Groundhog Day

**desredandwhite** · 14 April 2003, 09:50 AM

sadly, I reckon those two guys were among our best yesterday. Jude continues to try his guts out (though the disposal is still disappointing). Fossie has been a deadset ball magnet this season, and most of the time, his kicks are productive.

There's plenty of players who could do with a stint in the ressies though.

**shearer** · 14 April 2003, 09:54 AM

groundhog day

Des, no question about Judes or Fosdikes commitment but after seeing the skill level of what i reckon a top 4 side is and where we need to be, these players will NEVER EVER be at that level.

Lets give some youngsters a proper go and for long periods and see if they come on..

**Steve** · 14 April 2003, 10:08 AM

There just can't be finger-pointing without a spray for Nicks.

If he isn't getting handball receives running towards goal, he basically gives us nothing.

About to turn 28 and still hasn't got himself fit enough to be anything more than a bludging leading forward. His work-rate when the opposition gain possession is basically embarrassing.

For a supposed leader his miss from that set shot late in the first quarter was very very ordinary. Regulation kick from about 30m almost right in front (Ch. 9's stats rated it a 77% probability).

The scores were 30-14 at the time. He kicks it the margin's only 10 points nearing quarter-time. But he misses, Adelaide run the ball the length of the field from the kick-in and score, then from the ensuing centre-bounce clear the ball forward and score just before the siren, and we're suddenly 27 points down at the first change.

Admittedly we tried to trade him last year, but he and Davis are very similar players, and giving someone like Stevens the chance to play as a leading forward from a pocket would be of much greater long-term value.

***NMWBloods*** · 14 April 2003, 10:11 AM

I agree - Nicks has been very disappointing. For a guy with the potential to give a lot to the team, he really gives little to the team. He used to run and tackle hard, and was a valuable contributor. Not these days though. The team effort, and ihs particularly, in the last 2 min of the first qtr was a disgrace, and really set the tone for the day.

**Charlie** · 14 April 2003, 10:11 AM

Re: groundhog day

Originally posted by shearer
Des, no question about Judes or Fosdikes commitment but after seeing the skill level of what i reckon a top 4 side is and where we need to be, these players will NEVER EVER be at that level.

Lets give some youngsters a proper go and for long periods and see if they come on..

And what then, if they don't come on? Do we throw them out with the bathwater as well, as a kneejerk reaction if we lose to Hawthorn and Melbourne? "Come on down James Meiklejohn, Ryan Crawford and Scott McGlone... Mark Powell and Jarrad Sundqvist aren't going anywhere!" Is that how it works?

Wait until the dust has settled and we've played two games that are much closer to our level. Freo at Freo and Adelaide were always going to be hard games. While our performances have been substandard and unacceptable, I'd prefer to see them play in two matches where there's a reasonable chance we'll actually win, and assess from there at least.

The rebuilding phase that was such a popular concept when Roosy was going for the job has seemingly been forgotten on the back of two matches that we weren't expecting to win anyway. I know people will argue that they are actually calling for rebuilding, but they don't demolish a house on the suspicion that there might be termites, do they? They carry out an inspection and look for structural damage before making rash decisions... That's all I'm asking for. A detailed inspection of our list.

***NMWBloods*** · 14 April 2003, 10:14 AM

Re: Re: groundhog day

The rebuilding phase that was such a popular concept when Roosy was going for the job has seemingly been forgotten on the back of two matches that we weren't expecting to win anyway.

Are you surprised...? <shrug>

**EMJ** · 14 April 2003, 10:20 AM

I feel Fosdike, Bolton, Maxfield and especially Ball - Ball was in there well and truly yesterday. Trying all the time. The team seemed to try but still had a case of the fumbles. Pleased to read Roos was outspoken and called them embarrasing. It was obvious from the way the team came off - they too felt they hadn't played well.

Kenny behind the team as they came off - encouraging us to applaud them. Well it is better than booing them - but we don't need encouraging like little kids. That is the way I felt. How about anyone else - in the Brewongle and Churchill or Concourse area.?

**shearer** · 14 April 2003, 10:26 AM

groundhog day

As for Nicks, i agree with you guys 100%.It must be hard to concentrate on footy though if you are knocking off a sheila from Home & Away though.

Seriously, Roos & Eade should take a lot of blame for the demise of Nicks. Why have a All-Australian Half Back and put him up forward. As mentioned by NMW Bloods his snap shot was typical of someone who isnt a natural forward.

Put him back to defence and we will see the best of him.

As for Saddington, well the bloke is a powderpuff.Not leadership material...

**penga** · 14 April 2003, 10:28 AM

Originally posted by janpa
I feel Fosdike, Bolton, Maxfield and especially Ball - Ball was in there well and truly yesterday. Trying all the time. The team seemed to try but still had a case of the fumbles. Pleased to read Roos was outspoken and called them embarrasing. It was obvious from the way the team came off - they too felt they hadn't played well.

Kenny behind the team as they came off - encouraging us to applaud them. Well it is better than booing them - but we don't need encouraging like little kids. That is the way I felt. How about anyone else - in the Brewongle and Churchill or Concourse area.?

i wasnt clapping, i was yelling! i cant believe they got a clap off, they were disgusting up til half time

**swan_song** · 14 April 2003, 11:38 AM

I've never understood everyone's love affair with saddo. He certainly was a "not bad" player in his early years, but IMHO he hasn't developed as hoped. For me (and I say it for the zillionth time) he's not a CHB as he has neither the build nor football brains to hold down that position...his continual penchant to try and mark the ball rather than punch no matter the odds is a big worry. Where his marking could be used is as a tall wingman or even as a half forward...he is NO backman. Similarly Schauble, after a good year in 2001 is struggling with pace these days...he looked very slow yesterday. He may have been injured as I thought I saw him out on the busstop oval doing laps before the game...
Cressa will be gone at the end of the year, so maybe we should again bite the bullet with a clear out and get some good youngsters through the draft and trading of players who still have some value and look towards 2008/9, or maybe even start planning for the centennary of our last premiership in 2033.

***NMWBloods*** · 14 April 2003, 11:46 AM

've never understood everyone's love affair with saddo. He certainly was a "not bad" player in his early years, but IMHO he hasn't developed as hoped. For me (and I say it for the zillionth time) he's not a CHB as he has neither the build nor football brains to hold down that position...his continual penchant to try and mark the ball rather than punch no matter the odds is a big worry. Where his marking could be used is as a tall wingman or even as a half forward...he is NO backman.

I think he potentially could be a running half back, such as we use Warfe now. Or he could be a winger, in the mould of DRJ. Either way, I agree he is not a KP back.

**Charlie** · 14 April 2003, 02:33 PM

Can I mention Groundhog's Day in the title for my article??

Sums up my feelings about yesterday perfectly! Even though I'm not quite ready to consign players ot the scrapheap, it certainly seemed a lot like last years...

Perfect... can I steal it??? Please???

**penga** · 14 April 2003, 02:42 PM

Originally posted by Charlie
Can I mention Groundhog's Day in the title for my article??

Sums up my feelings about yesterday perfectly! Even though I'm not quite ready to consign players ot the scrapheap, it certainly seemed a lot like last years...

Perfect... can I steal it??? Please???

im glad to see u ask these days charlie...

**Charlie** · 14 April 2003, 03:05 PM

Ouch!

As I said, that other one was either subconscious or a complete coincidence!!!

Bah... I'll just leave it out I think... but perfect... just perfect way to describe how I felt yesterday...

Groundhog Day

Groundhog Day

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