Did I see a plan B?

[Live in hope]

Was it just me - did we see a plan B in operation from mid way through the third quarter on Friday against the Saints?

It was around then I noticed that the first thought of Bartel, Selwood etc in the packs was kick the ball forward quicklly rather that to look for lateral etc. clearing handballs.

It was certainly nearly the case with all the Cats clearances in the last quarter - and it really worked. Suddenly the Sainst followers who were converging on Ablett, Corey and the usual clearance suspects were completely wrong footed and the Saints defenders didn't have a chance to structure up. I really liked the kamikaze type approach of the forwards at the ball drop, simply toeing/moving the ball on rather than trying to pick it up - you could see the (admittedly tiring) Saints defenders starting to panic as the ball got behind them. The forwards were much closer to the centre as well leaving the big space to goal behind them. Also meant that the Cats defenders didn't have to spread to switch the play - and then get caught out of position if there was a turnover.


Not sure if what I saw simply a result of the wet weather, but I hope this was a genuine plan B that the Cats can pull out if opposition are successful in closing down the Cats followers.

 

[CF]

Re: Did I see a plan B ?

plan B? What Plan B?

 

[SJ]

Re: Did I see a plan B ?

I think it was more of a last resort than a plan B.

 

[OldStyle2007]

Re: Did I see a plan B ?

That my friend was the Panic Button, which is not to be confused with a Plan B (if in fact one does or did ever exist)

 

[keen cats fella]

Re: Did I see a plan B ?

Well I certainly noticed the quick kicks you noted, and I've never seen that style of play utilised over the last 4 years. I think it was really effective, as its obviously a great way of clearing congestion.

Selwood in particular seemed great at it.

 

[SJ]

Re: Did I see a plan B ?

Think this is relevant to this thread: http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=732298

 

[nohairandfair]

Re: Did I see a plan B ?

It's called wet weather football. No point over-possessing a piece of soap.

 

[Geelongsince1984]

Re: Did I see a plan B ?

its called geelong waking the f up and playing football.. should happen more often.. never know wat could happen

 

[Big Fozza]

Re: Did I see a plan B ?

its called geelong waking the f up and playing football.. should happen more often.. never know wat could happen

yeah we might win 2 flags. ffs

 

[Poetic Justice]

Re: Did I see a plan B ?

It's a part of Collingwood's game plan I noticed. Does it work?

 

[noclashjumpers]

Re: Did I see a plan B ?

I'm not overly confident that the club knows what plan A is.

 

[Gaz_Brownlow]

Re: Did I see a plan B ?

I think it was more a wet weather response, but obviously worked effectively and stopped St Kilda making intercepts on our clearance, which quite frankly they were killing us at.

What suprises me about Geelongs' gameplan is how we don't deploy a safety kick when we get stuck bringing the ball out (due to opposition press). For example, why don't we target a flank and try and create a congestion by kicking to a taller target like Otto' or Hawkins who runs over to a boundary area with the major intention being to just prevent the interecept and rebound? I know we thrive on creating space through the middle with quick movements, but at times against St Kilda this was obviously not happening and we got caught with possession in the forward 50 without even trying to get out through a long kick on the flank????

I think we have shown oursevles this year, particularly with Pods, that when we do kick long to contests, more often than not we have the personnel to create a favouable spill to feed the Stokes, Varcoes, Johnsons and Abletts....This is the value of Pods (not to mention the fact that he does grab his fair share too!!).

Would like to see Corey moved to Back pocket / Flank and Kelly to play the majority of his time in middle as replacement....this might becoming apparent.

 

[geelong_boy]

Re: Did I see a plan B ?

What suprises me about Geelongs' gameplan is how we don't deploy a safety kick when we get stuck bringing the ball out (due to opposition press). For example, why don't we target a flank and try and create a congestion by kicking to a taller target like Otto' or Hawkins who runs over to a boundary area with the major intention being to just prevent the interecept and rebound?

Mate alot of us are with you on this. Either we do what you say or man everyone up in the press and bank on us winning the contested ball.

 

[mysainters]

Re: Did I see a plan B ?

It's called wet weather football. No point over-possessing a piece of soap.

You certainly adjusted to the wet sooner than we did, would love to see a match between our sides in dry conditions, the weather always seems to be a factor in recent times.

 

[Mooney_d'King]

Re: Did I see a plan B ?

Kicking in hope like that though can be really dangerous, especially in regards to turnovers.

It does seem to be the standard response to wet weather though.

For mine, we were too unaccountable and too often caught out of position in the first half.

 

[Gaz_Brownlow]

Re: Did I see a plan B ?

I wouldn't call it kicking in hope....more safety kick when we are being pressed. I can't for the life of me figure out why we don't do it...especially when we have the ability to back ourselves in at contested ball situations. Kicking to space is probably not an option due to the coverage of zones.

I like the idea of going man-man and kicking to favourable contests within the zone...why not getting Ottens, Lonergan or Taylor as deep targets in a flank and then have Selwood and Ablett at the feet? Certainly, not a tactic to be used much....but rather then getting caught out and losing the ball completely, why not make it a contested ball situation?

 

[Mooney_d'King]

Re: Did I see a plan B ?

The reason I call it kicking in hope is because more often than not, it's just bombed forward without actually being targeted at anyone.