by Booney » Mon Jun 22, 2015 11:46 am
Well, where does one start after a performance like that?
I've had some pretty disappointing days in years gone by watching my side play, but I thought and believed those dark days of pre-2013 were gone. I certainly have more faith in this group of players than I did 4 years ago but my faith in the processes the coaching staff are adhering to is surely being questioned.
Whilst we didn't cop a hiding on Saturday there were so many, many facets of our game that have gone from being a mild concern 6 weeks ago to downright worrying now.
1 - Our skill level in the basics of the game. Marking the ball when clear of opponents, kicking the ball to an open team mate and hitting the player in front with hand balls to release and create run. Much of this is confidence based, the players who are making fundamental mistakes have shown they have the skills they are just not executing them at this point and it is killing us. Broadbent, Ebert, Hartlett, Jonas, Trengove to name a few on the weekend looked like players well below AFL standard and 2 of them, Broadbent and Hartlett are known competition wide for their skills, especially by foot.
First quarter, just outside Port's forward 50 and Ebert in space drops a ball about waist height that should be gobbled up. Turn over, Carlton goal.
2 - Our ability to use the ball under pressure, in fact, not even use the ball but simply get a handle on it ( see skills above ). Our skills under pressure have been terrible for several weeks, probably began in the Sydney game and were hidden by wins over Adelaide and Hawthorn before being found out against Richmond, Brisbane, West Coast, Geelong and now Carlton. When under any duress we just cough the ball up and concede goal after goal from turnovers.
3 - The most frustrating aspect of our current form. When we don't have the ball we are not working hard enough to win the ball back. This, as shown by Carlton on the weekend, is based on application and attitude and not talent. Intent to tackle, intent to chase and intent to compete has nothing to do with skill level and everything to do with mindset. Our mindset is the most disappointing part of the last few weeks for me. too many missed tackles, opposition players bursting from stoppages, defenders not creating body pressure in the one on one contests. All mind set.
4 - Now, all clubs pretty much know what all the others clubs do as far as game style goes. With scouts watching opponents, video analysis, heat maps etc etc it's very easy to identify how clubs like to play. No secrets that we play the corridor, our intent is to square up and run through the middle.
Well, folks, the opposition clubs are cluttering that space and outnumbering us in there yet we persist on tracking along that path. In the last 5-6 weeks the amount of times we have been without a target through half forward is downright worrying.
Defence and mids look to the corridor after 3 summers of training that way but the forwards are playing wide as they can see the space is filled with defenders! So, which one gives? The defenders and mids need to be aware that the forwards are leading to space they previously weren't, why can I see that and our back/mids cant?
A couple of positives before I get angry.
Chad v2.0 is delivering numbers up there with his AA season. Averaging more disposals, more marks and more goals. His last month has been electrifying after a slow but not poor start to the year. Perhaps the fact he's alone inside F50 at times is the reason for his increased goal scoring output.
Wines, Boak and Gray. Our three key mids are still in form and doing their fare share. 19 clearances between them on the weekend ( and Gray missed the second half ) means that are doing their bit. All still averaging high 20 possies per game.
Hombsch. Clearly our most reliable defender who through sheer desperation was sent forward on Saturday as he seems to be one of very few big men who are currently reading the ball in the air at Port. Sadly he had about 5 minutes forward before Henderson lost Carlile in traffic and Hombsch had to go back to shut down the Blues key forward. We didn't get a chance to see the ball in his area forward of centre to see if he could offer something.
Colquhoun - Sammy was an important part of the later half of 2013 and was one of our best the night Geelong beat us in the semi final in Melbourne. His return has been nothing short of spot on. Some solid games with the Magpies late last year and early this year with a deserved recall into the AFL side and he's been solid at worst since his return. A real positive.
On the flip side, Monfries is playing a defensive forward role that takes his most potent weapon of leading up and marking away from him and makes him chase/harass seemingly first and foremost, Westhoff is all out of sorts and struggling to take a grab in a goal scoring / dangerous position, all his best aerial work is down back, Schulz looks to be right out of touch ( Saturday and his wifes hospitalization aside - I hope she is ok ) and Jonas who has been very reliable has a dose of the fumbles.
Not sure what the coaches see in Mitchell, his "motor" is super so if he is picked then make him do a full shutdown role as his ability to kick to nobody is the likes of which I have never seen. Bagging your own is not something I'm happy to do, at SANFL level he tears it up and can actually use the ball. I'm not sure if it's lack of time at the top level or his skills are limited.
I really could just go on and on......
PAFC. Forever.
LOOK OUT, WE'RE COMING!