Will we improve our kick-ins this season?

[stellation]

During the Pies/Bombers match last night they brought up a good graphic of how the Collingwood press sets up to defend kick-ins, Leigh Matthews spoke briefly to it (although his insight was a little lazy for such an experienced coach, it essentially equated to "kick to numbers"). My first thought was "thank god we aren't playing them at the SCG, that would be suffocating", however obviously teams will have studied Collingwood heavily last year and I'm sure be keen to imitate.

I think kick-ins are something that we've done very poorly as a team over the past few years, I've been particuarly dissapointed with our failure to adapt to the quick kick-in rules. If we were to continue to take the approach of having limited designated kickers I can see us reguarly just chipping to the conceded first kick to the back pocket and then struggling greatly to get it out of there against a team that will sacrifiice their forward structure to such a heavy press.

Have you seen enough during the pre-season to think that we will improve our kick-ins this season? Whilst Everitt had a few "oh dear" moments, I was particuarly pleased whilst sitting at the game at Blacktown to see that we seemed to have one or two more designated kickers and they seemed to be rotating based on their proximity to the goal square as opposed to taking turns (In the past I've certainly seen Tadhg, who has taken kick-ins during that game, wait for Malceski/Mattner to come back and take the kick-in). Who do you see from the current side filling in for Malceski in this role? Who do you believe the designated kickers are, and who should they be?

[royboy42]

At training thursday, Lewis Johnston took a few kick ins during a short match practice. Each time he kicked to himself, then a short run and a longish kick to wide 50. Then they didnt pick him for Coffs , so I don't know if there was any significance to it.
The conceded short to the pocket and resultant battle to clear beyond 50 frustrates me as much as anyone.
I suspect Mattner will get plenty kickouts with Tiger slow to return and Mal gone for a while. I don't have too much faith in Everett as a kicking specialist.

[aardvark]

I suspect Mattner will get plenty kickouts with Tiger slow to return and Mal gone for a while. I don't have too much faith in Everett as a kicking specialist.

Oh oh this doesn't sound good....

[RogueSwan]

I don't mind Marty taking the kicks as long as he does it quickly and to advantage (obviously), and if there is nothing to kick to he could kick to himself and then a long kick (and he can kick it a long way) to a contest on the boundary.

[Wardy]

During the Pies/Bombers match last night they brought up a good graphic of how the Collingwood press sets up to defend kick-ins, Leigh Matthews spoke briefly to it (although his insight was a little lazy for such an experienced coach, it essentially equated to "kick to numbers"). My first thought was "thank god we aren't playing them at the SCG, that would be suffocating", however obviously teams will have studied Collingwood heavily last year and I'm sure be keen to imitate.

I think kick-ins are something that we've done very poorly as a team over the past few years, I've been particuarly dissapointed with our failure to adapt to the quick kick-in rules. If we were to continue to take the approach of having limited designated kickers I can see us reguarly just chipping to the conceded first kick to the back pocket and then struggling greatly to get it out of there against a team that will sacrifiice their forward structure to such a heavy press.

Have you seen enough during the pre-season to think that we will improve our kick-ins this season? Whilst Everitt had a few "oh dear" moments, I was particuarly pleased whilst sitting at the game at Blacktown to see that we seemed to have one or two more designated kickers and they seemed to be rotating based on their proximity to the goal square as opposed to taking turns (In the past I've certainly seen Tadhg, who has taken kick-ins during that game, wait for Malceski/Mattner to come back and take the kick-in). Who do you see from the current side filling in for Malceski in this role? Who do you believe the designated kickers are, and who should they be?

In short Stell - I bloody well hope so!

[Cant turn right]

I think we are still looking a bit weak with our kick ins in the NAB cup. I am hoping horse has some secret strategy up his sleeve for the season proper that he doesn't want to give away yet.

[stellation]

If you take the lineup from the Coffs game, I think it's reasonable to think that the below 8 will form part of our back 6 for Round 1 (assuming LRT, C.Bolt, Tadhg and Mal are out)- if I'm including Bevo in there I guess I should probably add Byron in too, but I've left him out for now.

2. Rhyce Shaw
13. Andrejs Everitt
16. Gary Rohan
25. Ted Richards
29. Martin Mattner
39. Heath Grundy
40. Nick Smith
42. Paul Bevan

I think from those guys I'd like to see any of them at all take a quick kick in if it means they are kicking to an open player within 30 metres of them (assuming it is someone we want to have the ball!)- and we should be trying for that on every single kick-in. If that doesn't work then I think;

Light pressure on;
2. Rhyce Shaw
13. Andrejs Everitt
16. Gary Rohan
29. Martin Mattner
40. Nick Smith

Heavy pressure on;
2. Rhyce Shaw
16. Gary Rohan
29. Martin Mattner

I think that's what we have to work with come round 1.

[DST]

I don't have the stats in front of me, but deep into last year we were top 6 in the comp for not allowing scores from our kick in's and also scoring ourselves from them.

Funny how people relate predictable and slow to not working sometimes.

DST

[royboy42]

I don't have the stats in front of me, but deep into last year we were top 6 in the comp for not allowing scores from our kick in's and also scoring ourselves from them.

Funny how people relate predictable and slow to not working sometimes.

DST

That's interesting DST. I have to say it surprises me..love to find those stats. If they're right. it makes me look at things differently.

[stellation]

I don't have the stats in front of me, but deep into last year we were top 6 in the comp for not allowing scores from our kick in's and also scoring ourselves from them.

Funny how people relate predictable and slow to not working sometimes.

DST

That's really quite a suprise, I must admit. Do you know where you saw those stats?

My concern is really more for this year than last- I thought it didn't look great last year at all, but I think a lot of teams will be putting a huge amount of focus on running a press like Collingwood's.

[DST]

That's interesting DST. I have to say it surprises me..love to find those stats. If they're right. it makes me look at things differently.

I will see if I can find them.

DST

[neilfws]

Looks like the kick-in features twice on the whiteboard behind Longmire (see photo, top of this article):

Swans rise to the equation

[Hartijon]

With defensive zones and space blocking positioning getting the kick in past the centre square can become quite difficult. Thats why I am impressed by Sumner's ability to weave through traffic. This is a rare skill and could be of great value in a kick in situation. Given the fact there are about 10 kickins and numerous backline stoppages in a game, a line breaker is surely worth a place in the side.. ? If we can't run the ball out then we have to have plan B. even if its just the old kick to a 50:50 chance on the boundary as far from the goals as you can. Kicking to your tallest player or best mark in this situation also gives you a better chance of retention.

The big change in the modern game is that the ball handling,handpassing and running/kicking skills of a defensive player must be as good as an offensive player. If they can't hit a player on the chest,the ball will come straight back over their heads usually for a score.

[Dalai Lama]

No Monkeying Around

A good way to ensure we don't stuff up the kick in - is - simply do not allow the Rhesus to take the kick....?

[aardvark]

Q. What do the Dalai Lama and Brendan Fevola have in common ?

A. They both love Tibet