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What is our biggest problem right now? (poll)
- Thread starter Tigers of Old
- Start date
Good poll. Number one is injuries, closely followed by coaching/game plan.
Injuries - OK, not much you can do about that and we'd clearly be in much better shape on the ladder with Lynch/Gibcus/Tarrant etc available.
Dimma's extended break OS during preseason looks bad in retrospect, and perhaps the assistantts ain't up to it. The failure last year to win any close games at all has been mirrored this year. We haven't adapted. We didn't learn from those close losses. Player discipline is still deplorable. That's on Dimma, ultimately. Some bizarre experiments have gone totally wrong - Cotchin forward/back, Pickett forward last week so Sonz got torched on the wing, etc etc.
The defence is copping flack but it's not down to them, given the frequency even a Suns side gets the ball into our forward fifty - the more it's there, the more chance our defenders stuff up.
Injuries - OK, not much you can do about that and we'd clearly be in much better shape on the ladder with Lynch/Gibcus/Tarrant etc available.
Dimma's extended break OS during preseason looks bad in retrospect, and perhaps the assistantts ain't up to it. The failure last year to win any close games at all has been mirrored this year. We haven't adapted. We didn't learn from those close losses. Player discipline is still deplorable. That's on Dimma, ultimately. Some bizarre experiments have gone totally wrong - Cotchin forward/back, Pickett forward last week so Sonz got torched on the wing, etc etc.
The defence is copping flack but it's not down to them, given the frequency even a Suns side gets the ball into our forward fifty - the more it's there, the more chance our defenders stuff up.
ALL our senior players have declined, even those in the 28 to 30 year bracket.
This when the most recent premiers fielded the oldest teams in history.
Why???
This when the most recent premiers fielded the oldest teams in history.
Why???
This is a really big question.
Did they collectively stop believing in Dimma's messaging after the personal issues?
Authenticity is an important element in any relationship.
The front would have been business as usual but you can't help but wonder given how things have unfolded since.
Doesnt help when they return to pre-season just prior to Christmas. The only player I can think of that were there from November was Lynch. His start to the season before injury hit showed he had the km's in his legs.
Thats got nothing to do with it. Its preparation or lack of.
I think our philosophy has been to nurse them through the season to get 18 or so games out of them. But its back fired. Resting Jack against the Dogs cost us 4 points.
You're definitive a lot. I don't know but am just posing the question. It may even be subconscious.
Injuries have been horrendous but I didn’t put it as a key reason because quite simply, this side should still be playing better with who they are throwing out on the park regardless. That side on Sunday should have easily accounted for a weak GC team. No excuses.
Our game plan (whatever it actually is) doesn’t match our skill set, we’ve been out coached a couple of times, there appears a lack of hunger. Strange selections.
Forward line would be better with Lynch, but still, it’s slow, and can’t keep the ball in there and score from dirty opportunities. And it misses what opportunities it does get with terrible execution at times.
I’d throw another one in there: turnovers from defensive transition or, you can just throw it into the *smile* disposal bucket if you like.
Our game plan (whatever it actually is) doesn’t match our skill set, we’ve been out coached a couple of times, there appears a lack of hunger. Strange selections.
Forward line would be better with Lynch, but still, it’s slow, and can’t keep the ball in there and score from dirty opportunities. And it misses what opportunities it does get with terrible execution at times.
I’d throw another one in there: turnovers from defensive transition or, you can just throw it into the *smile* disposal bucket if you like.
I am not definitive TOO. I am just putting forward what I can see. Pre-season preparation is key to any athlete. We have gone too cute on this one. We gone too far down the Cats model hoping it works for us.
Lets see how Prestia comes back this week with a week off. Their theory suggests he should be running on top of the ground.
Our forward line has been dysfunctional because of Lynch but more so our cupboard is so bare when it comes to quality small forwards. FFS we have resorted to Mansell! This is another clear oversight from our recruiting team. All good to give guys like Butler, Higgins etc opportunity at other clubs, but you still need to ensure your list is capable of filling that hole.
