Review Vent vs St Kilda.

[acker]

Same shit we've been dishing up for 2 months, no surprises. Some of our senior players should be absolutely ashamed of themselves, though. It's one thing to not be good enough, it's another to completely give up and let a pack of soft, diving sooks have their way with you.

The "McCartney should be sacked" calls are obviously premature, but I'm less enthused with his coaching by the week. We have an abysmal list and it takes time to mould a gameplan... but what is the gameplan? Win the ball, handball it to a team mate under pressure/bomb it blindly in hope, turn it over, repeat?

It's amazing we haven't been crucified like we deserve to be in the media so far. Not sure whose pants McCartney has his hands down, but it's making him immune to any real dissection of what he's doing.

If your going to line McCartney up for the firing squad perhaps the bloke who leads the team on the field Boyd should take a bullet as well.

I don't think either should go, but I think the Western Bulldog list needs a huge clean out at the end of the season, and we are still going to have to keep some players who might have otherwise got chopped because I think club needs to move - chop - retire over 10 on the current list

 

[Easty]

The "McCartney should be sacked" calls are obviously premature, but I'm less enthused with his coaching by the week. We have an abysmal list and it takes time to mould a gameplan... but what is the gameplan? Win the ball, handball it to a team mate under pressure/bomb it blindly in hope, turn it over, repeat?

It's pretty obvious we're playing for draft picks at the moment and being coached purely with a future intent. I am a little concerned about the sense of lack of a game plan but this season is done and we want picks 5 and 6.

I think the biggest concern from this game (and I'll be honest, I stopped watching at half time) is the lack of effort from Jones. I think it's a fitness thing but he's getting thrown around and isn't impacting contests. He also isn't switched on. There was a kick towards goal that ended up touched on the goal line in the 2nd quarter which Jones could've if nothing else attempted to sheppard it through but instead decided to stand to the right of the square and watch the St Kilda bloke touch it through. Lazy stuff.

If he wants an AFL career he'll wanna have a massive preseason next season.

 

[Dazb86]

Probably the most disappointing game for the year.

Doesn't look great for cross either. Tears because of a season ending injury or perhaps early retirement?

 

[Snarls Barkley]

Quick rundown of the players.

Good: Minson, Murphy (shame Milne got that late freebie at the end cos Bob smashed him), Cross
Neutral: Boyd, Wallis, Gia (wasn't too bad, not sure why our supporters were booing him), Griffen, Picken, Libba, Dahl, Dickson, Grant, Roughy, Pearce.
Bad: Williams (perhaps a little harsh), Smith, Gilbee, Howard (only just, thought he was ok in the first half), Tutt, Vesz.
Horrible: Jones, Lake, Pearce.

Wasn't expecting much from us pre-game but today was embarrassing. Lots of our young guys were poor which was a shame, as that is usually where you try to find the advantages in games like these.

edit: it wasn't us booing him, so that's a positive/ edited Pearce as well cos I'm an idiot.

 

[tonydean]

Shame about Crossy. Heart and soul of the football club. Someone please tell me what Jones gave us today and this year??? Please someone tell me.

 

[Zeno The Great]

Quick rundown of the players.

Good: Minson, Murphy (shame Milne got that late freebie at the end cos Bob smashed him), Cross
Neutral: Boyd, Wallis, Gia (wasn't too bad, not sure why our supporters were booing him), Griffen, Picken, Libba, Dahl, Dickson, Grant, Roughy
Bad: Williams (perhaps a little harsh), Smith, Gilbee, Howard (only just, thought he was ok in the first half), Tutt, Vesz.
Horrible: Jones, Lake, Pearce.

Wasn't expecting much from us pre-game but today was embarrassing. Lots of our young guys were poor which was a shame, as that is usually where you try to find the advantages in games like these.

Pretty accurate summary give or take one or two

 

[Bulldog1954]

Disgusting, the effort in the second half was deplorable. I can tolerate being shit but paying hundreds for my membership, staying till the end of every game to watch guys not chase sickens me. It is a chore going to the games each week, there are just no positives. In the last six weeks we have kicked a total if 18 goals, our ground has a bloody roof. Eleven goals in two matches against St Kilda. Who beat their man? Murphy and Minson are the only ones I can think of, maybe Pearce on Saad? Seeing Crossy in tears was also shattering, he may have his flaws but he has more courage in his pinky then about 17 of his team mates combined

 

[NW2]

At the risk of saying what everyone knows, there's no quick fix. The next two seasons are going to be nasty. Most of our good players are on the downward trajectory and even if we draft with 100% return the benefits are years away.

