Went to the game today, some random observations:
Etihad is a pooheap. Terrible place to watch footy, genius move to just open half the roof meant only half the ground was unwatchable.
I reckon Maric is in serious trouble. Is a one-trick pony and has been found out. Stay off him and leap and use his man around the ground because he is limited mobility wise.
Last 3 quarters were generally ok, given the limitations of the structures we were using.
Liked the signs our good players are showed, Deledio, Cotchin, Martin, Riewoldt, Rance all showed enough to say they will be in good nick for the season.
The three forwards just don't work, for a few reasons, but not least of all the way we move the ball in. We could have Dunstall, Carey and Ablett up there and they would struggle at times. Not having a dangerous small forward that can get at the fall of the ball doesn't help either. Someone should probably politely point out to Damien that he tried this last year and it didn't work then either.
All Morris as a defensive forward is doing is hurting our defence. We are gaining nothing from it and can't cover the job he did quite well. The match-ups just looked awful today and we look out of balance. Someone again needs to politely point out to Damien that he is a tactical minnow, and as much as he wants to be Alistair Clarkson, all his so called innovations inevitably add up to nothing and do more harm than good. He should aim to maintain the status quo and let Bomber innovate next year.
On the Vickery/Griffiths debate, I thought both had good and poor patches in the game. Vickery is certainly miles ahead in what he does off the ball. Neither were helped by our set-up or ball use today but Griffith took the points.
One other one to finish on. pee poor not to have black armbands on today and our coaching staff dressed in shorts and runners and looked like they were taking a training session. North coaches were in slacks and shoes and the look was far more professional.
It just looked like an unprofessional, untidy club today and that was largely the tone of the play as well.