Game Day Round 5 vs Crows

[22nd Man]

The biggest issue that will see us fall off the cliff is the draft bust of the RCDs, Dows, Martyn etc. These are the players that should now be taking the reigns but unfortunately they all look like big busts. That means we are now still relying on the ageing legs of Cotch, Edwards and the like. The old timers will get up for some games but after 3 premierships the desire to close down that space or apply that aggressive tackle to win the ball at all costs has waned. Realistically our midfield should have the legs of RCD, Dow and Martyn doing the hard yards with Cotch and Edwards as the cool heads.
Our new batch look the goods and if we play it smart and finish bottom 3 another haul could be on its way. The tricky part will be closing the gap between the age group

The desire may or may not be there but the body and reflexes are shot.

 

[tigermouseau]

Wouldn’t play RCD until VFL form warrants it.

I would play him so we can see what sort of player he can be in the AFL. Some players play much better in afl than vfl (syd stack is also one of these players). Just give him 5 games and see what he brings.

 

[22nd Man]

I honestly don’t understand why they’d make Aarts the sub. He’s a good honest battler at best & that’s all. We are crying out for class, ball winning ability and speed & Aarts isn’t any of those.

I'm an arts bagger at best of times but he's the 95th reason for tonight's debacle.

 

[22nd Man]

Let's keep in mind, we have won 4 games from out last 16 games played.

As said two weeks ago that's close to spoon quality.

 

[leon]

Other reality is Jack & Lynch can no longer play forward together. Opposition run off them - one or the other to partner Balta. If they want Balta to be a key forward then play him as one.

Yes, Jack has almost certainly been allowed to play one season too long (unlike Houli who was at least still getting plenty of the ball and still running at pace); Tom has cymbal hands, clunks an occasional one but about 1 in 5 that he gets hands too, then the goal-kicking of both has fallen away. But what most keeps driving me nuts is how they continually compete against each other. Jack or Tom will bring their opponent to the same marking contest time and time again, so all the oppo talls or ruckman know exactly where our bombs are going time after time.

 

[AstuteTiger]

Just isn't smart enough. And never will be. He cannot dispose of the ball really effectively about 50% of his possessions. We have let two better SFs than him walk out of the club.

I look at Sydney 'Heeney and Parker' damaging half forwards and we have Castagna and Parker who will never be match-winners.

Just on Castagna If he was putting on manic pressure, laying 6 tackles a game, chiming in for 1-to 2 goals by all means keep him in.
I don't know what he brings to the table anymore. A limited player with limited skill set. I check his tackles always low, check his pressure acts; low.
Doesn't have good foot skills (today he was at 50% DE) but dimma plays him religiously.

2017-2020 we were king and our champs and role players were terrific but it's now 2022 and after 2021 we need to adjust or be left behind.

Jack Graham pulls in a big game every now and then. Does he ever get over 20 disposals? Granted he tries his heart out, chases, and tackles but 4 contested possessions and 2 clearances doesn't cut it. We probably don't have enough midfield depth to replace him.

 

[leon]

The most frustrating thing for me, is the cats were even older last year and everyone expected them to completely fall off the cliff for a while now, and it seems they will probably finish top 4 or better again this year. They just never drop down the ladder... even all the comparisons recently with their ageing stars compared to ours ..... the likes of Jack, Cotch, Edwards look completely shot while Hawkins looks like he could go on for another 3-4 years, Selwood has more in the tank aswell. We have just fallen off that cliff so quickly its depressing...

Yes, this is what has bothered me too. It's hard to explain.

 

[Tigers2011]

Yes, Jack has almost certainly been allowed to play one season too long (unlike Houli who was at least still getting plenty of the ball and still running at pace); Tom has cymbal hands, clunks an occasional one but about 1 in 5 that he gets hands too, then the goal-kicking of both has fallen away. But what most keeps driving me nuts is how they continually compete against each other. Jack or Tom will bring their opponent to the same marking contest time and time again, so all the oppo talls or ruckman know exactly where our bombs are going time after time.

Agree 100%

 

[123cups]

All the points 1 2 and 3 could have been made irrelevant by the RFC. The viewing experience would have been fine by me as a consequence. Apologies but I focus a hell of a lot more on us than them.

All true, that's the right attitude to take.

 

[leon]

Don’t be surprised if we win that one.
Reckon Dimma has something cooking for them.

Surprised? I will be amazed. I just hope it's not embarrassing.

 

[Little Ziggyadee]

We lost because we have no pace.
We lost because George and Parker were horrendous.
We lost because Ross needs 3 weeks to make a decision.
We lost because Graham is super slow.
We lost because Jack is finished.
We lost because Lynch doesn't know how to lead to a ball.
We lost because Nakas isn't playing well.
We lost because the 3 of them bent us over.
We lost because Obrein & Walker just play there best game only against us.
It's time to play Collier Dawkins, Stack, Sonie, Biggie because we aren't winning shiit this year.

