Summary
* Yeah it has been frustrating. Those 3 close losses did dampen the spirits but credit to the boys we've hung in there and hopefully we finish off the year with 11 wins 11 losses. We'll be pretty happy with that in the end.
* KB asked Lids what he puts those six losses by less than two goals down to? Mostly just lack of experience. We're still extremely young. When you put the two sides together we are younger than the side we're playing. We learn from those mistakes and some of the mistakes are simple mistakes. Hopefully we can rectify those mistakes and before too long we convert those close losses into wins which ultimately makes us play finals.
* Lids said he was talking to someone the other day and you know now when we turn up you know we aren't going to get flogged. Each week we are putting in a pretty strong performance and it makes it easier to turn up on a Monday knowing you have been competitive and been in games if you haven't won them. It's exciting but still plenty of work to do.
* The heartache of losing close games when you probably should win them is worse compared to not really caring when you get absolutely flogged.
* Gold Coast game - Second time we've gone up there and didn't get result. Inexperience again losing big Ivan before the game and Benny Griffiths. It leaves a big hole in the side. We had the game won but then again costly mistakes cost us the result. There the sort of things you've got to learn from I suppose.
* Moving in to the midfield a goal? Yeah it has. Loving being in there with big Ivan putting it on a silver platter for you and having front row seats to Cotchin week in week out. It's pretty exciting as well. Then you've got Martin, Grigg and Dan Jackson doing a role in there plus Foley when he is playing. It just makes it more enjoyable. Lot more fun and free playing in the midfield compared to half-back.
* Most frustrating thing about playing down back is when we are playing well the ball doesn't get down your end that often. At least now when we are playing well you are around the pill. Mind you the ball was coming down quite a lot in the last two years he playing at half-back so he saw quite a lot of the footy.
* Hawks are one of the best sides he's seen this year but he isn't writing off the Eagles. Their a good unit and he thinks they'll get a couple of players back by the finals. Hawks a disciplined unit, strong across the park and the form side but the Eagles with Cox, Naitanui and their strong midfield - if they are all going they are a strong team.
* Would absolutely like to see Cloke playing with the Tiges next year. He'll complement our forward line very well. He would give Jack a chop out so he isn't getting double teamed and get Vickery back fit and firing it will make a pretty formidable forward line. The players are talking to Benny Gale or Gary March about it but we are hearing whispers. Whatever will be will be.
* Grimes is progressing well and probably could play this week and finals if we (had made them) and needed him. All precautions are being taken so he's right for preseason and 2013.
* Vickery is currently on holidays in Italy. In Europe getting his shoulder right so hopefully he'll be back next year bigger and better. He can play. For a bloke who is 200cm tall he is extremely quick not only by foot but in the mind as well. Very sharp with the tongue which the boys enjoy. Incredible lateral movement for a big bloke and will make the tall defenders look silly at times.
* Ivan Maric - wasn't sure initially. He was involved with big Ivan in the AIS in the U17s. He has really surprised Lids. Obviously just lacked the opportunity at Adelaide but now has flourished as No.1 ruckman at Tigerland. Just taken it (the opportunity) and run with it.
* Cotchin - Lids would love to see him with the Brownlow. We'd probably party harder than him as he's pretty clean cut. Lids thinks he can win as he played well in all our wins and played pretty in well in a number of our losses as well. It would be a terrific achievement if he does win it.
* Lids said his season hasn't been too bad. Reasonably consistent. He might have to call it quits at the All-Australian dinner rather than being up the back by himself the last couple of years.
