Roos latest - gameplan wont change

[Schneiderman]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
If they want to play the ugly stoppage-riddle game, then a long-kicking game might work better, but they need to be prepared for it.

Kick long to a pack. Lock the ball up in the pack. Get clearance, kick long to a pack again. In this way the ball is worked 40m downfield rather than 15m sideways.

LOL. I suspect this is actually what Roos tells his players too.

But the tactic falls apart when the following happens (and it does):
1. Kick it long to a pack: Bevan or Spriggs has ball in hand and kicks it long... only it drops short of the pack and into an opponents hands. Next time they (correctly) reassess their own skill level and kick it shorter. Damn.
2. Get clearance: We dont. Or do only to pass the ball to a waiting Bevan or Spriggs or Mathews and you can now refer to point one.

[ROK Lobster]

Originally posted by Schneiderman
LOL. I suspect this is actually what Roos tells his players too.

Schneidy senses tingling...

[Schneiderman]

Originally posted by Sean
I don't like having MOL at FF - he's our best crumber. Also, if a midfielder has the ball 60 out and sees him standing in the goal square with 3 guys standing around him they will look for other options. Therefore, stick either Vogels or Saddington at FF. Probably Vogels at this stage because Saddo doesn't yet have the confidence to leap for a mark. MOL just plays in the pocket.

Except that MOL is probably also our best contested mark. In a one-on-one he is virtually unstoppable. So does that make him best suited to FF, or should he be in the pocket leading to the wings. This way he could always loop back and deliver to Hall or Vogels. I reckon he may get to this role once his fitness has improved, but he may also never be really good at it. Like in 96 when he had Lockett to deliver to.

Then, tell a crumber (Schneider?) to follow Hall around all day. Hall seldom takes a pack mark but he seldom lets anyone else take one either.

Agree. But I would use Nick Davis. Plus his own marking ability make him a valuable foil. He is freaky like Milne in his ability to bob up with the ball and slot it from an acute angle on the run.

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by ROK Lobster
Schneidy senses tingling...

Spins a story any size...

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by Sean
BTW NMW, you may have said something like this in another post - sorry if I've pagiarised.

Something similar, but it wasn't plagiarism - just good common sense!!

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by Schneiderman
Except that MOL is probably also our best contested mark. In a one-on-one he is virtually unstoppable. So does that make him best suited to FF, or should he be in the pocket leading to the wings.

He doesn't have to actually play in the pocket and lead to the wing. You can start with him and say Vogels in the goal square.

The two largest defenders take Hall and Vogels, which leaves #3 on MOL.

Now we can kick it long to the square and MOL could beat his man, which he will often do against the #3 defender, or Vogels can make a contest and MOL can scout.

Alternatively, MOL can lead from the square into space, whether forward or within 45 deg of the goal.

Hall is at CHF and a small player (whether Schneider, Davis or whoever) is nearby and can scout the packs.

The fifth forward is say O'Keefe, who can present on one of the flanks, making a target and keeping his man away from the ball, thus keeping the forward line open. If his man cheats, then he is a great option. If he is left one-out, he still remains a very good option.

[Sean]

Originally posted by Schneiderman
[B]Except that MOL is probably also our best contested mark. In a one-on-one he is virtually unstoppable.

The problem there, and with modern day football, is that there are seldom one on ones in our forward line. It's only really when an opposition coach messes up that he is one on one - Eade for example.

All teams flood these days, despite what they say, and even when they aren't they usually make sure they have an extra defender - like the Demons do all the time. Therefore, to kick long and make it work you need to be able to put the ball in the right place and then have a forward who can make a contest in a pack. MOL will win one on one all the time but he is a few years past being overly useful in a pack. Occasionally he can still surprise us but to do it for the next 12 rounds may be a bit much to ask.

Agree. But I would use Nick Davis. Plus his own marking ability make him a valuable foil.

Fair enough. I suggested Schneider because Davis is valuable in his own right and perhaps would be wasted slightly in this role. Schneider is not particularly valuable but could be useful in this role. I see your point though.

[Schneiderman]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
He doesn't have to actually play in the pocket and lead to the wing. You can start with him and say Vogels in the goal square.

A cunning plan.

Now if only we can convince the players to stay in the F50...

[Benevolent Ert]

*BUMP*

Well this thread certainly makes for some interesting reading!

Fair to say Andy Demetriou's not the only one with egg on his face!

(now - if only I could find Robbie's "tombstone" post!)

[Nico]

Gee I though I was in for a dirty big omelet on the cruet, but my 2 comments were rather tame. Glad I stayed out of that one.