In the third quarter Bowden and Newman both decided to slow down the play and kick it backwards and sidewards while their was players after player leading and presenting up field. Not only does this tactic slow us down and allow the opposition to zone, flood or man up it also strips the confidence away from the players further afield who are busting a gut to get away from their direct opponent and give the backline support.
I did notice that directly after they did this a runner was sent out to them.
I appreciate Bowden's level headed play in the dieing seconds but that doesn't make up for the other errors he made during the game that cost us goals. At one stage he tries to keep up with his leading defender who marked then turned him inside out, shrugged his tackle and kicked to a leading Llyod who then neatly slotted it through. Any of our other defenders would have had the pace first to spoil and/or tackle the forward to stop them relaying an easy pass to Llyod. Joel is just too slow and can not lay a tackle!
If you can not keep up with your direct opponent there is no way you can be a good defender. In fact if you are lacking pace there is no way you can play anywhere on the ground unless you are 7ft tall and even then you would struggle.
How can you no know how to tackle and make it stick when you are 30 years old and played in defense most of your career?!
Joel is a smart operator which is why he is still playing today but our defense is starting to look good and he doesn't fit the mould. Bowden kicks sideways and backwards becasue he can't run or break the lines and he knows it. He can't act as a link up players and he can't defend a mobile opponent. He would probably make a good coach one day with his brains but playing football, unfortunately for Joel, has more to do with skill and speed.
Credit to him for the 'unsportsman-like time waisting' that won us the game but until he sudden gains back his run and learns how to be accountable......well you know the rest

Stripes