Attack The Game

[_RT_]

Just looking at our first 2 games and wondering if anyone else has noticed that when we have gone on the attack we have played much better footy than when we have tried to defend. Against the Blues in the first half we attacked result was 10 goals by halftime and 5 goal lead just after. Then we tried to sit on the lead and got over ran. The Swans game we played defensive in the first quarter and got held to 1 goal. Attacked in the second and third quarters and kicked 9 to reel in a 5 goal deficit and in fact hit the front, then in the last quarter we tried to defend and hold them out only to again get over ran.

This week we come up against the Pies who are returning from the west. IMO we should go on the attack against them from the outset. It worked last year when we attacked in games we won more than we lost. For example: Lions in Round 19 14 goals to half time, Blues in Round 20 13 goals to half time, Pies in the wet Round 13 in each of them we went on the attack from the outset and they were comfortable wins even the Bombers in Round 21 we did not blow them away but we got in front kept on attacking and won rather easily in the end. The only game we really had success in when trying to defend was the Crows game and when we have tried similar tactics since we have got blown away by other teams.

So my plea is for the Tigers to go on the attack and forget about trying to defend leads. When you get in front keep on attacking. We are not a great defensive side like the Swans so lets not try and play that sort of game. We recruited all these running types well time has come for them to be set free and run with the ball. Take the opposition on and hell you might be surprised at what happens, but I know this much hurting from running hard does not hurt as much when you are in front and celebrating wins rather than chasing butt and watching the other team celebrate.

Not sure what you guys may think about this but I for one would be happier watching them attack the game and get beaten knowing they had a red hot go rather than them playing tempo footy and still getting thumped.

 

[rfctigerarmy]

Im not sure we were that defensive in the first quarter. We did come out hard and physical and seemed to hang in there a little big before Sydney pulled away.

 

[_RT_]

Im not sure we were that defensive in the first quarter. We did come out hard and physical and seemed to hang in there a little big before Sydney pulled away.

The way I saw it we tried to match the Swans style in clogging up the midfield and by that nature we pushed number behind the ball trying to catch them on the counter the problem with that was we allowed the Swans to control the ball. When we pushed the numbers up the ground in the second/third quarters we looked much better but in the last we reverted back to pushing the number behind the ball we got over ran again. I just want them to play attacking footy and give the kids some belief again.

 

[Madtiger2006]

Terry knows we lost both games by going defensive. He'll be pushing the team to attack all game and get the players used to that style from now on. Looking forward to a strong performance on Friday

 

[_RT_]

Terry knows we lost both games by going defensive. He'll be pushing the team to attack all game and get the players used to that style from now on. Looking forward to a strong performance on Friday

As I mentioned I would not be overly upset if we lost while trying to play attacking footy because at least you know they were trying to win but then they go defensive and try and win under false pretences then I get even more annoyed when they lose because I know they were hoping to fluke it rather than take it.

 

[Madtiger2006]

As I mentioned I would not be overly upset if we lost while trying to play attacking footy because at least you know they were trying to win but then they go defensive and try and win under false pretences then I get even more annoyed when they lose because I know they were hoping to fluke it rather than take it.

I'm sure that defensive side will disappear each game. Last Sunday is proof we can play exciting footy and I think it will be on display all game on Friday. Pattison should be a bit better this week imo

 

[Big Punt]

It seems to me that TW has employed the tactic of "icing" the game once we get in front. We did it many times last year, and almost became unstuck on a number of occasions.

We did it against Carlton, when inexplicably we reverted to that stop-start chipping crap.

I think its wrong at this stage of our development. Get them to keep on running and carrying and at least get one game plan right.

 

[ata40]

I think we struggle with sustained "shoot-out football" beacause we basicly run out of legs, fall victim to one/one matchups, or get too one dimensional in our avenues to goals. This is a result of lack of hard experience, game smarts, and still not having enough goalkickers.

TW is also very weary of the blowouts that this type of football can result in, and I'm positive it is one of his priorties to eradicate from our 2007 gameplan.

Our brand of tempo football is still a work in progress. Its an important part of the toolkit going forward, but at this stage it is still evolving.

 

[_RT_]

I think we struggle with sustained "shoot-out football" beacause we basicly run out of legs, fall victim to one/one matchups, or get too one dimensional in our avenues to goals. This is a result of lack of hard experience, game smarts, and still not having enough goalkickers.

TW is also very weary of the blowouts that this type of football can result in, and I'm positive it is one of his priorties to eradicate from our 2007 gameplan.

Our brand of tempo football is still a work in progress. Its an important part of the toolkit going forward, but at this stage it is still evolving.

I agree it is an important part of the make up but it only works when you are far enough in front to do it effectively. When we did it against the Blues it was about 5 minutes into the 3rd quarter and when they got their run going it was too hard for us to start up again. The only times we should employ that tactic is 5 minutes into the 4th quarter when we lead by 6+ goals or the last 3-5 minutes of quarters when we have attacked for the previous 20-25. The problem I see at the moment is Wallace is giving them too many instructions, "I want you to attack them in this way" or "I want you to defend this way" or "I want to mix it up & alternate the way we play". For mine just give them 1 simple instruction attack for the first 20 minutes of the quarter and when the clock ticks past that then slow it down.

 

[deliberate!!]

And ever noticed the teams that 'switch' and run hard in numbers to the wing....SMASH US.
Our slow to notice players get caught looking at each other, and before you can blink the opposition are entering their forward 50 with a full head of steam.
This is so noticeable when at the ground.

