Round 16 - vs Eagles

[NMWBloods]

Our midfield 'setup' is absurd - it seems the be the 'Bloods ethos' that unless you throw yourself headlong at the ball you're not a true Blood. Hence we get 3 or 4 players diving on the ball. Meanwhile, 2 of the opposition dive on the ball and 2 remain outside the pack. So our options are either turn the ball over if the ball breaks free of the pack or force a ball up.

[Bloody Hell]

I completely agree, I think to realize his full potential he would also need to be on a team with better midfield coaching so that outside midfielders are positioned at stoppages in a way to be able to receive and place instead of just bang it on their boot. I watched the Collingwood vs. Essendon game yesterday, one thing that impressed me about the magpies midfield setup yesterday was that a clearance normally would then lead to well placed delivery as opposed to our hit and hope mentality, and I put a lot of that down to clever coaching.

The only problem with this statement is you're comparing the Essendon midfield with a full strenght Eagles one. For all the skill the Eagles have, their midfield pressure is second to none (except make ours...or is that in the past now too?)

[stellation]

The only problem with this statement is you're comparing the Essendon midfield with a full strenght Eagles one. For all the skill the Eagles have, their midfield pressure is second to none (except make ours...or is that in the past now too?)

The Eagles game isn't the first time our midfield setup has been poor though, we're up for it regardless of the oposition

[SimonH]

One that particularly irritated me was against B2 for chopping Lynch's arms in the marking contest. Bolton made a legitimate spoil. His hand was on the ball while Lynch's were still being raised. Well after Bolton had spoiled the ball, his arms made contact with Lynch's on the way down. Absolutely no way was that an infringement by Bolton and it gave them a free entry into 50 from which they scored not long after.

There will always be the odd shocking decision in a game. The one to MOL which produced a goal in the last quarter is such an example.

But when that free was paid (Lynch against CBolt), I thought, "That's a dropping offence". It was a perfectly judged 'all ball' spoil. It's not like the umpire was out of position. Let's hope he has incompetently misinterpreted and misunderstood the 'chopping arms' rule and should be sent off for a week's re-education. The alternative is that defenders (if they're not in a position to mark) are only there to be window dressing and stand the mark-- because spoiling of a man in front has basically been outlawed. I'd certainly like to know which it is.

[stellation]

Did Staker clearly fend off Schneider with a hand to the face before kicking one of his goals?

[ScottH]

Did Staker clearly fend off Schneider with a hand to the face before kicking one of his goals?

Not sure if it was to the face or chest, but it was a bloody good fend off.

[Donners]

Well done to McVeigh - by far his best ever game for Sydney. His tenacious tackle and beautiful one-handed pick-up were superb.

Our handballing was absolutely dismal at times. Bevan absolutely set up somebody in the middle, Malcheski's pass cost us a goal and there was one ridiculous moment in the centre when we had three handballs, each one to a player absolutely overwhelmed by opponents. Just kick the damned thing!

[ScottH]

Bevan absolutely set up somebody in the middle,

Poor old Dumpster.