Agreed. Change takes time. I can remember when people were calling for Bomber Thompson's head before Geelong had their success. Admittedly we are playing so bad that it can be hard to swallow and I am seriously strapping myself in for another two painful years.

 

[josh the gent]

Quick rundown of the players.

Good: Minson, Murphy (shame Milne got that late freebie at the end cos Bob smashed him), Cross
Neutral: Boyd, Wallis, Gia (wasn't too bad, not sure why our supporters were booing him), Griffen, Picken, Libba, Dahl, Dickson, Grant, Roughy
Bad: Williams (perhaps a little harsh), Smith, Gilbee, Howard (only just, thought he was ok in the first half), Tutt, Vesz.
Horrible: Jones, Lake, Pearce.

Wasn't expecting much from us pre-game but today was embarrassing. Lots of our young guys were poor which was a shame, as that is usually where you try to find the advantages in games like these.

Agree with most of what you said, except I really don't know why you rated Pearce as horrible?

I thought he actually showed a bit.

The whole day was horrible if I am really honest though.

 

[footyfan000001]

Decided to finally reset my password so I could write a reply in this thread because I am that disgusted and annoyed. And no I am not one of those fans that goes to town on us when we get smashed and then applauds us when we win but I just feel the need to say something today and get it off my chest. No wonder we get nobody to games and that our membership numbers are down this season - we are playing ugly and slow football. Even teams that are worse than us are able to get the ball from defence to attack so much quicker than us and it is frustrating the s*** out of me. I am all for 'leaving the coach alone' but the last 6 weeks I am really starting to doubt him.

And this all began when he used Roughead as the sub against the Bombers. He used him this afternoon at Full Back - Roughead is not a FULL BACK!! Roughead should be rotating between the bench, forward and ruck with Minson. Grant should not be on a half back flank - he should be used as a third tall forward who can also play as a small forward and use his pace.
Tom Williams is looking good as a Centre Half Forward - but he should have played on either Kosi or Riewoldt today - he is not the answer to our future forward line. If we are that desperate for another tall forward - Tom Hill or Matthew Panos are playing at Williamstown and we still no nothing about them and if they can have an impact at Senior level. I dont unserstand the harm in having a look at them!? Our season is gone - LETS SEE THEM!
And in all honesty - you bring in a JJ, a Panos, a Hill or even a Jong and it add excitement to the group AND keeps fans interested and brings them to games.
To finish my rant - I will go insane if we do not draft a key forward in this years draft.

Anyway - lets hope for maybe one more win and a chance to find some young talent in the other players we have not seen yet.

GO DOGS

 

[Contador]

Pretty sure it was Saints fans booing Gia for the Kosi clash years ago.

 

[Igloo]

Pretty sure it was Saints fans booing Gia for the Kosi clash years ago.

That's what I thought too.

 

[5 Bucks]

Roughead was not neutral. He was disgraceful in defence. Couldn't keep up with Kosi !. He showed a little bit with his ability to take a few marks so I guess that's why you give him that rating. It's doing my head in why he isn't being played at FF. Ayce can't score. Jones can't do anything. Williams can't kick straight at goal. Roughead can mark at least, and Minson is half decent at FF. They could rotate and be effective. WHY DON'T WE WANT TO SCORE? We can still tank and lose every game, but at least try to kick more than 6 goals for the game.

 

[Dazb86]

Minson will probably win our BnF this year.

 

[doggies ftw]

Shame about Crossy. Heart and soul of the football club. Someone please tell me what Jones gave us today and this year??? Please someone tell me.

Nothing but that doesn't mean he wont make it...

 

[Mr. Walker]

The positives:-
Grant and Tutt were good in the first quarter. (Did Tutt play after that?). Minson, Murphy and Wallis played well and kept going all day. Libba, Boyd and Dickson were not outstanding but battled on. (Dahlhaus too and gia). Smith showed a bit and I hope Pearce gets another go.

