The REAL concern.

Buckets · Post: # 958280Post **Buckets** » Sat 17 Jul 2010 9:49pm

Is it just me or have at any stage this year really come to ball at the first bounce when its come to massive games? Today, last week and also against the cats, we didnt seem to come out of the blocks and found ourselves behind early on.
Is this something that the coaching staff need to look at? Unlike the lions and cats games we didnt even seem to switch on after half time which was really worrying. But do we really expect to just flick a switch and expect to get the game going in our favour? Is complacency creeping in a bit?

GoTheTorp · Post: # 958283Post **GoTheTorp** » Sat 17 Jul 2010 9:51pm

I think we play too defensive nost of the time when we could be attacking.

sunsaint · Post: # 958302Post **sunsaint** » Sat 17 Jul 2010 10:12pm

the pattern I have noticed, is that in many games we have a poor first half before kicking in to gear

Longwayfromhome · Sat 17 Jul 2010 10:19pm

Maybe I have been watching the wrong team but I seem to remember the Geelong game and a St Kilda team coming out full strength in the first term. Should have been a mile in front but to no avail. It ain't the effort guys it's the personnel.
Some s*** players still getting a regular gig. Don't understand.

Sainterman · Sat 17 Jul 2010 10:20pm

I don't think there will be much complacency after today, plenty of work to do after a performance like that.

After 7 in a row, with some good wins mixed in, I am willing to forgive todays performance. They will need to lift substantially if they are to win next week.

sunsaint · Post: # 958311Post **sunsaint** » Sat 17 Jul 2010 10:25pm

not to make a point of it but in the geelong game by half time the score was
Stk 4.3 27
gee 6.7 43
we blew them away in the second half

dcstkfc · Post: # 958402Post **dcstkfc** » Sat 17 Jul 2010 11:33pm

GoTheTorp wrote:I think we play too defensive nost of the time when we could be attacking.

Perhaps we are too conservative at times but we have built up the best defence in the league by virtue of our gamestyle.

Griggsy · Post: # 958414Post **Griggsy** » Sat 17 Jul 2010 11:42pm

It is a bit of a concern, last season we were the opposite and blazed away early. Playing catch up footy is never a good thing and we can not be dependent on our 2nd half efforts come finals.

Buckets · Post: # 959029Post **Buckets** » Mon 19 Jul 2010 12:53am

Griggsy wrote:It is a bit of a concern, last season we were the opposite and blazed away early. Playing catch up footy is never a good thing and we can not be dependent on our 2nd half efforts come finals.

So is this something that Ross has thought up? Esp in context to the GF last year where we ran out of puff? Or is it the playing group not mentally switched on from the word GO?

Mr Magic · Post: # 959053Post **Mr Magic** » Mon 19 Jul 2010 4:40am

From what I've observed, we seem to start games by absorbing what the opposition throws at us.
We attempt to 'strangle' them and then put them away later in the game.

It's almost akin to the Ali 'rope-a-dope' tactic of wearing the opposition down.

i think it is quite deliberate and a change in the overall structure of our gameplan from last year.

CeilidhSaint · Mon 19 Jul 2010 11:44pm

War of attrition is how the Saints play.

dcstkfc · Post: # 959490Post **dcstkfc** » Tue 20 Jul 2010 12:11am

Griggsy wrote:It is a bit of a concern, last season we were the opposite and blazed away early. Playing catch up footy is never a good thing and we can not be dependent on our 2nd half efforts come finals.

There were still a few times last year when we relied on our second half efforts though:

Rd 1 v Sydney
Rd 9 v Lions
Rd 10 v Melbourne
Rd 11 v North
Rd 15 v West Coast
Rd 18 v Sydney
Rd 20 v Essendon
Rd 21 v North
Rd 22 v Melbourne
QF v Collingwood
PF v Dogs