Rnd 8 Match Day Thread. Richmond V Sydney. MCG 19.25 pm.

[Nico]

Unfortunately for us Parker and Mitchell had their worst games in a while when we needed them to step up to cover for JPK. But as snajik said the opening minutes of the final quarter were the costliest. Their first five inside 50s resulted in goals. That is very unSwanslike

The MCG is Luke Parker's graveyard.

[Ludwig]

To be fair you want the umpire to put the whistle away in the lady minutes of close games

It's lady minutes. Time to put the whistle away.

Last-five-minutes-photo-1.jpg

[Melbourne_Blood]

I hate the umpires excuse. It's such a poor sport view. We played well below our best, Richmond played their best footy for the year. We had 1 player with 30 + disposals, when we've had at least 3 for most games. We got spanked out of the middle and put our defence under immense pressure. Buddy was great but cost us probably 3 times with his failed 'don't argue' attempts which he just can't pull off any more. The tackling standard is too good. Put it away. I'm happy for him to take a shot from 70 out but he needs to know his limitations and that is one of them that is Bud putting his ego above the team.

[Mug Punter]

Anyone on here blaming the umpires for our loss last night is pathetic.

With the exception of Buddy we were poor all over the ground.

Some random points

* Our mids were exceptionally poor, Parker and Mitchell especially
* Any notion that Hiscox is AFL standard should now be firmly resolved
* Papley is without doubt playing for his spot
* Towers disappointing AGAIN, not sure how many chances this bloke can be given to be honest
* Ted showed why most of us think he won't be running around next year.

I'm happy to pass last night off as a blip but there have been some warning signs for a while now. But it was very very disappointing. At the same time if you follow a team then losing is part of the deal so for those on here going into a fit of hysteria last night, get a grip.

Next Friday can't come soon enough for me and I think it will determine if we are a top 4 or top 8 team this year. Another performance like that is just not acceptable and I'm sure we'll come out with a point to prove

[stellation]

We lost the game ourselves, maybe you could blame the great, pink pixie in the sky for allowing Richmond a magical minute.

But that was a bit of a miss by them.

[Nico]

On Hiscox - I didn't see people being all upset when he was selected.

I did say we would be playing 1 short.

[Nico]

I think Hewett offers more than Papley, so I'd keep him if it comes to a choice.

It would be great if Rohan is fit enough to play against the Hawks. I think we need his defensive pressure. Too often Richmond had all the time in the world to make a perfect pass to a player who was a yard ahead of his opponent. (I know Rohan's tackles stick like wet soap, but at least he is quick and can pressure the kicker or contest the receiver).

Hewett looks a bit slow to me. Yes good skills, but he doesn't get the footy often enough yet.

[Nico]

I missed the game so will be keenly watching a replay.

Robert Shaw on SEN this morning pointed out a couple of things.

He thought that TR was not keen on getting close to the footy due to his eye socket injury.

Horse said in his post match presser that Richmond had 5 walk outs. He explained this meant 5 goals from uncontested centre clearances.

Back to the old habits of past years.

Seems without JPK that our midfield dynamic falls apart.

[Mug Punter]

I watched the replay and have a less negative view than I did watching it in real time. We played well in stretches and very poorly for a few brief periods when they piled on the goals. Parker and Mitchell were disappointing given the absence of JPK. On the positive side, it was good to see Lloyd play a better game after a couple of poor ones. Cunningham was good in the second half. He has to try to get more of the ball because he can run with it and is a good kick.

We've been showing signs of falling down over the past several weeks, so perhaps this loss should not have been unexpected. We could have won, but deserved to lose. Buddy's great kicking and Richmond's inaccuracy in front of goal put us in a winning position.

It has been a development year for us, we just surprised ourselves by winning with so many kids playing. I think we need to keep the development going as some of our weaknesses, which were also present last year, have come back. There are lessons to be learned from this game.

Hiscox may be a very good middle distance runner, but he's no footballer. I can see why Fremantle find themselves where they do. They actually bid their pick #34 for Hiscox. He was never worth more than a rookie speculation. I suppose we wanted to show support for our Academy boys, but we should have let him go. A certain delisting in my mind.

It's hard to see a 26 yo Towers ever becoming an AFL standard footballer. He can't play under any kind of pressure, can't defend and can't tackle anyone moving toward him. Shouldn't play again. Trade or delist.

We will have to do some experimenting to get the mix right. Heeney, Mills and Hewett all should spend more time in the midfield.