 

[DavidSSS]

I haven't watched the game, but might do so tomorrow.

But that nagging question arises again - why, if we are playing 2 or 3 tall forwards, why are they not separating? If your tall forwards are all in the same place then you need less tall forwards. The whole point of having more tall forwards is to thin out the defence by separating them so the talls have a chance to mark, pointless otherwise. Plus, I have not seen the game but I would assume Walker was leading out to get marks, he has always done this, likely because it is very effective. Why don't our forwards lead out? I really don't get it.

DS

 

[Tigers2011]

I haven't watched the game, but might do so tomorrow.

But that nagging question arises again - why, if we are playing 2 or 3 tall forwards, why are they not separating? If your tall forwards are all in the same place then you need less tall forwards. The whole point of having more tall forwards is to thin out the defence by separating them so the talls have a chance to mark, pointless otherwise. Plus, I have not seen the game but I would assume Walker was leading out to get marks, he has always done this, likely because it is very effective. Why don't our forwards lead out? I really don't get it.

DS

Our forwards are just too slow David. Plus they just don’t seperate. It’s perplexing & frustrating. Our Inside 50 ball movement hasn’t improved at all.

 

[WildStyle]

Adelaide were getting the ball in quick and we weren't.

 

[KnightersRevenge]

With Tex *smile* & McAdam running loose up forward Balta was running around Tigers forward line. With Grimes out this is where Balta should be down back. Lotta people bagging Parker must not like his tatts or he does not come from South Caulfield.

Parker wasn't great today but those bagging him have short memories. He's a depth player, certainly, but he's deserved his spot up to now. Balta looked gassed part way through the 3rd.

 

[TigerMasochist]

Richmond: Cotchin, Vlastuin, Prestia, Parker, Edwards

Probably the only Richmond players names they remember.
Flossy was good first game back, Cotch Shedda n Prestygiocomo were fairly irrelevant most of the game, momentary cameos not enough n Parker works bloody hard but butchers most of what he does.

 

[graystar1]

Wish I could contribute more to the discussion, but for the life of me I just cannot fathom out our team performances to date.
We go down big time to Carlton, beat finals hope GWS, get smashed by the Saints, defeat the Doggies by almost 6 goals and then compound against the Crows.
Does not make a lot of sense does it?
Hard to tell and see it all, when not at the game.
Telly shows the immediate play and we do not see what is happening around the ground.
Might add here that only scoring 13 frees last night, 2 of whiich were for out on the full, against 33 for Crows does not help.
Is our backline too small and slow?
Should the likes of Edwards, Riewold, Cotchin retire gracefully?
Are there a few who are just not good enough and what to do with them if that is the case?
Can't just toss out a heap of players and bring in all newbies.
A conundrum.
There is no point in bagging certain players.
The selectors pick the best team they can and those players give the best they can when they pull on the jumper.
If not up to standard that is not their fault, and provided they try their best should not be bagged.
My thoughts for the day.

 

[TigerMasochist]

I haven't watched the game, but might do so tomorrow.

But that nagging question arises again - why, if we are playing 2 or 3 tall forwards, why are they not separating? If your tall forwards are all in the same place then you need less tall forwards. The whole point of having more tall forwards is to thin out the defence by separating them so the talls have a chance to mark, pointless otherwise. Plus, I have not seen the game but I would assume Walker was leading out to get marks, he has always done this, likely because it is very effective. Why don't our forwards lead out? I really don't get it.

DS

Because 9 times out of 10 our mids hold up the inside 50 ball until there's a crowd then bang in a long up n under kick so we can bring the ball to ground n lock it in for the crumbers to try n manufacture a goal.
We're still trying to play our old premiership style of footy with an old, tired n under skilled mob n paying no relevance to the new open, high speed, pretty skills game.

 

[tha8ball]

Our skills are horrendous and we no longer can hide it with high pressure chaos footy.

 

[TigerMasochist]

Magoos are playing at 1100 this morning so will have the old telly nicely warmed up. Might even cool some tinnies n create my own atmosphere, probably need it after yesterday's game.
Hoping like hell that some of our youngsters see the opportunity to start creating their senior careers in front of them because there's gotta be changes made at senior level n soon.

Bloody also hoping that Dimma's not just sweating on Grub, Lamblett n Dusty all coming back into the side soon replacing youngsters n that everything will suddenly come up roses. Need to get games into the kids so they know what seniors is all about, need to adjust the game plan to suit the new open n over lap skill game as we get chewed up by almost everyone at the moment. Also desperately need to adjust the discipline n stupidity of our mob big time, we simply invite the maggots to ream us week after week n the bastards just love it.