Job Crunch

Port Turn Up ….. Asleep.

I was quite shocked by Port’s Hollow effort V Richmond. I do not
understand their 2nd quarter at all. I can only come back to the
mental preparation of the team..It just must have been VERY POOR> The
form lines for Port going into this match were all really strong. Then
when the Crows took the Swans down town and beat them, they should
have had real belief..especially after watching them RUN WITH SO MUCH
ENERGY,,, Surely Port players are not that deficient by comparison??
They were lifeless. The Swans Crows game was just full on…and both
those sides had big games the previous week.. So Port should have been
jumping through rings to get out there, and really put in… But when
I watched them, looked them in the eye, they were glazed with
indifference. There was no ferocity… So few players seemed to be
full on. Surjan did a couple of things worthy of a Port defender, but
the kicking to position, the hand ball to space, instead of the man,
and the falling off of tackles was diabolical… When a team is not
tackling,and often not even getting close, it just says “They are not
prepared to play!” It was bitterly disappointing…
I remember back to being down in the change rooms of the Wallabies at
half time in big test matches… They were like a War zone… Players
were intense, bloodied,getting rubbed down, going through tactics, and
you understood how much RESPECT THESE PLAYERS DESERVED. THEY WERE
LAYING THEMSELVES ON THE LINE FOR TEAM AND COUNTRY. This game today
was a big game,and I doubt the Port players could not easily go out
for another 10 km jog after this light work out of a game.. So few of
them combined their energies and belief to have any sort of cohesion..
Richmond were not that good, it was Port who were that bad.
For Richmond I continue to like Morris. He is going to be a real goer
for many years to come..in the same make up of a Swans type
defender… Reliable to the nth degree. I respect him a lot. Rance is
going along ok, and in 2 years time he is going to be highly
regarded… Reiwoldt still does not do it for me… He is just not my
kind of bloke… I have said that before about players, and after
meeting them, could not have been more wrong!! ( Scott Salsbury for one
…Glenelg) But they did play for teams I did not like so I was often
biased..I am older now, and am less hateful to teams I used to
loathe… except for the Lady Boys I suppose…

Nahas is a player who thrives on space, but I was not enthusiastic
about the Tigers victory, as it was against a team that did not turn
up ready to put in for 4 huge quarters of team inspired football…and
then limp off happy with their effort, but totally exhausted both
physically and mentally… and ready then to wind down, do the rehab
required… and quietly build up for the next match… To be
successful at this level, players and clubs have to be on notice, and
call for the whole season… Once the season starts, every decision
you take is based with a back drop of “Will it help me help the team?”
From what I saw from Port today, those type thoughts were not
entertained… Port, like most clubs, have little idea of what real
preparation is all about.

Eastern Wood To Centre Half Forward!! If I was Coaching them…

Well it was the Dogs of “old”! Fast moving frenetic football! It suits
them best for sure… I cannot say much about Collingwood as I have
stated from day one that I do not want to judge them until rounds 7 or
8!! But if they keep this stuff up they will soon LOSE Their Aura,and
clubs will feed on the optimism that “Collingwood are not who they
used to be”… These next 2 games for Collingwood are vital for their
Image to all… They play Brisbane in Brisbane and Geelong on the big
stage!! That game will tell us plenty plenty… But the Dogs had
players running rampant. They looked quick and mentally free… unless
you were Swan getting nailed by Picken.. Or Cloke getting Lake back
into real form… I was disappointed with veteran Gianrisacusa..He
gave a ridiculous 50 meter penalty, and when my brave lad Dahlhouse (
20 bucks on him pre season at 1,000-1 in Brownlow) did some wonderful
evasive work, and broke clear and pinged straight to him…and the old
guy dropped it cold 25 out in front!! I wanted to drag him off then
and there and have him beaten up by my minders Moose and Rocko…( improved in 3rd quarter luckily for him) I was also really happy to see Eastern Wood do things that he looks
capable of.. He is such a strong athlete, and his goal in the 2nd
quarter was a classic piece of individual football..finished off with
a 60 meter kick… bang.. THis kid is a real possibility. His
confidence should soar now. Griffen looks fit now,andhe easily their
best player. His goal kicking technique is still ridiculous, but if
your not coached, you will experiment with the ridiculous..he runs way
out and hooks it.. Fow a man of his skill capabilities it is crazy..
What the Dogs lack is a power forward.. I said in the preview they
could not win because Jones could not kick 8 goals! He hunted the
ball up at the wing… THats just bull shit. He needs to stay at half
forward and be a target and take marks…then finish them off with
goals. He has a lot of talent for sure…but is not mature enough to
do it against a good team…But now the Dogs are showing some thing, I
would let him rip against the lower teams and play a power forward
type role, and not allow him to go past centre half forward…( modern
watchers will freak!) He needs to get that sense of BEING… He looks
mentally weak in big games… But when he gets confidence, this kid
has fantastic hands..and if he ever learns to goal kick, could be a
really fine player… But if you get my drift here….the Dogs were
right in this match and broke down without having a power player up
forward… I even wonder if Eastern Wood could go forward!!! I would
put him up there for sure!!! He is strong, can run, and proven he CAN
kick goals with big kicks!!!
So after some blistering entreaties from Buckley, Collingwood finally
got home..and do I mean finally… The cross roads are coming for
Collingwood, and in two weeks time we will see where they are really
at…
The Dogs did well, but without a power forward, they look
incomplete… But will now scare a lot of teams who may have had a
tick against their chances when they saw the Dog fixture… North will
be worried now coming back from Perth.. Eastern Wood to Cantre Half
Forward, Jones to Full Forward is what I would looking at…. and
teaching Jones to goal kick..and Griffen!

