Great win.
Bryan was fantastic. Cant wait to see him in the side against the cats.
I thought our overall intensity lifted. We seemed to have a hunger for the ball again. Lets step it up a notch next week.
Bring on the Cats
Post match. Pies back on track - all comments
Moderator: bbmods
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mudlark
- Posts: 3561
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- Location: Maroochydore Qld
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I totally agree with you ktszyu, but on 3 occassions,1 resulted in a turn over goal, he passed to a contest and onca over cooked a pass into the corridorwhich was the goal to the aints, but all in all a very impressive game and should be left there to consolidate in the team. Also Chris bryan MUST stay. He adds grunt and presence and Josh could play on a wing going forward. Great win by the boys no thanks to the MAGGOTS.ktszyu1 wrote:Oh and also: Wellingham, another fine game young lad. Great to see you kick a goal, a very good one at that. Apart from that brain fade when he went the banana instead of passing it, fine performance mate.
And how good was it to see Thomas play a decent game? Took some contested grabs, laid stacks of tackles, kicked a goal, went for the hard ball, used the ball well. I loved that Mick gave him time in the midfield, I hope it continues. Perhaps he's realised we need a spark in there?
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Steamroller
- Posts: 210
- Joined: Sun Sep 30, 2007 9:35 am
- Location: Melbourne
I remember that contest when the two StKilda players smashed into each other - Rocca gathered the ball, but the umpire actually paid a mark to Sam Fisher - disgraceful. Other than that, I actually think we were fairly well treated last night.piedys wrote:Oh Andrew please!! Two of their idiots collided scragging Rocca out of another contest and had the audacity to penalise him when he didn't even touch them?Pied Piper wrote:Free kick count 21-19 St Kilda's way. Pretty even. The Saints would be howling about the two frees in front that we got late in the third, when they were coming at us, so whatever other mistakes the maggots made, they might just have helped us get out of jail.
EVERY SINGLE ONE of our frees was HARD WON and paid with a LATE whistle, while the pricks couldn't find frees fast enough for St.Blunda.
My head is sore from shaking it at the television.
Dyso
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Zakal
- Posts: 5076
- Joined: Fri Nov 04, 2005 3:30 pm
Yeah that was one of those bullshit sympathy free kicks. The time that Melbourne bloke broke his leg a few years was a classic. His own player crunched him, broke his leg, got stretchered off....and yet they awarded the free kick to Melbourne.Steamroller wrote:I remember that contest when the two StKilda players smashed into each other - Rocca gathered the ball, but the umpire actually paid a mark to Sam Fisher - disgraceful. Other than that, I actually think we were fairly well treated last night.piedys wrote:Oh Andrew please!! Two of their idiots collided scragging Rocca out of another contest and had the audacity to penalise him when he didn't even touch them?Pied Piper wrote:Free kick count 21-19 St Kilda's way. Pretty even. The Saints would be howling about the two frees in front that we got late in the third, when they were coming at us, so whatever other mistakes the maggots made, they might just have helped us get out of jail.
EVERY SINGLE ONE of our frees was HARD WON and paid with a LATE whistle, while the pricks couldn't find frees fast enough for St.Blunda.
My head is sore from shaking it at the television.
Dyso
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EBB
- Posts: 2742
- Joined: Thu Apr 26, 2007 7:45 pm
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magpie57
- Posts: 429
- Joined: Wed May 04, 2005 5:05 pm
- Location: Hobart
[quote="Snoop Dog"]I am knackered! If I have to watch that crap for the next 14 rounds I will be in a grave!
Look we got the points but we played poorly. Many will blame the leakage at the backs but the real issue is the middle where we got smashed in the clearances. Our senior mids were terrible in their pressure and our fwds werent a whole lot better. We need a heap of pressure in these areas to help our young backs.
My player review (and whilst I rarely call players out I will here);
L.Davis - 7.5
Fair game. Lot of stats, some smart play and a nice goal. Was ok. Few times could have gone harder.
A.Didak - 6.5
Again a fair possession night but was soft on a couple of occassions and we just wont win finals footy with that effort. Maybe harsh but watch the replay in the last qtr with 5 mins to go.
N.Maxwell - 5
Badly out of form. Fumbling the footy and not providing the senior steadying experience we need. He also is not making third man up.
P.Medhrust - 8
Good game. Best thing he did was work hard. One of the few that chased. Well done
H.Obrien - 9
Terrific game save for a few silly decisions. Give him credit he takes them on and usually wins but he can worry you. Beat Milne hands down and got goal of the year. Good to see him back in form.
S.Pendlebury - 7
Fair game but needs to be more damaging with the footy. Needs to get in the corridor more and hurt them with his decision making. Could be so much more.
S.OBree - 5
Got better in the second half but another that was belted when it counted early. Soft as well early which just really frustrates me. Another who doesnt not get enough forward of the middle.
D.Thomas - 8.5
Well done. Worked hard and didnt do the flary stuff which he was doing. Finishing clearly a problem but got into dangerous spots.
S.Wakelin - 9
Save for one blunder that cost us a goal he was v steady after qtr time.
N.Brown - 9
Well done. Blanketed Kosi and Gehrig when he had his turns. Got some footy to and used it well which was pleasing. V penetrating kick.
S.Burns - 8
Terrific captains game and did the things that we needed when we needed. But again. He got lost in the first qrt and hence why he aint a 10/10. Probably our best.
M.Clarke - 8.5
Did a fine job early on Scheider and then started to play spare and make good decisions and good execution. Well done
C.Wood - 4
Not great and should have done better given the time.
S.Wellingham - 6
V good early wasnt he. Nice goal. Ran hard, good skills. Off late when heat was on so cannot hold against him.
R.Shaw - 7
Ran hard and got fait bit of it but by own admission so did his bloke. Needs to be tighter when team requires it.
A.Rocca - 5
Thought he at least contested. Did well to keep it in a few times and was unlucky to have frees against him. Was better than Cloke
T.Lockyer - 3
Worst game I have seen from him. Not accountable and didnt work hard enough. Got a little better but he wouldnt disagree.
B.Johnson - 6
Good late but appalling early. Bad frees he gave away and just seems to lose his head at times. Turned it around and was one who helped us shut them down. Was at least hard it in the middle.
T.Cloke - 1
Appalling. Lazy, didnt chase and even wondering if he is fit. Watch the replay and you will see his efforts were poor.
D.Swan - 8
Very good. Worked hard and played it out. Skills poor in front of sticks and an uncharasteric soft effort when Dal Santo cleared. Out of form but effort was better.
H.Shaw - 4
Average but had a v hard tag. Makes you wonder why we didnt send him to Hayes or Montagna given he played a wing. Will be better.
C.Bryan - 5
Can be shocking one minute and then do something that has you applauding the next. Lost his head with a dumb free in the middle in the 2nd when we were breaching them but then threw his body at the leather at important times in the last.[/quote]
***************************************************************
A very good post and just about spot on.
Look we got the points but we played poorly. Many will blame the leakage at the backs but the real issue is the middle where we got smashed in the clearances. Our senior mids were terrible in their pressure and our fwds werent a whole lot better. We need a heap of pressure in these areas to help our young backs.
My player review (and whilst I rarely call players out I will here);
L.Davis - 7.5
Fair game. Lot of stats, some smart play and a nice goal. Was ok. Few times could have gone harder.
A.Didak - 6.5
Again a fair possession night but was soft on a couple of occassions and we just wont win finals footy with that effort. Maybe harsh but watch the replay in the last qtr with 5 mins to go.
N.Maxwell - 5
Badly out of form. Fumbling the footy and not providing the senior steadying experience we need. He also is not making third man up.
P.Medhrust - 8
Good game. Best thing he did was work hard. One of the few that chased. Well done
H.Obrien - 9
Terrific game save for a few silly decisions. Give him credit he takes them on and usually wins but he can worry you. Beat Milne hands down and got goal of the year. Good to see him back in form.
S.Pendlebury - 7
Fair game but needs to be more damaging with the footy. Needs to get in the corridor more and hurt them with his decision making. Could be so much more.
S.OBree - 5
Got better in the second half but another that was belted when it counted early. Soft as well early which just really frustrates me. Another who doesnt not get enough forward of the middle.
D.Thomas - 8.5
Well done. Worked hard and didnt do the flary stuff which he was doing. Finishing clearly a problem but got into dangerous spots.
S.Wakelin - 9
Save for one blunder that cost us a goal he was v steady after qtr time.
N.Brown - 9
Well done. Blanketed Kosi and Gehrig when he had his turns. Got some footy to and used it well which was pleasing. V penetrating kick.
