Match Day Rnd.4 West Coast V Sydney. Domain Stadium 20.10 pm.

[Swanny40519]

Here is his record:
Longmire, John SY 2011-2017 93 2 40 135 69.63

That is 93 wins 40 losses up to the start of this year.

Who would you pick to replace him?

I would pick Clarkson. Horse has no plan B. Its the same old tactics week in and week out. Zone defence is terrible and all we do is give the opposition teams easy F50 entries where our defence stand and watch them take marks.

[jono2707]

Good effort. Undermanned. We've been past the critical mass of too many youngsters this year so far due to injuries. The endeavour was there, but we just don't have the cattle at the moment.

Let's focus on getting into the 8 (well winning a game first will do for starters) as that stupid pre finals bye now means anyone from the 8 can win it.

[Faunac8]

To give an idea of our list depth and quality an obviously injured Buddy still polled in the top six for AFL Fantasy points. The bottom six were Mills Fox Foote Florent Allir Papley I am not sure but probably a total of maybe 70 games amongst them.

[707]

Big mistake last year was not blooding Newman. Would have made the transition for Mills to the midfield quicker. Surprised Aliir at some stage didn't play in the ruck as that's where he played in Queensland as a junior which would have almost allowed us to have an extra midfielder. Speaking of Aliir htf do the umpires miss the head high bump on Aliir?????

Lecras will get games for that, intentional, didn't need to do it, high but yes HTF did the umpires miss that but also find an in the back that wasn't down our end. Sorry, but another woeful lopsided display by the maggots.

[Foreign Legion]

Chill folks, we are playing a very inexperienced side plus a few of our leaders are a little down on 2016 form. Maybe we over achieved last year with a young side that has got even younger this year because of a long injury list.

Positives are we have found two very good players in Newman who will play 150-200 on this form and the hugely talented 18yo Hayward who looks just what we need up forward.

Florent shows a bit for an 18yo who really should be honing himself in the NEAFL.

We were always thin on depth and a long injury list has exposed that but enjoy what we have found. We could be Hawthorn who have found nobody during their dry spell.

Yep I agree 707. Some positives out of this game - I was more pissed off last week. Newman is a keeper with good foot skills and Hayward looks VERY promising. Today - Buddy gone in first qtr and very inexperienced side.

We might beat GWS next week.

With a GREAT deal of luck hehe.

[mcs]

When we got within a kick, I thought we might be able to seize the momentum and go on with it. But like when we got in front against Collingwood, and the Dogs, we then coughed up quick goals to kill our momentum. Not helped by an awfully soft free in their forward line, then a clear throw in the ensuing clearance (I've just accepted that umpiring this season is going to be some shade of incompetent each week), but that utterly deflated us and took away any hope of a miracle win.

I thought we spent the summer practicing skills - if so, they weren't footy skills.

Our basic skills are killing us time and time again - in particular in the back line, where we are an utter @@@@ing shambles, and that is putting it nicely. Grundy was woeful tonight, Aliir not much better (his decision making tonight really let him down - but you will get that with the style of player he is), Mills has second year blues, Smith is struggling (Though I thought did a decent job tonight). Our best players down back tonight were Jones, Marsh (Who I thought had his best game in seniors) and Newman. We are leaking points at will when teams get on a run, giving away stupid free kicks, and so often being led to the ball. Once upon a time, when the rest of the team was struggling, we could rely on our defence to hold us in games. Not any more.

Our midfield is missing the grunt of Mitchell, and the poor form of Hanners, and potentially permanent decline of Jack (he must surely not be near 100% - he seems to have no acceleration), and our midfield is badly exposed. Left to Kennedy to do too much heavy lifting. At least Parker improved tonight, and Lloyd continues to have a good season as well.

As for the forward line - as has always been a bugbear of mine under Longmire, its disorganised, and too often becomes an extension of the backline when under pressure. Having Papley back helped, and he and Hayward will be a nice foil for the taller guys in time. I think Florent may well drop back to the seconds this week (if fit players allow it) - he just didn't offer much at all sadly.

On the other side, there were again some positives.
- Marsh as I said had a really good game, he seems to be growing into AFL footy.
- Kennedy led from the front and was great.
- Newman solid again, but like so many of his mates, wasteful using the ball.
- Hayward is improving week on week - he is the one young guy that I think will hold his spot when the troops come back. He has good positioning in the marking contest, just need to get plugger working on his kicking and he will be a really solid addition to the forward line.
- Foote did a decent job early on Mitchell.
- Cunningham had a good go tonight I thought - lots of tackles, and some good contested play for once. More of that please Harry.

Frankly, given how far we are from our best footy, it is quite sensational that we haven't been spanked 3 weeks out of 4 so far - a mark of a team that never gives up on the contest, if nothing else.
Our season is cooked in my opinion - and we aren't going to beat many teams when we can't do the basics. The will is there, but the lack of troops, and dreadful form of key players is killing us at key moments. Fair chance of more injury woes out of this one, with Buddy very sore and sorry. If GWS turn up to play next week, it could be a very nasty defeat....

Worst bit of all is no alcohol to wash it down for me - have to drive in the morning

[MattW]

Man, the first sign of trouble and the knives are out for some. We've been dealt our fair share of good times.

Reckon our travails start with Hannebery and Parker and creep down the ground to Grundy, Mills and Smith. Historically consistent and reliable performers, well off their game.

But collectively, bad decision-making. We really need the mature and calm influences of McVeigh and Rampe and the dynamism and strength of Heeney. Quick, because some players are losing faith a bit.

[troyjones2525]

For how long is he the best coach? Seriously, Longmire is hardly to blame for us getting done tonight. Is Clarkson to blame for the Hawks current woes?

You don't think he's the best coach in the game??? And I don't believe I blamed Longmire for this loss, the pathetic decision making and skills from a lot of experienced players cost us unfortunately.

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[mcs]

Lecras will get games for that, intentional, didn't need to do it, high but yes HTF did the umpires miss that but also find an in the back that wasn't down our end. Sorry, but another woeful lopsided display by the maggots.

That got me pissed off (And officially warned by the Missus!) - he should get banned for it but I bet he doesn't.

[Swanny40519]

I dont hate Longmire either. We played 4 finals. 2 teams challenged us and we lost. 2 teams folded like cheap seats.

The reality is the he cant cope with game changing.

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Agree 200% Horse does not like change and it is driving me mad watching us play at the moment.we have to be more innovative with our play.

[WauchopeAnalyst]

It is always the player's. Dimma admitted he was wrong, the coach, and now they are playing 'new' footy.

Are the Tigers going to win the flag. No, but trying to play real quick footy and it works well.

Longmire always blames the players. In 6 years never admitted he was wrong. Not one.

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[Foreign Legion]

You don't think he's the best coach in the game??? And I don't believe I blamed Longmire for this loss, the pathetic decision making and skills from a lot of experienced players cost us unfortunately.

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You were the one who mentioned Longmire first - not me.

Not saying he is blameless but Jesus, he has some credits in the bank.

[Markwebbos]

This season will be a write off by the time we get all the players back. It's not fair to judge the current team with so many players out. Give it a couple of months.

[MattW]

Gee I must have been watching a different game. Cunningham ultra soft. Marsh under pressure is hopeless. Jack has been terrible and Smith cost us 3 goals with terrible kicks and poor tackling.

I was watching the same game as Scottee. Cunningham topped the tackle count and Marsh was our best defender.

[Foreign Legion]

This season will be a write off by the time we get all the players back. It's not fair to judge the current team with so many players out. Give it a couple of months.

Exactly!