Demetriou does backflip

[Sid]

I skimmed through the back page in the paper today (i think daily telegraph) and it said roos has refused to meet up with AFL officials to discuss the state of the game in NSW. The reason being he is angry at AD's remarks.

[Barry Schneider]

Originally posted by Ruckman
Of course no-one on this board is actually privy to the Swans game plan, meaning that we're all speculating from a point of ignorance(although yes we all have eyes).
So our perceptions of the style may well be coloured by the question of execution.
The other thing is that this years style certainly differs little from last years, and probably stems from that of the previous year as well (Kirk for example is playing more offensively now than in 2003). Both of which most people would regard as comparatively successfull (albeit not ultimately triumphant).

I was thinking the same thing myself about the gameplan.Maybe the execution was preventing us from seeing what it is.
I thought it was funny people saying that Roos so called defensive gameplan was due to him being a backman.
The only time Roos got within 20 metres of his opponent was to shake his hand at the end of the game.
He was an attacking backman who read the play.

[Go Swannies]

Can a mod change this heading? Every time I see it I envisage AD doing a backflip a la an Aker handstand. Not a good thought to have.

[NMWBloods]

Having watched and admired Roos throughout his playing career, I'm almost certain that what we are playing does not reflect Roos' image of what he wants the game plan to be. I can imagine it would be highly successful with a team full of skilled players (say St Kilda) - it would be tempo controlled, locking up the ball then unleashing waves of goals and keeping the opposition off balance. Most of the time it would be entertaining as well as effective. However, our guys simply lack the football skills and smarts to do it, hence something that could be great steps over that fine line into something that is crap.

The question becomes whether Roos should persist, change the game plan or change the players.

[ScottH]

Originally posted by Go Swannies
Can a mod change this heading? Every time I see it I envisage AD doing a backflip a la an Aker handstand. Not a good thought to have.

Close your eyes, now think of him doing it wearing a kilt!!

[Ruck'n'Roll]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
I can imagine it would be highly successful with a team full of skilled players (say St Kilda) - it would be tempo controlled, locking up the ball then unleashing waves of goals and keeping the opposition off balance. Most of the time it would be entertaining as well as effective. However, our guys simply lack the football skills and smarts to do it, hence something that could be great steps over that fine line into something that is crap.

I'm not so sure it's just a skill shortage. I think it's just that the players tend to go into shut down mode pre-maturely, the oppostion kicks one or two and you just naturally focus on stopping the run, although sometimes what you percieve as a run was a goal against the flow. In the heat of the moment and clarity of thought are almost mutually exclusive, and that applies to everything from brain-fart handballs to giving an apponent a smack, and especially for judging the ebb and flow of the play for the duration of a quarter.

[NMWBloods]

I think these things arise and, more importantly, continue, through lack of self confidence, which is supported by a dearth of skills and good decision making.

A good team knows that the opposition will kick goals - that's part of the game. However, they don't drop their head after each goal, instead they try to kick one or two in return.

This is what made the Fremantle v. Melbourne game so interesting and fascinating. Connelly finally adopted the right approach and put the talent in his forward line and told his midfielders to get it in there. His backline was a bit undermanned but he stuck with his structure and aimed to win the game rather than not lose it. If they can keep that up, once they get Haddrill and Pollack back in the side, they could finally be a decent September threat.

[Schneiderman]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
Having watched and admired Roos throughout his playing career, I'm almost certain that what we are playing does not reflect Roos' image of what he wants the game plan to be. I can imagine it would be highly successful with a team full of skilled players (say St Kilda) - it would be tempo controlled, locking up the ball then unleashing waves of goals and keeping the opposition off balance. Most of the time it would be entertaining as well as effective. However, our guys simply lack the football skills and smarts to do it, hence something that could be great steps over that fine line into something that is crap.

Probably the most insightful thing I've seen you write on these boards to date. And I am not bagging any of your other posts either.

I agree completely.

[Ruck'n'Roll]

Originally posted by NMWBloods

A good team knows that the opposition will kick goals - that's part of the game. However, they don't drop their head after each goal, instead they try to kick one or two in return.

So if the Swans fail to respond to the opposition goals by kicking one or two in return is it because they're 'dropping their heads' or playing "tempo football" ?

While I'm not certain about "tempo football" as a concept, I am familiar with the feelings of ebb and flow (as of course are many of you here) you get in a game.

