“Light years from”? We may not be quite there but a lot of our games this year in the second half of the season were up there with the manic pressure. It’s the skills that let us down at present not the desire or are any perceived lack of pressure and attack.
1 Like
This is turning into a match day thread (of which I am guilty of).
Think some people need to have a lay down after last night’s game before posting.
2 Likes
Collingwood and Melbourne have brought the Richmond style of play this year, in a timely manner, and it’s paying off. Are we gonna follow that to a tee and find other teams have found a way to counter it in 2019?
We need to 100% commit to our group’s dynamic, hopefully add some icing over this trade season, and continue buying in to what our coaching group are aiming for, praying that it’s gonna be ahead of the game.
We weren’t ready this year. I don’t think we will be able to offer up many excuses next year. We are due, and the real rage will come if we fark up 2019.
2 Likes
No.
It was improved after round 8. Much improved.
But it wasn’t even close to Collingwoods level last night. Or Melbourne’s the last two weeks. Or Richmond’s all year.
I’m 31 and haven’t been able to drink a beer at a winning essendon final. (AFL)
I’ve been jealous long before last night.
6 Likes
I was paralytic the night before the 2000 gf. Had a sleep at 3qt.
My mate came in to check on me every time we kicked a point. He was in a lot.
1 Like
Also can someone please correct the spelling in the title because it’s bugging me
2 Likes
Hah, I hadn’t even notliced.
Honestly I hope west coast win so everyone stops with the “manic pressure” narrative.
It’s been a ■■■■ couple of years where no team is really any good, coupled with a ridiculous prefinals bye, has reduced the season to a case of peaking at the right time.
3 Likes
Yeah because finals have never been about peaking at the right time
(I agree mostly, btw)
2 Likes
The pre finals bye has evened up the finals series and opened up where teams can it win from. No chance they’ll ditch it.
But it doesn’t reward the top 4 teams who win the qualifying finals, 1 game in 3 weeks isn’t good for teams. Tigers last night, cats against swans a couple of years back
2 Likes
You really don’t need elitely skilled mids anymore. I reckon the game is slowly turning again to big men making a large impact on games. Midfielders just need to be able to smother the oppositions midfielders, have one or two extractors, one or two classy runners, and the rest can just be those good average types who will apply pressure for the whole game… Which is why I feel Bagley hasn’t completely been phased out yet.
I look at that list and maybe bar Smith, Zach and Walla, I just don’t reckon we have the midfield that can blanket an opposition midfield out of the game. We need to cull our current midfield list to a couple of key insiders, a couple of key outsiders, a winger or two, and the rest need to be trained as pressure beasts.
That’s why Mutch has a role to play next year… and probably Clarke. Drafting some fit mature agers from the VFL/SANFL/Wafl who can run hard, are disciplined and can kick 30 metres to a team mate (Guelfi) should also be a priority. Mihocek, Maynard, Crisp (former Brisbane spud)… how good are they? Units who can run and play a role. … we’ve got a couple in the twos that just need another preseason in the gym.
Harden up.
Hibbo and Melky are up to their eyeballs in a Prelim today. Get behind them.
Go Bombers 2019!
4 Likes
Interesting.
I just wish one day we have see ball, get ball, kick to behemoth in goal square, goal. Some old dear waving a scarf off the terraces.
Maybe this zoning thing will cure it.
Footy today just sucks as a spectacle.
Yup, so stupid of us not finish 13th!
You should be able to change it yourself.
Though yep burning jealousy should be right, our team this year had enough talent to have been playing in these games, whatever it was that went so wrong that lead to our pre-season/ early season awfulness I hope has been or is in the process of being truly and honestly dissected, players, coaches, performance staff and all.
1 Like
Collingwood level last night was barely reached by Collingwood all year.
2 Likes
The crap about the bye is just a furphy. The bye didn’t affect Richmond or Adelaide last year.