S.Burns - 8
Terrific captains game and did the things that we needed when we needed. But again. He got lost in the first qrt and hence why he aint a 10/10. Probably our best.
M.Clarke - 8.5
Did a fine job early on Scheider and then started to play spare and make good decisions and good execution. Well done
C.Wood - 4
Not great and should have done better given the time.
S.Wellingham - 6
V good early wasnt he. Nice goal. Ran hard, good skills. Off late when heat was on so cannot hold against him.
R.Shaw - 7
Ran hard and got fait bit of it but by own admission so did his bloke. Needs to be tighter when team requires it.
A.Rocca - 5
Thought he at least contested. Did well to keep it in a few times and was unlucky to have frees against him. Was better than Cloke
T.Lockyer - 3
Worst game I have seen from him. Not accountable and didnt work hard enough. Got a little better but he wouldnt disagree.
B.Johnson - 6
Good late but appalling early. Bad frees he gave away and just seems to lose his head at times. Turned it around and was one who helped us shut them down. Was at least hard it in the middle.
T.Cloke - 1
Appalling. Lazy, didnt chase and even wondering if he is fit. Watch the replay and you will see his efforts were poor.
D.Swan - 8
Very good. Worked hard and played it out. Skills poor in front of sticks and an uncharasteric soft effort when Dal Santo cleared. Out of form but effort was better.
H.Shaw - 4
Average but had a v hard tag. Makes you wonder why we didnt send him to Hayes or Montagna given he played a wing. Will be better.
C.Bryan - 5
Can be shocking one minute and then do something that has you applauding the next. Lost his head with a dumb free in the middle in the 2nd when we were breaching them but then threw his body at the leather at important times in the last.[/quote]
***************************************************************
A very good post and just about spot on.
one-eyed pie and proud of it
You seem uncertain.magpie57 wrote:***************************************************************Snoop Dog wrote:I am knackered! If I have to watch that crap for the next 14 rounds I will be in a grave!
Look we got the points but we played poorly. Many will blame the leakage at the backs but the real issue is the middle where we got smashed in the clearances. Our senior mids were terrible in their pressure and our fwds werent a whole lot better. We need a heap of pressure in these areas to help our young backs.
My player review (and whilst I rarely call players out I will here);
L.Davis - 7.5
Fair game. Lot of stats, some smart play and a nice goal. Was ok. Few times could have gone harder.
A.Didak - 6.5
Again a fair possession night but was soft on a couple of occassions and we just wont win finals footy with that effort. Maybe harsh but watch the replay in the last qtr with 5 mins to go.
N.Maxwell - 5
Badly out of form. Fumbling the footy and not providing the senior steadying experience we need. He also is not making third man up.
P.Medhrust - 8
Good game. Best thing he did was work hard. One of the few that chased. Well done
H.Obrien - 9
Terrific game save for a few silly decisions. Give him credit he takes them on and usually wins but he can worry you. Beat Milne hands down and got goal of the year. Good to see him back in form.
S.Pendlebury - 7
Fair game but needs to be more damaging with the footy. Needs to get in the corridor more and hurt them with his decision making. Could be so much more.
S.OBree - 5
Got better in the second half but another that was belted when it counted early. Soft as well early which just really frustrates me. Another who doesnt not get enough forward of the middle.
D.Thomas - 8.5
Well done. Worked hard and didnt do the flary stuff which he was doing. Finishing clearly a problem but got into dangerous spots.
S.Wakelin - 9
Save for one blunder that cost us a goal he was v steady after qtr time.
N.Brown - 9
Well done. Blanketed Kosi and Gehrig when he had his turns. Got some footy to and used it well which was pleasing. V penetrating kick.
S.Burns - 8
Terrific captains game and did the things that we needed when we needed. But again. He got lost in the first qrt and hence why he aint a 10/10. Probably our best.
M.Clarke - 8.5
Did a fine job early on Scheider and then started to play spare and make good decisions and good execution. Well done
C.Wood - 4
Not great and should have done better given the time.
S.Wellingham - 6
V good early wasnt he. Nice goal. Ran hard, good skills. Off late when heat was on so cannot hold against him.
R.Shaw - 7
Ran hard and got fait bit of it but by own admission so did his bloke. Needs to be tighter when team requires it.
