Good piece from Kieren about what went wrong against Geelong

[Nico]

What were the centre clearance stats? I don't have those particular numbers to compare, but in general, our clearance work on the weekend was pretty good (we basically broke even with Geelong). We certainly didn't get slaughtered by that on the weekend - our big problem was turnovers (where they scored heavily) and our inability to stop Geelong's run (or apply any pressure) when they had the ball, which meant our backs had little help in stopping their forwards. Combine that with our inability to convert, and the tale is told.

I am not saying that this has been the case for the whole year, but I am not sure that it was the big problem on the weekend.

Matty, when you go to the footy next this year or watch on telly have a close look at what our onballers do. With the exception of Goodes they are either blocking or holding. If we get a centre clearances it is usually a scrappy kick or handpass. Not too often do we get a player dashing free from the centre on first possession. Jack was towelled up by Selwood at centre clearances, regardless of the game clearance stats were, which includes around the ground. Hopefully our new coach will arrest the centre clearance malaise.

[Nico]

According to afl.com.au we won centre clearances 36-35. What it doesn't tell you though is how many were clean clearances because Geelong certainly would have smashed us in that regard.

I think they are match clearances not centre clearances. There wasn't 66 goals kicked in the game. It is where you win the clearances and how you use them that count.

[ugg]

I think they are match clearances not centre clearances. There wasn't 66 goals kicked in the game. It is where you win the clearances and how you use them that count.

I understand your point, but this is exactly the term used on afl.com.au. This other site has a different stat called CB Clearances which I assume stands for Center Bounce Clearances. It says we won that stat 13-11.

PRO-STATS Australian Rules Football - The Stats The Coaches Use

[Mr Magoo]

The thing I always think we lack at clearances is the ability to peel off and spread so that when one of the in and under players does get hold he has a player peeling off and that player has a player peeling off to take the handball. This creates much cleaner clearances as the third or second player out of the pack is usually in the clear to create an effective disposal whereas if the in and under player is clearing it usually is a scrappy kick forward.

We dont seem to have this in our game but the good midfields over the last few years do. Think West Coast in 2005/2006 / Geelong 2007 onwards.

[Nico]

The thing I always think we lack at clearances is the ability to peel off and spread so that when one of the in and under players does get hold he has a player peeling off and that player has a player peeling off to take the handball. This creates much cleaner clearances as the third or second player out of the pack is usually in the clear to create an effective disposal whereas if the in and under player is clearing it usually is a scrappy kick forward.

We dont seem to have this in our game but the good midfields over the last few years do. Think West Coast in 2005/2006 / Geelong 2007 onwards.

Precisely how opposition sides play us at centre bounces.