News 2018 General AFL Discussion

[George]

Cheers, mate. I saw the debate on Talking Footy just last week about the thing you mention: large numbers of players surrounding the ball. So, you think it's tactical (pressure game) more than any drop in skills? It will be interesting to see what happens going forward: whether the crowding the ball continues, or whether teams eventually try new tactics to stretch the game more.

I think the players need to get better under pressure. It's hard to simulate game pressure in training. I think their skills are generally sublime but you add in pressure and it's a whole new dynamic.

 

[austinnn]

It's definitely tactical, but perhaps others could be more precise about if/how the rules have changed to enhance this.

I suppose you might guess and say that the increased athletic profiles of the players has enabled them to get to more contests or to spoil more disposals.

I'm personally not a fan of the constant contest, I'd like to see a bit more freedom for players to play, but buggered if I know what steps you'd take to allow that to happen.

 

[Nutsngum]

I would personally be in favour of bringing the centre bounce to all the stoppages. Basically, 5 metre zone around the umpire in which only the two rucks are allowed in. Obviously cant do this for throw ins but I think it would have an immediate effect on immediate congestion.

 

[plugger66]

I would personally be in favour of bringing the centre bounce to all the stoppages. Basically, 5 metre zone around the umpire in which only the two rucks are allowed in. Obviously cant do this for throw ins but I think it would have an immediate effect on immediate congestion.

And slow the game down even more and get more complaining that umpires have no idea what 5 metres is


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[gringo2011]

I think the players need to get better under pressure. It's hard to simulate game pressure in training. I think their skills are generally sublime but you add in pressure and it's a whole new dynamic.

Speed and pressure make players rush. Once the tempo has been set it's hard to mentally slow it down. I remember that playing basketball, you get the game at a manic pace and some how it just sets itself at that tempo. Once it's going fast only the really good players adapt. You rush shots and they don't drop and you make stupid mistakes and foul when you didn't need to. There was always one player who seemed to adapt much better and have a bit more time mentally. That's AFL this year, everyone is pressuring every possession and perceived pressure its to them, it's especially hard for the younger players who are just trying to catch up to the pace as it is.

 

[gringo2011]

I think the interesting thing is that Geelong have gone against the grain realising that their skill set won't work under that type of game. They have noticeably slowed down and keep possession running it out of the backline with slow switches and short passing by foot. If Scotty wins a premiership with it next year might be back to a slow keepings off again.

 

[gringo2011]

I would personally be in favour of bringing the centre bounce to all the stoppages. Basically, 5 metre zone around the umpire in which only the two rucks are allowed in. Obviously cant do this for throw ins but I think it would have an immediate effect on immediate congestion.

They'd just make a wall of congestion around the ruck duel. Hard in the goal square too, you'd leave a corridor open that couldn't be defended properly. Rucks would grab it and kick it straight through. The only way they can really go is drop rotation numbers back so players get fatigued but probably shortens careers and causes soft tissue injury or drop the one field number to 16 players so that there is always space to get into or you sacrifice numbers in certain areas (what Richo does that shits us). I think teams will adjust to try to counter naturally and in 5 years there will be a new trend anyway.

 

[pebblesofsand]

It's definitely tactical, but perhaps others could be more precise about if/how the rules have changed to enhance this.

I suppose you might guess and say that the increased athletic profiles of the players has enabled them to get to more contests or to spoil more disposals.

I'm personally not a fan of the constant contest, I'd like to see a bit more freedom for players to play, but buggered if I know what steps you'd take to allow that to happen.

The answer lies in combating the thing you raised in your own post.

"the increased athletic profiles of the players has enabled them to get to more contests or to spoil more disposals"

So you need to address that in order to resolve the constant rolling maul. Possible options

1 increase the size of grounds

2 reduce the number of players

3 restrict areas that players can move in

4 speed up the flow of the game

Obviously 1 can't happen, personally don't like 3 (the "netball zone") so that leaves 2 & 4.

2 - I'd look at reducing the onfield numbers to 16 and reducing the numbers of interchange players and rotations allowed (say 2 interchange and a sub in case a player injured - max 40 rotations).

4 - remove the need to nominate ruckmen at ball ups and throw-ins. Only one player from each team is allowed to contest - any blocking that prevents one team from contesting is a free kick. Ball ups and throw ins to occur soon as the umpire has the ball. Also look at a automatic free kick against a third man in where the intent is just to hold up the play to ensure a stoppage.

If the coaches are quite happy to turn elite AFL into an under 10's style all-in rolling rugby maul, then the AFL have to act.

 

[ScrappyDo]

I think the players need to get better under pressure. It's hard to simulate game pressure in training. I think their skills are generally sublime but you add in pressure and it's a whole new dynamic.

I'm with you on that one George. Our skill are fine from what I can deduce but it all seems to be going wrong between the ears, even without physical pressure on the ball carrier. I've convinced myself that our skill problems are 100% mental now. With the the best tonic being a line-in-the-sand.

 

[Persevering Saint]

You've never tried a British winter, have you?

No, but I tried a British summer. That was cold enough. [emoji14]

 

[VDS66]

What's going on with all these low scores? Are player skills simply going down hill? Has being athletic and a good runner taken precedence over being able to use the ball skillfully? Or is it because of tactics and teams are cancelling each other out? The low scoring seems an established trend.

Coaching strategies have evolved as they look to other codes and sports for new ideas.

Originally they adapted basket ball zones and we are now seeing the move towards defence first, score second approach.

 

[MUFKilda]

No, but I tried a British summer. That was cold enough. [emoji14]

We've had three consecutive days over twenty degrees. It's a heatwave!

 

[cooperrules]

Is jack macrae worth having a crack at 1.2 1.3 mil a year for 5 years?

 

[gringo2011]

Is jack macrae worth having a crack at 1.2 1.3 mil a year for 5 years?

Yes, he's in Brownlow medal form this year. He's always been good but now he's really good.

 

[Armitage2Riewoldt]

Yes, he's in Brownlow medal form this year. He's always been good but now he's really good.

Legitimately he was the only Dogs player out there last night. 22 v 1.

 

[George]

I'm with you on that one George. Our skill are fine from what I can deduce but it all seems to be going wrong between the ears, even without physical pressure on the ball carrier. I've convinced myself that your skill problems are 100% mental now. With the the best tonic being a line-in-the-sand.

Actual and perceived pressure. I agree.

 

[nitewalker13]

Just watching GWS v NM in Blundstone Arena, it is really windy but players are kicking goals especially Waite.

Our players cant kick straight from 30 metres under the roof.

I dont know whether it is mental thing or skills or coaching?

 

[Armitage2Riewoldt]

Just watching GWS v NM in Blundstone Arena, it is really windy but players are kicking goals especially Waite.

Our players cant kick straight from 30 metres under the roof.

I dont know whether it is mental thing or skills or coaching?

9.0 between them now.

Absolutely dreaming.

 

[Half Back Pocket]

SaintsSeptember Ben Brown

 

[pebblesofsand]

You know its your day when Shaun McKernan kicks 4 goals by half time.

 

[Allsainters66]

You know its your day when Shaun McKernan kicks 4 goals by half time.

His actually not bad depth, seems to pop up for a few good games every season

 

[rodney86]

They're taking the piss with that Port/GC crowd figure.

 

[Sab22]

They're taking the piss with that Port/GC crowd figure.

So it beat our crowd records this season?

On [device_name] using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[JG22]

Not sure why Worsfolds being a tool

Doesn't really help anyone

 

[Dard Ball Get]

Not sure why Worsfolds being a tool

Doesn't really help anyone

It’s hard to suppress your true nature under pressure