Round 2 - Brisbane vs Essendon

[gringo]

That McGrath is a ripper. He was everywhere in the last quarter.

[Rover99]

Sure was a steadier at the end, Goddard too but Bombers does this mean there wont be one game this year where I can't put my heart medicine away at the end of Q3?

[robrulz5]

The good thing I take from this game is that in the past when we lost a big lead we would just crumble. We kept Brisbane goalless after they hit the lead and took control of the game which was impressive.

How good is Fantasia?

[MH_Bomber]

Gleeson fumbles and we gift them another goal on the siren.

He was expecting free for high tackle and just stopped. Didnt play to the whistle. A cardinal sin.

McGrath was enormous as was Goddard and Walla in the last. Just feel really relieved.

I just want one game soon where just slaughter our opponents so I can relax.

[nudder12]

The good thing I take from this game is that in the past when we lost a big lead we would just crumble. We kept Brisbane goalless after they hit the lead and took control of the game which was impressive.

How good is Fantasia?

That, and that if we ever put together a 4 quarter effort we'll be reallyyyy good.
Fantasia does exactly what you'd ask and expect from a small forward - buzzes around and leads up to the ball. Genuinely earnt his goals this week. Was terrific.

On the downside, I worry that our game plan is a bit one-dimensional. This (cute) short kicking is gonna come undone once other teams cotton onto us if we keep winning with it. Van't remember what year it was, but when Sheeds was coach we turned up one year playing just that style. It worked for several weeks but then the oppositions started shutting it down and we became a rabble.
The JLT game V Geelong was a good example. They closed us down and we couldn't move the ball with any speed at all.

But anyway, whatever, we won tonight, and I'm happy with that. And that there's still a lot of upside.

[nudder12]

I just want one game soon where just slaughter our opponents so I can relax.

I'm just happy with a win at this stage

[Gimps]

3rd qtr was ****** putrid. Early in 4th was shit, but stepped up, and that's why we'll challenge good teams.

[nudder12]

3rd qtr was ****** putrid. Early in 4th was shit, but stepped up, and that's why we'll challenge good teams.

Yeah, late 2nd and 3rd we just got too cute, and didn't hunt the ball enough. Fix that and we're OK.

[Rover99]

Yeah Nudder. I remember that Sheedy year. Everyone got excited and couldn't work out why such a promising start to the season suddenly fell in a heap. Opposition worked out we were a one-trick pony. Mixing playing styles to suit an opposition team, or a ground, or the weather is essential. Our famous end-of-quarter give-aways also came back before half time and at the end of Q3 tonight. 17 seconds to go and we boot a lazy kick sideways over someones head into the middle of the ground. Nearly fell off my seat. Horrible to see that lead disappear and the momentum switch. But what a f***** great finish...and Fantasia!!!
So, Round one...came back from the dead and put a good team away: Round two...came back and put an average team away: Round three.....??? Hopefully bury a shite team so deep it will never come back!
One thing we found out tonight...we've got some stars and some potential stars but we are not a super team, or a bunch of bruisers that can muscle their way through regardless. So no delusions of grandeur until we run up against one.

[nudder12]

Yeah Nudder. I remember that Sheedy year. Everyone got excited and couldn't work out why such a promising start to the season suddenly fell in a heap. Opposition worked out we were a one-trick pony. Mixing playing styles to suit an opposition team, or a ground, or the weather is essential. Our famous end-of-quarter give-aways also came back before half time and at the end of Q3 tonight. 17 seconds to go and we boot a lazy kick sideways over someones head into the middle of the ground. Nearly fell off my seat. Horrible to see that lead disappear and the momentum switch. But what a f***** great finish...and Fantasia!!!
So, Round one...came back from the dead and put a good team away: Round two...came back and put an average team away: Round three.....??? Hopefully bury a shite team so deep it will never come back!
One thing we found out tonight...we've got some stars and some potential stars but we are not a super team, or a bunch of bruisers that can muscle their way through regardless. So no delusions of grandeur until we run up against one.

But I reckon we have the potential to be that good - so far this year just lacking 4 quarters application. Tonight we just got a bit cute with the short stuff, and dropped off hunting the ball/man a bit. If everyone did their bit the whole game we would have flogged then.

