“That third quarter changed the momentum, didn’t it?” McRae said. “And I’ve been watching the first couple of rounds, and the momentum is changing so quickly in this game now.”
The Pies were outclassed in the midfield, outscored 16-9, and although it translated to only two goals from a shutout, the agreed zone result was achieved thanks to 11 turnovers.
“Honestly, our middle stuff, we put a lot of time into it,” McRae said. “We have more work to do.”
The Ravens didn’t tag Daicos. With 33 possessions and a career high of 790 metres, he was among the Pies’ best players, behind a resurgent Dan Houston, but he wasn’t a game-breaker. Being on the wing, rather than on the edge of the center circle at the crucial moment of the match, does not help.
Matthew Nicks burst into laughter when asked how he felt walking into the coaches’ box after half-time to see the change in position for Daicos, who had been the most influential player on the pitch in the first half.
The first few games of the season have shown just how much damage can be done in a short amount of time from throwing through the middle.
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“The biggest change in the game right now is more speed, and for players the ball is faster and the ability to jump on loose ground balls,” Nicks said. “The ball, because of this throwing rule, is more out, instead of just, bang and crash (style).
“We come from there, and we can go forward and play, and it’s difficult for the opposition to get numbers at the back of the foot. It’s the key to the game. I think some of the teams that are winning convincingly at the moment have got a real weapon through that midfield, or the number of them.”
Riley Thilthorpe didn’t have the field day expected of him against a back line missing Darcy Moore and Jeremy Howe but he was the most dangerous forward on the pitch, scoring three goals.
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Billy Frampton had the job at times at Thilthorpe, but there were times when he was dominated by Isaac Quaynor, the running back giving 21cm to the Adelaide behemoth.
McRae is only “hopeful” Moore will be ready to face GWS on Friday week after recovering from a hamstring “sense” in training. Given his history of soft tissue injuries, it may be wise to give him more time to recover.
For all their battle on the ball, the Pies created more entries inside 50, but their forward line lacked bite.
Jamie Elliott didn’t touch the ball in the first half, and had just two possessions through three quarters, but he was the catalyst for their late two-goal lead. Tim Membrey was equally ineffective in the first three quarters before brief cameos in the final term. Dan McStay didn’t do much, either.
Membrey and McStay – the Pies’ key forwards – have kicked just two goals in the first two rounds.
The Magpies look frustrated after a rare MCG loss.Balance: AFL Pictures
Unless they have a dominant midfield, this will not be a frontline that will leave opposition defenders quaking in their boots. They have produced two 11-wicket hauls in the first two rounds, with the perceived premiership favorites hitting centuries.
“We’re not getting much out of our keys (key hitters), that’s for sure, I’m not going to shy away from that,” McRae said.
“We have work to do on that. I think there’s a disconnect sometimes. The second and fourth quarters, we hit nine of our 11 goals – then you say no (relationship analysis). What about the last quarter? How’s that connection? I’d say good.”
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