(03-23-2017, 01:28 PM)Mondy link Wrote:Smedts was fine.  He didn't Kerridge the ball for one and did some neat things by hand.

Did he get enough of the ball, no. But he showed reasonable composure in traffic and is only just getting back into the swing of AFL.

(03-23-2017, 02:00 PM)Navy Maven link Wrote:Things I learnt tonight:

- We picked up a 10year player in Caleb Marchbank
- GWS have directly and indirectly gifted us a very promising backline (Marchbank, Plowman and Macreadie)
- Once SPS is match fit he's going to light up our games
- Weitering will rarely be sighted in defence this year, and that's ok
- Our forward line actually shows promise (pity the delivery into it is scarce)
- Thomas won't hit his quota for a new contract
- Jack is a chip off the old block. Knows how to position himself and will only get better
- This is going to be a long season, full of mistakes, but the foundation for the future is really starting to take shape
- Next draft we need to stock up on as many A Grade midfielders as we can get our hands on

(03-23-2017, 09:08 PM)Jeffy38 link Wrote:Nailed it tragic, well said mate.

Some of the commentary here is ridiculous, apparently we are further from a premiership after last night. We are blooding young kids, ALL who showed something last night (inc curnow) and when was the last time we could say that?

Everyone expected we couldn't find goals, but looked the most coherent heading towards goal for several years. Unexpectedly it was our backs that crapped themselves and coughed up at least 5-6.

The difference with this crop of youngsters is they take the game on and will no doubt learn from the experience.

Like I said elsewhere, Bolton could easily have move weitering back, and played loose men back but how does that help in our development? Playing players in their positions, sprinkled with some experience is the best way for them to learn their role, their limitations and capabilities.

So whilst it was a disappointing loss, there was enough in it for me to walk away feeling content that we are on the right track. Much patience will be required.

(03-24-2017, 01:13 PM)LoveNavy link Wrote:With the kids I really want to see more pressure. SPS laid an equal team high of 7, but half our team laid 14 tackles between - that is just unacceptable in modern footy and that has nothing to do with skill, and everything to do with mindset.

Tackling is a definite area we need to improve.
Note: 2 doggies players each laid 14 tackles tonight.

(03-24-2017, 04:22 PM)Debster link Wrote:Murphy was a bit underdone and got caught & brutally gang-tackled a few times.

(03-24-2017, 09:19 PM)Gointocarlton link Wrote:Cant tackle what you cant catch.

(03-24-2017, 09:19 PM)Gointocarlton link Wrote:Cant tackle what you cant catch.

(03-24-2017, 11:06 PM)RiverRat link Wrote:Spot on. Big difference between early 2016 and this match was the absence of Carlton players closing down opponents as soon as or before they received the ball.

By contrast, the Tigers were preemptive in closing down the Carlton players who looked like they might be in line to receive the ball - which is what our players were doing last year.

(03-24-2017, 11:18 PM)sydneybluesfan link Wrote:I don't reckon it has got much to do with speed - Doc, Daisy, Smedts, SOJ all had one tackle.

2 guys on debut in SPS and Macreadie made nearly 20% of the teams tackles - think about that for a second. Tackling is about intent, and too many of our guys stand back or get brushed aside too easily. I don't see how a lack of speed impacts your ability to make and stick tackles.

(03-24-2017, 11:18 PM)sydneybluesfan link Wrote:I don't reckon it has got much to do with speed - Doc, Daisy, Smedts, SOJ all had one tackle.

2 guys on debut in SPS and Macreadie made nearly 20% of the teams tackles - think about that for a second. Tackling is about intent, and too many of our guys stand back or get brushed aside too easily. I don't see how a lack of speed impacts your ability to make and stick tackles.