3qtr time

**Mike_B** · 21 September 2003, 09:51 AM

I think its very harsh to point fingers at our boys. Voss called for the Lions to put in an extra effort in the last quarter, and that's what they did. We were blown away in the first part of the final quarter by the 2-time defending premiers, and once the game was out of reach, the effort dropped away, and understandably so.

Goodesy was exhausted by 3 quarter time, Doyle had no effect in the ruck at all, and this meant we just couldn't get our hands on the ball from stoppages, and Brisbane were clean, slick and fast in their movement.

**swan_song** · 21 September 2003, 10:05 AM

Mike, I don't think that argument stands up. If Voss called for extra effort from Brisbane, don't you think Stewie would have called for extra effort from our guys? They may be 2 time premiers (I hope 3 time premiers) but they were carrying injuries, had played last week, and we had had the measure of them twice this season already. Obviously, they wanted it more than we did in the last quarter...but to be held goalless in the final quarter when even Roosie thought we had the legs to continue running over them is just inexplicable to me.
Don't get me wrong -- I think the guys have exceeded all expectations this year and their effort against Port was truly heroic. But if we had to go down, couldn't we have gone down fighting?
Also, I take nothing away from Brisbane. As I have said numerous times here, I do believe they are the most talented football team I have seen in the past 30-odd years.

**Mike_B** · 21 September 2003, 10:36 AM

Re: 3qtr time

Originally posted by swan_song
I get the impression that whatever Roosie said, the boys interpreted it as " Gee, we've got this one won, no need to put our selves on the line...save it for the Pies...see ya in the GF...4th quarter will be a cakewalk..."

That was the bit I really think was off the mark. They would know that they had to put in the effort, that it wouldn't just happen. Unfortunately they got blown away. Would you be saying the same thing if it was a 5 goals to 2 last quarter? Probably not. We just couldn't get enough of the ball in the last quarter for whatever reason, but I definitely would not put it down to switching off mentally and thinking about the last Saturday in September.

***NMWBloods*** · 21 September 2003, 11:51 AM

I think Brisbane hit us with one of their 10 minute power bursts. If we had weathered it, then they would have been spent and we would have won. However, they kicked about 3 goals clear, it gave them momentum and our guys tired and lost heart. They did something similar inthe 3rd qtr, but we came back. I think our guys were spent in the last qtr. A long season for a young side and a few injuries took their toll. Goodes was exhausted as there seemed to be a lot of ball ups, which will take their toll on him.

**BAM_BAM** · 21 September 2003, 12:21 PM

evryone of them will be hurting right now, regardless of how or what or why it happened. I don't think it will happen again. It's one down to experience. They'll learn from this. They're a young side without much finals experience. Now that the nucleus for our future have played a PF they'll be better shape next time. And realise jusy how easy it is for it to slip away. I'm disappointed, but not critical.

**barry** · 21 September 2003, 12:37 PM

We simply had to get in front of them on the scoreboard. That would have put enormous pressure on them, but we just couldnt quite get there in the 3rd quarter, and maxi's miss (allbeit hard) early in the last.
Once they pulled 2 goals clear it was always going to be an uphill battle.

Either way, I think both sides would/will account for Collingwood. It was easily the best prelim as far as skills were concerned.

What we really lacked was one quality midfielder. We just lost the centre too many times. Defence was outstanding, and forwards were outstanding.

**sharp9** · 22 September 2003, 11:55 AM

The thing I liked was that unlike against the Hawks and roos when we went missing for a quarter, it wasn't that we were switched off, they were just a tiny bit more desparate for the footy and managed to finish off three times in succession. There reallly wasn't too much in each of those early 4th quarter goals. We weren't blown away like when the Hawks were streaming through the middle and we looked stupid. Those goals that broke the camels back were squeezed out under pressure or just a couple of inches quicker to a crumb etc.

Unlike other losses this year we were not dismal, just below our best (but that had A LOT to do with the opposition players!). More importantly we can see where we need to go...just a little harder, a little calmer under pressure.

We can do that. We don't need to turn around and pull a miracle out of our arse (mind you that's what we did this year!)

**snajik** · 22 September 2003, 12:48 PM

Without a doubt we were exposed by a class outfit. I've been following AFL/VFL since '71 and I'm yet to see a better side than Brisabne. Having said that, it was by far our worst final quarter of the year. We seemed unable to get first hands on the ball.

The Lions had the rub of the green however. Their snaps for goal found their targets. Both of McGrath's goals bounced through (and you won't see anything like that 3rd quarter goal for another 25 seasons). A number of dubious umpiring decisions hurt us (and helped them), but ultimately the last quarter demonstrated that a gap remains between where we finished this year and our ability to win the flag in 04 or 05.

Still, all up, the most exciting season I've experienced. Riddled with highlights. Let's hope Adam Goodes winning the Brownlow tonight is the consolation prize.

**swan_song** · 22 September 2003, 06:56 PM

Actually, the suggestion in my post was irony, not fact.
But now having read that Roosie told the team at 3/4 time that Cressa was retiring for sure, it may have lowered their hearts that enth degree...Jude has said as much. With so much specualtion that the champ may go on another year, maybe it wasn't the time to tell everyone this!

**BAM_BAM** · 22 September 2003, 09:30 PM

Originally posted by swan_song
maybe it wasn't the time to tell everyone this!

my thoughts this morning reading the paper

**Pink_Lady** · 22 September 2003, 10:14 PM

Originally posted by swan_song
Actually, the suggestion in my post was irony, not fact.
But now having read that Roosie told the team at 3/4 time that Cressa was retiring for sure, it may have lowered their hearts that enth degree...Jude has said as much. With so much specualtion that the champ may go on another year, maybe it wasn't the time to tell everyone this!

Read that with raised 'brows today too, maybe it distracted them? something we'll never know...

3qtr time

3qtr time

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment