Match Thread. Richmond, Round 6.

[dejavoodoo44]

Excellent effort, but bit of a crap game. Still, after looking like we were going to get blown away early, there were periods where we were actually on top, but couldn't quite put the Tigers under scoreboard pressure.

I thought Mills playing a sweeper role was really good. And I liked the run and effort of other defenders; Lloyd, Cunningham, Fox, etc. We looked our most dangerous when Rowbottom got the ball.

What was most apparent to me, was how badly our forward line needs a couple of big bodies back. Buddy, Reid, I'll even settle for Sinkers. So many times when a kick was going into forward line, and I looked to see who was under it, it would be Papley or Gray, giving away about 20cms, trying to win the marking contest. I'm also looking forward to seeing what McLean can do, when he doesn't have to ruck and there's some other tall targets.

[Nico]

So, I get the frustration but there was enough there to keep running with.

Rowbottom and Stephens were very good and the latter should get a few games in a row now to settle in. Hayward is a natural footballer and may have found a spot to use his instincts and skills. Blakey finally got moving a bit in the second half, though his kicking is off.

We’re at we’re at in rejuvenating the list and with injuries, but as long as I see kids continuing to step up, I’m ok with the trajectory.

Just have to leave both Stephens and Warner in. I thought Blakey got better as the game went on. He missed 3 gettable goals and if he nailed that one late in the game there was only 2 points in it. Very frustrating because too often he misses these shots when well clear. Seems to run to his left then hook it across his body and stabs it. Otherwise I couldn't question the effort of any player. Even though it was wet our skills let us down again, particularly hand passing.

Today showed me that McLean is a ruckman. Too slow for a key forward or back. Seemed to put himself in the right places. Good old fashion ruckman dropping back into the 50 metre defence zone.

[Nico]

I think people are a bit harsh on Clarke. At least he got where the ball was. 7 kicks 16 hand passes. My observation of him is that when he gets the ball in the clear he doesn't take the first option. He takes a few steps then momentarily props and allows an opponent to make ground on him that makes him dispose of the ball quickly or gets caught. If he cleaned this up he would be a much better footballer.

[Bexl]

Just saw the Hardwick presser what a s*** he actually complained that Sydney tried to stop them scoring what a fuk head

[Melbourne_Blood]

Just have to leave both Stephens and Warner in. I thought Blakey got better as the game went on. He missed 3 gettable goals and if he nailed that one late in the game there was only 2 points in it. Very frustrating because too often he misses these shots when well clear. Seems to run to his left then hook it across his body and stabs it. Otherwise I couldn't question the effort of any player. Even though it was wet our skills let us down again, particularly hand passing.

Today showed me that McLean is a ruckman. Too slow for a key forward or back. Seemed to put himself in the right places. Good old fashion ruckman dropping back into the 50 metre defence zone.

Have to disagree on Maclean. I think pretty much the exact opposite. Today showed me that Maclean is certainly NOT a ruckman ( 5 hit outs for Swans team total this afternoon). Has looked ok forward in previous games , and he looked good down back today I thought when he was down there. . Gets to the right spots and can stick a grab. He’s Key position forward or back potentially, but he ain’t a Ruckman.


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[Nico]

Awarded Richmond a couple of charity shots early, then wasn't that bad after that.

The worst decision of the day was when Martin just dropped the ball on the ground after we got a free. Was clearly a 50 metre penalty not picked up by the officiating umpire or the one up the ground. Then the next play we got a dubious 50, probably a square up.

[Ludwig]

Today showed me that McLean is a ruckman. Too slow for a key forward or back. Seemed to put himself in the right places. Good old fashion ruckman dropping back into the 50 metre defence zone.

He's too slow for a KPP, but he's not much of a ruckman either. I think he has an uphill battle to make it in the AFL.

I think people are a bit harsh on Clarke. At least he got where the ball was. 7 kicks 16 hand passes. My observation of him is that when he gets the ball in the clear he doesn't take the first option. He takes a few steps then momentarily props and allows an opponent to make ground on him that makes him dispose of the ball quickly or gets caught. If he cleaned this up he would be a much better footballer.

