Well, I've just woken up from a crap night's sleep still fuming over what was one of the most disappointing matches I have seen in a long time. I wanted to get on here last night and release some pent up anger, but I'm glad I didn't - hopefully now, with 7 hours of broken sleep, I can put something down that will be a bit more balanced!!!
Firstly, the good points. The first quarter was the best footy the team has played probably since Lyon was coach. Long kicking, forwards on fire, contested marks, attacking the contests in packs, a delight to watch. Whilst that level is unattainable for four quarters (unless you are Geelong!), that is the style and manner we expect the team to play, and with that intensity. By 1/4 time it looked liked finally we were going to have the boys put on the show for a whole game that we know they can.
The other positives for the night was the form of Goddard in his comeback match, and the form of Sam Fisher AGAIN - thank God we have him back there, he is playing super footy at the minute.
I put this in so those who read the remainder of this post don't think I am just a negative fool who doesn't appreciate the hard work the boys put in blah, blah, blah.
I do, I am just sick of being let down year after year after year.
The remainder of the match was nothing short of pathetic. Of the 6 goals we did score after quarter time, most of them were struggles. What on earth happened?
It seems the team ran out of legs, which, if the case, is appalling after one quarter of footy, three games into the season.
As I seem to put on here repeatedly, and put forward the question again and again, how long do we have to put up with players who quite simply are not up to the standard required of an AFL footballer? Yes, I already hear some on here going on about 'whipping boys' - the fact is, Blake and Raph (and Fiora to an extent) are the whipping boys because they are CRAP. Blake made 6 critical errors last night, which I'm sure is not too far above his usual average. He is just not good enough - simple. That effort when Groffen ran around him after he gave away a stupid free kick was embarressing. May we never see it again. Please. Raph Clarke is a lazy, couldn't care, soft, uninspiring waste of space, and Fiora, although not the worst last night and having played okay last year, is just a player that will continue to frustrate us again and again.
The problem is that the opposition teams aren't dumb - they know Raph and Blake are hopeless too, which means they channel the ball through them - one in defence, one in the midfield/forward. The smart teams will try to man up everyone but Raph coming out of defence, because they know his decision making is ordinary and his skills match. The same with Blake in the midfield or down forward, which means they can put more pressure on the likes of Roo and Kosi and leave Blake to float around on his own. This is simply unacceptable.
These two must go - we have carried them long enough.
I agree with some posts on here that the more experienced players (they so called stars) are also to blame. Riewoldt tries his hardest and kept presenting last night, but he should've slayed that little midget he was on. Yes, the delievery was poor and all that, but he needs to fight his way out of that situation and inspire his team mates, particularly when the team is struggling. I love Nick, don't get me wrong and I would never question his efforts - I just think he had a pretty bad night, which is very rare.
Dal Santo and Monty need to stop reading their own press and start lifting. A bit of hardness and attack on the footy would be nice - yes, they have all the skills when the game is going our way, but using those skills to turn the game when it isn't going their way would be something I would like to see.
As for Kosi...well, is he the most overrated player at the club at the minute? Sick to death of hearing about his potential to be a champion, seeing him put that on display for a quarter here or a match or two there, and then not seeing him for weeks at a time. Not good enough. Stop mouthing off and trying to be some sort of pathetic enforcer and just get the ball.
G-train - not unsurprisingly, he played on a good fullback and didn't have any influence on the game. Gee, what a surprise. Somehow I think the same thing will happen again this week against Scarlett! Can't wait till we play a crap team again so he can bag a few - or at least touch the ball more than 5 times.
Can Jason Gram tackle or punch? There's a couple of skills I would've liked to see him learn over the off season. Hayes has 12 tackles for the night, Ball 11 and Gram has 1 tackle playing in a backline who's opposition had thirty scoring shots. Hmmm.
Suddenly, with the result of one game a season that looked so promising is now looking very gloomy - given the almost mandatory loss to Geelong, we then face the Bombers and Port over there in what are two games that will almost define the season.
It is so frustrataing and I was so devastated and angry last night - sometimes I hate footy!
There is always next week, so they say, but I'm dreading next week more than a half a dozen root canals done simultaneously.
My 5 cents worth...
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wallbanger
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My 5 cents worth...
Please...let's win a Premiership before GEELONG!!!! (O.k., so we've missed that opportunity...maybe let's win the next one before Geelong????)
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Scoop
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Good post wallbanger. I think you have articulated well what a lot of supporters feel after last night. I agree with most of what you have said.
However, I would like to take you to task over your summation of Raph. I do not agree that he doesn't care, is lazy and soft. Someone that runs with the flight of the ball and backs into packs like he does is not soft.
His problem is his decision-making and consequent lack of confidence. If that can be fixed, I believe that he will be a worthwhile contributer. But he does need a run in the twos.
Like you and others on here, my main concern last night is with the so-called stars of the side. For a club that bangs on about its depth of leadership, there was not much in evidence last night. Having said that, I do think Rooey is playing hurt. He just seems restricted in his movement.
And we are a very pedestrian outfit. After qtr time, the dogs just swarmed all over us - they were quicker, harder and far more disciplined than us. We didn't look like we had a clue. Very disappointing!