A.Rocca - 5
Thought he at least contested. Did well to keep it in a few times and was unlucky to have frees against him. Was better than Cloke
T.Lockyer - 3
Worst game I have seen from him. Not accountable and didnt work hard enough. Got a little better but he wouldnt disagree.
B.Johnson - 6
Good late but appalling early. Bad frees he gave away and just seems to lose his head at times. Turned it around and was one who helped us shut them down. Was at least hard it in the middle.
T.Cloke - 1
Appalling. Lazy, didnt chase and even wondering if he is fit. Watch the replay and you will see his efforts were poor.
D.Swan - 8
Very good. Worked hard and played it out. Skills poor in front of sticks and an uncharasteric soft effort when Dal Santo cleared. Out of form but effort was better.
H.Shaw - 4
Average but had a v hard tag. Makes you wonder why we didnt send him to Hayes or Montagna given he played a wing. Will be better.
C.Bryan - 5
Can be shocking one minute and then do something that has you applauding the next. Lost his head with a dumb free in the middle in the 2nd when we were breaching them but then threw his body at the leather at important times in the last.
A very good post and just about spot on.
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MagpieMad
- Posts: 4429
- Joined: Mon Jan 15, 2001 8:01 pm
- Location: -37.798563,144.996641
I'd have to disagree with this one, he was a passenger, lacked run, late in the game gave a token chase on harvey, just didn't look like he was trying, he has forgotten how to tackle and I think he sees himself as some sort of enforcer but misses them far to often and the run free off him, I was a big fan of his but I'm dropping off him as he doesn't look like he's having a fair dinkum crack at the ball, I'd send him back and give some one else a shot.Snoop Dog wrote:I am knackered! If I have to watch that crap for the next 14 rounds I will be in a grave!
Look we got the points but we played poorly. Many will blame the leakage at the backs but the real issue is the middle where we got smashed in the clearances. Our senior mids were terrible in their pressure and our fwds werent a whole lot better. We need a heap of pressure in these areas to help our young backs.
My player review (and whilst I rarely call players out I will here);
B.Johnson - 6
Good late but appalling early. Bad frees he gave away and just seems to lose his head at times. Turned it around and was one who helped us shut them down. Was at least hard it in the middle.
Pain heals, Chicks dig scars, Glory..... lasts forever!
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magpie57
- Posts: 429
- Joined: Wed May 04, 2005 5:05 pm
- Location: Hobart
[quote="HAL"][quote:="magpie57"][quote="Snoop Dog"]I am knackered! If I have to watch that crap for the next 14 rounds I will be in a grave!
Look we got the points but we played poorly. Many will blame the leakage at the backs but the real issue is the middle where we got smashed in the clearances. Our senior mids were terrible in their pressure and our fwds werent a whole lot better. We need a heap of pressure in these areas to help our young backs.
My player review (and whilst I rarely call players out I will here);
L.Davis - 7.5
Fair game. Lot of stats, some smart play and a nice goal. Was ok. Few times could have gone harder.
A.Didak - 6.5
Again a fair possession night but was soft on a couple of occassions and we just wont win finals footy with that effort. Maybe harsh but watch the replay in the last qtr with 5 mins to go.
N.Maxwell - 5
Badly out of form. Fumbling the footy and not providing the senior steadying experience we need. He also is not making third man up.
P.Medhrust - 8
Good game. Best thing he did was work hard. One of the few that chased. Well done
H.Obrien - 9
Terrific game save for a few silly decisions. Give him credit he takes them on and usually wins but he can worry you. Beat Milne hands down and got goal of the year. Good to see him back in form.
S.Pendlebury - 7
Fair game but needs to be more damaging with the footy. Needs to get in the corridor more and hurt them with his decision making. Could be so much more.
S.OBree - 5
Got better in the second half but another that was belted when it counted early. Soft as well early which just really frustrates me. Another who doesnt not get enough forward of the middle.
D.Thomas - 8.5
Well done. Worked hard and didnt do the flary stuff which he was doing. Finishing clearly a problem but got into dangerous spots.
S.Wakelin - 9
Save for one blunder that cost us a goal he was v steady after qtr time.
N.Brown - 9
Well done. Blanketed Kosi and Gehrig when he had his turns. Got some footy to and used it well which was pleasing. V penetrating kick.
S.Burns - 8
Terrific captains game and did the things that we needed when we needed. But again. He got lost in the first qrt and hence why he aint a 10/10. Probably our best.
