Are we overrating the win against Port?

[DeadlyAkkuret]

Teams like St. Kilda, Collingwood, Geelong and Adelaide will not give us the same space to move in the forward line - that's when our true test will come - How do we counter that tactic???

Get it in quick! There was a token puff piece about it after the game, and I think it was Hall who said the plan was to not mess around with it and kick it to the forwards much quicker. It's all good to say this after a huge win against a team with no midfield grunt and a witches hat defence, but it has to become a regular plan and we have to implement it against those teams you mentioned.

Our rebound from defence is a massive part of our run, which is why Kennelly and Mattner are so important to us, but the mids need to carry this out, too. If we win the ball in the middle or at half back, I don't want to see 5 kicks within a 20 metre radius when there's a paddock on the wing!

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

Considering Port got within 9 points of Geelong the week before, I was pretty happy to beat them by this much. But you're right, we need to keep it all in perspective.

This thread is a wise one I reckon. Port are a young team full of thinner running types. You muscle them off the ball & they completely lose their heads. Plus they would have to be coached by one of the biggest technical ignoramuses in the league in Mark Williams. Not only does he never seen to have a plan b against sides like us or the Crows who use a zone-based defensive net, he never seems willing to change tactics to stop the bleeding. Thus when Port are down & hurting, you can really murder them.

I just hope we continue to play running attacking footy, but be a little more judicious with our handballs out of defence as well as opting to play-on when running out of defence when a longer kick may be the higher percentage option.

Brisbane & West Coast over the next 2 weeks are VERY beatable, I feel. But let's not lose perspective of what I reckon this year should be able; to blood as many young pups as possible & to start planning to replace the older heads before we have that task forced upon us.

JF

[liz]

Our rebound from defence is a massive part of our run, which is why Kennelly and Mattner are so important to us, but the mids need to carry this out, too.

Which is why the relatively sudden maturing of Jack is so exciting. I think his pace has taken a few opposition sides by surprise. And while I've been one of the chorus, along with ORB and BBB, singing his praises in recent times, even I have been taken somewhat aback by the crispness, vision and accuracy of his disposals in the first two games.

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

I don't mind him either, I have nothing against idiots. He seems like one of the better, more straight forward coaches, but just a little slow.

Well he is a South Australian, you know!

*DUCKS*

JF

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

Which is why the relatively sudden maturing of Jack is so exciting. I think his pace has taken a few opposition sides by surprise. And while I've been one of the chorus, along with ORB and BBB, singing his praises in recent times, even I have been taken somewhat aback by the crispness, vision and accuracy of his disposals in the first two games.

You can add more & Bird that that assessment too Liz.

JF

[DeadlyAkkuret]

You could probably add Moore to that theory, Liz. I think Jack is faster and more polished, but Moore has been a revelation of sorts.

EDIT: That was freaky, JF!

[liz]

With Moore it's his footy smarts that are standing out. I don't think he's overly quick but he's a player who's going to help pick out that forward in a crowded 50 with a pinpoint pass. And while Bird's speed is good enough, he's nowhere near as quick as Jack. His value is going to be seen in the coming years when he becomes a ball and tacking magnet who can also deliver well.

But I think it is Jack, in particular, who is adding to the rebounding from CHB. And at the moment he doesn't have enough fear to stop him running straight through the middle of the ground. Let's hope it stays that way!

[originalswan]

With Moore it's his footy smarts that are standing out. I don't think he's overly quick but he's a player who's going to help pick out that forward in a crowded 50 with a pinpoint pass. And while Bird's speed is good enough, he's nowhere near as quick as Jack. His value is going to be seen in the coming years when he becomes a ball and tacking magnet who can also deliver well.

But I think it is Jack, in particular, who is adding to the rebounding from CHB. And at the moment he doesn't have enough fear to stop him running straight through the middle of the ground. Let's hope it stays that way!

Yeah poor bloke was only concussed twice in the match.

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

Yeah poor bloke was only concussed twice in the match.

Another Wade Chapman maybe? Well, I hope not anyway?

JF

[ScottH]

I wonder if PA thought they had this one in the bag, before the game started.

We had a pretty insipid performance the week before.
They were Grand Finalists last year (I use that term loosely).
They weren't flogged by the best team in the comp.
They beat us in 2006, when we unfurled the flag.
They still think they deserved to be in the GF last year even though they weren't the 2nd best team in the comp last year.
They think they are a much better team than they really are.

[smasher]

I am looking forward to Malceski's return.Before he was promoted to the seniors he and Moore were fantastic together in the ressies.I think possibly McVeigh is feelong more comfortable with other young players,some he played reserves with,in the team.Barlow,Moore,Grundy,Jack and Bird all played together at times in the Canberra team last year and they would have a good idea on each others game which will definately become a long term asset.I look forward to the return of Laidlaw and Schmidt as well.

[DeadlyAkkuret]

I wonder if PA thought they had this one in the bag, before the game started.

We had a pretty insipid performance the week before.
They were Grand Finalists last year (I use that term loosely).
They weren't flogged by the best team in the comp.
They beat us in 2006, when we unfurled the flag.
They still think they deserved to be in the GF last year even though they weren't the 2nd best team in the comp last year.
They think they are a much better team than they really are.

The Eagles were?

[ScottH]

The Eagles were?

and Pies.

[Jewels]

I wonder if PA thought they had this one in the bag, before the game started.

We had a pretty insipid performance the week before.
They were Grand Finalists last year (I use that term loosely).
They weren't flogged by the best team in the comp.
They beat us in 2006, when we unfurled the flag.
They still think they deserved to be in the GF last year even though they weren't the 2nd best team in the comp last year.
They think they are a much better team than they really are.

Had that same thought coming out of the game.

[liz]

I think the candid comments from Williams after the match that "they didn't see that coming" support that theory too.