05-30-2021, 02:14 PM
(05-30-2021, 10:59 AM)sydneybluesfan link Wrote:Just back from the game - a few things stood out.
- We have periods where we looked very good - but we never look like we can sustain it or really make the opposition pay when we have the ascendancy
- We are [still] an incredibly predictably dumb team. We make so many basic errors when we have the ball it is embarrassing to watch. Teams know you just put pressure on us, we panic and turn the ball over, and then we get taken apart on the rebound.
- Our lack of organisation and inability to control the ball killed us. The swans defence feasted on our turnovers, especially at half forward to launch probably 75% of their scoring. Their defence is very well drilled and organised, and other than H we caused them no problems. Gibbons, Owies and Silvagni are honest triers, but they aren’t going to win you games against good defenders. Throw in Eddie and Fog and it really is a major worry.
- When the crunch time came mid way thru the 3rd we simply wilted physically and mentally [again]. We looked like we had no idea, no spark, no mongrel, no hunger to win. We are incredibly meek and every opposition knows it. We never looked like we had the desire or skill to match them when they went up a notch. They dominated the last 30 minutes of that game and never looked like losing, they outnumbered us and they were running way harder and were more precise with the ball in the last when the game was there to be won
- Cripps had one of his better games but his skill errors and turnovers are just killers
- The coaching & conditioning group have got a lot to answer for. It just the same stuff week after week and we don’t have any real system to our play when you compare us to a well drilled team like Sydney.
I have the chance to do it all again next week against the WCE. My 11yo son is still to see them actually win a game live so here’s hoping.
This is our reality.
Too many players lacking the football skills to play at AFL level pressure.
Too many players lacking the mental toughness to see out a full game. Conservatively, over a full game, we are currently giving up approximately twenty minutes free time to the opposition to kick multiple goals.
Will I be satisfied if we win another 3 or 4 games? No way.
I will be satisfied when we get the list we were promised 6 years ago, one that is ready and willing to make a real challenge for a place in the 8.
At the moment we supporters grasp on to any scrap of good play in a desperate attempt to remain positive.
As I've said before: this is what a failed rebuild looks like.