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Since it is the midpoint of the season, I thought that it would be a good idea to have a look in the AFL Record Season Guide, to see how we were travelling compared to last year. That is, how far down were we last year, on this year's second placing and nine wins? And how did the teams up at the top of the table end up faring at the end of the year?
To my surprise, the team in second place with nine wins and two losses, was the Sydney Swans?? Which just doesn't really tally with my recall of last year. I mean, there just seems to be much more optimism about our chances, compared to this time last year: even though points wise, we're in exactly the same position. And I'm sure if I was to go back to the views being expressed on this forum a year ago, there would be a lot more negativity. So I was just wondering what the reasons for this would be?
Firstly, I think that there was with most people, a different perception of where the team was at coming into the respective seasons. In regard to 2015, I think that since we were favourites for the 2014 Grand Final, there was probably a feeling that we just had one bad game and that we were still right at the top of the tree. Also, it was probably assumed that any problems, such as skill levels, would have been fixed during the off-season. So when we were winning, but often not really winning well, this sparked a bit of negative feeling. In contrast, coming into this season, there was probably a feeling that we were on the slide and weren't going to be genuine premiership contenders. So this meant that our winning form has been a pleasant surprise.
And speaking of winning form, one reason that we are winning, is the contribution of our younger players. This also generates more optimism in comparison to 2015. This year, we have had six debutants, most of whom have looked like they belong in the top grade. At the halfway stage last year, we had two debutants: Heeney, who had already been sidelined with a knee injury, and Robinson, who looked serviceable, rather than exciting. Also, we had a few younger players who had previously debuted and we were hoping would step up. However, this wasn't really happening: Jones and Brandon Jack were running around in the NEAFL, Towers was getting a game, but looking ordinary, and Tom Mitchell was only just being selected again. In the first half of this year, Heeney and Mitchell have been starring, while Jones and Robinson have played their roles well.
In both structure and game style, there has probably been more cause for optimism this year. In regards to structure, last year we had Franklin, Goodes, Reid and Tippett/Pyke all playing up forward, which probably meant we were a bit top heavy and we weren't quite able to put on enough forward pressure. This year's forward line of Franklin, Heeney, Rohan, McGlynn/Papley, resting midfielder and resting ruckman, seems to be more balanced, more exciting and more capable of interfering with the opposition's rebound.
The ruck position is another area where there is more cause for optimism. This time last year, it was starting to become obvious that Pyke was carrying a chronic injury and wouldn't quite be the player that he was in previous years. While Tippett was starting to throw his weight around in the centre, he wasn't the top flight ruckman that he is this year.
In regards to the defence, while we have always been able to defend well, this year, we have seemed more assured bringing the ball out, with less of those infuriating and costly turnovers. Which brings me to game style. So far this year, we seem less likely to indulge in handball after handball, and more likely to kick the ball quickly to an attacking option. Which I think also leads to less turnovers and a more attractive brand of football.
Also, of course, this year we aren't dealing with Goodes booing controversy. But I don't really want to go over that again.
Anyway, what do other people think?
PS The team that was on top after round 11, 2015, was Fremantle with a 10 and 1 record. WTF has happened there!? And even though it seems that Hawthorn has slipped a bit this year, last year they were 6/4 (with a bye), compared to 8/3 this year.
To my surprise, the team in second place with nine wins and two losses, was the Sydney Swans?? Which just doesn't really tally with my recall of last year. I mean, there just seems to be much more optimism about our chances, compared to this time last year: even though points wise, we're in exactly the same position. And I'm sure if I was to go back to the views being expressed on this forum a year ago, there would be a lot more negativity. So I was just wondering what the reasons for this would be?
Firstly, I think that there was with most people, a different perception of where the team was at coming into the respective seasons. In regard to 2015, I think that since we were favourites for the 2014 Grand Final, there was probably a feeling that we just had one bad game and that we were still right at the top of the tree. Also, it was probably assumed that any problems, such as skill levels, would have been fixed during the off-season. So when we were winning, but often not really winning well, this sparked a bit of negative feeling. In contrast, coming into this season, there was probably a feeling that we were on the slide and weren't going to be genuine premiership contenders. So this meant that our winning form has been a pleasant surprise.
And speaking of winning form, one reason that we are winning, is the contribution of our younger players. This also generates more optimism in comparison to 2015. This year, we have had six debutants, most of whom have looked like they belong in the top grade. At the halfway stage last year, we had two debutants: Heeney, who had already been sidelined with a knee injury, and Robinson, who looked serviceable, rather than exciting. Also, we had a few younger players who had previously debuted and we were hoping would step up. However, this wasn't really happening: Jones and Brandon Jack were running around in the NEAFL, Towers was getting a game, but looking ordinary, and Tom Mitchell was only just being selected again. In the first half of this year, Heeney and Mitchell have been starring, while Jones and Robinson have played their roles well.
In both structure and game style, there has probably been more cause for optimism this year. In regards to structure, last year we had Franklin, Goodes, Reid and Tippett/Pyke all playing up forward, which probably meant we were a bit top heavy and we weren't quite able to put on enough forward pressure. This year's forward line of Franklin, Heeney, Rohan, McGlynn/Papley, resting midfielder and resting ruckman, seems to be more balanced, more exciting and more capable of interfering with the opposition's rebound.
The ruck position is another area where there is more cause for optimism. This time last year, it was starting to become obvious that Pyke was carrying a chronic injury and wouldn't quite be the player that he was in previous years. While Tippett was starting to throw his weight around in the centre, he wasn't the top flight ruckman that he is this year.
In regards to the defence, while we have always been able to defend well, this year, we have seemed more assured bringing the ball out, with less of those infuriating and costly turnovers. Which brings me to game style. So far this year, we seem less likely to indulge in handball after handball, and more likely to kick the ball quickly to an attacking option. Which I think also leads to less turnovers and a more attractive brand of football.
Also, of course, this year we aren't dealing with Goodes booing controversy. But I don't really want to go over that again.
Anyway, what do other people think?
PS The team that was on top after round 11, 2015, was Fremantle with a 10 and 1 record. WTF has happened there!? And even though it seems that Hawthorn has slipped a bit this year, last year they were 6/4 (with a bye), compared to 8/3 this year.
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