Dont blame Umpire/Game plan or any other dribble.....

[Teflon]

Blame a side that I watched first hand tonight who COULD NOT hit a target in the second half (3rd particulalry).

Its time we faced facts - we simply have some players when the heat is on who dont have the polish and in some cases poise to deliver the football. To drop your bundle, your intensity (was great in first half and Eagles couldnt handle it) like we did in the 3rd is pathetic.

NO amount of miracle move from the coaches box or dumb umpire decision (and there were plenty of them) was going to change the facts that our side goes forward 3 times only to kick the ball out on the full????????????????? OR put it at the feet of Riewoldt and NEVER give our forwards the chance by kicking it to advantage like Lynch got most of the night (how many times did he simply lead out and slide into a ball on his chest?????????)

F@rk me! talk about frustrating....I watch a Joey drill the footy out on the full...I watch a Gilbert scream into fwd 50 and dribble it along the ground.....I watch Leigh Fisher pin point a pass...to the opposition...or Raph Clarke take an eternity to dispose of the ball only to bomb it long to 2 Eagle defenders?????...and there were simply to many more of these things which cost us goals against a skillful Premiership side FFS!

I know we can rely on other sides to lose and still make finals yada yada - but ask yourself - does a GOOD side throw away a 4 goal lead and all of a sudden start losing any semblence of basic footballing skill?...or are we carrying some players that would struggle to get games at other clubs?

We had them on toast tonight - and from what I saw it ALL had to do with an inability to execute by foot/hand.

[Lenny_Hayes7]

We are carrying a lot of players i could name at least 4 and i know i should not bag the players but geez enough is enough.

stuff it im angry ill name them

Blake
Birss
Brooks ( i know he didn't play )
Raph

If we want to be taken seriously to take the cup to moorabbin we have to look at those 4.

[The_Dud]

Maguire
Clarke R
Clarke M
Blake
Fisher S
Ball

all had there pants ABSOLUTELY pulled down tonight

[Life Long Saint]

I agree on tonight's performance

The only time I thought the coach made an error was in the last goal by Le Cras when we had no one inside defensive 50.

Maybe they knew how long we had to go and that we would not have had time to rebound it.

But anyway...our disposal was ordinary tonight from players that should know better. Joey's errors were inexcusable. Gilbert did what he did for Casey last season. Blistering runs followed by a poor disposal and a turn over.

[StSteven]

Maguire
Clarke R
Clarke M
Blake
Fisher S
Ball

all had there pants ABSOLUTELY pulled down tonight

...and add Gehrig. What a frustrating player!

[JeffDunne]

IThe only time I thought the coach made an error was in the last goal by Le Cras when we had no one inside defensive 50.

I think you need to watch the game again.

[The_Dud]

Fiora lets himself down so much with his shocking disposal at times

if he could get that right he'd be in the top 10 at our club

Gilbert, Fiora, L Fisher, R CLarke and others all butchered the ball tonight

[Teflon]

Look even Lord Thomas on radio after the game was saying we are OVERRATED and have been as a list for some time.

Geelong have moved an Ablett into the midfield...challenged him to become an elite mid (the other players put it to him directly I hear) and he responds...
They draft a GUN in Selwood...
Get lucky via Father/sons with Hawkins and co...

BUT across the board they have IMPROVED their list - whether that be the players they pick up OR what they get out of them (see Mooneys season...been stellar).

The Geelong side used to have guys Id look at and say...."what a dud he wouldnt get a game with us...."......theres not many in that side right right now Id say that about.....Cameron Ling is one of these........turns himself into one of the leagues best offensive taggers and while stopping gum players goes and also gives them 25 goals this year....f@rk me.......our run with guy at times is Blake......or Attard....you get the point...

Weve got some big holes to fix list wise before we seriosuly challenge for mine.

[The_Dud]

Maguire
Clarke R
Clarke M
Blake
Fisher S
Ball

all had there pants ABSOLUTELY pulled down tonight

...and add Gehrig. What a frustrating player!

2 goals, had the opportunity to kick a few more, did some good things without the ball in the forward 50

didn't have a great game, but was far from our worst playing on the best FB in the comp

[Teflon]

I agree on tonight's performance

The only time I thought the coach made an error was in the last goal by Le Cras when we had no one inside defensive 50.

