Match-day thread : Semi-Final 2 versus Hawthorn

[SPC]

I am just over the criticism of white. Sure he was @@@@ when the whole side was. But when we were doing well everywhere he ws part of it. He's not a match winner but he is a quite capable second ruck. Plus the side simply doesn't respect his leads he makes reasonable leads but we spent the whole time kicking high to reid - in fact we were so Reid centric it played int their hands. Having said that Gibson wasn't marking the ball and most of our scores were from stoppages in the forward fifty.

I think much more criticism needs to be directed at the midfield - rok was second to the ball all night, mcveigh was next to useless as a back pocket, Bolton was largely anonymous, jack was really quiet and our skills were appalling. If you think about the goals conceded as a result of hanners missing a target in the first quarter, goodes and mcveigh consecutive turnovers inside fifty in the second etc. I think goodes probably cost us as many goals today with lookaway handballs which missed the target - hes a wonderful player but sometimes it would be better if he just did the simple things. In any case the number of times we tried to square the ball and missed the target says a lot about where we are at
For us to win at that ground we are really going to have to get jetta into the side and playing well. I do
n't know how that's going to happen but it needs to happen. We are simply very one paced at the moment.

100% correct MH re assessments of the midfielders. Untill we have skill, as well as courage in the midfield, all the 'structures' in the world wont get us into the top 4. The first half showed how poor our foot & handball skills are compared the better teams.

[stellation]

I thought White didn't do a lot in the first half, but was fine in the second. I do not think that Matt and Sam sufficiently outshone him in their roles last night for people to be able to identify Jesse as the problem. The problem last night was the midfield.

A deflating way to end the season, I was pleased that they rallied in the 3rd and that made it less painful. Lots of excitement for next year. I thought that AJ was absolutely the pick of the kids last night, he showed amazing composure for one so young in a final. Amazing game from JPK, as well.

[Dosser]

A few issues from last night. First of all, I am proud of the lads this season as they performed above my expectations - especially given the bookend retirements at the beginning of the season. Second, we blooded some good kids which bodes well for the future.

However, there are a couple of things that I need RWO help with.
1. What was the deal with our guys going straight off the ground last night and not doing a lap to allow us all to say goodbye to Tadgh and to thank them all for the season? I felt that it was a little bit selfish of them last night. Iknow they were hurting, but so were we - they didnt have to sit next to hawk supporters who screamed after every goal at the same time as giving us the bird with both hands - every time... I hope their team gets smashed now.
2. What keeps us going now is hope. Hope for the future. Can someone tell me REALISTICALLY how we are going to get into the top 4? Sure, our kids are going to improve, but so will everyone else's. We will get Tom Mitchell, but he is a distributor, not a game breaker. There is nothing in the draft this year and we may have a bit of trade bait, but there arent any players available to lure anyway. I think we will go into next season with basically the same team and I just dont think that is enough. In addition, our senior players arent going to get better as most of them have probably peaked (except Goodsey, who plateaued several years ago at 'sublime'). Can someone give me some realistic hope here?

Ahhh, cricket season now...

[Primmy]

Just left me a bit sad. Not exactly depressed, but sad it finished like it did. There was a rally of course, but the kids did look overawed at times, tried their best, but imo looked out on their feet. Probably a great motivator for preseason training.

How Joey managed I don't know. I didn't post after watching training on Monday, but he was limping big time and Benny could hardly walk. Joey is a hard working, make your own destiny star. Credit to us.

There were great patches, and great stuff ups. But the thing is we were seventh on the ladder, not fifth. We showed exactly where we were (shoulda been sixth). But we definitely deserved to be in the top eight.

Next year will be better. The kids know what's what. So do the coaches.

Smoochy to Tadgh and thank you for your game and ultimate loyalty.
Thank you Adam for being a gentleman.

[swansrule100]

Need to tackle more at the mcg instead of trying to carowl? Spelling? I dont know or care. Doesnt work in big space. Our strength is discipline but it can be a weakness. One patch of play a hawk got it and ran off half back and mcveigh was close but ran off, cos the structure dictates he go with another

[Donners]

Corral.

