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In the good old days, Carlton regularly gave StKilda a thumping. Our advantage was due to an abundance of talented players; more skillful, faster, bigger, taller, stronger on every line. The tables have certainly turned.
At first, I thought that the problem with us was that we were not playing to win, and we were too defensive, and are still a bit young to take on the game head on. But when I saw Dal Santo running away from Murphy in the 2nd, whilst contolling the ball, I saw Murphy busting his balls, running as fast as he could, then he began to slow down and Dal Santo maintained his high speed surge forward....that said it all to me.
We need to turn the tables in every department, and that will take time. But there's no reason why we can't be a bit more daring in the mean time. We need to take a leaf from StKildas game plan.
They hunted the ball in packs...and kept their feet!! We lacked intensity and numbers in the engine room. We had opportunities to smother, dive and tackle and we didn't...and if we did we would have at least created a contest, but sadly they didn't, and given our positioning at each contest, sadly they would have lost their feet and ended on the ground, such was the gap between where the Saints, the ball and where we were.. Where's the hunger? Where's the commitment and where's the hungry pack of midfielders?
Right from the start I thought it was a mistake to leave out our only clear advantage over the saints in the ruck, by leaving out French; the only genuine ruckman between the two teams. And I said that time and time again and again throughout the match. Bad decision, as they matched us and beat us in that position, and got the ball running their way. We have kids at the bottom of packs and the least we could do is give them better opportunity to compete.
I don't believe Saddington is confident enough in his own ability ATM to keep his spot in the backline. McGrath lacks a right foot and right hand, and is not playing with confidence.....I don't need to say any more as the list goes on. If we can't match our competitors key forwards in Reiwoldt, Kossie, Brown, Richo...then we better start thinking about who we will develop to match these guys. Saddington, Thornton, Whitnall and Livo aren't, so is Kennedy good enough? Setanta? McLaren isn't fast enough. We have to find/develop someone, because that problem is not going away!
What I did enjoy was the odd goal we scored and the never say die attitude from Fev and Lance. It gave me something to cheer.
What good id the flood if it meant to contain the opposition? Maybe the flood keeps the game within our grasp (not), maybe it is getting the kids fitter (maybe, but that's what pre season is for), maybe it gives us a better chance at winning the ball (not).
I need to be entertained by a few more goals at the very least, and if that means a few thrashings so be it. Our kids need to see reward for effort and this game plan does not allow that. 14 scoring chances in 100 minutes is never going to help, and if the flood is the culprit, then it'd not the answer. Flooding does play a part in our game, as it does for other teams, but not the whole part.
I'm with you Ponkstar....take a risk...let's at least learn to get the ball forward and score more goals, and lets start throwing the little weight we have into our opponents, and show some spirit.
I still can't bring myself to b;ame it all on Pagan, but it's time for some entertainment and he's the only bloke who can allow that. It's time for Walker and Murphy in the middle, with Bentick and Stevo.
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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue
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