Maybe they knew how long we had to go and that we would not have had time to rebound it.

But anyway...our disposal was ordinary tonight from players that should know better. Joey's errors were inexcusable. Gilbert did what he did for Casey last season. Blistering runs followed by a poor disposal and a turn over.

Funny you say that cause I also agree on the coaching error.....but I was thjnking bout it later and thought........I spose with 20 secs on the clock with the game having to be won.....you cant have loose saints guys in their fwd 50......allowing them extra numbers in ours......we had to roll the dice and win the clearnce at this stage - we couldnt.

That said......how many wasted opportunities went begging by sloppy, lazy skills and DUMB decision making???

Once again tonight we give away our complimentary "free opposition goal from the goal line" - MAX HUDGTON IS THE ONLY back we have with a genuine, effective spoil - the rest airbrush it (see Grams spoils.....hhmmm..very Aussie Jones like.....they "look" like an effort...rarely dislodge a ball......).

I also note tOnight - thanks Fiora - we gave away our "complimentary" (usually 1 per week) back half turn over goal?????????/ WTF???

Ive been saying this to some on here for ages - we have players that skill wise will let you down under presure. Finals are played under pressure - a GF uner intense pressure.
\
We have some holes to fix before we get anywhere near that IMO.

[st.byron]

I know we can rely on other sides to lose and still make finals yada yada - but ask yourself - does a GOOD side throw away a 4 goal lead and all of a sudden start losing any semblence of basic footballing skill?...or are we carrying some players that would struggle to get games at other clubs?

We had them on toast tonight - and from what I saw it ALL had to do with an inability to execute by foot/hand.

Agree completely Teffers. No bulls**t about umpires. Four goal lead against Collingwood - Loss. Five goal lead against the Dogs - draw. Five goal lead against Wet Toast - Loss. All crucial games that we were poised to win and would have had us well in the mix for a top four spot. No excuses. Not good enough. Winning games like that is why the Weagles are top two and we're struggling to make the eight.

[Animal Enclosure]

Beaten by a better drilled, experienced side (despite them missing 2 of their best).

Fair enough comments that some guys wilted under the pressure (just as the eagles did in the 1st quarter). Raph backed up a good solid game with another lazy performance our midfield lacks spark when Joey is quiet (Lenny was unbelieveable in & under), footskills are shown up when the blowtorch is really applied.

Having said all of that, if we do sneak in we will be better for the experience of playing a high intensity game against just about the best going around & we fell 8 points short. The 1st half was sensational & for 10 minutes or so in the last quarter we had them (just had to take our chances).

We can still some damage if we make it but if we don't, well, we've only got ourselves to blame (Collingwood & Bulldogs games were always looking like the ones that got away).

[JeffDunne]

LOL, quoting GT to back up an arguement.

Classic. I've seen it all now.

[GRAMophone]

Oh dear - I have a love/hate relationship with Raph. His holding the ball on the wing for SO LONG while Grammy & Dal called for it in the corridor was my absolutely most frustrating moment of the night, second only to Milne's failure to centre the ball from hard on the bounary line where he kicked it out on the full I think.

[Teflon]

Beaten by a better drilled, experienced side (despite them missing 2 of their best).

Fair enough comments that some guys wilted under the pressure (just as the eagles did in the 1st quarter). Raph backed up a good solid game with another lazy performance our midfield lacks spark when Joey is quiet (Lenny was unbelieveable in & under), footskills are shown up when the blowtorch is really applied.

Having said all of that, if we do sneak in we will be better for the experience of playing a high intensity game against just about the best going around & we fell 8 points short. The 1st half was sensational & for 10 minutes or so in the last quarter we had them (just had to take our chances).

Im not into sneaking into the 8 to "do some damage" Id like to one day win the froggin thing or seriously challenge as Geelong will.

I left that ground tonight not angry, upset or whatever (I usually do after a loss...) I left calm in the knowledge that right now we simply ARE NOT good enough with this group to win an AFL Premiership. Id rather focus on what we need to do to rectify that - starting with recruiting NOT athletes (aka Howard) but players that have the necessary skills by hand/foot that modern footy demands.

