Yes, the decisions to leave Blanck out of the selected side and to then sub Seamus out of the game were difficult to understand. Our best performances this year have been when we've had two key position players at each end. Where we have holes - specifically the key defender and key forward positions - we need to back in players to grow into that role and not be regularly changed in and out. Giving Denver one and a half senior games to play as a forward is crazy, he ought to have been given six weeks and similarly with Blanck, it's time to back him in as our big bodied defender. Surely this is the week where Frost is omitted and an opportunity is given to Jeka who has now put together three excellent weeks with Box Hill. It's easy to forget that last season he actually played some senior footy in defence after outstanding form with BH and this year it was only injuries and the absence of Mitch Lewis that denied him that opportunity again in 2023. Let's give him the next four weeks to see what he can offer. The same applied up forward, it seems that (with justification), it's been decided that Kosi isn't the guy to play alongside Lewis, so let's give Ryan the next four weeks (especially as he's only on a contract for the current'season) to see if he's worth persisting with.
Michelle's frustrations with our defence are understandable, but I doubt many defences would hold up against the avalanche that we allowed to happen, which was a result of not getting our hands on the ball and terrible turnovers, especially when coming out of our back half. The runs of goals that have been kicked against us have had those two factors as recurring themes. Until we get consistency of effort and performance from our midfield group and a material reduction in the diabolical errors we commit, that will continue to happen. The positive thing is that the consistency will come with more experience and the error rate will drop with selection changes and general improvement and better understanding among our team.
There were a number of positives yesterday:
* We responded well to get back into the game after conceding so many unanswered goals.
* Meek demonstrated that he deserves first shot at the number one ruck spot.
* While beaten in the first quarter or so, Worpel, Day and Newcombe fought back really well.
* Ryan showed a bit and if he was a 19 year old, top 10 pick there would be a fair bit of excitement about his game.
* Despite the errors with selection, the diabolical errors and terrible midfield performance in Q1, we put ourselves in a position where we could have won it.
And finally, surely this is the last time we see Maginness in the senior side. He performed his role pretty well in Q1, yet we still conceded 9 unanswered goals. After the tag was dropped he gave nothing other than several terrible turnovers. Ned Long and Sam Butler have bene consistent high performers with BH, let's given one or both the next month to see if they can't cement a spot.
The Selection Committee LOST this game before it even began which makes no sense (3rd last is locked in). Who in their right mind leaves out their FULLBACK. Blanck gets a 1 year contract extension, get’s concussed, comes back in the 2’s and returns as the Sub. I agree Mitchell should have stayed on subbing out Bramble. I’ve said it before, Bramble is a great VFL player but not an AFL player (exception….”he may be useful to a quality AFL team who can cover him”). As for Liam Ryan, I will NOT renew my membership if we bring in another mature age injury prone HACK. We are at the bottom of the ladder because of Clarko’s insistence on mature age HACKS. Ryan has played 3 games this year, 17 last year & 14 the year before that…..HACK, HACK, HACK! I can’t believe I am saying this, but I’d rather keep Chad for 1 year than bring in Liam Ryan or trade for Jack Ginnivan. To finish my rant, sack Simpson and poach the best defensive assistant coach in the AFL or 2024 will be as bleak as 2023.
Totally agree with your thoughts that Brockie looked like he was already in a West Coast jumper and loving seeing Chad play like I have wanted him to play since joining us from Port Adelaide. Glad to see him shutting up the Wingard haters. Blanck for me should be a permanent lock at full back. Really loved Meek's work rate and for that he should stay in the Ruck using Connor Nash as the back up which he has done in the past. Overall really enjoying finding your podcasts. Can you explain how the subscription works. That is, if I pay today does that mean I have a subscription until a year from now or does it expire at the end of the season. Will definitely subscribe next year as I have only found your podcasts through the later part of this season.
Worth the subscription you can add it to your membership package easy . I roll this and Hawks Forever subs into my package just adds a few dollars extra each month .
