Sydney vs North Melbourne

[Ludwig]

Perhaps NM's 2 best games of the year were against us. We did win both, but they put up a very good fight.

I'm not being negative, but there were several things that didn't go well for us. When you put it all together, it took a bit of sheen off a win we had to have. The things that bothered me about the game were:

• Tom McCartin has his worst game I can remember. Larkey was very good and the timing of the delivery to him was excellent. He kicked freakishly well.
• We didn't get much at CBs from our midfielders. Most of our effectiveness, when it happened, was generated from Hickey. We will have to do better.
• A lot of ball just seemed to go the way of North. There were so many opportunities that just escaped us by a whisker.
• 88 points is a big score to give up to the 18th team.
• As noted by some, JMac is out of form.
• I was disappointed with Clarke's game today. The game looked too quick for him at times and I couldn't see what he gave us as a defensive forward.
• I was hoping for a better game from Stephens today. I've not gone off him, but thought he might have done more against a team with several inexperienced outside players.

I suppose that I was thinking ahead to next week's big game and was hoping we would have a top level performance from all our players, especially given how well Collingwood have been playing. But next week is a different game and we will just take it as it comes.

[troyjones2525]

If you think im a hypocrite then fine , not interested to hear what you think of me , only what you think of Jmac . If you dont have an opinion on who we were talking about why bother replying ?

I have faith in JMac to turn it around as he was brilliant at times last year so he definitely has it in him. I don't know if he's not fit or just in poor form but we really need him to get it together going into finals as we can't afford to carry both him, Stephens and a few others if they don't perform.

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[troyjones2525]

Well Carlton our doing us a solid now and have made it very, very tough from here for Brisbane to catch us this week!

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[jono2707]

Clarke certainly had his least effective game this week, but we'll need him next week to try to shut down young Daicos off the Pies' half back.

[wolftone57]

Why do you have to go there , we are talking about Jmac . I am happy to debate with you . Explain this to me , everyone saw what Jmac can do , this yr and especially last . Ok hes out of form and he had injury . So what ! People talk like he has lost it completely and is no good . He deserves better than that after what he has shown surely . A bit of faith

Why do you give JMac so much leniency when you would not do the same for Rowie?

[TheBloods]

I have faith in JMac to turn it around as he was brilliant at times last year so he definitely has it in him. I don't know if he's not fit or just in poor form but we really need him to get it together going into finals as we can't afford to carry both him, Stephens and a few others if they don't perform.

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Yes , thank you . Sensible reply .

My opinion is there is no one better in the vfl to do what Jmac does and we have bigger problems than him . Say hes out of form fine , but its the ignoring everything he has done before that upsets me .

[MattW]

It's pretty hard to stay up at the peak for every game. We won by six goals. Next week is the big one. Win next week and conceding the last three goals today doesn't matter.

[The Big Cat]

Clarke has to go. Handful of possessions and one tackle. Missed a sitter and stuffed up a couple of thrusts forward when he was on the end of a chain of possessions. Not sure who he played on but their back flankers ran the ball out pretty well.

[troyjones2525]

Perhaps NM's 2 best games of the year were against us. We did win both, but they put up a very good fight.

I'm not being negative, but there were several things that didn't go well for us. When you put it all together, it took a bit of sheen off a win we had to have. The things that bothered me about the game were:

• Tom McCartin has his worst game I can remember. Larkey was very good and the timing of the delivery to him was excellent. He kicked freakishly well.
• We didn't get much at CBs from our midfielders. Most of our effectiveness, when it happened, was generated from Hickey. We will have to do better.
• A lot of ball just seemed to go the way of North. There were so many opportunities that just escaped us by a whisker.
• 88 points is a big score to give up to the 18th team.
• As noted by some, JMac is out of form.
• I was disappointed with Clarke's game today. The game looked too quick for him at times and I couldn't see what he gave us as a defensive forward.
• I was hoping for a better game from Stephens today. I've not gone off him, but thought he might have done more against a team with several inexperienced outside players.

I suppose that I was thinking ahead to next week's big game and was hoping we would have a top level performance from all our players, especially given how well Collingwood have been playing. But next week is a different game and we will just take it as it comes.

Totally agree with your assessment here especially your comments on Clarke.

Aaron Hall got far too much of the ball for someone who was being tagged as a half back! Clarke has done his job most weeks so I'm not off him yet but I would like him to hit the scoreboard a little more too as well as close down the opposition's best ball user off half back.

If he gets another chance let's hope he comes through next week!

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[stevoswan]

Blues are kicking a few in the last to hopefully keep Brisbane in fifth.

[Nico]

Hes out of form , you dont have to hang the kid ! He will come good , the great talents always do . Wouldnt help if he knew the faithful were slagging him off . He did his knee , rd 1 do you remember that ? He is 21 for gods sake , you obviously never played with an injury before !

I had a quad injury for 8 weeks and couldn't play. I know what it is like to recover and play from an injury. But who am I to argue with someone who knows everything. How do you know he is playing with an injury? There I go again, having a differing opinion than someone who knows everything.

[stevoswan]

If you think im a hypocrite then fine , not interested to hear what you think of me , only what you think of Jmac . If you dont have an opinion on who we were talking about why bother replying ?

Because you're lack of self awareness is very frustrating to many.... and we'd just like to help you out with this flaw. It's obvious you don't want to look within...if so, that's fine. I'll move on.....until next time.

On Jmac, he is sadly out of form, which is frustrating as we all know how good he can be....so injury or no injury, he needs to lift his game. That is a fact....and it's not bringing him down to point that out.

Having said that, he won't be dropped.

[AB Swannie]

Clarke didn’t shut down Hall as well as he has other half backs. Hall may just have a yard of pace more than his other recent opponents. I’d be happy to play him again though as I think Nick Daicos is a good opponent for him next week.

On the positive, I thought Logan showed a few things that sets him apart from Amartey and McLean. His groundball get and slick handball to Papley for our 2nd goal (I think) was outstanding. His running up and down the field was also strong as highlighted by that defensive play.

[MattW]

Six Carlton goals to Brisbane's nil in the last. Percentage gap very safe.

[Agent 86]

Six Carlton goals to Brisbane's nil in the last. Percentage gap very safe.

Wow. Massive comeback. Gonna run out of time - but will be close