[OneEyedSainter77]

Six unforced errors in the first fifteen minutes of the third quarter cost us - its turned the game on its head and ultimately cost us.... in the end we were beaten by a better team who wanted it more.... unmpiring was just a scapegoat so we had something to take our anger out on (six days of pent up energy)

Gameplan I thought was fine tonight - in fact, i woud love to always play it like that. Hard, unrelentless pressure - watch the first half and you'll see what i mean... Also, it was great to see Hayes, Kosi and Maguire all playing so well tonight, overcoming an injury plagued career.... and Grammy's run from the backline.... there was plenty to like about tonight even without the four points.... but its likely curtains for 2007 -another wasted season.

*glares at Collingwood and Kangaroos games*

[Teflon]

LOL, quoting GT to back up an arguement.

Classic. I've seen it all now.

sadly I can only say with your shallow football response......Ive seen it all before....and way to often.......

But then....on Bigfooty....one line posts get you by I spose......

[Animal Enclosure]

Also, it was great to see Hayes, Kosi and Maguire all playing so well tonight,

Not sure you can put Goose in that trio mate. Got a massive bath tonight.

[linz]

Oh dear - I have a love/hate relationship with Raph. His holding the ball on the wing for SO LONG while Grammy & Dal called for it in the corridor was my absolutely most frustrating moment of the night, second only to Milne's failure to centre the ball from hard on the bounary line where he kicked it out on the full I think.

Gramophone: I'm about to get shouted down but I really didn't mind Raph's game tonight. I thought he played well.

[OneEyedSainter77]

Yeah, I noticed he is being maligned for tonight - look Lynch killed him make no mistake but he is slowly finding his feet - took some great defensive contested marks and always shows plenty of courage.... I wouldn't put him in the best but I can see signs that he will be improving come next year....

[Teflon]

Oh dear - I have a love/hate relationship with Raph. His holding the ball on the wing for SO LONG while Grammy & Dal called for it in the corridor was my absolutely most frustrating moment of the night, second only to Milne's failure to centre the ball from hard on the bounary line where he kicked it out on the full I think.

Gramophone: I'm about to get shouted down but I really didn't mind Raph's game tonight. I thought he played well.

Raph to me wasnt our worst...but geez his intensity for this level and his at times low awareness/decision making is of rdeal concern.

The Wiirpunda goal from the Hansen tackle near the goal square while Raph stood meters away dreaming............case in point.

[kalsaint]

I know we can rely on other sides to lose and still make finals yada yada - but ask yourself - does a GOOD side throw away a 4 goal lead and all of a sudden start losing any semblence of basic footballing skill?...or are we carrying some players that would struggle to get games at other clubs?

We had them on toast tonight - and from what I saw it ALL had to do with an inability to execute by foot/hand.

Agree completely Teffers. No bulls**t about umpires. Four goal lead against Collingwood - Loss. Five goal lead against the Dogs - draw. Five goal lead against Wet Toast - Loss. All crucial games that we were poised to win and would have had us well in the mix for a top four spot. No excuses. Not good enough. Winning games like that is why the Weagles are top two and we're struggling to make the eight.

Yep read Tephlon's lead and agree totally. I will add only 2 things.
1 Lose a tagger and have 2 midfielders struggling with corkies off the field half the game and its all over due to lack of depth here.
2 Eagles have clear winners missing from their side and they replace them with other running players. Midfield depth is abysmal at SaintsLand. Needs change.

Oh 3, Nick is just great and he seems to comand delivery. DalSanto got caught wainting for him to move. They have to stop this as others need to step up to assist Nick. Nick must stop leading to the pockets. This and poor foot skills contributed to 2 out of bounds. Why does he go there? Its totally a wasted effort.

[Otiman]

Don't think you can get off this lightly, Number 3 green maggot!

[Teflon]

Great point on Roo Kalsaint - late tonight we simply became 1 dimensional and looked for him at every opportunity...I guess when the opposition know this...closing down corrdior space for him to lead into becomes paramount....and too easy...

We do need a goal kicking HFF/marking type option....we sadly lack this...

[Enrico_Misso]

That ridiculous 50m penalty didn't help.

Fact is WCE are the benchmark.
We came up short.
But not by much.
And with players missing.

So I totally disagree with posters saying we are not worthy of making the 8.
We can still make it.
And if so we can still do some damage in the first 2 weeks.