Yes, the decisions to leave Blanck out of the selected side and to then sub Seamus out of the game were difficult to understand. Our best performances this year have been when we've had two key position players at each end. Where we have holes - specifically the key defender and key forward positions - we need to back in players to grow into that role and not be regularly changed in and out. Giving Denver one and a half senior games to play as a forward is crazy, he ought to have been given six weeks and similarly with Blanck, it's time to back him in as our big bodied defender. Surely this is the week where Frost is omitted and an opportunity is given to Jeka who has now put together three excellent weeks with Box Hill. It's easy to forget that last season he actually played some senior footy in defence after outstanding form with BH and this year it was only injuries and the absence of Mitch Lewis that denied him that opportunity again in 2023. Let's give him the next four weeks to see what he can offer. The same applied up forward, it seems that (with justification), it's been decided that Kosi isn't the guy to play alongside Lewis, so let's give Ryan the next four weeks (especially as he's only on a contract for the current'season) to see if he's worth persisting with.
Michelle's frustrations with our defence are understandable, but I doubt many defences would hold up against the avalanche that we allowed to happen, which was a result of not getting our hands on the ball and terrible turnovers, especially when coming out of our back half. The runs of goals that have been kicked against us have had those two factors as recurring themes. Until we get consistency of effort and performance from our midfield group and a material reduction in the diabolical errors we commit, that will continue to happen. The positive thing is that the consistency will come with more experience and the error rate will drop with selection changes and general improvement and better understanding among our team.
There were a number of positives yesterday:
* We responded well to get back into the game after conceding so many unanswered goals.
* Meek demonstrated that he deserves first shot at the number one ruck spot.
* While beaten in the first quarter or so, Worpel, Day and Newcombe fought back really well.
* Ryan showed a bit and if he was a 19 year old, top 10 pick there would be a fair bit of excitement about his game.
* Despite the errors with selection, the diabolical errors and terrible midfield performance in Q1, we put ourselves in a position where we could have won it.
And finally, surely this is the last time we see Maginness in the senior side. He performed his role pretty well in Q1, yet we still conceded 9 unanswered goals. After the tag was dropped he gave nothing other than several terrible turnovers. Ned Long and Sam Butler have bene consistent high performers with BH, let's given one or both the next month to see if they can't cement a spot.
The Selection Committee LOST this game before it even began which makes no sense (3rd last is locked in). Who in their right mind leaves out their FULLBACK. Blanck gets a 1 year contract extension, get’s concussed, comes back in the 2’s and returns as the Sub. I agree Mitchell should have stayed on subbing out Bramble. I’ve said it before, Bramble is a great VFL player but not an AFL player (exception….”he may be useful to a quality AFL team who can cover him”). As for Liam Ryan, I will NOT renew my membership if we bring in another mature age injury prone HACK. We are at the bottom of the ladder because of Clarko’s insistence on mature age HACKS. Ryan has played 3 games this year, 17 last year & 14 the year before that…..HACK, HACK, HACK! I can’t believe I am saying this, but I’d rather keep Chad for 1 year than bring in Liam Ryan or trade for Jack Ginnivan. To finish my rant, sack Simpson and poach the best defensive assistant coach in the AFL or 2024 will be as bleak as 2023.
Completely agree on Chad.
His performance was immense.
His moments were inspiring and had Frosty not had his brain fade we may have won off the back of his efforts
Totally agree with your thoughts that Brockie looked like he was already in a West Coast jumper and loving seeing Chad play like I have wanted him to play since joining us from Port Adelaide. Glad to see him shutting up the Wingard haters. Blanck for me should be a permanent lock at full back. Really loved Meek's work rate and for that he should stay in the Ruck using Connor Nash as the back up which he has done in the past. Overall really enjoying finding your podcasts. Can you explain how the subscription works. That is, if I pay today does that mean I have a subscription until a year from now or does it expire at the end of the season. Will definitely subscribe next year as I have only found your podcasts through the later part of this season.
Worth the subscription you can add it to your membership package easy . I roll this and Hawks Forever subs into my package just adds a few dollars extra each month .
Thanks for the information Lyne....much appreciated
Also saw Mark Williams photo, he looks super fit, and might have as well suit up this past weekend.