Round 5 Vs West Coast Eagles

[MattW]

I know he's in poor form, but it's hard to know what to do about it. He was a skillful young player, who kicked well and took a strong mark. I don't think that just disappears. Our coaches have to find a solution.

We can't criticize all our players and drop them all, or we just won't have a team. Something has to be done to improve their weaknesses.

I thought we moved the ball well at times, even under heavy pressure. We need to keep at it until we can do it consistently well. It doesn't make it easy when we don't have any forward targets and the opposition is getting first use at most stoppages. Our contested work wasn't too flash either.

I suspect his one-on-one defending and decision-making (whether with ball on hand on the mark, tackling, or passing in traffic) is not good enough for defence. I guess you could try to train that into him, but that's a lot of effort with a decent chance of it not sticking. He's not going to win enough ball in the midfield or on the wing. He's played his best footy forward, probably as a third tall with Buddy/genuine key forward in the team. Also, Heeney is a better version in the role. I don't know, maybe in this under-sized team we could play him forward out of the goal-square, although, again, I think Papley has been better in that role than Hayward would be.

[barry]

I think it's official: We are a rabble.

[Nico]

I know he's in poor form, but it's hard to know what to do about it. He was a skillful young player, who kicked well and took a strong mark. I don't think that just disappears. Our coaches have to find a solution.

We can't criticize all our players and drop them all, or we just won't have a team. Something has to be done to improve their weaknesses.

I thought we moved the ball well at times, even under heavy pressure. We need to keep at it until we can do it consistently well. It doesn't make it easy when we don't have any forward targets and the opposition is getting first use at most stoppages. Our contested work wasn't too flash either.

I don't think he has been the same since he got his jaw broken.

[goswannies]

I think it's official: We are a rabble.

The Crows are a rabble.

We are a team whose entire ruck division and tall forward contingent is completely decimated by injury and resorting to covering the deficiencies with undersized and inexperienced kids. On top of this, the midfield is probably transitioning. Perspective and tolerance might be prudent during this unprecedented season. The boys will be inconsistent. But there is potential for improvement and growth and that we can salvage some development of the list over the rest of the season, in preparation for 2021.

[Markwebbos]

Everyone - I believe - wants 2020 to be a year that moves us closer to a premiership. We disagree about how...

So assuming 2020 is a write off, what should we do from here?

[Blood Fever]

The Crows are a rabble.

We are a team whose entire ruck division and tall forward contingent is completely decimated by injury and resorting to covering the deficiencies with undersized and inexperienced kids. On top of this, the midfield is probably transitioning. Perspective and tolerance might be prudent during this unprecedented season. The boys will be inconsistent. But there is potential for improvement and growth and that we can salvage some development of the list over the rest of the season, in preparation for 2021.

Good post and too many on here ready to sink the botts in. Gleefully in some cases.

[waswan]

Agree we are not a rabble, we have injuries in areas we cant cover.

However, we are playing guys in front of others for no good reason and we continue to play guys out of position.

The only thing we are going to get out of Heeney playing forward is Mark of the Year, put him in the midfield, he can be elite, same for Mills.

[Melbourne_Blood]

The call for ‘play the kids’ is a bit tiresome. We are playing the kids, probably more than we should be to be competitive, but we don’t have much of a choice. You only have to look at the Suns history and carlton of a few years ago to see that playing a side too heavy on youth and thin on experience can really damage a teams progress and confidence. We don’t want to develop a losing culture and forget how to win. If Stephens was ready he’d be playing, he obviously isn’t. Same with Gould. I don’t see the need to rush these guys.

Didn’t see the game but the Eagles needed a win badly and they are (on paper) one of the best teams in the comp. we were ripe for the picking, and they put us away. Not a surprise, and we didn’t cop a severe hiding.

Richmond will probably do the same to us next week, but we will have a crack and we don’t roll over.


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[Ralph Dawg]

Agree we are not a rabble, we have injuries in areas we cant cover.

However, we are playing guys in front of others for no good reason and we continue to play guys out of position.

The only thing we are going to get out of Heeney playing forward is Mark of the Year, put him in the midfield, he can be elite, same for Mills.

There was a moment late in the 4th when Heeney won a clearance and kicked with precision to hit Paps on the chest for a subsequent goal. I agree that he could be elite as could Mills. If we could stem the bleeding in the middle, then we take the pressure off both ends.... ... ....

[Captain]

There was a moment late in the 4th when Heeney won a clearance and kicked with precision to hit Paps on the chest for a subsequent goal. I agree that he could be elite as could Mills. If we could stem the bleeding in the middle, then we take the pressure off both ends.... ... ....

Exactly. Mills is needed down back because the ball is always down there. If we fix our midfield then that won't happen as much!

[KTigers]

Exactly. Mills is needed down back because the ball is always down there. If we fix our midfield then that won't happen as much!

Agreed. Mills is a defender and a good one at that. Let's not mess up the program any more than we have to. With no rucks and a
struggling midfield, we need our best defenders defending. The ball is going to be coming in there a lot this year.

[snajik]

The last fortnight has also seen a dip in form from Florent. His first three games were very good, he was winning a lot of inside ball and his decision making and delivery were sharp which was really helping in the midfield. Hopefully he finds his groove again soon.

[waswan]

Floreant is having the same issues Zak Jones had last year, he is breaking lines and looking up at no options

He is fine, getting the ball and taking the game on, also alot tougher at the ball than last year. He is tracking well

[0918330512]

Floreant is having the same issues Zak Jones had last year, he is breaking lines and looking up at no options

He is fine, getting the ball and taking the game on, also alot tougher at the ball than last year. He is tracking well

Another difference is Ollie isn’t pouty & grumpy, doesn’t turn the ball over as much, gives away fewer free kicks and doesn’t like the trip to Melbourne to spend time with the tribunal people.

[Mountain Man]

You only have to look at the Suns history and carlton of a few years ago to see that playing a side too heavy on youth and thin on experience can really damage a teams progress and confidence.

How many top 10 draft picks have they both had over the last 5-10 years, but they are still struggling to be competitive and consistent. Those draft picks are performing no better than our list who are comparable in age and experience. If Stephens and Gould and Warner etc are to be blooded with games lets be sure they are not bloodied as well