Is our gameplan sustainable?

[1eyedog]

Re: Is our gameplan sustainable?

The defensive group spent a lot of time practising measuring kicks and icing the clock over preseason.

Yes and we did this very effectively in the later stages of the round 1 win over West Coke.

[mjp]

Re: Is our gameplan sustainable?

Was the fade out game plan related? Or mindset related?

Looked to me like the smith injury had a huge negative impact and once the switch is turned to 'off' turning it back on is not easy...the players would have known about the Smith injury at half-time and this is the outcome. Dockers this week!

[comrade]

Re: Is our gameplan sustainable?

Was the fade out game plan related? Or mindset related?

Looked to me like the smith injury had a huge negative impact and once the switch is turned to 'off' turning it back on is not easy...the players would have known about the Smith injury at half-time and this is the outcome. Dockers this week!

So no concerns on your behalf, mjp?

[Twodogs]

Re: Is our gameplan sustainable?

Was the fade out game plan related? Or mindset related?

Looked to me like the smith injury had a huge negative impact and once the switch is turned to 'off' turning it back on is not easy...the players would have known about the Smith injury at half-time and this is the outcome. Dockers this week!

Exhaustion set in too. You could see at the ground that the players were cooked. I think given the same circumstances that we would have bought some more fresh legs in for the Saints game if we had the chance.

[mjp]

Re: Is our gameplan sustainable?

Not really.

The saints came hard and to fight the fight your head needs to be switched on. When smith went down I was just glad we were a long way in front as - given it is recon#3- i thought it would suck the life out of the group. As it turned out we weren't quite far enough in front.

[comrade]

Re: Is our gameplan sustainable?

Not really.

The saints came hard and to fight the fight your head needs to be switched on. When smith went down I was just glad we were a long way in front as - given it is recon#3- i thought it would suck the life out of the group. As it turned out we weren't quite far enough in front.

In hindsight, had we just subbed Clay off earlier in the qtr, his injury may not have impacted the group to the extent it did - being at half time, stretcher, melee etc

[Cyberdoggie]

Re: Is our gameplan sustainable?

In hindsight, had we just subbed Clay off earlier in the qtr, his injury may not have impacted the group to the extent it did - being at half time, stretcher, melee etc

Exactly, but having said that they wouldn't of known that he would of gone down right on the half time buzzer for all to see, and perhaps they were hoping the sight of him out there albeit briefly might of worked in our favour, even if the news was bad.

But, I agree, he should never have gone back out there, because in hindsight it was probably the biggest factor in us losing the game.

[stefoid]

Re: Is our gameplan sustainable?

Not really.

The saints came hard and to fight the fight your head needs to be switched on. When smith went down I was just glad we were a long way in front as - given it is recon#3- i thought it would suck the life out of the group. As it turned out we weren't quite far enough in front.

I think so too. Normally at half time 50 points up youd be chipper, but once the news was out it was just blerg.

[Ghost Dog]

Re: Is our gameplan sustainable?

I think so too. Normally at half time 50 points up youd be chipper, but once the news was out it was just blerg.

Not sure you can pin it on that surely. As Bevo suggested, if anything it should have fired us up. Sydney game prolly had more to do with it eh?

[jeemak]

Re: Is our gameplan sustainable?

Not sure you can pin it on that surely. As Bevo suggested, if anything it should have fired us up. Sydney game prolly had more to do with it eh?

Slow reaction to changed circumstances and a lack of mental fortitude (potentially brought on with losing Clay, but equally likely as a result of taking the foot off) is to blame. It's pretty simple to me.

[Bornadog]

Re: Is our gameplan sustainable?

Slow reaction to changed circumstances and a lack of mental fortitude (potentially brought on with losing Clay, but equally likely as a result of taking the foot off) is to blame. It's pretty simple to me.

I am still angry we let this one slip.

[Greystache]

Re: Is our gameplan sustainable?

After watching yesterday's game one thing that concerns me about how sustainable our game plan is that we seem to willingly concede first possession at the centre bounce majority of time, and instead rely on laying a tackle as soon as they take possession to either hold them up or turn the ball over. This strategy must take a lot out of the players playing in the midfield, and could be something that really starts to hurt later in the season.

[jeemak]

Re: Is our gameplan sustainable?

I was surprised yesterday by the lack of defencive set up, particularly at centre bounces.

Strange times, and considering we nearly won the game against the clear competition leader it's difficult to be too critical.

[Mantis]

Re: Is our gameplan sustainable?

After watching yesterday's game one thing that concerns me about how sustainable our game plan is that we seem to willingly concede first possession at the centre bounce majority of time, and instead rely on laying a tackle as soon as they take possession to either hold them up or turn the ball over. This strategy must take a lot out of the players playing in the midfield, and could be something that really starts to hurt later in the season.

It also allows the opposition to be creative with what they do when they win the tap, meaning we are always on the back-foot and 2nd guessing.

I'm also not a fan of using the '3rd man up' tactic on a regular basis as it denies you an extra player at the coal face when the ball isn't cleared.

[Maddog37]

Re: Is our gameplan sustainable?

I thought it was noticeable the slower short chip style was played for portions of the game and it served us well. It is also what Freo do very well.