Sharp Axes

[Mantis]

Re: Sharp Axes

A bit light on for traffic around here. Figured I'd bump this one to make sure we're all still aligned on whether the coach is responsible for all outcomes on field.

Has it been suggested otherwise?

The coach is responsible for getting the best out of his players, team selection and game style which isn?t where it needs to be.

And bumping this after a win against team we absolutely own is fraught with danger.

[GVGjr]

Re: Sharp Axes

Good win last night but it does it change the fact that if we don?t win at least 1 final the season is a failure?

Winning a final is what I would regard as a successful year and for me last nights result really doesn't change that thought.

[Bulldog Joe]

Re: Sharp Axes

There is still a bit to go and beating Essendon was essential but it was only Essendon who we beat most of the time.

We still need to make and win finals.

[hujsh]

Re: Sharp Axes

Was everyone so confident we'd beat Essendon at 7:45pm on the 21st of July?

[G-Mo77]

Re: Sharp Axes

Was everyone so confident we'd beat Essendon at 7:45pm on the 21st of July?

I was, picked us by 29 points on FootyTips. I was cursing the wasted pick at quarter time though.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Sharp Axes

A bit light on for traffic around here. Figured I'd bump this one to make sure we're all still aligned on whether the coach is responsible for all outcomes on field.

Jee, if we either don't make finals or get knocked out in another EF after the coach and administration declared top 4 the expectation, are you happy?

For me, even winning ONE final isn't good enough for a group that is statistically the second oldest in the league and was specifically geared via recruitment to contend / win a flag. Anything short of a PF is a failure IMO.

[jeemak]

Re: Sharp Axes

Jee, if we either don't make finals or get knocked out in another EF after the coach and administration declared top 4 the expectation, are you happy?

For me, even winning ONE final isn't good enough for a group that is statistically the second oldest in the league and was specifically geared via recruitment to contend / win a flag. Anything short of a PF is a failure IMO.

Old doesn't equal good though, does it? It just means we need to look at our list critically and address its weaknesses, which we all acknowledge.

Winning a final is the target, and any team who has made the eight should be aiming for top four. That's a stated ambition of ours and it absolutely should be our ambition.

I just think so much has to go right for us to make it. Because of our deficiencies our margin for error is wafer thin which is why I don't understand the hysteria when we don't win or the lack of enjoyment when we play well. There's always a but this, or a but that in the case of the latter.

A side that has Khamis as second ruck, Keath, Bruce and Gardner as defensive pillars, and West, Baker, Poulter and VDM in it is expected to trounce a top eight contender and make top four. Does that really stack up? Is it a great coaching effort to get these guys to win by seven goals? Great committed effort from the players to execute a plan?

[jeemak]

Re: Sharp Axes

I could add Duryea to that list of defensive pillars, because most people think he's cooked. So that's four key roles in defence that are filled by players many don't think are up to it. Does that sound like a defence that should be taking us to top four?

[SonofScray]

Re: Sharp Axes

A bit light on for traffic around here. Figured I'd bump this one to make sure we're all still aligned on whether the coach is responsible for all outcomes on field.

Was a good performance by a talented team.

[Grantysghost]

Re: Sharp Axes

Was a good performance by a talented team.

What did you think of the move after quarter time to even out the forward < - > defence numbers?

Thought it was game changing. Baz also killed it with his forward pressure.

[SonofScray]

Re: Sharp Axes

What did you think of the move after quarter time to even out the forward < - > defence numbers?

Thought it was game changing. Baz also killed it with his forward pressure.

We definitely saw benefits from that when they went to switch the footy. Rarely got beyond the two possessions before a contested scenario. The way Essendon tackled the puzzle we presented reminded me of Brisbane’s effort earlier the year. They made a mess of it.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Re: Sharp Axes

A bit light on for traffic around here. Figured I'd bump this one to make sure we're all still aligned on whether the coach is responsible for all outcomes on field.

Who knows. We could drop an absolute egg next week and the same questions will get raised. That's the problem with the group. Inconsistent. Unpredictable. Week to week. Quarter to quarter.

The effort last night was superb and finally sustained. But we barely see it for longer than 10 minutes a quarter usually.

Last night our effort was good enough to knock off a midling team but I'm pretty sure we'd have been blown away by the top 5 during either the first quarter or the first half of the 3rd.

[EasternWest]

Re: Sharp Axes

What did you think of the move after quarter time to even out the forward < - > defence numbers?

Thought it was game changing. Baz also killed it with his forward pressure.

Baz was good last night dunno why jeemak keeps banging on about trading him.

[Bornadog]

Re: Sharp Axes

Baz was good last night dunno why jeemak keeps banging on about trading him.

Is Jeemak and Aza the same person?

[EasternWest]

Re: Sharp Axes

Is Jeemak and Aza the same person?

Yes.