 

[_RT_]

And ever noticed the teams that 'switch' and run hard in numbers to the wing....SMASH US.
Our slow to notice players get caught looking at each other, and before you can blink the opposition are entering their forward 50 with a full head of steam.
This is so noticeable when at the ground.

I think that comes down to them being too confused. I have read an thing on the Tigers site about Schulz saying they are still learning when they need to play the 3 different types of footy Wallace wants them to play.

LESSONS FROM LAST WEEK

Jay Schulz: Knowing when to play our three phases. Knowing when to use our ‘surge ball’, our ‘slow play’ or our ‘flow footy’ is the major thing at the moment.

As mentioned how about we get one down pat first then worry about the other stuff.

 

[1980]

I thought we had one gameplan when TW came on board.

Kick more goals!!!!

Wasnt his big statement when he first got the gig that we would kick 100+ points every game?

What happened to that???

 

[deliberate!!]

I think that comes down to them being too confused. I have read an thing on the Tigers site about Schulz saying they are still learning when they need to play the 3 different types of footy Wallace wants them to play.

3 types of footy ????????????

So THERE IS.....dumb, dumber and dumbest!

 

[_RT_]

I thought we had one gameplan when TW came on board.

Kick more goals!!!!

Wasnt his big statement when he first got the gig that we would kick 100+ points every game?

What happened to that???

Wallace spoke before he thought. Then again in 2005 before Brown got hurt we kicked the 100 4 times and had games of 98 & 93. It seems the 100 point thing was reliant on a forward set up of Brown and Richo playing more often than not.

 

[tigerdan]

We seem to be kicking more goals than points - that is a big turnaround from the last few years where we'd regularly kick 8.14 or 10.16 and lose.

Too many years we have missed the 8 due to bad %age only. It's true we have lost our last two but not from bad kicking.

 

[ata40]

I agree it is an important part of the make up but it only works when you are far enough in front to do it effectively. When we did it against the Blues it was about 5 minutes into the 3rd quarter and when they got their run going it was too hard for us to start up again. The only times we should employ that tactic is 5 minutes into the 4th quarter when we lead by 6+ goals or the last 3-5 minutes of quarters when we have attacked for the previous 20-25. The problem I see at the moment is Wallace is giving them too many instructions, "I want you to attack them in this way" or "I want you to defend this way" or "I want to mix it up & alternate the way we play". For mine just give them 1 simple instruction attack for the first 20 minutes of the quarter and when the clock ticks past that then slow it down.

I tend to agree that TW may be confusing them at the moment, but playing tempo football just in late quarter bursts can get too predictable. I think a teams ability to dictate a game at any stage is something to aspire to.

 

[Weaver]

We seem to be kicking more goals than points - that is a big turnaround from the last few years where we'd regularly kick 8.14 or 10.16 and lose.

Too many years we have missed the 8 due to bad %age only. It's true we have lost our last two but not from bad kicking.

I think we are creating better chances. Fewer shots from 50+ and fewer from out wide. So not just better kicking - but better approach play.

Tivendale has had 2 (3?) goals where he has hit the pack hard front on about 15m out. From the reaction in round 1 - and then the carbon copy in round 2 - that could be a set play. Kick it long, everyone block for Tivendale so he is free when he hits the pack at speed?

 

[Weaver]

I agree it is an important part of the make up but it only works when you are far enough in front to do it effectively.

...

For mine just give them 1 simple instruction attack for the first 20 minutes of the quarter and when the clock ticks past that then slow it down.

I think the problem is that we simply don't have the legs to play 20 minutes of attacking football a quarter. As it was Luke McGaune was running on the spot at times trying to get back into position - he conceeded an early goal when he ran down the ground and simply couldn't raise any more than a job to get back to the defensive 50.

I think we are the point where we can manage 5-10 minute bursts of attacking footy. Then we need to rest - and we use the flood to give ourselves a breather.

The encouraging thing is that when we do play our attacking footy we look dangerous. As we go from 5 minute bursts, to 10 minute efforts, to 20 minutes a quarter (as you suggest) we should begin to look a pretty formidable team. It is just going to take a few more preseasons to get there.

 

[_RT_]

I posted this thread back in April and after seeing the improvement in sides like Carlton and the Roos was thinking Wallace should just get rid of the tempo footy for the rest of the year and play 1-1 hard running attacking footy. Sure we might get thumped but the players will learn how to attack and not have to worry about playing a defensive style of game that seems to get us in more trouble than anything else.

Anyone notice the Blues are kicking 15-20 goals a game on average and although they are conceeding scores of a similar nature you can just see the confidence the players have from hearing Pagans instructions to take the game on. What have we got to lose Terry we are 0-9-1 and it is no coincidence that last week when we took the game on in the last quarter we looked a much better team than that one that sits bck and plays possession footy. Set the Free Terry and let them have their heads for the next 12 games starting today against the Dockers you never know they may just surprise you.

 

[RichosGuns]

We will play defensivly, mark it.

Terry Wallace, David King and the rest of the coaching staff were like last week - "we didn't start the way we wanted to in the first half by flooding." Which is comple bullshite IMO because players don't make these decisions its the coaching staff before the game who give them the tatics.

If we took on games like Carlton we would have at least something to cheer about. We are a faster team then Freo so we have to beat them on pace