Match Day Rnd. 6. Carlton V Sydney. MCG 14.10 pm.

[Markwebbos]

Horse is clearly not telling the players internally "we need to play better". He has said there are lots of problems, Just hasn't aired that in public.

Nor do we know how the players are being coached. They may be defaulting to what they know rather than playing differently as instructed.

But it's not working and something needs to change. Just not sure where you'd start?

[Merdo5555]

With the talent we had on the field we should beat a very poor Carlton side with the right strategy/approach. Yes we played a lot of youngsters but so did Carlton. Something much more fundamental is wrong and in the end the only big change we can make is the coach. We may not be great but we aren't as bad as 0 and 6.

Of all the years to fall away...its absolutely spoiling the joy of watching Hawthorn implode!

[Ludwig]

All the comments about poor recruiting, trading, trade bans, Mummy, Mitchell and game plan are off the mark and not responsible for how we've gone this season. Whether we are a team in transition or rebuilding, choose whatever term you like, but we needed our senior players to stand up and play well while the younger ones came through. A combination of poor form and injury haven't allowed this to happen. There also seems to be a lack of passion and effort from too many players.

We need to play 3 tall defenders. My choice is Talia, Melican and Aliir. Newman, Rampe (when he returns) and Smith can complete the backline for now, with some help from Jones and Marsh. Lloyd and Mills to start playing mostly through the midfield.

Once Rampe and Robbo come back we can try a few different things.

[stevoswan]

I see 2014 as the one we blew. We just didn't turn up that day. Last year we did but were hampered by injuries and corrupt umpiring. Infact, had it not been for the corrupt umpires we would have won.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if the players are scarred from the poor umpiring. Last year and especially in the GF they were constantly penalized for being first to the ball. Why be first to the ball if the umpires don't reward you?

I agree entirely. The players seem defeated already, as if there's no point to be busting their gut for their efforts to be spat on at finals time by a league that seems to sanction prejudicial cheating and biased favouritism......and delivering 'fairytales' and 'great stories'. We were once the 'great story', now we're just the enemy........

[Scottee]

I was thinking that it would be nice to bring in some experienced players next week but the choice is Talia and Towers if Tippet is not fit, that's it! That is unless you class Aliir as experienced.The cupboard is bare!

Can't help thinking though that we would have been much better off with Towers and Aliir today.




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[Jonesy94]

Hi guys whats happening to the teeam? I noticed theres no spirit in the guys and a few of them just dont seem to be interested? Is there something going on between some players? Theres no heart and theres no way we are this bad! Something is up.

[Swanny40519]

I agree we need to make some changes.

Josh looks like he is carrying the world on his shoulders - put him in the forwards and run Mills, Jones, Heeney, Hanners, Hewitt through the centre.

Put Aliir at CHF and Talia, Melican as the key back positions.

Leave Buddy at Full Forward and stop stuffing around with him playing on the ball. Does not work.

[Markwebbos]

Last year was out big chance, and we blew it.

Someone said earlier on this thread that we overachieved last year. And I completely agree. Brought in lots of kids and still made the GF whilst "rebuilding on the run" was extraordinary. Don't think we blew it. Think it was an anomaly and we should be very grateful.

Last year we only managed it because the senior players played out of their skins week in week out.

This year the loss of Mitchell (top possession winner in the entire AFL) and falloff in Jack has left too much to Kennedy / Parker / Hanners. Heeney will step up. Hewitts doing OK. Lloyd is playing very well this year.

But a game plan based on controlling possession won't work unless you do. We have to improve our ball movement.

Season is done. We may as well look to the future... although we are already playing a young team I'm not sure what would change?

Who should be dropped prior to next week based on today's performance? Who is there to come in? Would playing Tippett have made a difference?

[aardvark]

It would be interesting to find out what really went on after the GF and if it's the reason for the lack of effort and spirit.

Why did Tippett not play today?

[Markwebbos]

Hi guys whats happening to the teeam? I noticed theres no spirit in the guys and a few of them just dont seem to be interested? Is there something going on between some players? Theres no heart and theres no way we are this bad! Something is up.

They have just had the worst start for nearly 25 years. That's going to be a huge factor. They need a win and I think they'll see things differently. It must be way way worse coming off a GF with high expectations and then going 0-6.

[Jonesy94]

Its very noticeable how slow we have become. How did this happen between GF? We were never fast but now we look really slooooow. We dotn have a spread and we give ther players a good 5m. Heavy legs.
That slowness seems to put us under unnecessary pressure and we turn it over.

[Markwebbos]

I'm going to stick my neck out and say Swans will beat Brisbane next week.

(Can't believe I just wrote that... what's happened Swannies?)

[stevoswan]

One of my biggest 'head scratchers' is......Brett Kirk! When he returned after the 2014 season, I thought "he's the man to get the 'Spirit of the Bloods' back on track".......and while we didn't drop off AND made last years GF, the 'spirit' now seems lost. We have talent....the fact that it's not coming to the fore atm has more to do with what's going on between the players ears than anything and this is where I thought Kirk's presence would shine. Apparently not. As a stand alone coach, his message may get through better and he may have a better game plan as well but as an assistant, I thought his 'mind influence' would be greater.........

[annew]

Papley!!! We continue to un do good play with baffling decisions going inside 50! And these bloke are paid hundreds of thousands to perform!

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Maybe they are paid hundreds of thousands but after seeing Rohan's injury I think they are worth it. Hell I would want hundreds and thousands if I was risking being paralysed or brain damaged.

[Jonesy94]

It would be interesting to find out what really went on after the GF and if it's the reason for the lack of effort and spirit.

Why did Tippett not play today?

Something is up amongs the players. Hanners is putting in but he looks disinterested and parker in skating on ice doesnt do much. Theres a terrible aura around the seniors players atm not a good vibe that i am sensing. Somethings going on among the core senior group i rekon.