In my frustration/boredom (it really was a crap game) I wrote down these five issues as I was watching us getting flogged by the worst side in the competition. I realise none of this is new and many others here have already posted similar things, but anyway here goes...
(1) Why can't we win interstate? Our record has been appalling for years now. We not only lose far more often than win, but get thrashed. This year one win against Sydney (good) but absolutely smashed in all the others (Brisbane, Port, West Coast and Freo). We will never get anywhere until we solve this problem. How can a side make the 8 (let's not even think of top 4) whilst winning only one game out of five interstate??
(2) Why can't we beat bottom teams? This year, we have lost to North, Richmond, West Coast and Freo. In other words, EVERY bottom team except Melbourne. Whilst every team has the occasional lapse (St K versus North this week, Bulldogs against West Coast a few weeks back etc), to do this FOUR TIMES in the one year is way over the top. Is it motivation? Is it lack of discipline? Is it something about our game plan that just doesn't work against scrappy flooding sides? (And please don't tell me it's because we're young. I am sick to death of hearing that excuse and no-one seems to be able to explain the logic why a young team has problems with motivation and consistency more so than an older team - we didn't have those problems in 1993 and anyway the problem mainly seems to be with players like Monfries & McPhee who actually have quite a lot of experience already, not Pears & Hurley!!)
(3) We were absolutely smashed in the centre clearances. Obviously, injuries to Hille & Ryder and (during the game) Watson hurt us here. But it seems like we didn't really think through a strategy against Sandilands.
(4) Our forward line was dysfunctional. We MUST MUST get a decent forward line coach (Scott Lucas?) or else we will continue to be a side that has a fancy cute looking zig zag running game through the middle but can't finish it off on the scoreboard.
(5) Prismall, whilst he accumulated a lot of touches, turned the ball over far too many times. Maybe it's lack of pre-season coming back from injury or whatever but we can't get away with SO many players in the side who have this same issue (Welsh, McVeigh, Davey and in this game Winderlich all looked underdone). Selecting a team with too many underdone players has cost us games at least three times this year. Select a side that is fit and ready to roar!
Okay. Rant over. See, I've got it off my chest now.
![Exclamation :!:](./images/smilies/icon_exclaim.gif)