You can feel when you've got a run on, you definitely feel it when they have. Games where the teams are going goal for goal are rare occasions.

If your opponent has the run, stopping it is not just a matter of kicking a goal, they don't come if they've got the ball. Stopping a run is a major effort, and it's easiest to stop it early on. So I can understand the subconscious temptation to change tempo at the hint of a run by your opponent rathe than waiting untill they've piled on 10 goals.

[NMWBloods]

Certainly it depends on whether it is a case of a normal goal or two in the course of a game as you would expect, or whether it is a run. It will happen that every now and again a team will get a genuine run on.

What is the best way to handle that - answer with a goal or lockdown. I prefer the former - I think it can take the sting out of the run and keeps your team positive. Reverting to a lockdown straightaway can just reinforce the feeling that you are under siege.

I think the 'tempo' aspect of the game should be when you are on control of the game. Sometimes it may be necessary to slow the game and lock it down when you are in trouble (as unlike basketball you can't use a timeout to do this). However, I'd be careful about using it as the first recourse.

[Nico]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
Having watched and admired Roos throughout his playing career, I'm almost certain that what we are playing does not reflect Roos' image of what he wants the game plan to be. I can imagine it would be highly successful with a team full of skilled players (say St Kilda) - it would be tempo controlled, locking up the ball then unleashing waves of goals and keeping the opposition off balance. Most of the time it would be entertaining as well as effective. However, our guys simply lack the football skills and smarts to do it, hence something that could be great steps over that fine line into something that is crap.

The question becomes whether Roos should persist, change the game plan or change the players.

Agree entirely. I know a number of us have been begging for a new game plan, probably to fit around the players ability,(bit like weekend golfers buy clubs to fit their game) but there is no doubt it is the finishing skills of players that let us down. The same players under Eade a lot of the time let us down the same way.

Oh if only Micky had the goal kicking prowess of Derek Kickett.

[footyhead]

Originally posted by Nico
Agree entirely. I know a number of us have been begging for a new game plan, probably to fit around the players ability,(bit like weekend golfers buy clubs to fit their game) but there is no doubt it is the finishing skills of players that let us down. The same players under Eade a lot of the time let us down the same way.

Oh if only Micky had the goal kicking prowess of Derek Kickett.

Yes but great coaches build a game plan around the various talents and abilities of their players.

[Schneiderman]

Originally posted by Nico
Agree entirely. I know a number of us have been begging for a new game plan, probably to fit around the players ability,(bit like weekend golfers buy clubs to fit their game) but there is no doubt it is the finishing skills of players that let us down.

I would like to continue the analogy for my argument.

I bought my golf clubs because they give me confidence and are the best of their kind. Because of their design (blades) they require a high level of skill to use, but the rewards are amplified. I have played inconsistently with them since getting them, but the good shots just feel unbelievable.

Roos may be applying the same thinking. We know when the gameplan really works it is exciting and powerful. St Kilda last year, WC in the QF and Brisbane this year demonstrate that.

The thinking may be that the players can adapt to the plan. Roos MUST believe they have enough talent to do it eventually, or he wouldn't stick with it. Where he has gaps he is working to fill it, and I for one have faith he can get there with time and a bit of luck.

I do ask though - is a game plan with the "basics" that hard for opposition coaches to work out? Is it a sustainable winning plan? Is it any more exciting? Can anyone guarantee we will win more games? If it does, then how come so many other teams fail?

[The Undertaker]

Originally posted by footyhead
The guy is obviously an idiot, but what he said about the Swans and their style of play is actualy correct.
It's ugly and they wont win many games if they keep on playing that way !

I wouldn't say Demetriou is an idiot.

But i will say,it wasn't his place to say what he did say about the swans style of play.

However i,like you,agree with what he said about the swans stlye of play this season.

It's boring and won't win us a lot of games.It needs to be changed.

Starting with the Water Bombers this weekend.

[Rob-bloods]

Demetriou well overstepped the mark singling out Sydney. North have been one of the worst teams this year to watch but at 5-1 who's complaining.

If Swans were 5-1 the losing coaches may whinge but everything would be OK.

It was an appalling gaffe, and Demetriou's limp apology is PR speak admitting just how bad it was. yeah he has an opinion but in his position he cannot single out a team like that.

Can we expect Demetriou to admit Goldspink is a hopeless umpire despised by fans and players...yeah right!