Post Match. Pies down to Dogs. All comments.

[MatthewBoydFanClub]

[lazzadesilva]

[David]

In terms of the less experienced players, Sullivan and Dean were both really impressive I thought. Otherwise, it was a pity that Harrison wasn't up to his recent standards, and Bytel was a bit of a non-factor (I was surprised that he wasn't the one subbed off in the last). Parker's really only been given cameo opportunities now for two weeks running, but he seemed a bit out of his depth last night.

I tend to see more in Macrae than most on here – and, more importantly, the coaches, who seem to rate him more harshly – but even I think he would ordinarily be dropped after a performance like that. May be saved by the fact that so many others had average games too and that we simply don't have that many players to bring in right now.

[think positive]

[think positive]

[doriswilgus]

[Big T]

[Pies4shaw]

A few of you have lost the plot - Collingwood just lost for the first time since March, despite all the injuries, and you suddenly have $�$%^%%$ North as a danger game. Do try to keep a passing connection with reality, please.

[Pies2016]

[think positive]

[quote="doriswilgus"]

[think positive]

[Magpietothemax]

Again extremely impressed by our coach's presser after the game. His hatred of losing is so self-evident!! Yet, he remains absolutely calm and refusing to accept any excuses for the loss, while subtly suggesting at the same time that the loss is understandable within the context of the our current circumstances. He did it superbly. No excuses, but the loss can be explained!
He was also clear about our lack of run in the final quarters, referring explicitly to "this group". Clearly I think he is suggesting that our most inexperienced (HH, Sullivan, Fin, Bytell) are not "hardened enough" for running out four quarters.( I am not sure what he means by "hardened". But the suggestion seems to me to be that our young guys will improve at running out four quarters over the next few weeks, just from the very fact of playing each week). He also suggested that these inexperienced players are still in the process of fully learning and understanding their role in the system.
He is a formidable coach, who clearly inspires his team and teaches his team to refuse to accept defeat, like him.

[think positive]

[Big T]

I never thought we would win this game and tipped the dogs. I am simply concerned that the trend of losing four last quarters in a row is a concern, we do seem to put the cue in the rack for long periods and go overly defensive, and I am keen to see what Fly does differently moving forward for the remainder of the season.

[Magpietothemax]

^thx TP.
During the entire presser, Fly's face was a picture of dour determination. As I type this post, there is no doubt in my mind that Fly and his assistant coaches are already poring over all the structures, tactics practicable for our current inexperienced squad to execute, deciding which skills and plays need to be particularly honed and improved over the next 10 days of training, and formulating a practical plan capable of defeating the Demons. Our coach simply refuses to accept defeat and believes that this team, regardless of the missing personnel, can improve to the level necessary to contend for victory next week.
To use his phrase, he concerns himself only with what he can control. He currently controls a limited squad containing several very inexperienced players, and he is utterly committed to get the very best from them. I have no doubt that we will be very close again next week. This coach, and his players, genuinely do not believe in the existence of an "impossible" task.