M.Clarke - 8.5
Did a fine job early on Scheider and then started to play spare and make good decisions and good execution. Well done
C.Wood - 4
Not great and should have done better given the time.
S.Wellingham - 6
V good early wasnt he. Nice goal. Ran hard, good skills. Off late when heat was on so cannot hold against him.
R.Shaw - 7
Ran hard and got fait bit of it but by own admission so did his bloke. Needs to be tighter when team requires it.
A.Rocca - 5
Thought he at least contested. Did well to keep it in a few times and was unlucky to have frees against him. Was better than Cloke
T.Lockyer - 3
Worst game I have seen from him. Not accountable and didnt work hard enough. Got a little better but he wouldnt disagree.
B.Johnson - 6
Good late but appalling early. Bad frees he gave away and just seems to lose his head at times. Turned it around and was one who helped us shut them down. Was at least hard it in the middle.
T.Cloke - 1
Appalling. Lazy, didnt chase and even wondering if he is fit. Watch the replay and you will see his efforts were poor.
D.Swan - 8
Very good. Worked hard and played it out. Skills poor in front of sticks and an uncharasteric soft effort when Dal Santo cleared. Out of form but effort was better.
H.Shaw - 4
Average but had a v hard tag. Makes you wonder why we didnt send him to Hayes or Montagna given he played a wing. Will be better.
C.Bryan - 5
Can be shocking one minute and then do something that has you applauding the next. Lost his head with a dumb free in the middle in the 2nd when we were breaching them but then threw his body at the leather at important times in the last.[/quote]
***************************************************************
A very good post and just about spot on.[/quote:]You seem uncertain.[/quote]
I'm not sure what you mean
Look we got the points but we played poorly. Many will blame the leakage at the backs but the real issue is the middle where we got smashed in the clearances. Our senior mids were terrible in their pressure and our fwds werent a whole lot better. We need a heap of pressure in these areas to help our young backs.
My player review (and whilst I rarely call players out I will here);
L.Davis - 7.5
Fair game. Lot of stats, some smart play and a nice goal. Was ok. Few times could have gone harder.
A.Didak - 6.5
Again a fair possession night but was soft on a couple of occassions and we just wont win finals footy with that effort. Maybe harsh but watch the replay in the last qtr with 5 mins to go.
N.Maxwell - 5
Badly out of form. Fumbling the footy and not providing the senior steadying experience we need. He also is not making third man up.
P.Medhrust - 8
Good game. Best thing he did was work hard. One of the few that chased. Well done
H.Obrien - 9
Terrific game save for a few silly decisions. Give him credit he takes them on and usually wins but he can worry you. Beat Milne hands down and got goal of the year. Good to see him back in form.
S.Pendlebury - 7
Fair game but needs to be more damaging with the footy. Needs to get in the corridor more and hurt them with his decision making. Could be so much more.
S.OBree - 5
Got better in the second half but another that was belted when it counted early. Soft as well early which just really frustrates me. Another who doesnt not get enough forward of the middle.
D.Thomas - 8.5
Well done. Worked hard and didnt do the flary stuff which he was doing. Finishing clearly a problem but got into dangerous spots.
S.Wakelin - 9
Save for one blunder that cost us a goal he was v steady after qtr time.
N.Brown - 9
Well done. Blanketed Kosi and Gehrig when he had his turns. Got some footy to and used it well which was pleasing. V penetrating kick.
S.Burns - 8
Terrific captains game and did the things that we needed when we needed. But again. He got lost in the first qrt and hence why he aint a 10/10. Probably our best.
M.Clarke - 8.5
Did a fine job early on Scheider and then started to play spare and make good decisions and good execution. Well done
C.Wood - 4
Not great and should have done better given the time.
S.Wellingham - 6
V good early wasnt he. Nice goal. Ran hard, good skills. Off late when heat was on so cannot hold against him.
R.Shaw - 7
Ran hard and got fait bit of it but by own admission so did his bloke. Needs to be tighter when team requires it.
A.Rocca - 5
Thought he at least contested. Did well to keep it in a few times and was unlucky to have frees against him. Was better than Cloke
T.Lockyer - 3
Worst game I have seen from him. Not accountable and didnt work hard enough. Got a little better but he wouldnt disagree.
B.Johnson - 6
Good late but appalling early. Bad frees he gave away and just seems to lose his head at times. Turned it around and was one who helped us shut them down. Was at least hard it in the middle.
