Round 18: Swans v Cats

[0918330512]

We should have won that one. they are the strongest finishing team in the AFL. So we really had to make them pay early and didn't. Far too many missed opportunities. Paps 1.5 and one OOB. Hayward running into goal to kick from 20 and stops to a walk, U'9s @@@@. They are a mature strong unit and they were always going to come hard. We are a young side and were always going to fade. Our disposal went right off in the last. Same with decision making. This is fatigue. But between the players and coaches they did not help themselves. Going the long way home. Going defensive and putting a player back left us one down at the coalface. That helped them no end and allowed them to keep the ball in our defence for long periods and we had to attack from the fullback line. That really tires a side out, young payers especially. We do not have those hardened players who can run all day like Pebbles, Goodsie, Macca, Mal, Crouchie & co any more. We are relying on young inexperienced players in their first to third years.

A win would have given RWO 24 hours of joyous posting and made almost not difference to the Club in the context of the H&A season of 2020.

A loss (and an honourable one at that) gave us pick 3 instead of pick 5 and potentially a brighter future for the next decade.

Best result we could have asked for IMO

[barry]

Toby Grub’s actions weren’t ever kicking in danger. There was rarely an attempt to kick the ball by Toby. It was always a fend off with a sole full of studs. And a disgraceful and dangerous act.

Still, I expect little more from Toby, his manufactured club or the GW$ supporters who defend his actions

It's ok to be biased and illogical on a fan forum, but I gave at least half a dozen examples of studs up 'great' marks from the past at the time this all happened.
The problem was that the AFL already had sufficient rules to cover the incident, and by making a new one just made the game worse for everyone.

[Captain]

I have all the love for Jordan Dawson.

He is an absolute jet with sublime kicking skills, a good pair of hands, plenty of speed and buckets of courage. Brings it every week too.

[AnnieH]

Great game. Not much I could fault, other than they just run out of legs in the final quarter. Gives me hope for next year.
We really should have won that and let them miss out on a top four position. We're too nice guy.
Missed opportunities in front of goal cost us dearly.

[Blood Fever]

I have all the love for Jordan Dawson.

He is an absolute jet with sublime kicking skills, a good pair of hands, plenty of speed and buckets of courage. Brings it every week too.

Agree. Great decision maker as well.

[i'm-uninformed2]

I agree on the decision making. I think what happens he doesn't take the first option and gets himself into trouble, and hence is under pressure when kicking at times.
Many times he doesn't run in a straight line when he should. Goes sideways a lot and tries to take on the player in a wrong situation. Should be able to get the decision making right.

A slightly different take. He often uses his step and evasiveness to clear from congestion or step a man - which is good. But then rather than go ping, he keeps trying to do it again. And then gets jammed up.

[Blood Fever]

A slightly different take. He often uses his step and evasiveness to clear from congestion or step a man - which is good. But then rather than go ping, he keeps trying to do it again. And then gets jammed up.

Spot on. First or second option should be taken, not third or fourth. Wonder, though, whether he just lacks game sense and vision.

[RogueSwan]

... We're too nice guy ...

At least the Weagles only get one home game

[Ludwig]

Pick Three .... Papley

Shows that he has a future in list management. We'll thank him next year.

I see that adulations are already pouring in.

Was this Papley's greatest ever performance? And I do mean performance.

It was strange how everything turned out just right on our final day of footy this year.

[Mountain Man]

To add to the positive reviews of the game, I want to record one for the coaches.

Yes the players performed, but they performed to a plan which we seem to recognise as a Plan B, and as one that is both exciting and likely lead to successful results as the playing group mature.

The irony is that Dean Cox was a master ruckman, Stevie J a magician forward and Brett Kirk (apart from being an inspiration) was all about the midfield battle. It is the Ruck and Forward line and Clearances that remain the "work in progress".

So, congratulations to Horse for turning the game style around, and utilising his coaches so effectively.

His coaches interview after the Geelong game was another masterclass in positive and and determined comments, with some real enthusiasm for the benefits of the Hub to the young group. And, dare I say it, some praise for the AFL for getting the season to this stage.

[111431]

So you think it’s OK to jump up and knee a guy in the head whilst the ball is only half way to the contest and then stand there waiting to take an uncontested mark? Somewhere between the obvious free I have outlined above and Warwick Capper is a line where it becomes illegal. “Too Early” the umpire said because the contact was NOT IN THE MARKING CONTEST. Hawkins was back down on the ground when the ball arrived. You could call it a “shove out” or “two actions” but whichever way it was a definite free kick.

I can't understand why nobody seems to think a knee to the head is ok. If it were a bump he would be copping weeks for a deliberate hit to the head. if the AFL is serious about protecting the head, the obvious examples, like yesterday, are clearly in breach of their policy

[111431]

The way the team played yesterday was exciting. at 3/4 time you could actually see the messages written on the white board for the game plan:
- take the game on
- protect the corridor
- manage the clearance exits

they executed the plan well except for parts of the 3rd qtr when they went back to trying to switch the play in the backline. That game plan generally hasn't ended well for us due to poor skill execution

[Captain]

The jury is out on Ryan Clarke for me.

His last few games have been better, in particular the tagging job he did on Neale.

What frustrates me is when he gets the ball. It all turns to hopelessness at that stage and severely lacks decision making ability.

You only need to look at the last quarter - crucial time of the match, was running down the wing, not much pressure on him, Papley (our only forward at that time) leads, he is ignored and Clarke kicks the ball to 2 Cats defenders. I could accept a kick off the side of the boot but it was a pure kick.

The other great example of his poor decision making is to often give the ball to a team mate who is under more pressure (and a turnover results).

[RogueSwan]

... The other great example of his poor decision making is to often give the ball to a team mate who is under more pressure (and a turnover results).

He's not the Lone Ranger there.
This has been one of the my frustrations watching the game this year, hand balling to someone under more pressure than you. I console myself by saying they just need to time gel with each other and get used to the speed of the game.

[Nico]

Spot on. First or second option should be taken, not third or fourth. Wonder, though, whether he just lacks game sense and vision.

All of what I said and you guys said. Gets it right and he is a gun. It's as if he is still playing Under 18's.