(08-24-2022, 03:32 AM)PaulP link Wrote:i think the coincidence of two consecutive last minute losses may be leading to false conclusions. We held on for a few close victories in the early part of the season, with other teams coming at us in the latter stages. No choking there. There's a body of work both ways, and it's inconclusive at this point, whether these last 2 games were chokes or just lack of nous / experience in the back line, or fatigue or many other reasons. Don't forget the Pies have overrun half the competition this season.
I think the Melbourne game is the one that gives us most hope.
Melbourne are the real deal.
They were fighting for a top 4 spot so had a lot to play for...
They came to play and we matched it with them in a four quarter effort in an intense finals type game.
We backed it up for a long time against another top 4 side with just as much to play for...and in fact dominated them entirely for a quarter.
Maybe we should be cautious, but at the same time don't dismiss totally the quality of the effort if not the execution of those last two games.