
We actually had several very good opportunities to move the ball into F50 in the 2nd and 3rd quarters very quickly but broke down with a sloppy possession - get 75% of those right and we are well ahead of the Dees despite their shit kicking for goal. Our fitness looks very good late in games too
Playing less talls overall gives us extra midfield depth and it will be vital we get this mix right come the business end. Agree that SS will be very important and I can see Menegola and GHS playing in the same team as the really good sides have many good inside mids. Added bonus is better depth allows Danger and the skipper more time up forward.
Cockatoo is also very important as he delivers insane pressure up forward and can have a run in the middle.
Our top end talent is fantastic , we will be formidable if the next level down and the young guys all improve.
Exactly, those are the type of incidents I had in mind (re: 2nd and 3rd quarters against Dee's, where disposal broke down during a quick break). We need to make those disposals stick to take advantage of this season's quicker games style.
Our fitness has kicked on from last year - it's excellent! We were the best finishers in 16' and look like we will be in 17'. It's got to a point where I view any 3 quarter time lead as a certain win, and a 2-3 goal deficit as very gettable. Kudos to fitness staff there.
I've liked seeing Scott move Dangerfield forward a bit more this season. I'd like to see him do it more often, at least when the game situation permits. I think it will bring the second-trier into the game. It will put
demands on players like Duncan, Guthrie, etc., who must then respond and step up.
I'm not so convinced that Menegola, GHS, and S.Selwood can all play in the same side; i wonder if they are too alike. My feeling is that S. Selwood (if he stays fit) will come to hold down a permanent inside/tagger role, and GHS and Menegola will go head to head for the other 'second tier' inside role.
Agreed, Cockatoo developing is pivotal to our chances and our future, and I'm pleased Scott and match committee have played him green and given him greater opportunities than his form has warranted at times. He shows great potential, and as you say, his ability to keep the ball in contest up forward is first rate. He could also take Motlop's role if he goes (and I hope he doesn't), as they have similar attributes: pace, creativity, goal sense, ability to do the unexpected, etc. Cockatoo is more 'physical', though.
Agree again re our 'top end', which is impressive and makes us a potential contender. Basically, the club is right to have made an 'Indian Summer' push for a premiership, which is reflected in recent trading decisions and hole/list filling. You simply have to do this when you have players like Selwood, Dangerfield, Hawkins, Taylor (though that is another story at the moment), Henderson, Motlop, and Menzel all in the 'sweet-spot' age wise. I mean, Selwood and Dangerfield alone - you aren't going to
waste those careers on an old-fashioned draft rebuild. It's a commanding spine and plenty to build a team around. Re our recruitment of mature players, IMO the club is cashing in the 'capital' it accrued through winning flags. We've never been a destination club, but all of sudden we became one. This coincided with FA, so
of course the club has tried to make the most of both of these circumstances. Why wouldn't they? Whether it works, and whether our second tier can make the step up and provide the necessary support, remains to be seen. But if we don't win one, well
que sera, worth the try.
I'll just fill in a point I made in the earlier post re the team 'clicking'. This probably sounds a bit old fashioned, and not very sports-science-y, but I think synergy is critical in a team sport. 'Synergy' for me means the ability to intuitively understand what your team mates are going to do on the field. Knowing instinctively that player X makes short lateral movements before disposing of the ball; player Y's disposal on his left is flat, on his right it's 'fatter' or loopy; player Z will make
this decision when under the pump, and so on. And then there is knowing instinctively who will play what role and when, and the confidence you eventually develop in that role being met. A team only gets this understanding through playing together over time. IMO, Hawthorn's success had a lot to do with this synergy. They read each other beautifully. Last year, Geelong were essentially a new team - not young, or entirely inexperienced, but new to each other. When I read the rd 1 side last March, I thought 'this is a new team, will make the 8 on talent, but not much more'. They exceeded that expectation by a long shot. This year that synergy should be further developed. In fact, Scott has eluded to this, without saying it directly....
Anyway, still not sure we are in the hunt for a flag this year (I think it's GWS' to lose), but another year should mean improvement.
Yeesh, apologies for long post!