Hopefully last night was an aberration and will give us the kick in the arse that is required to get us back on track (or that we are building into the season - not up too early - as RL said there are still 19 games to go). I hope so, because there have been some very worrying signs in all three games this year.
However, I would like to take you to task over your summation of Raph. I do not agree that he doesn't care, is lazy and soft. Someone that runs with the flight of the ball and backs into packs like he does is not soft.
His problem is his decision-making and consequent lack of confidence. If that can be fixed, I believe that he will be a worthwhile contributer. But he does need a run in the twos.
Like you and others on here, my main concern last night is with the so-called stars of the side. For a club that bangs on about its depth of leadership, there was not much in evidence last night. Having said that, I do think Rooey is playing hurt. He just seems restricted in his movement.
And we are a very pedestrian outfit. After qtr time, the dogs just swarmed all over us - they were quicker, harder and far more disciplined than us. We didn't look like we had a clue. Very disappointing!
Hopefully last night was an aberration and will give us the kick in the arse that is required to get us back on track (or that we are building into the season - not up too early - as RL said there are still 19 games to go). I hope so, because there have been some very worrying signs in all three games this year.
Extra! Extra! Read all about it......no I don't want to read about it anymore!!!
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super dooper
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Very disspointed about last nights effort, made an effort not to come on here last night as some irrational things may have been said!!
I think there may be a few egos out there that need to be told they arent as good as they think they are, eg. Dal - veyr frustrated at his game tonight.
On the bright side i thought S.fish, Goddard, Ball and schnieder to an extent were the highlights from an individual perspective.
Overall a pretty insipid performance except the 1st qrt. Very frustrating to see from a team that always shows glimpses of brilliance like our first 30 mins. I guess that is what makes us even more frustrated, knowing what we CAN do.
I know that they all would be trying, putting in 100% etc, but last night it didnt come across from a spectators view that it was the case, there were too many lazy efforts to win contested balls when it mattered after qrt time.
The doggies are very good front runners and when momentum is there way they always capitalise, as we saw, even bloody Will Minson was slotting goals from the boundary FFS.
You'd think a loss like that is the kind of kick in the arse any team needs, we need to do some deep sole searching and send some home truths to eachother. Now im sure they will do this during the week and would have done it in the past, but after a loss like that it hits home hard and i think is the most effective time to do it. Its all well and good doing it in a preseason, but when the seasons started there are no more excuses!!
We did something like that at cricket this past season after we were absolutely smashed, and i can tell you now, before anyone says something you know inside what people will say about you, trust me it opens up your perspective on your game. Nothing hurts more than letting your own team mates down.
I think a loss like that almost doesnt warrent a spray to the players, it was an allround insipid performance by all involved, and we must somehow find soemthing for next week coz then we will be back with the pack!!!
I think there may be a few egos out there that need to be told they arent as good as they think they are, eg. Dal - veyr frustrated at his game tonight.
On the bright side i thought S.fish, Goddard, Ball and schnieder to an extent were the highlights from an individual perspective.
Overall a pretty insipid performance except the 1st qrt. Very frustrating to see from a team that always shows glimpses of brilliance like our first 30 mins. I guess that is what makes us even more frustrated, knowing what we CAN do.
I know that they all would be trying, putting in 100% etc, but last night it didnt come across from a spectators view that it was the case, there were too many lazy efforts to win contested balls when it mattered after qrt time.
The doggies are very good front runners and when momentum is there way they always capitalise, as we saw, even bloody Will Minson was slotting goals from the boundary FFS.
You'd think a loss like that is the kind of kick in the arse any team needs, we need to do some deep sole searching and send some home truths to eachother. Now im sure they will do this during the week and would have done it in the past, but after a loss like that it hits home hard and i think is the most effective time to do it. Its all well and good doing it in a preseason, but when the seasons started there are no more excuses!!
We did something like that at cricket this past season after we were absolutely smashed, and i can tell you now, before anyone says something you know inside what people will say about you, trust me it opens up your perspective on your game. Nothing hurts more than letting your own team mates down.
I think a loss like that almost doesnt warrent a spray to the players, it was an allround insipid performance by all involved, and we must somehow find soemthing for next week coz then we will be back with the pack!!!
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saintsRrising
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The competition is so even these days that the WHOLE team has to work hard to win.
They did in the first quarter....and the Dogs were squeezed and could not get things going.
After quarter time though two thirds of our team dropped there work rate.
Result is that the Dogs got back in and then started to dominate as they can gained confidence...whereas the saints started to feel the pressure and fumble more and /or make poor decisions.
Midfield got pumped...with Lenny, Ball and Schneider working hard but with the other half dozen beeing lazy they got pumped badly.
Backline owrk hard in the main......raph was poor and Geary asa third game fealt the heat.
Our work rate was poor and our team has too many players who don't have the mental application to work hard week in week out , quarter in, quarter out.
On the other had the Dogs are not the easy beats that had of recent years....they have added strength, height and grunt to their pace and skill and are now largely structured up like a 'Normal" team, but are the quickest and best foot skilled team in the competition.
