last qtr charge falls short again

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

WE would have to be the most schizophrenic team going around.
Two weeks in a row we play three quarters of ordinary football, turning the ball over, kicking forward with little thought, and allowing teams to run us off our feet.

Two weeks in a row, we suddenly discover our intensity, run, carry, daring play and are able to score freely again.

What is with this?

I think this is the key to our problems at the moment, insofar as I don't think it's a case of another team stopping. More importantly I think it is that in these last quarters we are actually playing the type of football that made us good in the first place. Playing on quickly, everyone running hard, and breaking lines with blokes continuing to run after dishing it off, and finally finishing off the good work with goals.

Eade simply must get this group to play this brand of football from the get go, not wait until the game is all over.
Our guys need to play this daring brand of football from the start of the siren to the end.

And although I was only watching on TV and couldn't see the whole of the ground, we didn't look like we were down-hill skiing when we made our charge, as otherwise the Filth would've been able to get one or two back as soon as we turned it over. Instead when we turned it over we were able to still hold our structure and pressure them again.

[angelopetraglia]

Was at the game.

Agree. We need to play more attacking.

We changed our style every so slightly this year. We went a few pegs towards StKilda instead of trying to play like Geelong.

It is costing us badly.

We need to attack more, take the game on. So very disappointing.

Even in that last quarter we made so many poor choices moving forward. We kicked 6 goals for the quarter,but should have kick 7 or 8 even more was our dominance.

[Swoop]

I posted the below italic section in the Dogs v Pies match day thread but thought that it was relevant in the questions you ask Yankee.

For mine obviously there are a number of factors but attitude and mental toughness would have to be one of the major reasons behind our past 2 performances.

Yes, while we played more direct and ran harder and did a number of things differently in both last quarters, ultimately we played with greater intensity as if the game meant something and that for me shows that it is between the ears.

Firstly I'd like to start off by saying that generally I am glass half full sort of person but I find myself getting continually frustrated with our performances in recent times.

For a side to put up that Jekyll & Hyde performance two weeks in a row is a true a disappointment. Our effort in the past two weeks is a true indictment on the playing group and their lack of mental strength & toughness. Both last quarter efforts only show to me that we are in fact good enough and highlights more than anything that it is our attitude that is lacking - a poor reflection on the players.

There is a saying "The definition of stupidity is doing the same thing over again and expecting a different result."

At the moment we continue to persist with the same players against the big teams and we continue to expect a different result despite being let down in the past.

As I've stated earlier, I am generally a positive person and will defend players despite criticism but it's time players were made accountable for their effort or rather lack of. One spell now could send a clear message and save heartache later in the year.

If I was Everitt at the minute I w€ould be fairly frustrated at not being able to get back into this side especially when others continue to be given the benefit of the doubt which doesn't appear to apply to all players. I do not expect wholesale changes however I certainly hope that there is a clear message sent by our match committee this week of what is and is not acceptable.

Unfortunately I fear the reality is a much different story and there will be the token 1-2 changes with the usual suspects included and life will continue to be rosy in dog land.

[boydogs]

Maybe Rocket is too focussed on preparing them for finals football, or worried about the ability of our underdone mids and forwards to compete in a shootout

At least we are finishing over the top of teams now, as opposed to games earlier in the year e.g. Brisbane where we blew a lead

[LostDoggy]

Match reminded me of Dogs v Pies mid last year..

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Nice post Swoop.

I think then we just have to hope that Eade says to those repeat offenders that they've now used up all of their last chances, and makes some brave calls with selection this week.

For mine, Hahn and Eagleton have to go.
Ward is the guy we need desperately, however he is probably not goin to be ready until after the mid season break, Reid is probably in the same boat too.

Everitt has to come in, and maybe Wood?

[mjp]

WE would have to be the most schizophrenic team going around.
Two weeks in a row we play three quarters of ordinary football, turning the ball over, kicking forward with little thought, and allowing teams to run us off our feet.

Just another poor display. We play with adventure when there are no consequences of failing - basically, when the game is lost.

[The Pie Man]

Match reminded me of Dogs v Pies mid last year..

And the Geelong game when Johnson missed after the siren...and the QF last year against Geelong.....and the Essendon game last week.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Just another poor display. We play with adventure when there are no consequences of failing - basically, when the game is lost.

So do you think the brief from the coaches for next week should be to tell the group "forget the consequences, you have a licence for adventure"?

[LostDoggy]

And the Geelong game when Johnson missed after the siren...and the QF last year against Geelong.....and the Essendon game last week.

Ouch.

[The Pie Man]

Ouch.

Yup, it hurts

Frustrating pattern

[LostDoggy]

No sense of urgency from the boys until its too late.

[Ghost Dog]

And although I was only watching on TV and couldn't see the whole of the ground, we didn't look like we were down-hill skiing when we made our charge, as otherwise the Filth would've been able to get one or two back as soon as we turned it over. Instead when we turned it over we were able to still hold our structure and pressure them again.

Ok here is a tip. DO NOT watch Bulldogs games on the TV anymore. DO NOT watch them at the game. FAR too FRUSTRATING to see a team only play half a game of football just to lose it by a few kicks. I suggest logging into AFL.com and using the flash app. You don't have to put up with collingwood fans, and the frustration of watching turnovers. Last week the game ruined my whole weekend. Tonight, I just simple closed my laptop and said a little sigh. Poor Bulldogs.

[Remi Moses]

Not good enough simple and totally unacceptable.It's time to drop a big name or two and make a statement,Carlton did it a while back and shows that no spot is a given.Our transition from half back to the forward 50 is nothing short of pathetic

[LostDoggy]

Yeah big problems coming out of defence for us at the moment. Especially when the opposition is flooding, we make it worse by following them into the zone and if we do hit up a target at the half back line, we got no-one in up the ground to get it to.