Rd 2: Carlton vs. Sydney: Post Game Passion

[IvanAwfulbigone]

As far as 10 goal losses go, there were a few good things. Weitering showed that he will, barring injury play most games this year. Amazing poise and ability for such a young fellow.

Yes, been fantastic. Why do I have a strong sense we won't be using the same excuses for him that you have mentioned below. Maybe it has something to do a sense of entitlement that I perceive has accompanied Murph and Gibbs from day one.

Curnow's debut showed plenty of promise. He worked hard and was rewarded with his first goal. He too has a bright future. I hope for his sake he can put in a few games, then go back and work hard in the seconds without too many expectations. We load up a lot of hope on very young players sometimes.

Other good efforts were had from kerridge, cripps, Boekhorst. Thomas, as others had mentioned had his best game in blue. That was a fine mark in front of franklin.

It was good to see the team keep working, despite being thumped. They also kept taking a few risks by seeking to centre the ball. We also played franklin well, with defenders swapping as franklin moved up and down the ground.

I dont get all the potting of Murphy and Gibbs. Both have been stalwarts in a shambles of a club for a long time and this takes its toll. Both were thrown in the deep end in their first season as teenagers and have had to battle in a poor environment replete with poor standards and low expectations. Neither have enjoyed the benefits of good leadership, including Judd, whose performance as captain escaped scrutiny relative to the criticism heaped upon others. They both have their limitations, but most of all have struggled with the burden that a number 1 pick creates. Neither of them had good games, but they are the best we have for now and will bounce back.

Why did they not have a good game?  That's the question we're all sick of asking. Why?  They are seasoned veterans.  James Sicily was playing his 5th game on Sunday and kicked 4 telling goals.  When was the last time we had anyone who kicked 4 thumping goals on the run from on or near 50?  ... 3 goals?  ... 2 goals?  Where do Hawthorn find these players?  It's unbelievable. I'm not having a go at you Vivian, not at all. I really enjoy your posts.  Apparently, when BB was explaining some routine match day ploys over the summer, some senior players were taken aback at the sheer novelty and audacity of the ideas. They'd never been exposed to anything like it before.  Good Lord.  We have been so lost in the wilderness for so long it's not funny.

Having a style of play highly dependent upon fast accurate ball movement is going to challenge many players, and mistakes are going to happen. Sides like sydney are going to capitalise as they did. They looked awfully strong in the middle, and once they got it forward scored heavily.

And touhy proved the old theory that a feature in the paper before the game leads to a bad performance.

Another question is, do we have the right team to exploit a style of play dependent upon fast accurate ball movement?  We are, and have been for 10 years, the worst kicking side in the league.  The irony is that the game is called football.