling is the worst of any footy player I've seen.

Blokes like Reilly, Thomo and co they just did nothing either.

Everyone talks about a bright future but I don't really see it now, even in our wins we have looked pretty rubbish.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

And yet, of the four, Thompson would have to be THE most disappointing. We shouldn't expect Macca, Goodwin or Edwards to be our match winners. But we SHOULD be expecting Thompson to be contributing far more than he does. To me, this year, he has disposed of the ball as quickly as possible (if not quicker ) the second he gets the ball. He either handpasses to a player under direct pressure or bombs the ball up to a contest. His lack of footy smarts is hurting us terribly.

Gee, I reckon Thompson has been alright and was one of our better midfielders last night.

Haven't checked any stats but I would guess that he is leading our clearances and our tackles, up their with possessions and at the same time commands more defensive pressure than anyone else, bar McLeod.

Thommo takes a fair bit of heat for the team. For example Vince gets an easier ride because Thompson is there.

 

[macca23]

I could not believe that we played a 7 man defence in the last quarter. Couldn't you see the scoreboard from the coaches' box? A disgrace. We aren't Melbourne trying to cobble together a respectable competitive performance.

Thanks for reminding me of this point Carl.

I was fuming at the time when I saw that Craig opened up the last quarter with a 7 man defence. That was a silent announcement that we were into minimizing our loss rather than attempting to win.

Add that to our negative game-plan and it was a pretty disappointing effort from the coaching box all round.

 

[Cap]

Best
Port Adelaide: Dean Brogan, Chad Cornes, Steven Salopek, Daniel Motlop, Warren Tredrea, Tom Logan, Kane Cornes
Adelaide: Bernie Vince, Nathan Bock, Scott Thompson, Patrick Dangerfield, Jared Petrenko


Well I didn't get to see that match (thankfully by the sounds of it) but looking at our best players I'm struggling to see everyones attack on the younger guys stepping up?

Not one of the older guys got into the best players?

Port on the other hand reflect why in a few years they are going to be in trouble.

 

[noddy]

What a disgusting performance that was. The players and Neil Craig should hang their heads in shame. Skills were crap, we were soft at the body and the ball, and I'm not sure what gameplan that was??? We just had nothing going forward, the players up the ground didn't work hard to get space and we just ended up kicking the ball backwards and sideways.

Dangerfield was just about the only youngster to do anything, Petrenko wasn't too bad I guess but Taylor Walker, did he even play?

His snap at the end of the 3rd term was stupid and his tackling is the worst of any footy player I've seen.

Blokes like Reilly, Thomo and co they just did nothing either.

Everyone talks about a bright future but I don't really see it now, even in our wins we have looked pretty rubbish.

So what do we do blame the coach & move him on ?

I agree in that we are a crap team to watch this year & probably most of 08 as well even when we win so it's either the players are not playing to the coaches instructions or those instructions have now become to complicated to follow.

Or just maybe the coach is trying to instill some sort of long term plan for the next 10 years or so into his young side starting with a defensive mentality.

I have no ****ing idea so maybe someone else does.