[s'dreams]

Apart from too many players taking the foot off the pedal in the 2nd quarter, the big concern was the smashing that Martin gave to us in the middle of the game (42 hitouts and 13 clearances). We didn't really get on top until he got tired (and McKernan stood up), some vintage extraction from Jobe and Walla was given license to run on ball for 5 minutes (that and we finally got a 50 m for a Zorko brain fade).
The fight shown to drag it back for a win is promising, but I'm getting too old for heart stoppers.
Ah well, 2 from 2. Next week the scum.

[nudder12]

Apart from too many players taking the foot off the pedal in the 2nd quarter, the big concern was the smashing that Martin gave to us in the middle of the game (42 hitouts and 13 clearances). We didn't really get on top until he got tired (and McKernan stood up), some vintage extraction from Jobe and Walla was given license to run on ball for 5 minutes (that and we finally got a 50 m for a Zorko brain fade).
The fight shown to drag it back for a win is promising, but I'm getting too old for heart stoppers.
Ah well, 2 from 2. Next week the scum.

The fade-out can be eradicated with psychotherapy, and the ruck problem can be fixed once our real ruckmen are back, so don't worry, it's all good.

[BenDoolan]

Positives

Another win
Andrew McGrath so calm and good with the ball
Jobe getting back to doing what he does best
Joe Daniher clunking big marks and kicking straight!
Zach Merrett is a jet
Goddard in good form
Fantasia the fantastic - love how he goes about it
Hooker's strong presence up forward
TIPPAAAAAAA keeps throwing himself at it
Pops Kelly is such a professional
Hartley's good defence
Forward line looks potent

Negatives

Giving up a 42 point lead
McKernan getting smashed in the ruck
Hurley getting done by a novice
Too many BAD turnovers
Struggling at the stoppages and clearances

[Windy Hille]

Bit of a schizophrenic performance that!

Pleased with the end result. Was impressed how we blew out to a 7 goal lead with quick ball movement and good forward line cohesion. Just can't afford those midfield lapses which happened last night.

Raz is a ripper. Zach Merrett is awesome. Good to see the returned stars getting back to their mojo so quickly - Jobe, Hepp, Hooks, Trav etc. Hurley seems a bit down (even last week). Hope he has a great game next week.

[hop]

What I took out of tonight is we need to make a big offer to Eric Hipwood when he comes out of contract. This kid could be anything.

We went interstate and won - that'll do for now.

[BenDoolan]

What I took out of tonight is we need to make a big offer to Eric Hipwood when he come out of contract. This kid could be anything.

We went interstate and won - that'll do for now.

Shit yeah, was thinking the same thing re: Hipwood. Could be absolutely anything.

[Sismis]

Apart from too many players taking the foot off the pedal in the 2nd quarter, the big concern was the smashing that Martin gave to us in the middle of the game (42 hitouts and 13 clearances). We didn't really get on top until he got tired (and McKernan stood up), some vintage extraction from Jobe and Walla was given license to run on ball for 5 minutes (that and we finally got a 50 m for a Zorko brain fade).
The fight shown to drag it back for a win is promising, but I'm getting too old for heart stoppers.
Ah well, 2 from 2. Next week the scum.

McKernan did a massive job, much bigger ask than last week but he was competitive against one of the best in the league.

[Sismis]

Gleeson fumbles and we gift them another goal on the siren.

He was expecting free for high tackle and just stopped. Didnt play to the whistle. A cardinal sin.

McGrath was enormous as was Goddard and Walla in the last. Just feel really relieved.

I just want one game soon where just slaughter our opponents so I can relax.

Then he went back with the flight and took a massive grab at a vital time.

[billyduckworth]

My quick summary:

NEGATIVE
giving away goals in the last 2 minutes of a quarter (when will we EVER stop doing that!!??)
giving up a big lead (ditto)

POSITIVE
at least we came back again and scraped a win
Whorethorn lost again (I know that's not connected to our game, but it's always a positive for me!!)

[hop]

My quick summary:

NEGATIVE
giving away goals in the last 2 minutes of a quarter (when will we EVER stop doing that!!??)
giving up a big lead (ditto)

POSITIVE
at least we came back again and scraped a win
Whorethorn lost again (I know that's not connected to our game, but it's always a positive for me!!)

Yep - But it also may show just how shit-full they may be this year.

Our first 3 games l suggest are against teams that are not going to be shaping - or making - finals.
Which makes a win next week a must!!!

We'll also have as many wins and a better percentage than the whole of last year.