T.Cloke - 1
Appalling. Lazy, didnt chase and even wondering if he is fit. Watch the replay and you will see his efforts were poor.
D.Swan - 8
Very good. Worked hard and played it out. Skills poor in front of sticks and an uncharasteric soft effort when Dal Santo cleared. Out of form but effort was better.
H.Shaw - 4
Average but had a v hard tag. Makes you wonder why we didnt send him to Hayes or Montagna given he played a wing. Will be better.
C.Bryan - 5
Can be shocking one minute and then do something that has you applauding the next. Lost his head with a dumb free in the middle in the 2nd when we were breaching them but then threw his body at the leather at important times in the last.[/quote]
***************************************************************
A very good post and just about spot on.[/quote:]You seem uncertain.[/quote]
I'm not sure what you mean
one-eyed pie and proud of it
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mel_kay39
- Posts: 2135
- Joined: Tue Aug 28, 2007 10:01 pm
- Location: www.webs.com/mel_y_kay
Did that post really need to be repeated twice?!
I can't understand how some ppl can still be calling for Bryan to be delisted! He was great for us last year in the finals, apart from that kick of his that was smothered in the last minutes against Geelong - but had it all been up to Richards, we would not have made it that far. He's got some mongrel in him, is slightly too short to ruck but throws himself in there regardless, and seems eager for the chance when he gets it. I like the guy. He can also kick goals. Wood is young and will get there, just needs the experience. I thought the umpiring was disgraceful, actually. To penalise Rocca when two Saints collide with each other - what the hell was the ump seeing that I wasn't seeing?!
I thought a few times when Gherig or Kozi got the ball early that maybe Wakes or Brown could have been swapped, and played on each other's opponents, but but both Gherig and Kozi (only calling him that cos I can't spell his stupid name not as if I like him or anything) were fairly ineffective, anyway. The one who should have had a hard tag was Ball. He could have destroyed us. Montagna was pretty good too. Who was on him? Everytime I looked at him he was on his own!
Wellingham was great, hope he gets another game against Geelong; Thomas improved significantly, but I hope he doesn't rest on his laurels thinking he's back into form too early; that was the best game I've seen from Harry in a long, long while - was rapt when he kicked that Daicos-like goal (ball hit the flag my arse. I wasn't aware the flag was part of the goalpost); Didak and Leon were great as usual and I think Leon's having a terrific year in general; Pendles was quiet in parts but did enough, Marty made some good decisions (loved that smother I think in the final quarter? Will have to rewatch the replay), Swan was better than he has been; and Medhurst worked his guts out despite being held constantly. I could have screamed myself hoarse at the umpires because of how Rocca, Cloke and Medders were all held off the ball when it got near them, particularly in the first half. That's not excusing the poor form of Cloke. At least Rocca kicked a goal and made a contest. Cloke rarely got near it all night. Same with Lockyer. A rare bad game from him.
O'Bree, Johnson and Lockyer are out of form but will probably not be dropped. O'Bree is an MM favourite, and has played every game that I can remember whether he did anything or not. That's not to say that I don't like O'Bree, but I think his best is few and far between these days.
Heater surprised me, he did a few good things but had a hard tag and was pretty quiet. Then again, he did play last week as well, and had the big build up of the HOF game to deal with.
Anyway, I was relieved that they won but am worried about next week. If MM won't point the finger at his favourites and drop them if they don't regain some form, we are going to be hammered by Geelong. Simple.
I can't understand how some ppl can still be calling for Bryan to be delisted! He was great for us last year in the finals, apart from that kick of his that was smothered in the last minutes against Geelong - but had it all been up to Richards, we would not have made it that far. He's got some mongrel in him, is slightly too short to ruck but throws himself in there regardless, and seems eager for the chance when he gets it. I like the guy. He can also kick goals. Wood is young and will get there, just needs the experience. I thought the umpiring was disgraceful, actually. To penalise Rocca when two Saints collide with each other - what the hell was the ump seeing that I wasn't seeing?!
I thought a few times when Gherig or Kozi got the ball early that maybe Wakes or Brown could have been swapped, and played on each other's opponents, but but both Gherig and Kozi (only calling him that cos I can't spell his stupid name not as if I like him or anything) were fairly ineffective, anyway. The one who should have had a hard tag was Ball. He could have destroyed us. Montagna was pretty good too. Who was on him? Everytime I looked at him he was on his own!
