2025 Game Plan

[magpielicious]

This is directed at those of you who attend training during pre-season. What are you seeing? The old saying of "you snooze, you lose" is true each AFL season. Any insights?

 

[Jen2310]

Not too much different I don't think. Much of the same forward thinking, move the ball fast though the middle. Lots of handball chains and then kicking inside 50.
Try to use turnover in the back half to create forward attack.

 

[LarryKinn]

The real question is whether we use one ruck or 2, Cox or Membrey ?

 

[northcotehead]

Looks like our experienced core group have perfected the art of blocking the corridor preventing teams from exiting D50 without kicking to contest or taking risky option. Our speedy runners then swoop on the turnover and rush forward in waves to bamboozle the opposition. (while this happens DC runs back to defence to cover if we turn it over) When we exit D50 we are using the patient wing approach much more this season. 2023 was very gung ho, through the corridor with risky options , we only do that selectively now. Pendles calls the shots on field like a quarterback. Watch him directing traffic, telling players where to go. Guys a genius, if we can perfect this game plan this and next season he can easily break the games record. Other teams lack the discipline, skill and maturity required to employ this strategy. It's not easy for a whole team to be in sync and block space like we do.

 

[northcotehead]

Our strategy explained so well here

 

[Chameleon75]

Our strategy explained so well here

I was just about to post that, it’s a great explanation

 

[Vicky Park]

Our strategy explained so well here

Wouldn’t matter how many times I see the Pies play - 100s of games over decades - I’d never pick that up.

I’m still stuck in the stage where I get nervous about too many handballs and want the players to just kick the ball!

 

[northcotehead]

To be that switched on in team defence requires so much discipline. It can only be done with experienced personnel. I love how he explains our whole team moving in sync to the direction of the opposition kickers body. There were a number of occasions last Thursday where Bris players were confused and frustrated because ahead of them was this impenetrable fortress swaying to anticipate all his options.

 

[manicpie]

If anyone can work out our game plan you deserve a medal. That's how we want it though

 

[BigVic]

Our strategy explained so well here

Brilliant video!

 

[Vankri]

I like the look of the 45 angle kicks in the video above but let’s be honest there’s a bit of over complication in it, taking a few instances where it lines up (and some where it didn’t actually on the last one). I think we still obviously react to the opposition positioning and the primary purpose is to cut the corridor for that second kick out of defence.

See the right hand side of the screenshot attached from the game where our core mid group organised itself to try and protect that space.

The centre bounce analysis was great as that’s more of a pure set play. You can definitely see the influence of a player negating Nick as his primary goal, and how that frees up the team because Nick is quicker and smarter about taking space for the spill out ball even if his starting position is as a receiver and someone else is the sweeper.

Something has to be said as well about Sidey’s role in general play as a sort of sweeper outside the contest either on our defensive or offensive side depending on how we’re going. He is running as hard as I’ve seen him and playing it so smart. Incredible form, let’s hope he can keep it up for the season.

 

[Soaring Magpie]

We are much more defensive minded compared to 2023. We were all run and gun in 23, this year we are squeezing teams and blocking the access to the corridor and then hurt on turnover.
We look so much better defending the ground and this has an effect on offense once we get the opportunity, putting our best users off half back.
I think the decision making on when to move the footy fast and when to build it up is A1 at the moment,And that is because of experience.
It’s probably the best I’ve seen this club since late 2010/2011.
McRae and the coaching group have got us humming along beautifully, and full credit to the senior group leading this.

 

[Knoxy]

Our strategy explained so well here

Great video. Thanks for posting.

 

[The Phantom]

Our strategy explained so well here

So we’re zoning relative to the player rather than the shape of the field.

Clean below the knees is huge. That was absolutely missing in round Zero v GWS.

 

[manicpie]

So we’re zoning relative to the player rather than the shape of the field.

Clean below the knees is huge. That was absolutely missing in round Zero v GWS.

Yeah pretty much. I don't know how they've come up with the plan but sides can't counter it atm. We seem to be ready for the turnovers and force them wide.

 

[Vicky Park]

Yeah pretty much. I don't know how they've come up with the plan but sides can't counter it atm. We seem to be ready for the turnovers and force them wide.

How long does it take for other sides to find a way to counteract or nullify a new and effective opposition game plan?

Hopefully at least a season (she says with fingers crossed).

Depends also on how good the game plan is, how well it’s implemented, and how good the opposition are.

Adam Simpson (on SEN) has just said this about our game style, and Fly:

"He is coach of the year so far for me, I have seen three different styles from Collingwood to win games…to be able to adapt to the team you are playing is sensational."

Elsewhere David King is going on about how well we are utilising our vintage champions to drive the whole team defence which is working so well for us, and utilising Pendles’ on field coaching.

We are in a very sweet spot ATM.

 

[Gaspard]

I found the video interesting, but thought that it overstates the importance of the lines the presenter drew. They were momentary alignments and some were a bit tenuous. My own thought, without actual evidence, is that the defensive coverage we are getting is mostly due to the onfield generalship, and the commitment of players to do the hard things.

The playing of the wings identified by the commentators over the weekend was real, but not exclusive. The ability the players showed to make other choices when appropriate was crucial in my view. The move in Josh Daicos

7

Josh Daicos

Age

27

Ht

178cm

Wt

77kg

Pos.

