Analysis Break out moments, break out games

[Malarkey05]

I have a theory on how players transition from being a fringe 22 player to a best 18 player.

We all know that players can have "break out" games which, from that point on means they become a permanent selection in the best 18. The classic example is Tom Hawkins 2011 GF match, from that point on he went from going in and out of the team to being one of the first picked. But I think before that happens they sometimes need a "breakout moment". For Tom Hawkins I remember a big pack mark he took against Collingwood Rnd 24 in 2011 in the 1st QTR after which you knew his confidence went through the roof. After those moments the player gains confidence and starts to feel they can compete at the required level, but more importantly their teammates gain more respect for the player and begin to trust them more. This sets the scene for the "break out game"

Some players don't need it, as they have the confidence from the start and demand respect from their peers (see Selwood). But this is the exception rather than the norm.

A break out moment could be consist of any of the following:

• Great pack mark and goal
• Run down tackle from behind after a long chase
• Beating a highly credentialed opposition player 1 on 1
• Insanely tough effort to win a hard ball
• Running with the flight of the ball to tack a mark in heavy traffic

Another example, Daniel Menzel round 8 v Collingwood 2011 where he beat Dane Swan in one-on-one and ran off him to pass it to Joel Selwood in the forward pocket.

I think Jackson Thurlow almost had a "break out moment" on Fri against Chris Yarren and I would consider that Josh Caddy had a "break out game" in the same match.

The players that I think still need their breakout moment and a suggested way it might occur:

• Mark Blicavs: Big chase down the wing of a much smaller opponent and tackle
• Shane Kersten: Big pack mark and goal
• Mitch Brown: Running back with the flight of the ball for mark and goal
• Dawson Simpson: A big triple effort from a stoppage for dish off and goal
• Jed Bews: A crunching tackle on Ballantyne to save a goal

 

[Goggin Our Best]

I like when you post ( although youve got a very infrequent strike rate) for the simple reason - you see a picture of the great Gary Malarkey

To be honest - youve gone on with a heap of waffle - id much rather read something from you about your avatar - G Malarkey - a champion fullback- and a beautiful kick

 

[Vdubs]

Huge Malarkey fan.

Anyway, a game against Bulldogs at Etihad, Bartel flew and took mark of the year, only someone else did as well on the same day, so he missed out.
He said he was advised to play a little as if there is no tomorrow, and he did, and from that game on, he was Jimmy Bartel, star.
I think some of our players should have that attitude, no guarantees in footy or life, make each contest, each kick, each mark, each whatever, make it count.

 

[Rainfall]

Let's just skip 20 years time and wait for our premiership Gods progeny's

 

[Bobby_]

Gary Ablett Senior - First goal for Geelong where he busted through a pack on the wing, ran to 55 and slotted the first of 3 for the day. Also acquired 22 disposals & 8 marks against a team that went on to finish top 5 that year.
Turned out to be some player.

Nathan Ablett's West Coast game, maybe his 2nd game? He took a hanger that day and kicked 4 goals against another quality team that went on to play in a grand final. It was blatantly obvious just how good that kid coulda been, had he had the hunger for the sport.

 

[Vdubs]

Mackie , late 2006, iirc, playing wing/hbf, started running, marking, running, kicking, running, linking up, and in that last game v Hawks, when we were pathetic, he was our best, and has really never looked back.

 

[Vdubs]

HAWKINS, iirc, played a brilliant prelim v Pies 2009. I recall going to the game on the train, and we were discussing who we hoped would stand up, and Tom was my nom, and we were all pretty happy on the way home. Also, his game v Saints the week after was memorable. That first goal in the last quarter, when no KF could buy a goal, was pivotal. He has been a big game player for a while, but THAT GF in 2011 was clearly his best, and as you said, the game v Pies leading up to the finals was a message.

I have a theory on how players transition from being a fringe 22 player to a best 18 player.

We all know that players can have "break out" games which, from that point on means they become a permanent selection in the best 18. The classic example is Tom Hawkins 2011 GF match, from that point on he went from going in and out of the team to being one of the first picked. But I think before that happens they sometimes need a "breakout moment". For Tom Hawkins I remember a big pack mark he took against Collingwood Rnd 24 in 2011 in the 1st QTR after which you knew his confidence went through the roof. After those moments the player gains confidence and starts to feel they can compete at the required level, but more importantly their teammates gain more respect for the player and begin to trust them more. This sets the scene for the "break out game"

Some players don't need it, as they have the confidence from the start and demand respect from their peers (see Selwood). But this is the exception rather than the norm.

A break out moment could be consist of any of the following:

• Great pack mark and goal
• Run down tackle from behind after a long chase
• Beating a highly credentialed opposition player 1 on 1
• Insanely tough effort to win a hard ball
• Running with the flight of the ball to tack a mark in heavy traffic

Another example, Daniel Menzel round 8 v Collingwood 2011 where he beat Dane Swan in one-on-one and ran off him to pass it to Joel Selwood in the forward pocket.

I think Jackson Thurlow almost had a "break out moment" on Fri against Chris Yarren and I would consider that Josh Caddy had a "break out game" in the same match.

The players that I think still need their breakout moment and a suggested way it might occur:

• Mark Blicavs: Big chase down the wing of a much smaller opponent and tackle
• Shane Kersten: Big pack mark and goal
• Mitch Brown: Running back with the flight of the ball for mark and goal
• Dawson Simpson: A big triple effort from a stoppage for dish off and goal
• Jed Bews: A crunching tackle on Ballantyne to save a goal

 

[Maydok]

Mackie , late 2006, iirc, playing wing/hbf, started running, marking, running, kicking, running, linking up, and in that last game v Hawks, when we were pathetic, he was our best, and has really never looked back.

