Game plan observations

[Nico]

A couple of changes for the better that appeared to happen.

As a TV observer it looked like:

1. Our forwards played a lot deeper in the forward line and we got more players into the forward line to contests.

2. A heap more pressure by our forwards to keep the ball in our forward line.

3. Heaven forbid, but we looked as if we manned up on Geelong's kick outs.

[ROK Lobster]

Re: Game plan observations

Originally posted by Nico
A couple of changes for the better that appeared to happen.

As a TV observer it looked like:

2. A heap more pressure by our forwards to keep the ball in our forward line.

Good. This for me has been a major difference between 2003 and the last year and a half. Sorry I did not see it but if this is an area that has improved, then it is very pleasing indeed.

[ugg]

Re: Game plan observations

Originally posted by Nico
1. Our forwards played a lot deeper in the forward line and we got more players into the forward line to contests.

2. A heap more pressure by our forwards to keep the ball in our forward line.

3. Heaven forbid, but we looked as if we manned up on Geelong's kick outs.

1. Hall played much deeper than usual, and I think we play better when he is the target in the goalsquare rather than pushing up to the wings.

2. It was excellent wasn't it. I thought Buchanan when he was in there and O'Loughlin were prominent in this area.

3. We must have done our homework and realise one of Geelong's main assets is Hunt's kickins. Nullified them completely.

[Jeffers1984]

Who ever said Bucky was slow? His chase and harrassing is second to none. Adam Schneider take note please.

That top 10 1%ers that they show before the match will definately have Bucky's tap on to Davis in the 2nd quarter to set up that goal for Crouchy.

[stellation]

At the game it looked like O'Keefe and Davis were pushing up the flanks and playing HFF/Wing which allowed Hall to stay back (they have been doing that most of the season, last night it just worked a lot better).

One concern I have with our HF pushing up the ground so much (and basically playing as midfielders) is that Roos is not leaving an extra player back, both Davis and O'Keefe both had to come off for breathers from running themselves into the ground; I think running around the midfield then getting back and offering a lead was proving to be a little too much. I would like to see a permanent crumbing forward, or an extra leading player like Vogels in the forward line (I think we work better with Davis and O'Keefe pushing up the ground).

Great figures for the HF line though (Davis was named at FP but played about as much time there as LRT spent dominating);
HFF Ryan O'Keefe: 23 disposals (8 inside 50s), 3 tackles, 7 marks, 3 goals 1 behind
CHF Barry Hall: 17 disposals, 1 tackle, 12 marks, 5 goals 2 behinds.
HFF Nick Davis: 19 disposals (6 inside 50s), 1 tackle, 9 marks, 2 goals

[liz]

During the second quarter blitz we were winning the clearances from the middle and thus there was no reason for the forwards to push up.

[BonBon]

The bad thing about watching AFL on TV is that you only see what the camera is focused on. You never see the whole thing. That's why my preferred seating is Level 2 wing. See everything. Great observations.

[ROK Lobster]

Originally posted by BonBon
Great observations.

Great observation Bon.

[Snowy]

I would much prefer the flankers pushing up than Hall. And Hall can either mark it or bring it to ground. Hall is not as dangerous when he pushes up the field and I'm sure the opposition coach would be happy to see him there as well.

ROK and Davis played their upfield roles well with O'Keefe dangerous and creative and Davis using the ball constructively and not afraid to kick the ball very long. We need more of this and less of the chipping and then other players can't flood out Hall.

Geelong was very undermanned but some players like Willo were down a bit and Crouch didn't get much of the ball.

McVeigh and LRT are disappointing in the sense that they are youngsters not yet taking the next step with the latter's decision-making costing the side goals. Hard to cement a game plan when you have a player whose mistakes impact on the play.

[Rizzo]

I've got one question - who the hell was on Chapman?

[liz]

Originally posted by Snowy

McVeigh and LRT are disappointing in the sense that they are youngsters not yet taking the next step with the latter's decision-making costing the side goals. Hard to cement a game plan when you have a player whose mistakes impact on the play.

McVeigh has been ordinary for the past two weeks but seemed to have taken a step forward the two games before that. Young players - other than the best of the best - will be inconsistent for a while.

Wouldn't be surprised to see McVeigh make way this week - Malceski has to be brought into the team on his performance yesterday - but still think McVeigh will be a good player for us in the longer term. Just look at Ablett who didn't seem to justify his senior spot last year but for whom it has "clicked" this year.

[Snowy]

Originally posted by liz
McVeigh has been ordinary for the past two weeks but seemed to have taken a step forward the two games before that. Young players - other than the best of the best - will be inconsistent for a while.

Wouldn't be surprised to see McVeigh make way this week - Malceski has to be brought into the team on his performance yesterday - but still think McVeigh will be a good player for us in the longer term. Just look at Ablett who didn't seem to justify his senior spot last year but for whom it has "clicked" this year.

I'm not suggesting that McVeigh's development won't it rocky spots but all in all I think that he's a tad disappointing for an early draft pick. There are too many kinks in his game with his at times very ordinary kicking coming to the fore. He has improved from year one but not to the level that many other early draft picks at other clubs have. If the team is to go the next step he is one player who should be relied upon to be built around but there is still no evidence that he will progress from promising to gun at any stage.

[Vivien]

Re: Game plan observations

Originally posted by Nico

3. Heaven forbid, but we looked as if we manned up on Geelong's kick outs.

I was especially pleased with that one! We've been pretty poor the last few weeks.

[Newbie]

One disappointing thing about McVeigh has been his kickings which do not carry very much. His kicks seem only to hold the flight for about 30m after which the directions are anyone's guess.

For someone who is grooming to be a skilful ball carrier it is very disappointing.

While his stamina is re-nown, it does not seem to me that he got a good acceleration. To me, he has not yet shown so far any attribute of a champion player yet. He could turn out to be a good player but that might be all we could ever expect from him.

[sharpie]

Originally posted by Newbie
One disappointing thing about McVeigh has been his kickings which do not carry very much. His kicks seem only to hold the flight for about 30m after which the directions are anyone's guess.

I've noticed a few times this season when he's been running into the F50 with the ball, and there's no defender ahead of him. Instead of taking another bounce and getting closer to goals before taking his shot, he kicks too early and inevitably misses.