09-09-2024, 07:27 AM
(09-09-2024, 06:46 AM)Lods link Wrote:I'm sorry...A gain in finals experience was going to be the only win from that game.
I just cant see it.
Do folks really think the addition of Binns, Lord and Moir would have made a difference to that start?
We were being thrashed in the midfield.
Our 'elite' midfielders were getting soundly beaten.
Would our youngsters like Binns and Lord fared better than a Cripps, Walsh, Hewett
Our pressure and attack on the ball and opposition players was miles off...from our better players.
The only change that would possibly have made a bit of difference was if we'd had DeKoning starting earlier.
Our maligned small forwards were ineffectual because the ball didn't get down there until just before half-time
Binns, Lord and Moir were in the games against West Coast (where we just fell over the line) and St Kilda (where we just didn't)
So how can it possibly be argued they'd have made a difference in a finals match against Brisbane in Brisbane.
They would probably have struggled to match their efforts of the preceeding weeks and we'd have been criticised for throwing them to the wolves.
The argument was.... we had a few returning experienced players who we could mix them in with,
A mix of youth and experienced returning players....as long as they're all fit, was the best selection according to popular theory.
Who?
The two returnees who had most impact were McKay (9 touches) and DeKoning (deemed "not guaranteed to play an entire game".)
We got seduced and excited about a few kids.
It was good experience for them to play the last couple of games
They look like being solid players.
A bit of finals experience may have been good, but that would be the reason to pick them....not because they were ever going to make a difference.
We lost it because the injuries left too many of our players short of a gallop.
And our pressure was miles off our best.
We were never going to win with any lineup but finding out a bit more about our kids would have been helpful and educational. What happened picking unfit players and the ensuing weird game plans only created more doubt about our coaching and ability to be taken seriously as a contender for the future.