Based on tonight's "efforts"....

[DeadlyAkkuret]

are we any chance of beating Carlton? I still don't rate them highly, but that 11 in a row isn't giving me the same confidence as it did after we beat the Hawks last weekend.

How wet was it? I know we're traditionally hopeless in the slippery conditions, so maybe if it's a dry night (or indoors) we can get back to a more attractive style and make sure Carlton are still our bitches?

[10Totti10]

Swans will be better. Its clear that the skills were not there, and Lions just beat us at our own game. Hopefully MOL can make a speedy recovery and can come back and play.

[10Totti10]

Plus Carlton r losing to Essendon so who knows.

[ScottH]

Maybe we only win every 2nd week. Thats 11 wins!!

[10Totti10]

Maybe we only win every 2nd week. Thats 11 wins!!

Thats only 44 point

[Swannette]

The lions beat us at our own game?? What, the game of clean disposal and better positioning? I was not aware that was our game. I thought they beat us in 3rd gear, we were never really in it, period, whether playing our "tough"game or any other. We were terrible.

[Q...]

We were terrible. But we were coaxed out of the game. We weren't invited to the Gabba to play football. We were invited to show the Queensland crowd how good a second team will be. I'm sure we'll be shown in Sydney how good a second NSW team will be...

[dimelb]

The lions beat us at our own game?? What, the game of clean disposal and better positioning? I was not aware that was our game. I thought they beat us in 3rd gear, we were never really in it, period, whether playing our "tough" game or any other. We were terrible.

They beat us at our own game because they won the stoppages repeatedly, and played better wet weather football. Jude Bolton is one of the best ballgetters and one of the worst ball disposers; Kirk worked hard but didn't have a lot of influence; McVeigh had an ordinary game; we couldn't cope with the Brisbane pressure. We lost in the midfield. And although the better team won, the umps also had an ordinary game.
Also for most of the match we played with a 3 man bench, and then a 2 man bench after Hall went off.

[RedRosie]

Doubt the Swans have played in that kind of rain for quite a while! Could explain the mess, Brisbane on the other hand have had nothing but rain up there for months. Even the Swans jerseys couldnt handle it

[Nico]

They beat us at our own game because they won the stoppages repeatedly, and played better wet weather football. Jude Bolton is one of the best ballgetters and one of the worst ball disposers; Kirk worked hard but didn't have a lot of influence; McVeigh had an ordinary game; we couldn't cope with the Brisbane pressure. We lost in the midfield. And although the better team won, the umps also had an ordinary game.
Also for most of the match we played with a 3 man bench, and then a 2 man bench after Hall went off.

We played behind our man all night. When the ball fell short they marked it. When the ball skidded along the ground we ran the wrong way. We handballed when we should have kicked and I lost count of the shoddy handballs when we were in the clear for goodness sake. We fell over. Richards was OK but that mark he dropped and then slipped in the 2nd Quarter was comedy at it's best and a goal resulted. When we needed to keep our feet we didn't but in stark contrast they kept their feet all night.
We fell on the ground in packs and on a wet night the ball is like a greasy pig and comes out regularly. The Lions players were simply sitting off the pack while our blokes rolled on the ground.

Just perhaps the hard close in game is not nearly affective on a wet night where the ball is greasy. On a muddy surface it would be better.

[573v30]

I bloody hope we beat Carlton.

[Bazman]

I went to see the Carlton/Dons game tonight and if it wasnt for Fev kicking the result would have been different 4.7. Judd was his usual self with i think 30+ possies. But their back line looks weak, Lucas, LLoyd looked good. As a neutral tonight i enjoyed the tussle between the two and a 70,000 crowd who for most of the game were fairly silent. So this Saturday bring it on.

[graemed]

I don't know if they beat us at our own game but they did win possession at the stoppages but even so we had enough possession to be in the game. The delivery of our players was ordinary but under the conditions understandable.
I was and am of the opinion that our game is deficient in our inability to take advantage of possession from the half back line.
Most teams and certainly the three we have played to date have a player loose across half back with the following attributes:
1. Courage - the ability to back into a pack and/or come across the a big leading forward.
2. Anticipation - the ability to read the play and position yourself to take advantage.
3. Decision making skills - to be able to set play up either through redirecting play or run and carry across lines.
4. Marking skills - the courage and ability to take strong marks o'head.
5. Disposal skills - excellent foot and hand skills that allow players upfield to take advantage of possession.

So far this year we have decided to use Craig Bolton as the key defender, I believe he is better used to advantage by taking up this role. He can be where needed rather than being dragged by his opponent to negative areas of the ground.

It was clear last night that whoever was being minded by LRT went into the deep whilst I do not think the Ted Richards for all his courage and other talents has either the decision making or disposal skills to be effective in this role. If Bolton was loose he could cover all avenues to goal and may even drag a defender to him if he is as succesful as I'm sure he would be. Consider the effect Hodge and Milburn/Harley have on a game.

This week Waite will be playing that role and he can be devasting we must be competetive in this important aspect of the new game and I believe Bolton is the key.

[DST]

Statistically we had enough of the ball, won enough of the clearances and got it into our forward 50 to win the game last night.

However our foot skills and most importantly decision making was well down on the previous week.

We also lost our structure a few times, which resulted in us turning the ball over as well or allowing Brisbane (especially Drummond) too much time and space to execute from half back.

On a positive note, White looks fit, is covering the ground well and is learning well on how to use body in the ruck and in close.

Merideth has shown great foot skills, poise and decision making skills and should team well with Vezpremi when he returns.

Hopefully Thornton, Pyke are given a run soon and both Laidlaw and Murphy are soon fit enough to push for senior selection.

DST

[Jeffers1984]

I can see Thornton making his debut next week. Possibly for Crouch. Ablett back in for the guy from Bega.