Rik E Boy wrote:Wedgie is reeling them in for sure. However, Port
have become soft. Logan's (42?) massive flop when given a nudge from Stevie J would have made Stevie himself blush, if not even Lindsay Thomas. Hartlett meanwhile, is playing bruise free football..trying to get through the game without putting his body on the line. Westhoff has the physical intensity of Jack Watts. Lobbe didn't take a mark for the entire match. Boak put in one of the softest efforts ever seen by a Port Captain.
This time last year Port spanked us off the park. This year they were so frightened to take the game on they kicked it to their fans in the first three rows instead. Where is the run and gun from last year? Before you Porties haul me out to dry a la Wedgie I thought Wingard was simply brilliant and you couldn't question the effort of Brad Ebert, Hombsch and Carlisle who flogged an out of sorts Tom Hawkins. I thought Jasper, while he makes mistakes at least goes in hard which is why I don't get the hate for him (not so much from this site). Jarman Impey also played a servicable game.
I think Port are lacking depth, especially in the big man department and this is an area where Geelong are well stocked. Our game plan sucks balls because we kick it high and long. It worked ok against Port because Port's talls were not taking marks and Carlisle was left to do it all alone on many occasions.
How can a midfield that contains Ollie Wines, Robbie Gray, Travis Boak and Brad Ebert lower their colours to an undermanned Cat midfield? Have a look at the blood on Selwood and Caddy and you have your answer. Guthrie loses points for long sleeves in the second half. Toughen up!
regards,
REB
If his intent is to "reel them in"...good luck to him. Short memory though, the Catters spent a life time with the tag of being the first to throw a hand bag if things went wrong. As I noted above though, people support their teams through thick and thin as that's what footy fans do. Some fans are worth discussing footy with.
On a serious note that promotes sensible discussion, some of your assessment is correct Rik E, some of it not so IMHO.
Since Hinkley arrived Port have played a very similar style. It's been well documented as fast ball movement through the corridor to either forwards one out or out the back into an open goal. It's great we have a clear plan, it's great that this has been adhered to by our playing group and our coaching staff without exception. The problem is our opponents know what our intent is, our game style,what our plan of attack is and they block the corridor when we have the ball in defence and our back half seem to struggle when plan A is off the table. Our forwards lose structure and we seem almost impotent going forward when we boast, I think, one of the most damaging forward half combinations in the game. Where is it going wrong?
So, the question is, what is the next plan ( if there is another ) and / or how long do we persist with this game plan that is clearly countered by opposition scouts and coaches?
IIRC, Talking Footy last night said we've won 11 of our last 25 matches? In that though is a 4 point loss to Sydney in Sydney late last year, 3 point prelim loss to Hawthorn and a goal and a bit to Freo in Freo to start this year. As well as wins over Freo in Freo and Hawthorn. So we can match it with the best, no question.
But when you throw in getting pumped by Brisbane in Brisbane this year, not turning up against Richmond the following week and looking completely out of sorts Friday night against a side that in all honesty is probably a rung or two below us on the ladder when both current squads are at their best I'm wondering now what our direction is.
While the players are under the pump at the moment I'm interested in what the coaching group has up their collective sleeves in the coming weeks. I'm not hitting a panic button by any means, but I'm interested to see how we structure up this week against Carlton and then how we return after the bye.
PAFC. Forever.
LOOK OUT, WE'RE COMING!
