Now I know why Mrs Bomb refused to predict the outcome of this game; she didn’t want to spoil my anticipation and excitement. She watched the match beside me but was more interested in playing Words With Friends. She enjoyed the light show after the game - what an amazing stadium!
We couldn’t get our run and carry game going tonight as the Dockers shut that down with their constant extreme pressure. Maybe we were out-coached or outplayed but we never gave up and we hung in there. I’m disappointed we lost but at least we weren’t blown away.
We still have issues with moving the ball when pressure is applied. When you have a gameplan that relies on it well it has to be above average. We need some sort of better training for this.
You’re kidding yourself if everyone was happy last week.
What we dished up for 3 quarters skill wise was pathetic. You give them grace being first game in, but for ■■■■■ sake tonight’s was even worse.
Got to love seasoned senior players going at ~50% efficiency. And probably ~15% in marking contests.
How we only lost that game by 15 points is beyond me.
Hey guys, new to Blitz. Read it on a couple of occasions for news/opinions etc. Overseas at the moment so need to express my rage somewhere.
First of all, am loving the first two games of Stewart and Begley. Both are running well and tackling hard, and exactly where they should be given the number of games they have played. Bellcho, McKenna and Smith were also good. And while Stringer isn’t tearing games apart, he is tackling hard and trying hard, which is enough for now, as he adapts to a new team and position. Continue the midfield experiment.
Otherwise, really disappointed. Haven’t liked the game plan (or the way it is being executed) over the last two games and preseason. Attended two games. The boys are crowding stoppages to outnumber the opposition, but getting slaughtered on the turnover, because they are all too close together. This is not a sustainable strategy. When you have a team of highly talented players - which we now do - you should try to find them 1 on 1 situations where possible, to exploit this advantage.
In terms of individual performances, Langford was the worst on two weeks in a row. He adds nothing to the midfield mix, with no standout traits. He cannot tackle (he just slides down opponents) and is a slow mover and decision-maker. Played on Fyfe on several occasions, and while I don’t expect him to win many contests, he was caught several times not being focused, and pushed off the ball. After 32 games, he should be more professional, and has had enough of a chance. If Myers of Fantasia are fit, they must come in for him. If not, give new blood a chance. Great teams are constantly giving new players a chance. Look at the Swans and the number of debutants they have every year, despite having a strong list. Bring in Clarke, Guelfi or Houlahan. It only takes 6 games to give those three two games each, one at a time, and give the coaching staff a lot more to consider.
We have been mediocre for so long that even the clubs we have laughed at for being standard bearers of mediocrity (Sydney, Footscray, Richmond, Hawthorn [before commenting on this last, go back and review the comments posted in the “line in the sand game” thread]) have won flags while we have not won a final - or even just played well in a final - for longer than any other club in the competition.
Yet, year after year, decade after decade, nothing changes. We get new players in, and they seem to be affected by the culture of mediocrity that is established at EFC. Play well enough not to be judged in the bottom 2 or 3 players that will be churned off the list and you will get your contract renewed and you will be paid more than most EFC supporters could ever expect to earn.
Many of us have been pointing this out for more than 10 years now but nothing changes. (And getting shot down by the Pollyannas of BB doesn’t change either).
Also I don’t think Tippa has played a pair of poor games for us like the last 2 since he debuted. Why was he not thrown to HB or something to get involved in the game and give us some clean use of the footy? Would have solved 2 problems.
We were outflanked, looked very flakey tonight, lethargic, had the type of body language which annoyed me. Joe with tape on his leg looked out of his character and made me wish the sub rule could be brought back specifically for myself by a Gil AFL on the fly clause, so I could thump about five guys with my stealth but boney knuckles before being carted off myself to a Perth hospital for being totally obnoxious. Thus ending my one game career with zero possessions but twenty weeks suspension. Kinda like Phil Carman but we’d have won and I could retire happily on a positive note, we wouldn’t be whingeing and I’d be high as a kite for a couple days recovering as an unsung hero, EB’s would be smuggled into hospital for the next few days while I recovered. Josh Green would send Christmas cards to me for the win on his 100th milestone game.
We were too tall at both ends of the ground. The three tall forwards looks great (when it works), however, when it doesn’t work, we need a plan B. For example, push Hooker back. We couldn’t do that tonight, as we were stacked down back with three tall defenders and there wasn’t a logical match up for him anyway.
In fact, we played 10 blokes (191cm-201cm). Freo had eight. Take out our ruck, Belly (201cm) and our mid types, BJ (193cm), Stringer (192cm) & Langers (191cm), we still played with six tall players - Joey (200cm), Jimmy (198cm), Hooker (197cm), Hearts (198cm), Brown (196cm), Hurley (193cm). Take out their ruck, Sandi, as well as Mundy & Fyfe, and they had four talls. Pearce (200cm), Taberner (199cm), Johnson (195cm) and Hamling (194cm). Clear as day, we went in too tall tonight. Poor selection. Needed two shorter/ running type players tonight.
Final comment: I went into this game hoping things might be changing, but fearing that wouldn’t… Not only looking at the same bullshit we’ve seen for…? Staring into our longest premiership drought in our history. Buckle up. This IS HISTORY making football.
Hooker hasn’t played back for so long that I wonder if he can play there now. Even if he is put there and he happens to be beaten there will be excuses that he will need time to settle.