What do you do about a lack of class.

[skeptic]

Ryan Byrnes. I 100% get it. He gets in there. He hits the contest hard. He wins tough contests. 7 contested possessions, 3 intercepts. Looking almost like a jet in the 3rd… then he gets rid of the ball and it’s a stinker. 3 turnovers. So many times if feels like he’s about to break us free and then it goes down the tube.
Don’t know what to make of him. In the one hand… kid turned up and he gave us a heck of a lot more than Crouch or Ross tonight. On the other, he feels like a liability.

And then you get to Jack Higgins. 16 touches, 7 contested again. Not only that but boy he has a bit of x-factor about him just being near the ball. Def assisted in two goals that I saw but his composure and decision making under pressure is shocking. And what’s with the goal kicking.
What happened to that snap strategy he had at the start of the last year where he briefly became a sniper in front of goal. Am really miffed by him. He should be a match winner.

Owens… that was some of the worst set shots I’ve seen since a young man named Loewe started hitting the post from the goal square. 2 shots, both gettable, one out on the full, the second lucky to be a behind. I suppose this is a bit tough as he has had better days but even so.

I don’t know what the solution here is but until we start making the most of our chances more often than not… seems like we can expect more of the same

[Otiman]

To answer the question, you always aim to get the best out of the team you've got.

If that means that a player isn't in the best 22 and is depth, then that's where its at.

But Byrnes was one of our better players tonight.

Stats sheet has 1 clanger for him, and 6 for Bonner, for all the praise he gets.

Higgins will find himself out of the team next week and find it very hard to get back in.

Owens played out of position, should be in the midfield.

Then at seasons end, you assess the list and delist accordingly. Bytel and McKenzie found out the hard way. Coffield traded out for nothing also found out.

[Scollop]

Ryan Byrnes… kid turned up and he gave us a heck of a lot more than Crouch or Ross tonight.

And that's the key to our growth and development. We need to move on from relying on Crouch and Seb.

People on the game day thread having a go also at Pou.

I loved it that Ross Lyon (and our assistant coach in charge of the midfield) had Henry, Steele,
and Pou at stoppages in that last quarter.

Can't wait for Dow to become a part of the mix. Can't wait for Wilson to get another year or two in the weights room.

On Ronnie...he has strengths and he plays his role. I think he keeps his place in the side for next week

[Moods]

]



I loved it that Ross Lyon (and our assistant coach in charge of the midfield) had Henry, Steele,
and Pou at stoppages in that last quarter.

I didn't. Pou is a liability in there. Has absolutely no idea what to do with the ball in tight congested situations. Continually stands tall like he thinks he's Patrick Cripps but then just turns the ball over. That's if he gets his hands on it.

[Scollop]

]



I loved it that Ross Lyon (and our assistant coach in charge of the midfield) had Henry, Steele,
and Pou at stoppages in that last quarter.

I didn't. Pou is a liability in there. Has absolutely no idea what to do with the ball in tight congested situations. Continually stands tall like he thinks he's Patrick Cripps but then just turns the ball over. That's if he gets his hands on it.

You'll be eating humble pie soon enough

Once he's played 60 games or so, maybe then you'll realise why Ross Lyon and Brendan Goddard want him in the midfield

[Yorkeys]

We have to try to hang in until our injured class comes back and racks up games. I think the season may be gone by then however.
Phillipou looks out of his depth in the middle. Good sides just dine out on him and, I hate to say it, the current version of Seb.
Mids as a group seem to have no plan/clue. At times it looked like Geelong were doing training drills out of the middle.
Higgins isn't doing us any favours, his consistent inaccuracy and dropped balls are poor play. He lacks class.
Webster and to a lesser extent Howard messed up the previously solid defensive structure. Certainly need more height/pace in defence.
Perhaps Ross has to keep on exploring: not play Seb, Higgins and stop pretending Pou can be a starting mid. Pou may be passed by Garcia.
Quite a few might well do with a course in composure.
At least the team does not lack courage.
With a bit of luck we might have pinched it. But we don't do luck, do we?
You can't do anything about that terrible free to Danger for kneeing Stocker, or the way umpires fawn over big names. Nothing to do with class.
That midfield needs radical surgery and an injection of smarts, but.

[Vortex]

Probably also puts to bed the claim we now have DEPTH,.

[King Max]

I saw the title and the author and thought this would be a moderator venting about one of the posters.

[B.M]

It’s not about having ‘depth’

Depth is the biggest myth in footy

Having top end quality count!!!

You cannot have six stars rolling through the middle. What you need is two or three.

We do have depth - but not enough quality

[Vortex]

It’s not about having ‘depth’

Depth is the biggest myth in footy

Having top end quality count!!!

You cannot have six stars rolling through the middle. What you need is two or three.

We do have depth - but not enough quality

Oooh! Dunno about that one BM.

You might want to have re think on that one.

Not passing the sniff test me thinks.

[Vortex]

Depth of quality is the Eldorado every AFL coach chases.

Right back to Jeans, Sheedy, Barrasi Parkin and every othe coach since...you can read about that in all of their books and listen to them say it in old media footage.

[B.M]

Mate

Give me two elite mids and 3 gop over 5 good players anyday

You need quality to beat quality

Watched Oliver and Petracca dominate again today!

[Vortex]

Mate

Give me two elite mids and 3 gop over 5 good players anyday

You need quality to beat quality

Watched Oliver and Petracca dominate again today!

What if your opponent has 3 elite mids 2 GOPS.

I win don't I?

Sorry I'm just countering a silly isolated pointed with the same.

It's depth of quality down to the universally accepted number of around 25 to sustain a season and win on GF day.

[skeptic]

Want to bump this post…

Exactly what I’m talking about. Polar opposites almost from all three players.

Higgins sinking them in from all over the place

Byrnes had a shaky start with disposal early but went up to effective and looked a million dollars and whilst Owens didn’t kick goals last night…
He went from struggling to getting into the game last week to being involved in/winning multiple big contests to break the game apart.

If these guys were this effective last week… we’d have won by 5 goals at the cattery

We just have to find a way to keep their confidence up

[magnifisaint]

Great game by Byrnes tonight.

[The Fireman]

All class

[axcellence]

All the class of Jack Newnes

[samoht]

Mate

Give me two elite mids and 3 gop over 5 good players anyday

You need quality to beat quality

Watched Oliver and Petracca dominate again today!

Seb Ross beat De Goey and Windhager beat Naicos ... so our good players are pretty damn good.

The fact that a decent, skillful player like Stocker was left out of games last year and Billings did not get any - it says a lot - that we are strong overall.

[B.M]

Would you swap Windhager and Ross for Daicos and DeGoey???

[Yorkeys]

Get Vortex to rubbish players.
Worked a treat on the Cooper S.

[The Fireman]

Get Vortex to rubbish players.
Worked a treat on the Cooper S.