TOPIC:

Not kicking a goal in the first half, despite having a couple of golden opportunities to do so, hurts. Despite that though there was an underlying feeling that we were still in the game and showed it in the third quarter. Those two late goals in the third by Antonio and Black though put a damper on all the good work that we'd done to get back in the game. Was hoping that we could keep it going but it would appear that we used all our petrol tickets in the third quarter and had nothing left in the tank. Maybe if we'd been able to convert a couple of those opportunities in the first half and been closer at three quarter time then who knows. Another loss but as others have said the players that have been taking to the field do seem to be having a good crack.

Sinclair, Busher, Ainsworth, Stubbs all missing through injury while DBW, AJ and Mayne all played in the reserves.  Josh Smith who when not injured would be in the best 22 and I'm sure he's as frustrated as anyone that his body can't get right but has only managed six games in the last two years.  Three of those have been pre season games.

North Melbourne has been on the bones of its arse  for the past few years but I would guarantee that the AFL system will ensure they don’t stay down there for too much longer. The AFL has the best interests of the AFL teams, the integrity of the AFL, and the evenness of the AFL competition at heart. The WAFC has the best interests of the two AFL teams as their priority. The WAFL teams and the evenness of the WAFL competition is clearly a minor consideration. Is it time to re-establish a group dedicated to the management and organisation of the WAFL competition as its priority once again? A group of dedicated people who can put long-term processes in place to ensure the evenness of the competition, the integrity of the competition and its clubs, and (heaven forbid) a set of fixtures that make sense? The WAFL competition, the highest competition in the state, is the only competition in the state that does not have its own organising amd management body. Admittedly, apart from Perth, the WAFL competition is as close as it has been for many years. But I think this has happened out of pure luck rather than any long-term planning. 

I think it might be time for the club to actually communicate to members and supporters as to WTF is going on and what is driving the decisions around team selection.
 

I must really be affected in the head.
Because I watched a replay after knowing that we got beaten by 10 goals.
You have to be brain dead to watch a replay knowing you got flogged.
But I must either be seeing things or living in hope.
I didn't think we were that far away.
Yes I know we didn't kick a goal in the first half but I thought overall with the outs we have at the moment I thought we played reasonably well.
Footy is a confidence thing what a difference in attitude there may have been if Fraser had kicked that first friggin goal.
Followed by the second missed I think by a reliable kick in Cary.
We missed the first 2 then the next 7.
Get say 5 out of the nine in the first half we are not that far away.
Miss them and we drop our heads then no way back.
I know we turn things over and make mistakes but confidence and belief are important things.
What needs to change is the culture of misbelief and that's where the coaching staff need to play a part because some of our players are good enough and some of the rest could be.
I like the look of Harry I think we have a serious prospect there, but at times he looks lazy.
If the coaches can motivate him to be more active and desperate I think we have a real key forward.

Demons Forever wrote:

I didn't think we were that far away.
Yes I know we didn't kick a goal in the first half but I thought overall with the outs we have at the moment I thought we played reasonably well.

 

I agree. It was a game of kick to kick between half backlines in the first half. We got within 16 points last in the third quarter and then let a freakish goal and then another one in red time kill our momentum. 

The last ten minutes in the final quarter we threw in the towel and a front running mob like WP just go to town when the opposition effort drops off and that's why the scoreboard blew out, but I agree, we were competitive and should have been a lot closer if not for the inexplicable shite kicking for goal - 9 points straight, followed by 7 goals straight. Work that out.

It's mind boggling Dazz.
I don't know how you can between their ears but I think at full strength and with the right belief we're not far away.
Yes we need some recruits.
Why the frig did we go in with no ruckman.
Just mind boggling shite selection decisions.
We need a big bodied mean grunt filled inside mid to clear the path for clearances.
Not saying get rid of either ruckman we have but recruit a top class one.
Maybe a tall key defender.
And a midfielder to replace Smith.
You've got until tomorrow.

Demons Forever wrote:

Why the frig did we go in with no ruckman.

We need a big bodied mean grunt filled inside mid to clear the path for clearances.

You've got until tomorrow.

Yep, you were right (and I was wrong) in your call on the risks of not going in without a recognised ruckman. Playing Gibba there didn't work and left Keitel to do as he liked up forward.  

I reckon Brady Grey was that inside mid, and then when he left it was going to be McPartland but he's had concussion issues which is big worry for the young lad. Jayden Hunter going down pre-season was another big loss. He looked earmarked to hold down a key forward spot. 

Be interesting to see if anyone else turns up on our list before end of tomorrow. 

Dazz - hahahaha (on your list comment).

I agree to some extent that we are close BUT too far off the pace. If you analyse  the senior list you will be hard put to name more that 5 or 6 players who would get a regular game with any other WAFL side and if they did would they be improved players for the change.. Perhaps 3 might be best 22 with the likes of Subi, Claremont or  West Perth. The other 3 with Swans, Sharks , South.