Roos: I'm flat, out of ideas, reserves are no good

[NMWBloods]

The game plan simply needs to evolve. 2004 was a year of evolution - the 2003 game plan was found out and we saw some ugly football while a new plan was established and then it was a critical factor in our success in 2005 and 2006 (as well as a lot of luck, good injury mgmt and no standout teams).

This game plan now has been countered so we need to see the next stage in the evolution. The question to be asked is do the existing players have the ability and motivation to produce a new game plan? Does the current coaching staff?

In terms of new players I think throwing in too many would be a disaster, but I think more work needs to be done on introducing a few more on a rotation basis. To some extent that has been difficult in the past two years given few injuries and success. However, a little more needs to be done.

[Matt79]

The game plan simply needs to evolve.

Bloods, I think you hit the nail on the head with that one sentence. It is absolutely clear that our gameplan has not changed in the past 3 years. Yes, it brought us a flag in 05...DREAM ACHIEVED, a grand final in 06...FANTASTIC but now the 15 other clubs have devised a gameplan to beat us and so far this season we have not had an alternate plan to combat it.

Our cattle is still the same on the park and in theory should at least have this year in terms of talent and ability another realistic shot at success, however, unless our gameplan is tweaked, changed, done over with, whatever we are going to struggle.

It is time to see a plan B in action.

[ScottH]

Yep, it seems an obvious strategy to me. Ablett, Davis, Malceski, C Bolton would all clear 50 easily and have Spida or the Donk in the goal square to snaffle the one that drops short.

At that particular time , Ablett was on the other siode of the field screaming for it. Not that he would 've got a goal....

[Wardy]

Bloods, I think you hit the nail on the head with that one sentence. It is absolutely clear that our gameplan has not changed in the past 3 years. Yes, it brought us a flag in 05...DREAM ACHIEVED, a grand final in 06...FANTASTIC but now the 15 other clubs have devised a gameplan to beat us and so far this season we have not had an alternate plan to combat it.

Our cattle is still the same on the park and in theory should at least have this year in terms of talent and ability another realistic shot at success, however, unless our gameplan is tweaked, changed, done over with, whatever we are going to struggle.

It is time to see a plan B in action.

And a plan C just incase the other teams are one step ahead of us (which is definately on the cards)! Geez I wonder if Roos has considered the concept of free flowing running footy, kicking it long down the corridor, the odd torpedo punt into the goal square - I'd like to see that.

[Legs Akimbo]

I don't understand how you plan for younger players coming through by not playing them and overlooking the guys performing well in the reserves to play ex-premiership players because they have credits in the bank. lost me there. What sort of planning is that? I don't think Roos is being totally honest here.

Reminds me Paul Keating's recession we had to have. Roos gambled on back to back with the stakes being the development of our younger players. We missed by a poofteenth and now we have limited depth because younger players were not bought on. We copped a few injuries and our depth is exposed. We are starting to look old and stale.

At the end of the day, experience and hard bodies count for alot, but age is wearying. Most people here agreed last year that it was worth going for a shot at back-to-back even if it meant a little pain later. Well, guess what, looks like we gave it a shot, missed by a poofteenth and now we are suffering the pain.

To my mind, the issue is not whether this was right or wrong (it was the right thing to have done), but rather how quickly the club can switch to a development phase to avoid the recession turning into a depression. Let's hope Roos can set aside his personal loyalty to the 'bloods' premiership credit players for the sake of the future, when it is clear the tide has turned.

[Wardy]

I don't understand how you plan for younger players coming through by not playing them and overlooking the guys performing well in the reserves to play ex-premiership players because they have credits in the bank. lost me there. What sort of planning is that? I don't think Roos is being totally honest here.

Reminds me Paul Keating's recession we had to have. Roos gambled on back to back with the stakes being the development of our younger players. We missed by a poofteenth and now we have limited depth because younger players were not bought on. We copped a few injuries and our depth is exposed. We are starting to look old and stale.

At the end of the day, experience and hard bodies count for alot, but age is wearying. Most people here agreed last year that it was worth going for a shot at back-to-back even if it meant a little pain later. Well, guess what, looks like we gave it a shot, missed by a poofteenth and now we are suffering the pain.

To my mind, the issue is not whether this was right or wrong (it was the right thing to have done), but rather how quickly the club can switch to a development phase to avoid the recession turning into a depression. Let's hope Roos can set aside his personal loyalty to the 'bloods' premiership credit players for the sake of the future, when it is clear the tide has turned.

