Post Match. Lions beat Pies. All comments.

[lazzadesilva]

[BazBoy]

We have enjoyed almost 2 seasons of winning a lot and plaudits flowed from supporters and media alike—-our brand of attack at all costs -move it and keep ball moving

Has our defence side of the game suffered

[Pete 70]

I watched the presser again. I think fly’s got it all worked out. I think he always has. He’s actually playing with the press. I’m sad we have another dead rubber, and am inclined to play a Nick’s 18 next week - all I want for Christmas is no more injuries. Our style of play stacks up in big matches. As long as we don’t lose by more than 5 goals, next week is completely irrelevant. I look forward to two weeks of discussing our starting line up for the QF.

[perthmagpie]

The last team to be so far in front of the fifth team and the third team (home final) on the ladder a few weeks out from first final is St.Kilda in 2009. Our holding pattern has been incredibly long. All other teams with any chance of finals, top four or top two have needed every win. There was pressure on us to beat Port five weeks ago and we scraped in. Then after a couple losses the pressure came back on against Geelong. Now it’s off for one more week. I think we were in a unique position ladder wise. We have not established ourselves as a team that consistently thrashes teams and steamrolls all and sundry. Since early last year we have developed a culture of never giving up when it’s all on the line. Playing games right out and being great in the small moments that really matter. We are not yet the ruthless professionals who will lift to the same intensity when circumstances do not dictate it.

If you look at our last few weeks they look like our game style. Play to scoreboard. Surge and conserve where needed. Perhaps we are playing out the last few weeks of the season subconsciously based our DNA established over the last 35 games. Have we become a team that needs a bigger challenge to lift to our best footy? This dynamic of being lengths in front around the home turn since round 19 is something the players and coaching staff have no experience with. I honestly think Fly is not sure what to make of it.

[BazBoy]

Us. 68. 123%
Lion 64. 123%
And Port 60

So Briz and Pies with both winning remains as is
A loss to us has us 2nd if Briz win well

Not to mention either Pie or Demons play a drawn game next week

[piffdog]

Anynoe here have some thoughts on Adams and Mitchell lining up over and over again in the centre bounce? Makes it incredibly difficult to win when you arent getting a 50:50 out of the middle - especially when the oppo has a couple of tall blokes up front (especially like Bris have).

I thought we looked better out of the middle when Cox came on in the second half - presents some more dilemmas around what the best line up of talls is. Perhaps (when players are fit) we go back to Cox + Cameron, drop Frampton and play Howe, Moore and Murph down back, Checkers and McStay up front? I think the reason they picked Cox as the sub was to potentially give him and Cameron half a game each - until Ryan got injured.

I liked the earlier snippet about our gap over fifth on the ladder and how that might be playing on our minds. Dont know what you can do about it. Clearly you would rather bank wins earlier in the season.

[BazBoy]

JDG could be back next week & that’s Ryan replaced

Who would make way for Cox I have no idea but for the finals it’s Cox & Cameron as best ruck set up for mine

[dalyc]

[Mr Miyagi]

[BazBoy]

And add to that it will be almost a month for ND and Moore to be chippa for Qualifying Final
That a boost for defence and clearances

[Pies2016]

Even though we still remain capable of kicking scores, one of our major personnel issues is that our small forwards ( Elliot aside ) simply don’t kick enough goals. In terms of scoreboard impact, we have got very little from Ginnivan, McCreery and Hill in recent times, especially when you compare them to the Lions and Blues ( since their improvement ) small forwards.
In the last four games, we’ve kicked a total of SEVEN goals from Hill, McCreery and Ginnivan combined and most were from McCreery.
When we are at our best, our mids generate more goals than most teams but the lack of run of carry is now impacting our mids ability to hit the scoreboard and our small forwards then come under the spotlight.
I think this is all part of the Howe experiment to the forward line. Do the coaches now think Howes scoreboard impact and ability to demand respect from the oppositions best interceptor is a better option than less F50 pressure and losing a leader in defence ?
McCreery has never been a big goal kicker but his pressure is a weapon. Ginnivan is playing a slightly different role but it’s not helping him contribute on the scoreboard, while Hill looks as though the long season is taking its toll. Thankfully, Elliot is still Elliot.
Can’t help but think both our ruck configuration and the decision on where to play Howe will be two of the coaches biggest talking points leading up to the finals. And if Howe should start forward, then one of Hill, Ginnivan and McCreery will miss out as a permanent 100 min small forward.
Alternatively, McInnes as a third tall may also come into these conversations, given that he has at least been very solid in the VFL of late.

[Pete 70]

I personally think Ginny as sun in the Finals with Mcreery and Bobby starting. Just have an inkling Ash has got something to add.

[derkd]

Question, why would we risk anyone of importance next week?

[Pete 70]

Agreed derkd- I’d isolate Geoff Hayward up forward - that should do the trick

[LaurieHolden]