Post Game Pandemonium: AFL Rd 3: Carlton vs Fremantle

[sydneybluesfan]

I thought we were very good upto the middle of the third quarter, and then we took our foot off the gas and started to make dumb decisions with ball in hand and we let them back into the game. For the last quarter and a half it was pretty ordinary footy, but the game was won.

For a team in our position you would love to see us win that game by 80-100 points which I felt we probably should have, such was the gap between the 2 teams.

The biggest issue for me was Levi - he was putrid again imo. If he wasn't playing McKay would have kicked 12 - but Levi often leads his man too where McKay is leading rather than blocking or providing a dummy lead to provide more space for Harry. Against such an under manned defence he really should be doing damage in his own right, but he was very poor. Up until 3qtr time when the game was actually there to be won he had 5 possessions and went at 41% DE overall.

He looks unfit and jogs around the forward line most of the time in the wrong spot. Off the back of his first 2 weeks I would not have played him and I can't see why McDonald isn't given a chance to show whether he can give us more than Levi can.

I love Eddie - but I reckon he will get 2-3 games to prove he can still cut it. Yesterday he was next to invisible - did a couple of nice things and he is always thinking about how to create opportunities for others as much as himself, but when we were dominating against a poor opposition in the 2nd and 3rd qtrs he touched the ball once [which was a great goal]. From a team balance perspective I am not convinced that he and Murphy can both play.

Also impressed with Parks because I think he can be an important link between the talls and the smaller running players. He was desperate and pretty composed with ball in hand and didn't panic [which has been a hallmark of our defence for some time]. Doc played a much better game yesterday, as did Plow and Jones, so that's a tick for the setup. We are still poor as a defence at communicating and working together which is frustrating at this level - the number of times we spoil each other or have 2/3/4 up in a marking contest [look at their goal middway thru the last when all 4 of Plow, Jones, Weiters and Parks flew in a pack and all of them ended up on the ground and the Freo guys walked into open goal] is incredible. The lack of communication from the smaller defenders to call guys in or out is really poor and they need to get that sorted quick smart.

[crashlander]

I was very happy with the way we played in the 1st half. We lacked a little poise at time, but the aggression was there. It simply wasn't there against Collingwood.

I was quite pleased with Eddie's game in the first half. He got most of his possessions then. He really was the General down there and his defensive pressure was excellent. I couldn't believe it when he had so few tackles.

H: if he can ever learn to kick straight ...

I think the biggest difference between Paddy Dow at the moment and Walsh is Walsh's clean ball handling. Paddy fumbles too much. Another thing is work rate. Walsh gets where the ball is, or where it is going. Paddy's still working on that.
I think Dow has improved this season. He needs a really big game and the confidence that brings to take the next step.
That said, I'd still be tempted to have him get a run in the VFL and have another mid come in. Conditions on the Gold Coast would suit a guy like Kennedy. Maybe we might give one of the others a game.

For all of the improvement in the way we attacked the ball, I still wish we could be that bit harder, like Richmond. They push the rules and get away with it. We need to do that too. Similarly, the way Sydney played on the weekend impressed me.

I thought Cottrell was good, especially as he came in at the last minute. Park showed a bit, and he was confident to go for his marks.

Pittonet was good yesterday and we smashed Freo in the midfield, but it did show our relative weakness in that area. Levi didn't get many taps and doesn't look 100%. He competed hard enough, and flew for his marks, but it just isn't happening for him at the moment. If Witts doesn't play next week we might be able to give Levi some time in the VFL to get some form and fitness.
I was quite surprised at how much Lloyd Meek has improved as a ruckman. He never used to get off the ground playing for GWV. He got his hands on the ball quite a lot. I would have loved to have a ruck like Tom de Koning against him, as Tom is so much more mobile. But, if wishes were horses, we'd be up to our necks in horse Kaka.

[LoveNavy]

Didn't think we'd win this game as I've been underwhelmed with team performance r1 and2.

Very glad to be wrong and a win is a confidence builder. Still lots to work on but happy for a W. Hopefully we can put 22 fit tenacious boys on the deck next week.

[laj]

That's a recipe for disaster!

I wouldn't be promoting McGovern on the basis of average form in a VFL practice match.  I also wouldn't be undervaluing Casboult's contribution as back up ruckman and foil for Harry ... and he made a mess of a couple of Freo players.

I thought Dow was OK too and he was set up with a couple of hospital handpasses.  I'd like to see Stocker get a run  but, once again, patchy form in a VFL practice match shouldn't be enough to displace Dow.

Both have done it with both before without issues. Going to have to do it when Charlie comes back anyway later in the year. Jones relished it in the VFL crushing bodies and enjoying a free run around the ground. It's for a few min a qtr. Levi is out of form, come into the season underdone. Gov is finally fit and looked the part on the weekend. Willy has been a top VFL side for years. Stocker was up with out best Saturday.

[laj]

That was against VFL opposition - I wouldn't risk him.

That's where you show you can do it. It's just a few min a qtr.

Charlie will come back later in the year, then we won't have a choice as I doubt Levi will be playing when he does. One of Jones or McKay, or both, will have to relief ruck a few min a qtr.

[PaulP]

Matthew Lloyd on Access All Areas making a big call (by his own admission) - reckons Liam Jones might be our best player.

[DJC]

The Murphy offensive game was serviceable, but his total lack of defensive pressure and pressure acts does cost us. How long can we carry this? Are we that good we can carry a defensive pressure deficit?

SOJ is such an important part of the forward line. Footy smarts / IQ easily outweighs any perceived lack of pace. So valuable. He also brings that intangible 'energy', as does Cottrell. Opponents can't snuff that out and it does lift those around them.

Murph and Jack both had two tackles, as did Levi, Eddie and Gibbons.  Four players had one tackle and four didn't manage a tackle for the game.  To some extent that's understandable as we had so much more of the ball.

Murph's defensive effort in the back pocket, and some gut running, ended up with him slotting a goal at the other end.  That is great leadership by example.  Three marks inside 50, one tackle inside 50 and six score involvements was a pretty solid effort.  However, I would like to see him spend more time in the midfield.

Jack had a great game but he really has to work on his goal kicking.  Missing sitters when you're well in front doesn't have much impact but it can be a coach killer when you're battling to make up a deficit.

[madbluboy]

Murphy shirked the contest right in front of us, everyone saw it. His time is up.

[LP]

Murphy shirked the contest right in front of us, everyone saw it. His time is up.

Is that when the ball was kicked over his head and he ran with the flight to the disputed drop, if so which time / qtr?

[madbluboy]

Is that when the ball was kicked over his head and he ran with the flight to the disputed drop?

There were two incidents in the same position where everyone was yelling he crapped himself. The first one was completely justified, the second was an odd bounce and our fans were harsh on him because of what happened prior.