Post Match. Swans thump Pies. All comments.

[Haff]

2 comments, no one was attacked for barracking in the game thread or this one. Well done nicks!

And I think the questions asked by the media in the presser were absolutely spot on.

[Larabee]

[think positive]

thanks Jezza, much appreciated, and i feel a tad better!
have a good one!

[The Black and White Lion]

The team is clearly not up to it at the moment. I understand what Fly had to say in the presser to those relevant questions. I'm taking those answers with a grain of salt.

The 6 day break thing is rubbish. We've known that was coming for months. Backing up 22players for the first 2 weeks and then saying we might change personnel doesn't reek of a plan to me. We could have injected some youthful exuberance in Round 0 and Round 1 and managed more players if that was a real concern before Week 1.

Fly has a real problem because the players are not prepared as a team on the field at this time. They might be off field. They will be doubting that too at the moment. Fly's giving reassurance so they don't drop there heads but if you were watching Fly and Bolton on the bench (yes Bolton was on the bench for periods last night) Fly was giving some angry messages to Bolton. The pies coaching staff will be genuinely shocked with the first two weeks results but minor changes aren't going to fix 13 or 14players who are well down.

AJ wash awful when he had a chance but he's not a KPF and shouldn't be playing that role in a structure that demands it. He's a medium tall at best, he's lightweight and lacking confidence. Reality is McInnes isn't much different at this age so the likelihood that Reef will solve the forward half woes is pretty low. If we swap AJ out for Reef and the rest of the team structure and form remains we're going to see similar results and the woes continue.

Think we need 3 talls in attack to help each other out. Hill and another at the feet with one lead up small / medium. Not fussed the tall combination it could be any of Mihocek, Cox, AJ, McInnes, Frampton, Begg and Steene. They are our options so we have to use them.

I think Frampton needs to come in and go back though as were getting smashed in marking contests in the back 50.

FWIW I hate this round 0 nonsense at that round 0 doesn't count in Fantasy stats. Imagine saying Round 0 doesn't count to brownlow and ladder points!

[robevpau1]

A pertinent point by Leigh Matthews last night. "Team defence only works when you've got midfield pressure. Collingwood's got no midfield pressure so their team defence is getting cut apart."

So - no midfield control = breakdown of system defence via opposition pressure = inability to set-up systemically creative forward play.

We need to persist with the experience of Mitchell to nullify opposition centre-bounce clearances and with Fin Macrae's developing creative clearance work.

This can be turned around with the right personal.

Forward set-up also requires a reset and new personnel.

[stui magpie]

[Culprit]

Two teams have done their homework and have dismantled our game plan.

[The Black and White Lion]

Sounds like McInnes hardly touched it in the VFL practice match against the Borough. Not sure if he gets a game either. Frampton kicked one. Carmichael a few, Sullivan one. No mention of Bytel.

Again Macrae can't argue about the 6day break when our VFL team played an hour before the seniors.

Sounds like Allan, Noble and Jiath played well and no new injuries were reported in the VFL or the AFL matches so apart from the long term injuries, we have a good list to pick from. Sofrinidis called out at FB but he aint on the list. Slim pickings for the problems we've got.

Injuries could have forced our hand but the coaches have to make some hard decisions now. Will it be some brutal Sunday training or a light week on the track.

At the end of the day our system is a shambles at the moment and that's one of Fly's key mantras. If the personnel aren't going to change dramatically then the focus needs to be on the coaching to rectify the system.

[joemamone@gmail.com]

Clearly, McInnes must come in. I know my next suggestion is likely to be howled down, but I would play Begg at CHF. Why? I have been watching his progress and what impresses me most is his competitiveness. His second and third efforts are terrific - he fights to keep the ball - this is the sort of approach that assists the smalls. Furthermore, he has a great leap and whilst he is still improving his marking he brings the ball to ground and does not let it go readily.

[Mr Miyagi]

Flag hangover + heavy/short preseason training load + opposition hungrier to beat us. I tipped us being 0-2 and here we are. It’s a long season, anything can happen.

In:Frampton, McInnes, McCrae.
Out: Johnson, ?, ?

[23 YIPPEE!!!]

For stkilda game.

In: Frampton McRae Allan Carmicheal
Out Johnson Side WHE

We need now to blood some kids.


Time has arrived for that long awaited transition.

Time for some youth.

[Mr Miyagi]

Nah Sidey stays in, he was one of our best last night.

[Pies4shaw]

It’s mid-March and the reigning premiers have already been made to play two games - with a third to follow within 12 days of the opener. This is about what you’d expect to see - other teams with far more advanced preparation taking Collingwood down. There has been very little to like, so far. It will be very difficult from here but I do think many of you are just being too harsh blaming the players’ attitude. They look like they’re still working through their preseason to me. There’s little value in coming out like a rocket in March if you can’t sustain it.

[Dark Beanie]

[Pies2016]