Buddy, Rioli, and now Jack Riewoldt

[sainterinsydney]

It seems that we can't stop the big time forwards nowadays. We can't win games if we let teams' stars off the leash. I mean, isn't obvious that J. Riewoldt was kicking their entire score? Why couldn't we just double team him?

[CURLY]

It seems that we can't stop the big time forwards nowadays. We can't win games if we let teams' stars off the leash. I mean, isn't obvious that J. Riewoldt was kicking their entire score? Why couldn't we just double team him?

Probably the fact our best defender was out injured. Our next best defender was rucking when he did go to Jack in the third he kept him goaless. Our next best tall is two games back from twelve monthes out. Add to the fact we had no ruckman to drop in the hole or get us a clearance we did extremely well.

[mr six o'clock]

We couldn't last year either !

[Winmar]

Sam Fisher probably would have made a reasonable difference!

[plugger66]

We missed Ben the most from our backline.

[older saint]

Riewoldt kicked 5 in the first half, got 1 contested mark inthe 2nd and 2 breakaway Joe the Goose goals.

No Fisher, Gwilt 2nd game back - 2nd games always seem harder , and Blake rucking , with Gilbert Turnovers made it very difficult for anyone. Also got smashed inthe ruck and middle inthe first half.

Cotchin will win a brownlow he is class.

[Richter]

Much of defence is about consistency of personnel. From last year's back 6 we are missing Dawson, Geary, Fisher. Gwilt is only just back, Simpkin is a 10 gamer and Clarke is also missing. Blake is having to play elsewhere due to our 2 rucks being out injured.

Add to that we are playing a different style of footy which means that it is beholden on us to actually outscore the opposition, not just to bore them to death.

It has worked in two games (Carlton and Sydney) but not in 3 (Hawks, Richmond and Freo).

IMO this style remains the way forward and when we get some players back we will look better as all continue to adjust to the new game plan.

[SydneySainter]

Ever since Max retired, we've always been short of a tall defender who can shut down power forwards. The like of Jacks and Buddy have developed a knack for kicking bags against, even with Zac in the team.

Zac was important to our structure, but he isn't a fullback. Doesn't have the strength, ability or confidence. Zac's best work was when we played 'team' defense.

Been a problem for a lot longer than we like to think and now with a backline in transition, a key defender should top of our shopping list.

[SainterK]

Maybe Sean didn't do so bad afterall.

It's only Buddys radar that has been off, not his ability.

[matrix]

i would say we missed chips the most from our backline
we missed ben the most in the ruck, as he's a ruckman

[noob]

Don't forget big COX

[gringo]

We really miss the big mac on the CHB line using his marking to cut out forward thrusts from the opposition. Buddy got away from our undersized defence with out him and Jack would have needed a pogo stick to jump over him. He doesn't get a mass of hitouts but he is very good in that role. Fisher would have been handy just from a backline general type of role, he seems to set up the defence with Goddard.

We also are rolling the dice more in attack and just fell short due to inaccurate goal kicking. We have been lucky with our injuries in a way but a shame they all seem to be backline players. The bulldogs had the same problem last year and completely fell apart.

[AlpineStars]

Its a good point, I reckon we even struggled round 1 to hold Schultz

[Statsman]

There were only one or two of Riewoldt's goals that could be "blamed" (if that's the right word) on our defence. Most of his shots at goal came as a result of quick, clean ball out of the middle. When a forward of his calibre gets service like that from a quality midfield (i.e. Deledio, Cotchin, Martin) the defenders are on a biding to nothing. There's very little that Simpkin could do with Riewoldt leading up into a wide open forward line and receiving it lace out from a clean centre clearance. Nor could he do much when they broke through our forward press and Riewoldt found himself out free out the back for the "fast break" goal.

While I'm sure we can do a bit to improve our defence, the bigger focus needs to be on the midfield and preventing the opposition getting some much clean ball from the clearance. We can't let their midfielders link handballs from the clearance, get out into space and deliver it cleanly to their forwards. We've got to either win more clearances ourselves or apply more pressure when they get it to limit them to a hurried kick forward.

[Discher]

While I'm disappointed, my Richmond mates know and admit that with Sam & Ben in it could have been a different story. Its only round ten and we pushed the form team of the competition without key players.

All we need is a little luck and Nick to put his shoes on the right way and who Knows?
Never known a more open year