Post Game Frustrations: AFL 2021 Rd 14: Carlton vs GWS

[RiverRat]

Some good signs from Dow.

Kennedy got better as the game went on, still not sure he's up to AFL standard though.

Martin and Williams not doing enough for their pay packets.

Bad kicking all over the ground kept us out of the game. Entry inside 50. Shots at goal. Not good enough.

Some good signs from Dow.  Agreed and we have no better options so give him a series of games.

Kennedy still not sure he's up to AFL standard though - Agreed, although I thought he was our best player in the 2nd half. Lacks the pace and too slow to release the ball to play midfield until other players slow down - might be a better forward option than Martin with occasional runs in the midfield.

Martin and Williams not doing enough for their pay packets. Agreed - especially Martin.

Not good enough. Only competitive on the rare occasions that we will centre clearances. Walsh subdued = lack of drive.

[RiverRat]

The Teague Train is not short of passengers tonight…… Betts, Park, Fogarty, Williams, Docherty, Martín for starters. 

Too true - unfortunately

[RiverRat]

Green shoots anyone? Is it time to go back to square one and draft players with heart, endeavour, desperation
oh and that can hit a target 20m away

  And, especially pace

[RiverRat]

I have to admit that I was wrong about Kennedy.  He was very good tonight.

If he can back that up, a new contract and a spot on the primary list is quite likely.

  No thanks - We have too many slow players who can't catch a cold unless it runs into them.

[RiverRat]

I believe that constant bad decisions made with the trading of players and at the draft over at least the past fifteen years or so have finally come to bite us on the backside.

We had expected the signing of "hero" players such as Judd would be the answer to moving up the ladder and ignored the problems that come with having a non competitive list year after year.

When injuries are taken into account we have been left with too many players of mediocre ability getting games every week because the cupboard is bare and there is no pressure to perform. 

We have reached the point where in addition to our lack of skills we have players whose mental attitude is also in question - where they believe turning up and going through the motions is good enough because they will still be paid for minimum effort and no consequences.

  Mostly true - the only argument from me is in the following phrase "have FINALLY come to bite us on the backside" - it started with the Wayne Hughes recruiting era and the downhill momentum has continued since.

[RiverRat]

- Defence: Probably our worse line ATM and the worst in the comp.
- Tackling and pressure on the opo ball carrier is non existent.
- Tackling and pressure on our ball carrier is immense.

- Defence: Probably our worse line ATM and the worst in the comp.  I reckon most  of our defenders play with intensity (except for the occasional brain fade) but it is hard to play an 18-man defence with several running on half rat power.
- Tackling and pressure on the opo ball carrier is non existent. All too true - today's AFL players (not including ours) have no difficulty delivering the ball on target (or at least to advantage) when they are under no pressure. Many of our players lack the physical capacity to chase and apply pressure and/or the mental desire to do so.
- Tackling and pressure on our ball carrier is immense - which explains why many of our players can't deliver the ball.

[rocky]

I'll put one out there, noting all are culpable.
JSOS.
4.9 this year, his regulation 0.2 before half time.
Atrocious output as a 3rd tall. Quite frankly Crocker would offer far more scoreboard impact.

Fly, while I concede the numbers don't stack up well for the kid I think that a lot of that has to do with him doing the TEAM things instead of selfish stuff. Too many times he tries to setup his teammate rather than kick the goal himself. I do think from limited opportunities he is an unreliable kick for goal. However, he ain't on his own there. The big plus for the kid is no-one works as hard and we have so few of those types in our team at the moment
I would have been OK with picking up Crocker, but he is, IMO, while clever and a good kick not as hard working and we have plenty of those types.

[PaulP]

Dunno if this was posted elsewhere but Rendell reckons its experience (players above 28) that's lacking:

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/blue...U5sHfiMFfY

This, IMO, is closest to the pin. I don't agree with the fat cat, lazy player theory. Teague was assistant coach here before he got the main gig. If the fat cat theory is true, then he's either blind, foolish, or naive in thinking that he could overcome where many other coaches have failed. I think the board and executive have caused a lot of instability over the years, which has a slow, corrosive effect on player culture. Imagine yourself as a worker in a large organisation, and there is constant change with the higher ups - it causes doubt, and a lack of belief in the company, direction etc. Players are no different. They feed off what happens above them.

[PaulP]

And what I wrote above applies to Ratten at St Kilda IMO.

[Gointocarlton]

This, IMO, is closest to the pin. I don't agree with the fat cat, lazy player theory. Teague was assistant coach here before he got the main gig. If the fat cat theory is true, then he's either blind, foolish, or naive in thinking that he could overcome where many other coaches have failed. I think the board and executive have caused a lot of instability over the years, which has a slow, corrosive effect on player culture. Imagine yourself as a worker in a large organisation, and there is contents change with the higher ups - it causes doubt, and a lack of belief in the company, direction etc. Players are no different. They feed off what happens above them.

For most of the game last night, the group as a whole looked as flat and disinterested as I have seen in a long time.