We're not that bad (or we shouldn't be)

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by RogueSwan
I think this is just a lack of shepherding and blocks put on by team mates, some just seem to watch him run by or that is how it appears.

And this is a stat I noted from last year - we are the worst in the comp for shepherds.

[NMWBloods]

I agree with Nico on changing the forward line structure. I'd like to see maybe 4-5 forwards. Say Hall and MOL as leading from the square. Perhaps Hall further up if we have a tall player in the square - such as Doyle or Kolly - who can remain their as a target for long bombs. A couple of small flankers or pockets to crumb the ball or provide dummy leads or be another option if there are double teams.

These 4-5 players essentially stay in the forward line virtually all the time so that we always have potential options when going forward. Other players generally stay away to give them lots of space.

[Schneiderman]

Originally posted by Nico
Try this one on for size.

Nice analysis. Definately Davis to midfield and ROK to forward line, with some rotation to keep it fresh. Schneider OR Bucky to crumb. Throw in any one of Saddo, Doyle, Ball, Jolly or Goodes in the square.

Goodes to defence and release Kennelly and if possible BoltonC onto wing and midfield respectively. With Schauble back that should be possible.

This works well too, and C Bolton can move back into defence if we need to push men back or need another defensive option. Thwart the "Kennelly back to goal square" move by having him switch onto Kennelly's player if they try it, and Kennelly run back out onto the wing.

I still think Goodes anywhere but in the centre of the ground is a waste though, unless doing a temporary KPP role at either end. He needs to be free.

[dread and might]

All good points.

I would love to see Kenelly on a wing, Melbourne showed what a worry he is for teams with their strategy on the weekend. He needs to be released.

Abblett or Dempster to start taking some kick ins and going up the centre and long. Melbourne and Adelaide both showed a number of times that the SCG is really only three kicks long.

Schneider to return to being a crumbing forward as i think he goes missing for too long when in the midfield.

Everybody to go "back to basics" as has been suggested in the paper and on here, especially with regard to getting front and centre to a contest and crumbing the @@@@* ball. This was nonexistent in the last few weeks and if we get better at it, might lead to a more direct approach into the forward 50.

Davis and ROK to lead out of the 50 as link men, this seems to be where we break down.

[giant]

Originally posted by dread and might

Abblett or Dempster to start taking some kick ins and going up the centre and long. Melbourne and Adelaide both showed a number of times that the SCG is really only three kicks long.

Two and a tap on actually.

All sounds sensible to me. The forward structure as you've described is essentially what has been successful in the past - it's tuff to understand how it's drifted from that this season.

[Whitefox]

Originally posted by dread and might


I would love to see Kenelly on a wing

Preferably Qantas

[NMWBloods]

I was actually thinking the prayer was more important than the wing...

[dread and might]

Oh. Here's the other thing that is bugging me at the moment. I think the midfield is being rotated too much. IIRC the media were saying that we use the bench more than anyone else, and i think it might be better if players were allowed to "own" their positions a little more, especially the younger ones.

[Mike_B]

Originally posted by dread and might
I would love to see Kenelly on a wing, Melbourne showed what a worry he is for teams with their strategy on the weekend. He needs to be released.

Abblett or Dempster to start taking some kick ins and going up the centre and long. Melbourne and Adelaide both showed a number of times that the SCG is really only three kicks long.

Well maybe with Kennelly on a wing, he'll be lining up too far from the goal square to take the kick-ins!

[Rob-bloods]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
And this is a stat I noted from last year - we are the worst in the comp for shepherds.

Does not really surprise me, we either get constipated on the ball or we break fast with everyone rushing forward together and little chance to shepherd. We rarely seem to get a spare man going in the open as much as some teams.

But a neglected skill nevertheless, smothers too, so critical.

I think we should note our forward pressure is almost non-existent this year too.

[Young Blood]

Goodes

It seems that most of us want to see Goodes ruck roving. We saw him win the Brownlow playing as a ruck rover who contested the centre bounces. We've also seen him be continually outpositioned in the backline, and never have a dominant 4-quarter game in the forward line.

Yet clearly the coaching staff don't agree. What do they see/know that we don't??

[ROK Lobster]

Re: Goodes

Originally posted by Young Blood
What do they see/know that we don't??

A club with apparent ruck and mid-field depth missing KPP's would be my guess YB.

[Young Blood]

Jolly's absence will force him into the middle this week. Let's hope he stars.

[Schneiderman]

Originally posted by Young Blood
Jolly's absence will force him into the middle this week. Let's hope he stars.

But that was then. Asked about potential ruckmen yesterday, Roos said Goodes was "the obvious one because he's a Brownlow Medal ruckman".

[giant]

Originally posted by Rob-bloods
I think we should note our forward pressure is almost non-existent this year too.

Yes, like goals from the small forwards, this is an area where we almost set the standard in previous years and have just dropped off this year. The comparison between the two forward lines on this point last Saturday was stark.