[Captain]

Beaten by a better team. We will be back stronger for 2012.

Kennedy and Mumford are guns.

Our forward line struggled, mainly because the ball was being bombed in long time after time. Regardless, White and Spangher didn't impress me much.

Nick Smith seemed injured?

Team selections still not great. Malceski should have been in for Kennelly. Jetta should have been in for Hanners.

Grundy out hurt as more then most people think.

[swansrule100]

Corral.

thank you

[nomae]

Anyone think Jesse crying in the rooms is indicative of his last game for the club? i.e. has signed with GWS?

I hope not, but seems either that or he was very close with Tadgh.

[chalbilto]

A few issues from last night. First of all, I am proud of the lads this season as they performed above my expectations - especially given the bookend retirements at the beginning of the season. Second, we blooded some good kids which bodes well for the future.

However, there are a couple of things that I need RWO help with.
1. What was the deal with our guys going straight off the ground last night and not doing a lap to allow us all to say goodbye to Tadgh and to thank them all for the season? I felt that it was a little bit selfish of them last night. Iknow they were hurting, but so were we - they didnt have to sit next to hawk supporters who screamed after every goal at the same time as giving us the bird with both hands - every time... I hope their team gets smashed now.
2. What keeps us going now is hope. Hope for the future. Can someone tell me REALISTICALLY how we are going to get into the top 4? Sure, our kids are going to improve, but so will everyone else's. We will get Tom Mitchell, but he is a distributor, not a game breaker. There is nothing in the draft this year and we may have a bit of trade bait, but there arent any players available to lure anyway. I think we will go into next season with basically the same team and I just dont think that is enough. In addition, our senior players arent going to get better as most of them have probably peaked (except Goodsey, who plateaued several years ago at 'sublime'). Can someone give me some realistic hope here?

Ahhh, cricket season now...

I think the future will be bright for us and our hope will be Hannebery, Alex Johnson, Parker, Smith, Grundy, Goodes, Kennedy, Pyke, Mumford, Lamb, Lewis Johnston, TDL, Jack, Campbell, Jetta, Rohan, Malceski, Mitchell, Reid, Spangher, Bird, Gordon, McNeill, Kruger, plus the senior players Bolton, Shaw, Mattner, Moore, McVeigh, Richards, O'Keefe. I also have hope for Jesse White if only he could realise the potential he has.

There is great hope for the future.

[goswannies]

Anyone think Jesse crying in the rooms is indicative of his last game for the club? i.e. has signed with GWS?
I hope not, but seems either that or he was very close with Tadgh.

I saw it and I think (hope) it was his passion & love for the club and his fortune to be playing senior footy. The way he CEO rates when his teammates succeed shows, to me, how much he just loves being there, so to have your season (not career) ended like it was must be heart breaking.

[pirouette]

feeling a bit depressed that that was our last game for the year. sad about kennelly too. last night I was frustrated and fuming but having slept on it, the game was indicative of where we are right now. here's hoping for a much better 2012! but what am I to do for 6 months?!

[erica]

I started my off season today by watching our win against the Weagles in Perth. Cheered me up no end.

[swantastic]

we were so good against the aints and last nite i was embarresed was just not good enough....but am lookin 4ward to next season cause i think our youngins will do us proud

[Nico]

Beaten by a better team. We will be back stronger for 2012.

Kennedy and Mumford are guns.

Our forward line struggled, mainly because the ball was being bombed in long time after time. Regardless, White and Spangher didn't impress me much.

Nick Smith seemed injured?

Team selections still not great. Malceski should have been in for Kennelly. Jetta should have been in for Hanners.

Grundy out hurt as more then most people think.

Disagree Cappy. Our forwards struggled because we chipped around outside 50 in the first half rather than get it in quickly to our forwards. The more we chipped it and over possessed, the more we turned it over and succumbed to pressure. Brought about our own downfall.