Clarke is the kind of player the opposition want to have the ball, because they know a turnover is soon to follow. His movements are just too slow, especially in the modern game with so much pressure coming fast and furious.

[erica]

Just saw the Hardwick presser what a s*** he actually complained that Sydney tried to stop them scoring what a fuk head

Isn't that the point of having a defence? [emoji16]

Means we got under his skin.


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[Nico]

You want a medal? I'll buy you a chest to pin it on. You would have been used to mediocracy then. Because that is whatf South Melbourne were, mediocre. Bottom 4 most years. When they came up to Sydney the hope was for a more successful club. We have achieved that. But we do not want to go back down the bad old road if South Melbourne from 1950 onward. Bottom eight for all but two until we went to Sydney.

Dur there were up and down times in Sydney too. The 1990's when the club was again financially strapped. But in the main it has been a very positive move. Two premiership, finals most years.

Yes we are developing a side. But baffling selection decisions then playing a game that is not only not sustainable it is not a game that wins games. Too defensive and slow. If we are going to lose I would rather we played a style that will eventually lead to our next premiership not some negative, low scoring brand of bull@@@@.

I would rather we played our talls of we have them. Not ask smaller players to take on roles they are not suited to.

In the end we battled hard in a game that was forgettable

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Wolfy, you want to take back that first paragraph. Just because you disagree with someone's post there is no need to sink the boots into the generations of South Melbourne supporters and players. Genuinely condescending and disingenuous words. I bet you wouldn't repeat those words to the likes of Bob Skilton and Peter Bedford. They are only a couple of the many gun players we had and you are pointing the finger directly at these people.

[Matty10]

I thought we were utterly inept today (and yet still nearly won).

For the majority of the game we lacked players willing to take ownership or responsibility for winning the ball. Players gave up front position too easily and didn’t chase hard enough.

Yes, it was an inexperienced side, but I was disappointed with the effort. Rowbottom looked good for parts of the game and his goal was inspiring, but he lacked company.

[Nico]

Just saw the Hardwick presser what a s*** he actually complained that Sydney tried to stop them scoring what a fuk head

He as good as said they didn't let us play like we want to play. You're the coach son, work out a way around it. He and Clarkson have become the supreme whingers of the competition. What did he expect; for us to roll over and let them do what they want. I thought we worked hard all game in trying conditions. He forgets that they had up to 15 players in their forward line when the ball was in there. Another coach aiming for a position in the AFL Head Office after he retires.

[Blood Fever]

Just saw the Hardwick presser what a s*** he actually complained that Sydney tried to stop them scoring what a fuk head

Full of himself and showed an arrogance and disrespect towards us and our injury list.. Swans won't say much but they'll be furious. Richmond and their players have become very big headed.

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I thought we were utterly inept today (and yet still nearly won).

For the majority of the game we lacked players willing to take ownership or responsibility for winning the ball. Players gave up front position too easily and didn’t chase hard enough.

Yes, it was an inexperienced side, but I was disappointed with the effort. Rowbottom looked good for parts of the game and his goal was inspiring, but he lacked company.

Disrespectful comment, especially towards our defenders who toiled tirelessly.

[MattW]

Clarke has a huge tank and a real go but has zero footy smarts

Disagree with the last bit. Was smart enough to put himself in position to win a lot of ball all over the ground. Probably over-handballed, but wasn’t the only one. Played an important role. Good game.

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Sorry but wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong and wrong.

The stench of entitlement is overpowering on this site at times. Or as my wise dad would say spoilt rotten.

Yeah, good post as usual.

[Blood Fever]

Disagree with the last bit. Was smart enough to put himself in position to win a lot of ball all over the ground. Probably over-handballed, but wasn’t the only one. Played an important role. Good game.

Agree. Competes outstandingly but not great decision maker with ball in hand

[MattW]

Stoddardt did a few good things, but a couple of times I thought he could have went in harder. Strange that he seemed to be playing forward flank, for most of the game, when last year he was a back flanker and sometimes winger. Should improve if he gets a few more games, though.

Agree. A couple of non-chases early, but did some intelligent things later and is worth persevering with, to see how he goes when he feels more comfortable and in dry conditions in particular.