D/M

Career

Season

Last 5

D

15.6

4star

K

8.3

3star

HB

7.3

5star

M

3.3

3star

T

3.6

5star

MG

230.5

4star

D

16.2

4star

K

9.2

4star

HB

7.0

4star

M

3.3

3star

T

3.5

4star

MG

230.5

4star

D

13.8

4star

K

7.6

3star

HB

6.2

4star

M

3.2

4star

T

4.2

5star

to half back has been terrific. (I thought it was a mistake at the start of the year - shows why I am not the coach).

I suspect that the whole edifice is very Nick Daicos dependent. If he gets injured or shut down in some way, the capacity of the whole side to do the unexpected will be greatly diminished. If we have games where he is not dominant, the other players will have a task to win in a more stodgy way. I am sure this is among the plans being mulled over by the coaches.

 

[Vankri]

I found the video interesting, but thought that it overstates the importance of the lines the presenter drew. They were momentary alignments and some were a bit tenuous. My own thought, without actual evidence, is that the defensive coverage we are getting is mostly due to the onfield generalship, and the commitment of players to do the hard things.

The playing of the wings identified by the commentators over the weekend was real, but not exclusive. The ability the players showed to make other choices when appropriate was crucial in my view. The move in Josh Daicos to half back has been terrific. (I thought it was a mistake at the start of the year - shows why I am not the coach).

I suspect that the whole edifice is very Nick Daicos dependent. If he gets injured or shut down in some way, the capacity of the whole side to do the unexpected will be greatly diminished. If we have games where he is not dominant, the other players will have a task to win in a more stodgy way. I am sure this is among the plans being mulled over by the coaches.

Yes the boundary game is the obvious change from last year. Was clear to me from the practice games. And it’s clever, shut the corridor for the opposition team when we know we won a flag off it in 23 and many teams were replicating or doing their own version of it, but use the boundary instead through clever kicks and handball chains there.

I was a fan of the Josh at HB move. People forget that’s where he rediscovered form last year and was average before and only remember 23. The only big query it leaves is how much of the ball do we want to funnel through Houston because Josh being so dominant makes it hard to have anyone else as the receiver. It will be interesting this Friday. You can have both in alternating at high half back but naturally one at least will have their game and production reduced. Dan is the better defender so I wonder if we’ll play him closer to our goals and Josh higher up. Might allow a pretty consistent ‘get out of jail’ free card from kick ins and deep defensive kicks as Dan can hit it 60m like no one else.

 

[manicpie]

How long does it take for other sides to find a way to counteract or nullify a new and effective opposition game plan?

Hopefully at least a season (she says with fingers crossed).

Depends also on how good the game plan is, how well it’s implemented, and how good the opposition are.

Adam Simpson (on SEN) has just said this about our game style, and Fly:

"He is coach of the year so far for me, I have seen three different styles from Collingwood to win games…to be able to adapt to the team you are playing is sensational."

Elsewhere David King is going on about how well we are utilising our vintage champions to drive the whole team defence which is working so well for us, and utilising Pendles’ on field coaching.

We are in a very sweet spot ATM.

I'm not sure mate but from what some are saying, it might be really hard to counter. They generally work it out properly over pre season. There will always be the upsets and guys like Ross Lyon claiming they've worked it out

 

[The Phantom]

I'm not sure mate but from what some are saying, it might be really hard to counter. They generally work it out properly over pre season. There will always be the upsets and guys like Ross Lyon claiming they've worked it out

How long it takes is random.
All the clubs watch each others attempts and tweak.
Someone flukes something that makes a difference and then they copy each other.

Clarkos Cluster took teams years to better.

 

[northcotehead]

More great analysis of our defensive structure.

 

[YouBeauty]

Much more sustainable game plan when we are scoring from the front half by keeping it in our part of the ground for repeat entries. Clearance and defensive rebound goals are cream on top.

 

[sr36]

Odds for the bottom 9 teams to win the flag. Pick the really deluded supporter base:
:

 

[Carringbush2010]

So going by that excellent video against bris earlier, there's a little bit of difference in our last game against freo.

Namingly we couldn't / didn't 'shut off' the outlet for the opposition, which allowed them to pick holes in our team d, and by extension transition to score, so why? What was the difference?

Ok, maybe, maybe the current bottom 6 of our list, who have replaced all of our top 6 can't execute instruction to the letter, i:e the basics of de football.

i:e I look at Markov with his bad de on the ball win - twice - which led to freo goals. He wasn't alone.

If you look at the bris game and the syd game at gather round, you could tell, even just looking at the tv that we denied opposition transition, let alone corridor, forced them down the line, turnover and score.

So what's changed? Well obviously the list in those games compared to now.

We're all told by Fly and the FD that we're 'plug and play, everyone knows their role', granted they do, none the less, like I pointed out earlier - knowing and executing are distinctly different.

Of course, I don't mind the mantra of 'plug and play', it gives our fans confidence and opposition concern. But let's not pretend that our team can wholely and solely rely on system, may as well bring in an auskicker coz they know the plan, it takes execution of system to make it work.

And this is where my buoyancy might seem odd, if there's ever a time to be 'off' (read, not executing a solid plan, coz players in the selected 23) then it's now, the last two weeks and possibly another week.

In my mind, the coach and FD are 'managing' at the right time, hazard a guess the best of our best are ready and willing to come back in, and the FD are making them fight for their spots, that's healthy culture.

This is why I'm not worried too much, time will tell, but list improvement to our current 23 (which seems abundant) points toward improvement.

To be honest I don't think we've even peaked yet, we might peak at the right time, if we do that, a combination of depth and all knowing the plan, well that's gonna be hard to beat.