Well said Legs - we are looking old and weary - and I would have thought that a team should be chosen on form - that is clearly not the case at the moment. To even play ex premiership players, who have credits, who are obviously not 100% fit to my mind is not a smart strategy. Things have to change whether we like it or not. Throw some of the reserves blokes in , rest some of the old lads for a bit and see what happens, you dont know unless you try.

[Yakety_Yak]

Some interesting comments, but I don't think it is not all that bad.

The problem is depth and form, and too defensive attitude, and missing LRT height.

R1 WCE last half went onto attack, went the ball rather than wait to tackle, knock it to the clear from stoppages, move it direct & quick and thrashed them in last half

R2 Richmond, line ball last qtr ditto, too lazy but fortunately against duds

R4 Crows, started with attack, then got overly defensive, but even still had they kicked straight would have won

R6 North, last quarter ditto, but they left it far too late

R7 Saints, poorest game, but Lyon knew critical insider stuff... and matched up better

When Swans attack the ball, take risks and move it quick they can match it with any. So what if they loose a few! I'd like to see more of that!

Goodesy forget about being accountable!...can't do it well anyway!!!
McVeigh is not a midfielder!! Schnieder/Davis neither !
Can't have Jude & Kirk (esp with Ablett) off the ball or resting at the same time!That creates the defensive mode and subsequent surge.

Have you noticed in modern footy (almost any team) ... now they have worked out Swans tempo stuff....that a mark, without play on, anywhere in the 55-70 mtre zone is a mostly a waste? Slows it up and rewards flooding. Better to risk a quick log kick into 50 to a one on one.

[Industrial Fan]

This game plan now has been countered so we need to see the next stage in the evolution.

What a lot of bollocks. Everyone knew after 2005 how we played. It isnt a science...

This forum is hilarious at the moment. Saints and Roos have both beaten us in the last few seasons. Crows have been a constant bogey team, and weagles knocked us off by a point.

The whole point of the game plan is that its frank and beans. Little can go wrong when we play it properly, which we havent been doing. I think the Richmond board will be sounding out a few RWO members for employment. How fickle can you be.

Simon H had it right. No-one likes the plan when we lose, but why change everything 1/3 of the way through the season?!

I'm glad it's Roos in charge not RWO.

In terms of the youngsters, I think it is a good measure that a few have left, and none have "made" it at another club. Maybe Fixter, but it isn't as though he wasn't given his chances on our list. On the other hand, players like Ablett fit in nicely to our team where they wouldn't fit elsewhere.

People still yell for Mr Yawns blood, but he has been in career best form. Talk about grasping at straws - criticise him for focussing on his man...!

I think some sedatives wouldn't go astray.

[reigning premier]

Or get it to one of the big kickers, on the 50 to have a shot.

Finally... Someone agrees with me!!!


Davis to play centre.


@@@@ 'em if they flood back. Tricky Nicky will bomb it in over their heads and straight through the big sticks!!!

[hammo]

People still yell for Mr Yawns blood, but he has been in career best form. Talk about grasping at straws - criticise him for focussing on his man...!

And that leads to more goals how exactly?

Who is Mr Yawn??

[Jeffers1984]

And that leads to more goals how exactly?

Who is Mr Yawn??

Ben Mathews? @@@@@@ if i know

[Industrial Fan]

And that leads to more goals how exactly?

Who is Mr Yawn??

Matthews.

He has scored and stopped goals in the past few weeks.

[Xie Shan]

Matthews.

It would make things a lot easier around here if you referred to players by their regular nicknames.

I thought Ball-up Benny was pretty standard for Mathews!

[Guzzitza]

Roos is admitting we have taken some great, talented kids from the draft over the years and made them incapable of playing seniors football alongside their peers. And I don't blame the ACTAFL for this, personally, I blame a game plan which is so rigid that each player plays a single role and isn't willing to take risks. The reserves are drilled the same way.

Well said Erin! I think this is a key problem. It's not as bad as the Puppet-Master Eade, but it does seem our players are unwilling to break the shackles sometimes and do whats needed to win. The more and more he drums into them that they a) have no talent and b) should stick to the chop in and kick game plan, the more the players creativity is stifled, particularly the reserves.

[stellation]

I thought Ball-up Benny was pretty standard for Mathews!

Best nickname in the AFL as far as I am concerned.