He did a bit of looking back in 2010 did our Mackie.

I always thought his breakout games were the finals Bomber dropped him for.

 

[Vdubs]

He did a bit of looking back in 2010 did our Mackie.

I always thought his breakout games were the finals Bomber dropped him for.

He had some great games in 2010, in fact scored Brownlow votes just before finals. Things did go awry for him relatively briefly, but his standard had been set. As you say though, since CS has been coach, Mackie has become truly elite.

 

[Lana]

For me Caddy's break out moment was in the preliminary final in the last quarter where he broke a tackle in our forward 50 and snapped a goal.

 

[Rainfall]

hopefully Thurlow broke out last Friday night but I very much so doubt it

 

[Partridge]

For me Caddy's break out moment was in the preliminary final in the last quarter where he broke a tackle in our forward 50 and snapped a goal.

Not sure he's had a breakout moment to be honest. But over the last month he's slowly gotten more and more consistent. That'll do me.

 

[SJ]

Max Rooke.

Round 20 2005: Plays in the backline on Russell Robinson who kicks seven in a one-point loss to Melbourne.
Round 21 2005: Tags Daniel Kerr and keeps him to 13 disposals in a 76-point win against West Coast, and picks up the three Brownlow votes for his efforts.

 

[Partridge]

Max Rooke.

Round 20 2006: Plays in the backline on Russell Robinson who kicks seven in a one point win.
Round 21 2006: Tags Daniel Kerr and keeps him to 13 disposals in a 76-point win, and picks up the three Brownlow votes for his efforts.

Yep, to say that turned his career around is putting it mildly.

 

[Sttew]

I thought Murdoch had a break out moment against the Hawks in R15 2013 when he kicked 3 goals in the last quarter. We have seen glimpses since then

 

[Frappe]

Max Rooke.

Round 20 2006: Plays in the backline on Russell Robinson who kicks seven in a one point win.
Round 21 2006: Tags Daniel Kerr and keeps him to 13 disposals in a 76-point win, and picks up the three Brownlow votes for his efforts.

Splitting hairs but was 2005

 

[Malarkey05]

Anyway, a game against Bulldogs at Etihad, Bartel flew and took mark of the year, only someone else did as well on the same day, so he missed out.
He said he was advised to play a little as if there is no tomorrow, and he did, and from that game on, he was Jimmy Bartel, star.

Remember it well as I was at the game. Round 11 2004 and in the same week Riewoldt took a crazy mark running with the flight against Sydney. So jimmy didn't get a look in.

That game really started a great run of form leading to 2004 PF. Great break out moment for Jimmy and the team.

 

[you pick one]

Funny how many sneak up on us though with out that something magical moment and have us scratching our heads going,Jesus he's turned into a good player can't believe he has played 60 games already.

 

[Teriyakicat]

Funny how many sneak up on us though with out that something magical moment and have us scratching our heads going,Jesus he's turned into a good player can't believe he has played 60 games already.

I notice that more with regards to defenders- unless they've been playing on opposition teams' #1 goal kickers, sometimes it's not as apparent that our boys have had great games. With our forwards, however, if a player is continually taking marks inside 50 or kicking goals, etc. we tend to sit up and point the finger and tell everyone what a great game they've had.

 

[you pick one]

I notice that more with regards to defenders- unless they've been playing on opposition teams' #1 goal kickers, sometimes it's not as apparent that our boys have had great games. With our forwards, however, if a player is continually taking marks inside 50 or kicking goals, etc. we tend to sit up and point the finger and tell everyone what a great game they've had.

Happened to me with Guthrie.

 

[Teriyakicat]

Happened to me with Guthrie.

Yeah- I always thought he was very calm under pressure in the backline. Almost as if he'd had picked up the vibes from the veterans like Harry, Boris, etc. I never thought any of his games there were 'breakout games' though- he just got the job done quietly and efficiently, while playing back there.

 

[Lana]

Yeah- I always thought he was very calm under pressure in the backline. Almost as if he'd had picked up the vibes from the veterans like Harry, Boris, etc. I never thought any of his games there were 'breakout games' though- he just got the job done quietly and efficiently, while playing back there.

His finals series last year was amazing, especially the goal he kicked in the 3rd quarter against Hawthorn, it was the first time I noticed him use he leg speed in an offensive manner, the same leg speed he used this year to break away from congested areas.

 

[winty]

I thought Murdoch had a break out moment against the Hawks in R15 2013 when he kicked 3 goals in the last quarter. We have seen glimpses since then

Was just about to mention that.

Bundy's was probably his mark on the wing against Heath Shaw and some other Pies player in the 2011 grand final.

 

[winty]

Anyway, a game against Bulldogs at Etihad, Bartel flew and took mark of the year, only someone else did as well on the same day, so he missed out.
He said he was advised to play a little as if there is no tomorrow, and he did, and from that game on, he was Jimmy Bartel, star.
I think some of our players should have that attitude, no guarantees in footy or life, make each contest, each kick, each mark, each whatever, make it count.

Was the same day Riewoldt took a similar mark against Sydney, except Riewoldt only crashed into Milne, whereas Bartel was about 5-10m away from Darcy when he kicked the ball forward, and Bartel crashed into an entire pack. I can still remember Mooney's reaction at that mark - running backwards with his open as if to say "Are you ****ing kidding me?"

 

[Beanstalk]

For me Caddy's break out moment was in the preliminary final in the last quarter where he broke a tackle in our forward 50 and snapped a goal.