Cheese Sandwich. For mine it's the senior players all being down. Whether that's coaching, or mental attitude, or something else, I don't know. But we have got the old guard that stands up and delivers when the kids are up and down in form, as kids are.
We haven't been the same since Emma moved to Queensland.
We haven't been the same since Emma moved to Queensland.
Lack of run is a major factor IMO.
It was obvious in 2021 once the stand rule came in..Sydney for one ran us ragged..we were slow.
Losing Lambert and Houli and Edwards .. along with age loss of run in Cotch Dustin Grimes Prestia. .and loss or deterioration in George and Buttler...and playing slow players like Aarts. ..have lead us to be plodders. We look like witches hats.
Compare this with Pies Dogs Swans ..now Crows.
We are slow and everything falls like dominoes after that.
Pies have shown that you do not have to be tall or super skilled or have multiple champions..Cats have this...but pace and fittness and desire can win over and over again..regardless of the opposition.
Tigers need to target pace...you do not have to have multiple high draft picks to get this.
Pace does not need a complex game plan..but it needs a full buy in and a team full of runners.
Its the only way out of our current situation I think..and it can be done. We still have Lynch and Nank Hopper and Taranto Balta and Gibcus Bolton and Rioli.
That core can be surrounded by a dozen runners ie Clarke types.
Thats my take.
It was obvious in 2021 once the stand rule came in..Sydney for one ran us ragged..we were slow.
Losing Lambert and Houli and Edwards .. along with age loss of run in Cotch Dustin Grimes Prestia. .and loss or deterioration in George and Buttler...and playing slow players like Aarts. ..have lead us to be plodders. We look like witches hats.
Compare this with Pies Dogs Swans ..now Crows.
We are slow and everything falls like dominoes after that.
Pies have shown that you do not have to be tall or super skilled or have multiple champions..Cats have this...but pace and fittness and desire can win over and over again..regardless of the opposition.
Tigers need to target pace...you do not have to have multiple high draft picks to get this.
Pace does not need a complex game plan..but it needs a full buy in and a team full of runners.
Its the only way out of our current situation I think..and it can be done. We still have Lynch and Nank Hopper and Taranto Balta and Gibcus Bolton and Rioli.
That core can be surrounded by a dozen runners ie Clarke types.
Thats my take.
Hamburger with the lot. Might make em hungry again. I think it's right across the board. Coaching, skills, discipline, hunger, recruitment etc etc. Apart from giving my money for membership I won't be going to see the rubbish they are serving up. Gone from best run outfit in competition to a rabble
I don't think you can pinpoint 1 major issue, its almost a collective.
1 - Injuries have impacted
2 - Playing players out of position to accomodate them
3 - Midfield mix
All of the above are leading to a lack of connection throughout the team, which is leading to the way we are moving the ball, which looks so disjointed. The times when it clicks, we've looked great, its just those times haven't been seen enough due to the above issues.
I think hunger is a copout personally. No-one goes out there without a will to win, these are professional sports people. I know that even for me (and I'm no pro) I absolutely HATE to lose, whether I'm spectating or playing, and I imagine for a pro its even higher, so I reckon the "hunger" chat is just media / supporters spiel but its never actually real.
1 - Injuries have impacted
2 - Playing players out of position to accomodate them
3 - Midfield mix
All of the above are leading to a lack of connection throughout the team, which is leading to the way we are moving the ball, which looks so disjointed. The times when it clicks, we've looked great, its just those times haven't been seen enough due to the above issues.
I think hunger is a copout personally. No-one goes out there without a will to win, these are professional sports people. I know that even for me (and I'm no pro) I absolutely HATE to lose, whether I'm spectating or playing, and I imagine for a pro its even higher, so I reckon the "hunger" chat is just media / supporters spiel but its never actually real.
They are not playing with the freedom that AFL Football is the most enjoyable thing they could be doing and mistakes and creativity are encouraged. Our team are playing with a weight on their shoulders.
Frenetic - run - tackle - chase - even man the mark like a wild dog game plan vs kick mark. Would take its toll over a few years. Particularly when you consider extra games due to consecutive finals.