Their younger players have muscled up....and then with good recruiting of existing players in ares that they were week in their line up is vastly improved.
The Saints have improved the many weaknesses they had built up......but the areas of pace and good footskills still need addressing (I am not critical of RL though as he has vastely improved the balance of the list).
However the Saints prime flaw remains what it has been post-Streak...we have too many players who cannot deliver a high enough work rate often enough.
They can deliver a lot better than they did last night...problem is we never never know which week or quarter that they will do.
They did in the first quarter....and the Dogs were squeezed and could not get things going.
After quarter time though two thirds of our team dropped there work rate.
Result is that the Dogs got back in and then started to dominate as they can gained confidence...whereas the saints started to feel the pressure and fumble more and /or make poor decisions.
Midfield got pumped...with Lenny, Ball and Schneider working hard but with the other half dozen beeing lazy they got pumped badly.
Backline owrk hard in the main......raph was poor and Geary asa third game fealt the heat.
Our work rate was poor and our team has too many players who don't have the mental application to work hard week in week out , quarter in, quarter out.
On the other had the Dogs are not the easy beats that had of recent years....they have added strength, height and grunt to their pace and skill and are now largely structured up like a 'Normal" team, but are the quickest and best foot skilled team in the competition.
Their younger players have muscled up....and then with good recruiting of existing players in ares that they were week in their line up is vastly improved.
The Saints have improved the many weaknesses they had built up......but the areas of pace and good footskills still need addressing (I am not critical of RL though as he has vastely improved the balance of the list).
However the Saints prime flaw remains what it has been post-Streak...we have too many players who cannot deliver a high enough work rate often enough.
They can deliver a lot better than they did last night...problem is we never never know which week or quarter that they will do.
Flying the World in comfort thanks to FF Points....
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wallbanger
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Scoop, thanks for taking the time to read and reply.
Whilst deep down I do not really think that any player that has the courage to take a footy field is "soft", I do think there are some who apply themselves in certain situations with a lot more courage than others. And, in addition to this, there are many who have the hunger and desire to succeed and improve themselves and the status of their team, and there are those (not many mind you) who certainly on the outside (which is the only way we can judge it) seem to not give too much of a stuff.
Any backman will get caught in an awkward situation with marking contests and be forced to either put his body on the line or pull the pin. I am not necessarily saying that Raph is soft in these type of circumstances - what I do say is that, when he is over the ball or one on one in a straight out marking contest, he is too easily brushed aside too often. This problem is exascerbated by the fact the Gram, whilst far more damaging and important in running the ball forward, is also in a similar boat - too easily taken out of the contest when it becomes physical.
The classic case was last night with Mitch Hahn in I think it was the last quarter. Raph was in front - most other backmen would've taken the grab. He fumbled it, then was too easily pushed off the ball and couldn't make the tackle, resulting in a goal to the Bullies. Yes, I acknowldege there is a weight/power difference, there, but i wouldn't think it would be too drastic. It was a very ordinary effort and reflected poorly on both the individual, and the team. He has been given too many chances in my opinion - players that can't apply themselves and concentrate for the whole game and PUT IN THE EFFORT (we don't expect them to not make mistakes or win every contest, so long as the application is there) shouldn't be tolerated, and have been tolerated at this club for too long.
What I'd do for a hard half back flanker. Sam Fisher and Maxy must look at the efforts of some of these guys and just shake their heads.[/b]
Whilst deep down I do not really think that any player that has the courage to take a footy field is "soft", I do think there are some who apply themselves in certain situations with a lot more courage than others. And, in addition to this, there are many who have the hunger and desire to succeed and improve themselves and the status of their team, and there are those (not many mind you) who certainly on the outside (which is the only way we can judge it) seem to not give too much of a stuff.
Any backman will get caught in an awkward situation with marking contests and be forced to either put his body on the line or pull the pin. I am not necessarily saying that Raph is soft in these type of circumstances - what I do say is that, when he is over the ball or one on one in a straight out marking contest, he is too easily brushed aside too often. This problem is exascerbated by the fact the Gram, whilst far more damaging and important in running the ball forward, is also in a similar boat - too easily taken out of the contest when it becomes physical.
The classic case was last night with Mitch Hahn in I think it was the last quarter. Raph was in front - most other backmen would've taken the grab. He fumbled it, then was too easily pushed off the ball and couldn't make the tackle, resulting in a goal to the Bullies. Yes, I acknowldege there is a weight/power difference, there, but i wouldn't think it would be too drastic. It was a very ordinary effort and reflected poorly on both the individual, and the team. He has been given too many chances in my opinion - players that can't apply themselves and concentrate for the whole game and PUT IN THE EFFORT (we don't expect them to not make mistakes or win every contest, so long as the application is there) shouldn't be tolerated, and have been tolerated at this club for too long.
What I'd do for a hard half back flanker. Sam Fisher and Maxy must look at the efforts of some of these guys and just shake their heads.[/b]
Please...let's win a Premiership before GEELONG!!!! (O.k., so we've missed that opportunity...maybe let's win the next one before Geelong????)