The negatives :-

Why handball to a guy one metre away who will immdeiately be tackled? What is the point? The players look scared to accept responsibilty and just try to palm it off on to anybody else so it is their stuff up.

What does anyone see in Howard? I am serious. I would appreciate a considered opinion. It looks to me like his opponent does not now have put any pressure on him for him to cough it up, lose his feet or just not get to the contest. Just an opponent in a five metre vicinity is enough to worry him out of the contest. Addison cannot get back quickly for me. (Yes i said it).

Jones, what can you say? Panos or Hill has to be at least tried. Our team has lost confidence in the forwards completely and don't even bother kicking it there now. i suppose chipping it around the half back line gives them more of a breather and less chance to stuff up than kicking it into the forward 50 where they know it will just come straight back and they will have to exert themselves again.

do we have a forward line coach or a backline coach? Who are they? Just wondering because the evidence that they do exist is scant.

 

[Bulldog1954]

Pretty sure it was Saints fans booing Gia for the Kosi clash years ago.

They do it every time we play them despite the fact it was a fair bump.

 

[Snarls Barkley]

Agree with most of what you said, except I really don't know why you rated Pearce as horrible?

I thought he actually showed a bit.

The whole day was horrible if I am really honest though.

Perhaps a bit harsh on my part. Just went completely unnoticed all day for me. Only a young guy so plenty of room for improvement, and hopefully he'll bounce back from today with some better games to finish the season.

 

[tonydean]

In that case, we should boo Riewoldt every time he goes near the ball for costing us a chance to play in a grand final.

 

[_Mike_]

Milne is a waste of space but don't waste your time on the oxygen thief.what goes around comes around

 

[Snarls Barkley]

Pretty sure it was Saints fans booing Gia for the Kosi clash years ago.

Fair enough, scratch what I said then. Gia didn't do anything this match to deserve it so I assumed it was us.

Not Gia's fault that Kosi has absolutely no awareness of his surroundings.

 

[Easty]

What does anyone see in Howard? I am serious. I would appreciate a considered opinion. It looks to me like his opponent does not now have put any pressure on him for him to cough it up, lose his feet or just not get to the contest. Just an opponent in a five metre vicinity is enough to worry him out of the contest. Addison cannot get back quickly for me. (Yes i said it).

He's got a lethal left foot.

 

[inyourfacedunk]

Jones started off really well, timing his leads and getting to the ball, but he was triple teamed right from the start. About half way through the second quarter he started to drop his head and you could tell he was getting frustrated. Not until the 3rd quarter did they stop triple teaming him and sent an extra to molest Williams instead. By that time Jones was mis-timing his leads again and pretty much just out of the game. On this though, it can't always be him mis-timing his leads. Surely his team mates should know by now that he is quick and often gets to the drop too early, so they should adjust their kicks accordingly.

I feel sorry for the kid. He probably isn't good enough to warrant a triple or even a double team just yet, but because other teams know he is one of the main targets up forward that is being developed, the ball will be going to him a lot, so they just throw an extra around him and towel him up.

As for the rest of the game, Minson played really well and seein Libba going mental standing the mark while 60 points down is a good sign. At least he cares. Tutt, although not being a huge influence did try and take the game on, which was nice. And Smith held his own against Del Santo for most of the game.


I also thought it was great that McCartney came out right from the start and let everyone know(i.e. all the fans who complain that he gives nothing away) exactly what they were trying to achieve with this game. Play some young blokes on St.Kilda's quality players to let them learn through experience and to protect the fat side of the ground better. That alone should be enough indication that he is taking critisism in and working with it. What we as fans have to realise is, the team is going through a rebuilding phase (who care's what the club calls it, we all know what it really is) and it will take at least another 12 months before they start breaking even in the win/loss ratio department again.

 

[TMoney22]

They do it every time we play them despite the fact it was a fair bump.

Ha, just remembering that was the highlight of today

 

[Bulldog1954]

Perhaps a bit harsh on my part. Just went completely unnoticed all day for me. Only a young guy so plenty of room for improvement, and hopefully he'll bounce back from today with some better games to finish the season.

He didn't do much but neither did his man (saad) He wasn't smashed like most of his "teammates"