Wellingham was great, hope he gets another game against Geelong; Thomas improved significantly, but I hope he doesn't rest on his laurels thinking he's back into form too early; that was the best game I've seen from Harry in a long, long while - was rapt when he kicked that Daicos-like goal (ball hit the flag my arse. I wasn't aware the flag was part of the goalpost); Didak and Leon were great as usual and I think Leon's having a terrific year in general; Pendles was quiet in parts but did enough, Marty made some good decisions (loved that smother I think in the final quarter? Will have to rewatch the replay), Swan was better than he has been; and Medhurst worked his guts out despite being held constantly. I could have screamed myself hoarse at the umpires because of how Rocca, Cloke and Medders were all held off the ball when it got near them, particularly in the first half. That's not excusing the poor form of Cloke. At least Rocca kicked a goal and made a contest. Cloke rarely got near it all night. Same with Lockyer. A rare bad game from him.
O'Bree, Johnson and Lockyer are out of form but will probably not be dropped. O'Bree is an MM favourite, and has played every game that I can remember whether he did anything or not. That's not to say that I don't like O'Bree, but I think his best is few and far between these days.
Heater surprised me, he did a few good things but had a hard tag and was pretty quiet. Then again, he did play last week as well, and had the big build up of the HOF game to deal with.
Anyway, I was relieved that they won but am worried about next week. If MM won't point the finger at his favourites and drop them if they don't regain some form, we are going to be hammered by Geelong. Simple.
A Pie for Life.
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Breadcrawl
- Posts: 2177
- Joined: Sat Oct 13, 2007 11:33 pm
You have to be joking about O'Bree and Bryan. If Cheesy could kick a stab pass 40m everyone would think he was in our best four or five. As it is, he kicks loopy helicopters which more often than not get where he meant them to, and he's lambasted week in and week out. He wins the hard ball, he's creative with his hands, and he tackles consistently. He's played 200 games for a reason and he'll be required next year.jack_spain wrote:Great to get a win again. It will be good for the boys' confidence. But let's not get carried away. Hands up anyone that thinks on that performance tonight we'd even get within 8 goals of Geelong?
Scotty Burns was an absolute hero tonight, especially when we were fading in the last quarter. Smiles about Wellingham - we've got someone there who can share the midfield load with Pendles. The usual suspects did what was required when needed. Better efforts from Harry O (great goal), Daisy (still faded though - conditioning?), Rhys Shaw, Dane Swan (but still down on what he did last year). Anthony contested and kicked that great first goal. Medders and Leon were spectacular when required. Marty did enough. But Travis Cloke is seriously ready for a run in the twos to try and get some touch back (God I hope he's not like his brothers only to fade away after showing great promise).
There are still quite a few home-truths we need to face up to though. Tonight made it clear that lines will be drawn through the following names at season's end: Wakelin (not surprising since he didn't expect the play this year), Lockyer, O'Bree (well done on 200 games though), Bryan, Johnson, and Scotty Burns will probably hang up his boots. Nick Maxwell had better pull his finger out, because the pen is poised (and Goldsack will improve and return).
Most of all though, whatever semblance of an attractive game plan we had in the finals last year has deserted us completely. We won ugly tonight, and I really mean ugly. Even the Saints almost controlled the corridor. We persist in going around the flanks and holding the ball up. We're not running hard enough into space. Tackling pressure was much better tonight though. We have got to be more direct.
Can we shut Geelong down next week? We have to lift 100% on that effort tonight.
Bryan was good. Personifies what the Pies should be all about: a 100% effort and the maximising of one's potential, however limited. He's an accurate shot for goal, a big enough body to pinch-hit up forward, and a useful 3rd-string ruckman. If we delist him, who supports either Wood or Fraser if one of them gets injured? As far as I'm concerned, he must stay in the side. He'd be the first bloke I picked this week if I was Mick; admittedly, I'd put him on the bench.
Ben Johnson is being under rated by most this year. Like Cheesy, his non-penetrating kicks and dodgy style cause folk to criticise him. He gets more footy than you think he does. He'll be around next year.
Hard to believe Lockyer is the same player as the guy who was racking them up last year. He needs a decent game soon, or you might be right about that one.
Burns and Wakelin: der.
they can smell what we're cookin'
