Ben.

[bigred]

Pantsed.


Discuss.

[paddy]

How do you mean?

hitout count was dogs - 38, saints 36...

[Scollop]

It's a worry at stoppages and in the centre etc. but I reckon he can hurt the opposition by filling the hole at CHB in front of Cloke...and running Jolly off his legs when we have the footy

If he doesn't, its a worry for him

[Johnny Member]

The ruck is the reason we're battling for 8th instead of battling for top 1-3.

We get deadset monstered at stoppages. McEvoy tries hard, and I have no doubt he'll end up being one of the better ruck men of an era - but right now it's easily our Achilles heel.

Our opponents get plenty of 'clean' clearances, whereas the clearance stats for are flattering. They don't tell the true story which is at best, our clearances are rushed, quick kicks from the middle that often fall directly into the arms of our opponents half back line.

This hurts bad, as we're very susceptible to quick reply goals, straight from the middle.


Sadly, the only thing that will fix it, is time.

[St Ick]

As a young ruckman he tends to struggle in the first quarter or so against bigger bodies. But how often does he get beaten in the 3rd and 4th quarters after he runs them into the ground?

Strength with come but we ask too much of him, he goes alright and he is not to blame for us being out of the 8. Look for a new whipping boy Big Mac is not it.

[bigcarl]

Unless you have a Nicnat who can put it directly into a teammate's hands, tap outs are overrated.

There are many reasons we are not top 3, including (to name just a few):

A defence that has leaked like a seive at times

Form of key players such as Goddard and Gilbert

Adjusting to a new coach and completely different style of play

Plain bad luck and appalling umpiring in several games (Fremantle, Port Adelaide)

New players taking time to find consistency at this level

Poor kicking for goal when it counts


Ben does need a quality back up and Stanley may provide that if he can get his body right. But we've so little depth in that area we've had to go to Blake, Gilbert, Wilkes and even Kosi at times

[Johnny Member]

If your midfield gets an advantage, or at worst doesn't get a clear disadvantage, everything else flows from there.

Our defence wouldn't be as leaky, and our forwards would get more, and cleaner entries.

[bergholt]

If your midfield gets an advantage, or at worst doesn't get a clear disadvantage, everything else flows from there.

Our defence wouldn't be as leaky, and our forwards would get more, and cleaner entries.

agreed. hard to blame the defence for a few bad games when the rest of the team was destroyed.

[stevie]

The two of us need look no more

[Dr Spaceman]

The two of us need look no more

Cos we're riding nowhere, spending someone's, hard earned pay

[stevie]

The two of us need look no more

Cos we're riding nowhere, spending someone's, hard earned pay

I'll PAY that one Doc...or should I say...John.

[SainterK]

The ruck is the reason we're battling for 8th instead of battling for top 1-3.

We get deadset monstered at stoppages. McEvoy tries hard, and I have no doubt he'll end up being one of the better ruck men of an era - but right now it's easily our Achilles heel.

Our opponents get plenty of 'clean' clearances, whereas the clearance stats for are flattering. They don't tell the true story which is at best, our clearances are rushed, quick kicks from the middle that often fall directly into the arms of our opponents half back line.

This hurts bad, as we're very susceptible to quick reply goals, straight from the middle.


Sadly, the only thing that will fix it, is time.

I agree with this, it's not a knock on the kid who will improve, but for now it makes it hard to truly dominate a side.

[sunsaint]

Pantsed.


Discuss.

Bigred needs to watch the game... again

[SainterK]

I think the paper had our hitouts to advantage @ 14% and theirs at 35% or something similar.

[borderbarry]

I have always felt that Stanley may end up the better ruckman. Being a bit taller helps.

[sunsaint]

The ruck is the reason we're battling for 8th instead of battling for top 1-3.

We get deadset monstered at stoppages. McEvoy tries hard, and I have no doubt he'll end up being one of the better ruck men of an era - but right now it's easily our Achilles heel.

Our opponents get plenty of 'clean' clearances, whereas the clearance stats for are flattering. They don't tell the true story which is at best, our clearances are rushed, quick kicks from the middle that often fall directly into the arms of our opponents half back line.

This hurts bad, as we're very susceptible to quick reply goals, straight from the middle.


Sadly, the only thing that will fix it, is time.

I agree with this, it's not a knock on the kid who will improve, but for now it makes it hard to truly dominate a side.

its the wrong assessment of how the game went.
The problem lies with our onballers, fullstop, end of story. If and I really mean IF, our guys thought we were getting "monstered" at the contest you simply stand defensive side of your opposition.
in the first quarter the dogs matched our "stars" and clearance stats was mirrored on the scorebaord, they kept up with us.
In the second 1/4 when they lost cross, our guys got on top at the stoppages, and their scoring stopped for what(?) two quarters???
And that is the difference between the dogs and the games we lose, our onballers can beat the doggies and have an impact on the game, but against the better sides less so.
You want to find the stats for this one, how many hitouts did wilkes contest, from memory he had a few, and match that with the advantage stat to minson. McEvoy more than held his own, and just as importantly bettered minson around the ground. And obviously watters rated wilkes a better prospect than kosi in the ruck to persist with it.

[SainterK]

Dogs had equal inside 50's at half time I believe.

They just lack a forward line, big time.

[Cairnsman]

Anyone that thinks that our ruck division is the reason we are not battling for 1-3 on the ladder is on some seriously dangerous amounts of drugs.

Even if we had 2 Nic Nats we would still probably be a middle of the road team.

[8856brother]

I think the paper had our hitouts to advantage @ 14% and theirs at 35% or something similar.

Only hitout stat that matters. I personally thought Minson was their best player. Hope Bigboy can improve in this area as he gets older and stronger.

[bigred]

Pantsed.


Discuss.

Bigred needs to watch the game... again

OK...Watched it again.

There was one stoppage in the second where Minson, actually stopped for a second and pulled Ben's pants down, then went and tapped it straight to Dal.

[sunsaint]

OK...Watched it again.

There was one stoppage in the second where Minson, actually stopped for a second and pulled Ben's pants down, then went and tapped it straight to Dal.

Nick DAL Santo was on the Benny Hill show?

[sunsaint]

Pantsed.


Discuss.

Bigred needs to watch the game... again

OK...Watched it again.

There was one stoppage in the second where Minson, actually stopped for a second and pulled Ben's pants down, then went and tapped it straight to Dal.

I think the paper had our hitouts to advantage @ 14% and theirs at 35% or something similar.

Only hitout stat that matters. I personally thought Minson was their best player. Hope Bigboy can improve in this area as he gets older and stronger.

hitout stats are one thing, clearances are another, we won the clearances

[Dan Warna]

2 things have us out of the 8.

our accuracy in front of goal, we are kicking big scores, but have been inaccurate in close games.
our defence has been in decline since SOS left a few seasons ago.


We have a structural problem in defence, and have done since silvagni left.

Our forwards are kicking more goals as our midfielders run up, which is why we are getting cained on the rebound.

Watters will have to look at our structures if we are to be competitive in the finals, we have the cattle so to speak but we need to tighten up.

Happy to win a flag and score s***.

[bigred]

So it all gets back to Silvagni.

Dammit.

[saintbrat]

So it all gets back to Silvagni.

Dammit.

wonder if he would come back now there are new people in place?