The signs were there to see nice and early when Carlton won nearly
every ball up, bounce or stoppage for anything. They had numbers
everywhere and used them well. It was then Carlton’s pace that just
went GO, and before long Collingwood lookd like Collingwood from the
7o’s and solid battlers… There was No Pendlebury…But there was
plenty of Judd, Carozzo and Murphy…Then there was Betts and Garlett
down forward feeding off everything, including Waite..and the
ruckman… who killed Collingwood… As stated in the preview I really
like Tuohy, (42) he is a very fine and gutsy player.Scotland is a star
also. He reads the game brilliantly well,and more than negated
Collingwood’s version in Shaw… Daisy Thomas again was mainly
quiet… Some thing is wrong with him mentally?? Does he miss
Malthouse?
But this match was all about Carlton. Their fast ball movement, their
fleet of pace players who basically run to space, find the ball there,
and kick for goal. Betts “bashed” Collingwood. Garlett should have
kicked 2 easy goals and missed…would have given him 4! Gibbs was in
control where ever he was, Henderson ruled down back…Laidler did
well, Yarran was not needed!….Simpson did his job, Waite looked
strong, although he was mentally weak in not shooting for goal in the
early minutes….went wide,.. Looked pathetic…Hampson did well….
But it was Carlton all played well really…. Collingwood lacked vim
and vigour, and were easily outclassed…and knew it early. Their
goals were hard fought really…and then they dried up because they
were run by for pace… I still say come round 7 or 8 they will begin
to improve…. But they will have to, and by LOTS or just be another
battler against this all out pace onslaught… As suggested in the
preview the Carlton tackling improvement!! They smashed Collingwood
in these figures.. Its a great glue that holds the good sides
together…. Carlton did very well to engage a full time a tackling
coach… A smart team would engage a great goal kicking coach as
well…. A team may need to kick 18 goals 4 points to beat Carlton.

Sangster 51.00 My Price 101.00 Out of form, really hard to make a
case for it…working well, but plenty of horses work well, and then
flop… Just think about everytime you get a tip from a trainer….
“working well.”..If they are running good races, and WORKING WELL,,,
well thats different.

2.Laser Hawk. 4.00 My Price 3.40 Stable absolutely flying! Randwick
is home track, and this is proving a real up and comer. Since beating
the highly promising Said Com in a a slow run race, has kept coming
on… and Waterhouse talked down its chances in the Randwick Guineas!!
Really un Gai like… So expect her to be over the moon about chances
here.. cant do anything but agree… The favourite I think.

3.Strike The Stars 15.00 26.00 A Cummings talked up chances last two
races, and failed..was unlucky 2 starts ago, but last start just
battled on.. Needs Bart to get magic out of him… Have to take on
here… Right on the line last time was just starting to go ok…, but
final 100 meters only battled…Cannot win…3rd or 4th for rich.

4.Darci Be Good 61.00 34.00 Not a bad run behind Polish Knight…
Could sneak 3rd or 4th without shocking.. Cannot win. But is race
fit… Good roughie for tricks..most will leave out.

5.Sabrage 61.00 101.00 Form lines no no hope, and drawn to get a
tough run also. None.

6.Ocean Park 4.50 5.50 Racing really well. Distance is no problem,
all the form says right in the race, and Randwick will suit. Serious
contender… EW the way to play if you like Ocean Park.

7.Rekindled Alliance 12.00 21.00 Over run when looked to have a
winning chance 200 meters out. 4 runs in now, but on last run I do not
think can win… Needs another race I think! Taking on here…Leaving
out of everything…. Might be worth following next prep/.

8.Polish Knight 13.00 9.00 Came with big sprint down outside to
blow them all away in Tulloch!! The speed it showed was
compelling..Also trained by Hawkes men,who are no strangers to
success. Really good 1st 4 chance.

9.Hoylonny 31.00 17.00 Pretty nice run in Guineas. Was making nice
steady ground down outside from last. Distance may suit, and is best
roughie in race in my opinion. Waller trains, and expect a good
roughies run here.

10.Satirical Boy 31.00 21.00 Fair run, improving type. Waterhouse
trained a big plus. Chance for 3rd or 4th..Including.. Has a strong
stride, I like his future.

11.Ethiopia 13.00 34.00 Not raced for a while now… Wait for
Flemington in the spring or next time in at any rate,.. has ability,
and big tracks will suit.. Might be a bit new for this… But well
worth following next time in I believe. Runs on well…. But not raced
for a while now, not ideal.

12.On Any Level… 101.00 151.00 except this one! Up in grade… Has
unknown trainer and low profile jockey..Everything suggests back to
the bath, not this wild ocean.

13. Silent Achiever 3.60 4.80 Lost no fans with a nice run from way

back at Rosehill. Randwick will suit its obvious toughness. I
personally do not believe she should be able to run… Boys cannot run
in Oaks, so why should girls be able to race in Derby.?.. If they do
race I strongly believe they should have NO WEIGHT ADVANTAGE… Its
totally immoral. You want to play with the boys, then you should be
playing on a level playing field… But boys cannot play with girls in
Oaks… They should not be able to race in my opinion. Its wrong!
This horse is the big danger to Laser Hawk.

Laser Hawk is my favourite and Hoylonny the best roughie.

My 1st 4 is 2,6,13— 2,6,13,9—-2,4,6,8,9,10,13.

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