2023 List Management

[Roadrunner]

James Worpel | AFL

I still really enjoy this little segment from
Master to apprentice Re the little things that count so much at AFL level.

Re Warner and playing almost predictably straight / direct and forward without a look.

When I started playing soccer in reps as a young fella before taking up Aussie Rules I was given some pretty strong feed back due to my default of playing super direct and too much forward leaning as a first movement.

I mean it felt direct and aggressive to lean forward and go 110% so where is the problem???

The tip was always…….come into every contest for the ball on an angle vs direct, otherwise u are sending a telegraph message to every single player and coach. Never ever lean to far forward otherwise every single other opposing player knows which way your body is moving and they will anticipate your move. Be centred and upright with you movements so u can move 360 degrees as u need to to keep possession.

Always scan over your back before approaching so u have at least 270 degrees vision ie arcing towards the contest provides maximum range of vision, time and choice with the ball. Hewett, Kennedy and Mitchell were amazing at their ability to arc into a contest and moving 360 degrees when needed to keep us in possession.

Always look forward for the immediate easy pass, then sideways and then backwards and always in this order so your team who is running past u or in front of u is attacking and not running back 100m the other way unnecessarily if u screw it up and turnover the ball.

For me Chad is powerful but he needs to arc into the contest so he has greater choice and time with the ball, which means he stays in possession and so does our team when it matters most !

Great post Auntie! Midfielders and defenders need to learn the risk in running in straight lines and elite players seldom get caught this way. Good coaching and game experience together with hard work will yield the required results.

[crackedactor 01]

I think this is largely true, and the last point in particular. He will love playing alongside Sheldrick, who knows how to win the ball but importantly, use his body positioning to create space for the handball out. Ground ball gets also seem a strength of Caiden Cleary, so we will see if he makes it.

I see Chad’s defence a bit differently. He’s improved his work at stoppages a lot. He infamously cost us three goals in the final against GWS a couple of years back with lapses at stoppages, though it was hard to be tough on him as he was finding his way and had come back after a long break. He seemed to front run the play, whereas now he’s worked out he doesn’t need to as much as his explosive power will get him where he needs to be on offence anyway. It shows a willingness to learn, and quickly. He will never be a Rowbottom style tackler, but you don’t want him to be either.

I think what’s impressed me most about him this year is even though he hasn’t been at the elite level he was last year, he’s still had a good impact and persisted. The game against the Suns a few weeks back was emblematic. His field kicking was putrid and a lot of players would have turned it up. But he still racked up almost 30 possessions and jagged a couple of goals.

As you say, he still has some work to do to be consistently elite. But he seems a resilient and determined player, and a quick learner.

Just on the topic of Caiden Cleary. Cal Twomey and another commentator gave their top 25 draft picks and Caiden Cleary did not make any of their lists. Gulden was pick 33, so another cheap pick is on the cards for us.

[Nico]

I think his opponents are giving him more respect this year, and may have started to work him out a bit.
So when he goes left, they keep at him and don't give him time to straighten up etc. He then kicks with his preferred foot, but is forced to use the outside of his foot (and a splash of checkside-voodoo) to get the ball where he wants it to go.
I know it's old fashioned to expect players to be at least semi-competent with both feet, but sheesh he'd be lot less predicable (and more effective) if he wasn't so one sided by foot.

I said after the North game that they were playing him on his right side to prevent him running in a straight line, and teams continue to do so. Hopefully he works it out over the off season. I must watch what side he stands at centre bounces in the final. He must take the initiative and free up his right hand side so if he takes possession, he runs into space.

[Mel_C]

As has been noted in prior posts, the Herald Sun has reported that Port Adelaide are front runners for Grundy. Geelong have pulled out and the Swans haven't been able to speak to him.

[BRS328]

Great insight Auntie. The interesting thing is the 3 players you mentioned, none were quick, however, rarely got caught with the ball

[liz]

As has been noted in prior posts, the Herald Sun has reported that Port Adelaide are front runners for Grundy. Geelong have pulled out and the Swans haven't been able to speak to him.

Sam Edmund's trade news on Bailey Smith, Brodie Grundy, Brandon Zerk-Thatcher and more

This is a somewhat milder spin on things. But I generally don't trust footy journalists have much idea what they're talking about.

I think it should be remembered that Grundy's Demons are just about to embark on a finals series that they are fancied, by many, to win. He's not in the team but he knows that if anything happens to Gawn, injury wise, he will be. So I imagine that is his main focus right now.

[caj23]

McLean re-signs for 4 years (source AFL site).

Great news, now just need Dyl to sign on

[longmile]

Weird day.

Grundy's not interested in us, McLean resigns, we're interested in Crouch.

I'd have Darcy as priority no.1 now

[Dow]

Great news regarding Mcclean

[neilfws]

McLean re-signs for 4 years (source AFL site)

Four more for McLean

I'm happy. Clunks contested marks, kicks straight. Can ruck when required and has done a lot more around the ground in recent weeks. Just a good, solid 100% effort team player.

[waswan]

Weird day.

Grundy's not interested in us, McLean resigns, we're interested in Crouch.

I'd have Darcy as priority no.1 now

Darcy would absolutely be the best thing we could do this draft period but highly doubtful.

He is better then Jackson who is on 900k, so he wont come cheap.

He is under contract, so he would be 2x 1st rd picks easily.

If he was available a few Victorian teams would ensure he isnt cheap or easy to aquire.

[i'm-uninformed2]

As the self-appointed head of the Hayden McLean Apppreciation Society, I’m rapt.

He will be a lock for the Most Improved this year. To go from someone who was no more than an honest depth player with limitations last year, but one I still admired regardless, to what he’s done this year is a testament to his coachability and dedication. He’s kept improving his forward craft, but it’s the work around that ground that’s improved out of sight. He’s always had the tank but has lifted his mobility substantially. Is now arguably our best contested mark after Heeney, a reliable set shot, and actually has a beautifully soft set of hands in tight that lets him flick out some neat handballs.

Well deserved. I bet Horse loves coaching him.

[Auntie.Gerald]

I can see the appeal of Crouch from Adelaide Crows

We are a little weak right now in depth in general and Roberts and Gus have potential but Crouch is ready made for a role we need

His role we are light on right now in the guts and extracting that bloody footy

It allows us the good fortune not to compromise Heeney and Mills versatility to be thrown in the middle if we don’t want them there ie Crouch could do a job on an elite mid and nullify their impact

He is a FA and could really help our next two years as a couple others keep building their tanks and AFL presence

Plus he is a left footed and left handed which gives us great options when busting out from clearances to set up our right footed tall forwards

Ie left from crouch, left to BJ or Gulden slicing to a tall forward or a paps ????????

I’m guessing we maybe able to attract him given our window right now and a 2 to 3 yr deal around $400k per season?

[longmile]

I can see the appeal of Crouch from Adelaide Crows

Doesn't bode well for Sheldrick tho? Can't imagine them both, Parker and Rowbottom in the same team much

I thought Sheldrick was really showing star potential in the game or two before he got injured

Not confident on Roberts tho

[waswan]

Play sheldrick, roberts, cleary before grabbing crouch

Id say he is worth more than 400k to come to us and would want longer term, Crows would be offering similar

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Sheldrick especially he is magnet, if he plays 80% TOG, he will lead our possessions