Thought he started the game quite poorly (particularly tackling/defending) but to his credit, had a much better second half with a few real clutch moments including sticking a couple of important tackles. Good signs that he has some grit.
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I’ll go after Pittard if that’s ok ?In five games this year Houston has had 5+ rebounds and 16+ disposals. Some of his games have been quieter than last year but he has not had too many "shockers" as you describe them. You are talking about a guy who is straight off our Rookie List with 25 games under his belt. Cut him a bit of slack and go after some of the 100 game players if you need to.
I’ll go after Pittard if that’s ok ?
They’ve been having shockers man what planet are you on ? Bonner has played like s**t since he won the rising star. I’ll go after who I bloody like & before I finish Pittard had a stinker too & I don’t care if he came back from injury. Once you cross the white line it’s bloody on.You can do as you please, just check your facts before you resort to terms like 'shockers'. I accept that Houston has dropped off from last year's high standards but he has not turned in any real 'shockers'. In any case I cannot see why you feel a need to 'go after' anyone?
I don’t mind if he’s making mistakes how we want to play. If he’s playing safe chip s**t around the defensive 50, leave that to guys who can’t kick.
Therein lies the problem as 'safe chip s**t around the defensive 50' seems to be the way we want to play. Bonner and Hartlett are both in the same position as Houston, good long kicks who are caught up in a 'short chip around' and handball game plan. I fear we are never going to see these players use their natural talent while we play a 'safe chip it short' game.
The 'chip it short in defence' game plan has Nathan Bassett written all over it as it is the 'ugly but winners' style that Norwood played while Bassett coached them. Prior to 2016 when Walsh and Richardson influenced Ken we were more direct but since Bassett has taken over as Defensive Coach our defenders have resorted to the safe chip it around style that you refer to. Perhaps Bassett sat Dan down in the off season and had a good talk to him and told him to do the 'team thing' and chip it short? If I was asked, what is the difference between Port Adelaide 2014 and 2018 I would answer Nathan Bassett's influence.
If you want to know how Bassett wants to move the ball, watch the Crows at their peak. Short kicks, 20-30m with quick decisions and clear leading patterns. It almost goes without saying but we are well behind them when it comes to this particular part of the game.
Our leading patterns are putrid. Worst part of our game by a long way. You can't see this stuff on TV and it takes discipline at the game, because you need to watch ahead of the play rather than where the ball is, but our forwards lead to the same spots time after time, drawing extra defenders. Unfortunately, we also have mids that struggle to pinpoint their passes.If you want to know how Bassett wants to move the ball, watch the Crows at their peak. Short kicks, 20-30m with quick decisions and clear leading patterns. It almost goes without saying but we are well behind them when it comes to this particular part of the game.
Surely some of that is due to not having the three talls there at present. With our talls outnumbered, the idea seems to be lead to the pockets, so if it hits the deck force a ground contest or throw in. If our talls aren't outnumbered, hopefully we lead towards the corridor, backing them to take their share of marks (with our smalls staying down, for if it does hit the deck and players near the square in the corridor to stop an easy rebound down the centre if it is turned over.Our leading patterns are putrid. Worst part of our game by a long way. You can't see this stuff on TV and it takes discipline at the game, because you need to watch ahead of the play rather than where the ball is, but our forwards lead to the same spots time after time, drawing extra defenders. Unfortunately, we also have mids that struggle to pinpoint their passes.
Our leading patterns are putrid. Worst part of our game by a long way. You can't see this stuff on TV and it takes discipline at the game, because you need to watch ahead of the play rather than where the ball is, but our forwards lead to the same spots time after time, drawing extra defenders. Unfortunately, we also have mids that struggle to pinpoint their passes.