Stonewalling tactics

[floppinab]

Robert Walls rabitted on for hours about how this was bringing the Lions undone. I would be extremely surprised if this indeed was a deliberate tactic as he suggested, more a result of a few nervous nellies in the Swans who are too slow to move the ball on after a mark and don't take the first option.

Our most effective scoring was coming from fast and accurate delivery in the forward 50 (surprise surprise what was winning us games last year), when we slowed things down (Ablett and Max chief instigators, Max was listed in the best, hmmmm got plenty of the footy but his disposal was c*r*a*p) we had no hope.

Noticed LRT was one to buck this trend, contantly moving the ball on quickly.

Disappointing with Balls kick but as always there were three or four other goal kicking sinners earlier on in the game, please don't focus on the poor bugger who had the last chance.

All in all an opportunity lost, don't get the chance to have a crack at Brissie minus Lynch *and* Brown, but to get so close with so many inexperienced players in the side is still a good sign.

Didn't McVeigh look good in close, he had more than few doubters when we picked him, still early days but he sure looks capable of matching it at this level.

[NMWBloods]

McVeigh looked great - like a slightly more athletic Fosdike (who played very well).

As for our passing around, one thing Walls did get right was our deliberate strategy of controlling the ball and not kicking to a contest. This, I suggest, was deliberate plan to coutner Brisbane's strength. Our kicking in the first half was very good, although some of our handballs were errant. Hopefully it's a sign of skills work in the off-season.

[Reggi]

That strength is literally their strength - physically they are so much bigger weight of bodies means that inevitibly they will win more contests.

But would back Lizz's comments in other thread

No signs that complacency has entered the group

Many players seem ready to back up last year's form

Looks like we have developed some depth in young players

The Fosdike/ McVeigh thing can get confusing at times


After last night I think we are likely to improve a bit over the year.

Would prefer Doyle/ Ball in the ruck watching Goodes smack into the likes of Keating and Charman terrifies me (and they were pretty dominant at bounces) - maybe try Goodes as a Ruck Rover.

Forwards need to do more - thought we missed Aussie Tadgh's run

Disappointed with the loss, but promise for the future.

In as strange but true comment - given this is one of the great teams of all time - in my lifetime it is the best I have seen wyhen going, I don not like the chance of beating them 3 times in a year.

This time the toss of the coin went their way (for two in a row).

Hopefully our boys can contine the trend (Sydney 2 then Brisbane 2) to win the next two.

[taurus]

I saw more positives than negatives last night, although I am disappointed.

Just to add a comment on our deliberate tactics, while I agree that we had to adopt these against Lions due to their physical advantage, I hope that we will utilise a more direct approach throughout the season. This may be viable once Doyle comes back, creating a rotation with Hall and Ball at Foward.

[barry]

It was as much the undedone lions flooding our forward line.
Thats a huge mark of respect IMO.

[dendol]

Originally posted by barry
It was as much the undedone lions flooding our forward line.
Thats a huge mark of respect IMO.

agree there barry. Everytime we had the ball, they flooded back and blocked up the leading spaces of our forwards. Alot of the time we had to either kick to a lead to the pockets, or switch play to the other side of the forward 50 - a ploy that always has me nervous because the turnovers usually damaging.

[EMJ]

I would prefer the team to kick the ball around or handpass like they did than to kick to a group of players and hope for the best. Better to ensure a red and white player gets the ball.

[The Boot]

Originally posted by janpa
I would prefer the team to kick the ball around or handpass like they did than to kick to a group of players and hope for the best. Better to ensure a red and white player gets the ball.

I agree. I often hear ignoramuses whittering on around me at the game when we pass the ball around (as though these seat warmers are experienced players, not). Clearly if the way forward is blocked up, you go side to side to find an opening. Everyone does that!
Dendol's right. Turnovers are often the result of bombing into a pack, blindly.

[taurus]

Originally posted by janpa
I would prefer the team to kick the ball around or handpass like they did than to kick to a group of players and hope for the best. Better to ensure a red and white player gets the ball.

I agree with that, however, I would like the team to play a more direct and quick approach as the prefered option.

Sometimes teams can fall into the trap of retaining possession for its own sake without any gain. Furthermore, as fatigue sets in, skill levels deteriorate, thus effecting the decision-making and accuracy of short passes.

[Nico]

Originally posted by dendol
agree there barry. Everytime we had the ball, they flooded back and blocked up the leading spaces of our forwards. Alot of the time we had to either kick to a lead to the pockets, or switch play to the other side of the forward 50 - a ploy that always has me nervous because the turnovers usually damaging.

Interesting observation. Flooding was evident in a lot of games in Round 1. Bomber Thompson seems to be copying the Eade style. I wonder whether Cressa has had any input on this issue.

With our free flowing style I would expect a fair bit of flooding against us.

[dendol]

I didnt see that game Nico, but it sounds like Cressa may be having a big input down there.

With our free flowing style I would expect a fair bit of flooding against us.

I think the free flowing style that we played last year will beat the flood. The ball is run out of the defense and delivered into our forward 50 very quickly, so the flood isnt allowed to take form. It was evident last night that once we refused to kick to a contest and didnt move the ball quickly, the Brisbane midfield were easily able to swarm back to block up our forwards.