Our defence needs a serious rebuild. We might as well start asap. We are just too slow for one on one defending. No closing speed. Unfortunately Talia and Reid are still injured and not available for selection. We could try Rohan when he's ready to step up from NEAFL level, maybe in the GC game. As for now I would give Harry Marsh a go. It's his 4th year in our system, so he should settle in well. He can play tall, like Rampe, so can replace Ted. He has good closing speed and has become a good decision maker. It's always hard to say how a player will adjust to AFL level, but Harry has shown that he deserves a chance. Newman is also playing consistently well, and is more of a rebounding defender, like Malceski. O'Riordan will be good and might challenge for a senior spot next year.

The best options we have for the forward line from our reserves are Rose and Davis. Both are footballers and play 2 way football. Rose may be slower than Towers if measuring foot speed, but plays much faster with quick movement and reaction time. Davis is a good solid player who can play anywhere and has in the reserves. Dawson has been out injured, but has looked promising as a future forward.

For me, GWS are now the best team in the league. I don't know if they are experienced enough to win the premiership, but they are playing beautiful football. We need to be bold if we want any chance of staying with them.

Towers, Hiscox, Xav, Tom Dx AJ and Ted would seem outs at season end, that's six out which is the most we've had for ages.

But it won't be that extreme I don't think. We'll upgrade Papley, O'Rioirdan and maybe one of Marsh/Newman. We'll look for a KPD and we'll draft three.

If Mitchell leaves, and if he hasn't re-signed by the end of this month then I'm marking him as an out, then I'd expect us to obtain a first round draft pick so that would just mean we'd draft four

[Doctor J.]

Sinclair's tap to KJ for a goal in the last quarter was fairly special. I'm not sure if he mean't it though.

Happened right in front of me. He meant it alright. Perfect execution of a set play.

[Scottee]

Lost at selection when they went the warm fuzzy selecting Hiscox rather than BJ who has been in ripping NEAFL form. No doubt he would have got more ball and applied more pressure than Hiscox did tonight.

Has to be more changes next week than just Kennedy for Hiscox after that performance.

Play BJ and we win, that simple. Coaches not copping enough of the flack here.

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[Luke Shannon]

I watched the last quarter today and was surprised by some of the midfielders who were in for the centre bounce ball ups. I recall that Henney was in for most (which I fully support), Hewitt was in for one and even Cunninnigham was in.

Where was Mitchell? Why did he seem to disappear for the centre square ball ups in the last quarter. His stats were very low and I can only assume that he was being kept away from the engine room.

The fact that Mitchell saw less midfield time (you expected him to have more with JPK out) has led me to two possible conclusions:

1) He is carrying some sort or injury.

Or

2) The Swans believe that he is leaving and are preparing the team for his absence.

The next couple of weeks will be interesting for Tom.

[Blue Sun]

It wasn't Rance, but it was a bad miss by the umpires. I must admit I did spot it whilst watching the game then got a bit caught up in the excitement and didn't go back to watch it, I just saw from the AFL's clip of the last 2 minutes and not only was there an arm over Kurt's shoulder, it definitely held him down and the defender used it to launch himself up to spoil.
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Wow. Bad miss from the umps there. Arm over the shoulder and held Tippett down. If I was Horse I'd be asking for a please explain given some of Reg's "infringements" down the other end.

[MattW]

We're clinging to still shots of alleged high tackles? Let's cop the loss; we got lucky against Brisbane.

Mug Punter: reckon Hannebery is worth a mention as an exception to your condemnation of the mids.

Ugg: I saw Rohan playing half-forward/wing.

I like Hewett - he's smart, good set shot, cool. Opted for Papley over him given Papley's ability to break a game open and superior tackle pressure. Papley has drawn almost as many free kicks for holding the ball inside attacking 50 as Hewett has from for drawing a high tackle. Having said that, if Rohan does come back and plays forward it'll probably be for Papley not Hewett. If Rohan plays back it'll be for Jones.

[Mug Punter]

We're clinging to still shots of alleged high tackles? Let's cop the loss; we got lucky against Brisbane.

Mug Punter: reckon Hannebery is worth a mention as an exception to your condemnation of the mids.

Ugg: I saw Rohan playing half-forward/wing.

I like Hewett - he's smart, good set shot, cool. Opted for Papley over him given Papley's ability to break a game open and superior tackle pressure. Papley has drawn almost as many free kicks for holding the ball inside attacking 50 as Hewett has from for drawing a high tackle. Having said that, if Rohan does come back and plays forward it'll probably be for Papley not Hewett. If Rohan plays back it'll be for Jones.

Hanners has been great this year.

I just think we've got the perfect opportunity for a response and I do think we'll have a much better idea of where we stand as a side this year after Friday night.

It's possible with our young brigade of Hewett, Papley and Mills that they may run our of juice at some stage and that is where our depth may well become an issue but I guess we've got three returnees form injury in Reid, Rohan and Talia that will help address any issues of that nature.