The two things we're doing differently this year that is showing up our midfield is we're not winning as many clearances as previous years (mixture of a loss of Paddy, injuries to defensive and inside mids and down form of remaining mids) as well as making very basic skill errors when running forward. A missed kick or a move to handball sideways and getting tackled puts all of our players out of position and leaves us open to be burnt on the run the other way.
Because Thompson & Goodwin were very good at the midfield training and tactics side of things.
They are gone now.
Also explains our positioning around the ruck contest; which seems woeful these days.
I just feel like the team seem to lack basic football skills. Fumbly with the ball, struggle to take overhead contested and uncontested marks. Lack of teamwork in the midfield…
It just looks as if basic textbook old fashioned skills are lacking…
Notice the Hawks and the Cats, they have those basic skills and play confidentially for the overhead mark, to take on the contest, to run to position on the lead, to find space…
My advice. Try back to basics footy and teach the players how to relax. Surely a relaxed player will improve their confidence and skills.
Defensive pressure around the ground, stoppages in forward 50 lock the ball in, tackling ferociously ( pinning the arms not slinging ) without half hearted attempts, clearance work setup to win more than opposition each game, two way running more so midfield but from all players.
This should be for remainder of the season in preparation and follow on for 2016.
I just feel like the team seem to lack basic football skills. Fumbly with the ball, struggle to take overhead contested and uncontested marks. Lack of teamwork in the midfield..
It just looks as if basic textbook old fashioned skills are lacking…
Notice the Hawks and the Cats, they have those basic skills and play confidentially for the overhead mark, to take on the contest, to run to position on the lead, to find space…
My advice. Try back to basics footy and teach the players how to relax. Surely a relaxed player will improve their confidence and skills.
What happens when you hit rock bottom, you can’t and more so don’t want to perform the basics, you lose all interest in your job.
Elevate and play McKenna (and try to get him to sign a contract extension while we’re at it.)
Trial the coming zoning laws by telling Daniher he is not allowed to leave the 50. If his opponent runs off him he must wave him goodbye and we must kick to him on all occasions (not allowed to go anywhere near the ruck or he’s benched.)
The zoning line was tongue in cheek, Blummers. The main points there were that I want to see JD the focus of the forward 50 in this season’s remaining “junk time” (the more goals he gets the better) and that I cringe with fear every time I see him contesting the centre bounce against monsters- IMO it’s not worth the risk to one of our most valuable assets.
The zoning line was tongue in cheek, Blummers. The main points there were that I want to see JD the focus of the forward 50 in this season's remaining "junk time" (the more goals he gets the better) and that I cringe with fear every time I see him contesting the centre bounce against monsters- IMO it's not worth the risk to one of our most valuable assets.
FWIW - I agree with you. Joe is a forward and all his time should be spent developing him as a forward.
He had to learn to time his leads, etc.
It seems whenever he is pushed up the field, he gets lost in the play.
Still, he’s at a good level already given he’s only played 40-odd games. Just needs to keep on improving.
Showed tonight that we now have the speed to get out the back of zones and that is without Connor and colyer in the side.
Should have happened after the Richmond game but at least it is happening now
I don’t think it was about speed.
It was more about getting off the mark and making a quick sharp decision.
We also didn’t have as many bone headed handballs to someone under pump as we’ve had this year.
There was also a bit more dare in our play. In particular from Gleeson.
Maybe the old fellas can’t be reprogrammed to move the ball on quickly but the young ones seem switched onto it.
As mentioned in his press conference last week, the VFL coaches along with Neeld should be applauded for how they’ve been able to get young players up to our game style. It’s what makes Hawthorn and Sydney so consistently good.
*Keep playing the kids, rotate them with other kids if you have to
*Play Giles- at least try it FFS. Hell Bellchambers got about 8 games, most of which were pure garbage.
*Fix our stoppage issue. Every week, someone from the opposition stands about 2m from the stoppage all by himself, receives a clean tap and clears the ball.