Roast Finals disposal skills

[Whit3y]

If you want a lesson in disposal efficiency then just watch the Hawks play. They are by far the sweetest team by foot in the comp.

there delivery to there forwards is most impressive.

where as geelong bomb it to a pack, normally hawkins double teamed

 

[The rabbi]

there delivery to there forwards is most impressive.

where as geelong bomb it to a pack, normally hawkins double teamed

Imagine how good Hawkin's might look if he played for the Poo and Wee.

 

[Teriyakicat]

Imagine how good Hawkin's might look if he played for the Poo and Wee.

Almost choked on my brekkie
thanks rabbi!!!

 

[Baby Duck]

Imagine how good Hawkin's might look if he played for the Poo and Wee.

He'd be getting 7+ goals a game if he was getting the gold service roughead gets every week.

 

[thejester]

Yes, and they recruited specifically for that trait. Not sure we have ever done that but probably should put it as a high priority at this point.

They also work to create the conditions for that, though, whereas we seemingly prefer to kick to contests. Disposal efficiency isn't just a product of the person disposing the ball.

 

[kickazz]

2Yeah lack of movement up the field is a factor. We have looked like we are without a plan at kick ins all year.

 

[Vdubs]

On the other hand, the first thing that came to kind when I looked at that was, "wow, go Murdoch!"

I don't know why or how that changed so dramatically. Any ideas other than the obvious? (E.g. Pressure, laziness etc)

Might have a bit to do with the NUMBER of possessions. If you only have 10 possessions over 2 games and 8 of them are ok, wow.

 

[The rabbi]

They also work to create the conditions for that, though, whereas we seemingly prefer to kick to contests. Disposal efficiency isn't just a product of the person disposing the ball.

That is a good observation Jester.
They do lead up and create that bit of space to kick to.
I also think that we often help those conditions by just zoning off and allowing them that space.
In 2011 the makeup of the Geelong side was such that we were the best at contested footy in the competition. That is not the case with the current Geelong team.

 

[Pivo]

They also work to create the conditions for that, though, whereas we seemingly prefer to kick to contests. Disposal efficiency isn't just a product of the person disposing the ball.

Agree with this. That appears to now be our modus operandi.

Question is, do we play that way because we back in Hawkins and, based on the last couple of finals, Walker to take contested pack marks or is it because we don't have an ability to get into space which allows the players up-field to deliver more precisely?

Do we struggle to pick our way through our congested forward line?

Even more worrying, do we know our players don't yet have the polish to bring the ball in to a leading player's advantage?

If we feel the guys up the ground don't have the footskills then we may need to seriously look at Wigg and Duggan for our first pick in the draft.

 

[Skerret]

Lang has (or appears to have) great touch and decision making skills re: disposal, so he'll be a valuable addition. I've thought for some time that we lack precise kicks among our mids. Johnson can pull off amazing blind passes but then he duffs a straightforward chip. Dal Santo has been enormously valuable for North as he rarely wastes the ball. We lack neat kicks, as many of the Geelong players have laboured kicking styles. Duncan is a neat, polished kick, Guthrie (until recently) is a neat kick, but others (GHS, Smedts to name two) have inefficient styles. McCarthy appears to have an efficient, reliable style. Mackie, for all his nous and great long kicking, is a dud kick under fierce physical pressure. Watching Port yesterday highlighted the number of players they have that can execute a neat kick under intense pressure. Caddy is quite good at this and seems to have tightened his kicking considerably. Good kickers should be on Geelong's radar as we have good system, but waste too many chances with poor disposal. You put any two Hawk running players in our team and give them the ball where possible, and I think the effectiveness of Geelong's forward line would increase substantially. Hawkins is a 100 goal a year forward in his prime and we must make the most of him while he is here.

I think one of the reasons Kelly, Taylor and Lonergan looked flat on Friday was the sheer weight of ball they've had to deal with this year. Turnovers at the crucial moment have resulted in clean, quick opposition ball movement and it's testament to the quality of the Geelong defense that they can repel as much as they do. Midfield defense is a weakness of this current squad, and when it goes sour up forward (so many clean marks to opposition defenders this year) the Geelong defense is exposed. If the midfield defensive attitude is tightened up and a few bodies gain size and resilience, the defense can resume a more attacking mindset against good teams. Another defensive element found wanting is Geelong's ability to lock the ball in the forward line. I'd be interested to know here we sit for time in forward 50. The more time you spend in your own forward line, the more your defenders can rest/push up to intercept clearing kicks. Obviously, the key to this is forward pressure and our tall forwardline is not complemented by full-time small forwards who can apply that tackling pressure. McCarthy is a lock for FP next year if he is fit.

The trend of players starting as small forwards before 'graduating' to the midfield is all well and good, but that forward craft requires a full-timer or two who know the forward line inside and out the way Enright, Lonergan and Taylor know the defensive end. Rooke was limited as a player but he scared the hell out of defenders with his manic attack on ball and man in the forward line. Smedts should be another natural fit for a forward pocket, as he has top-tier agility. I'm confident he'll yet come good. I suspect Scott wanted him the really learn the game and therefore has played him back so he can see the game unfold before him; it's been a painful learning curve for all concerned, but I see his worth up forward when he better learns the craft.

Some unconnected rambling there but there are obvious holes that need filling. Next year should be the year of the strong defensive midfielder, the slick ball-user and the dynamic, aggressive forward pocket.

 

[SuperCats9]

Geelong are a poor finals performer whose recent record is appalling.

Yep, that's the harsh reality. We're 1-6 (I think) in finals since our 2011 GF win. Every year we've just fallen away come September.

 

[thejester]

Agree with this. That appears to now be our modus operandi.

Question is, do we play that way because we back in Hawkins and, based on the last couple of finals, Walker to take contested pack marks or is it because we don't have an ability to get into space which allows the players up-field to deliver more precisely?

Clearly since 2011 there's been an emphasis on trying to get the ball to Hawkins and Pods in 1-on-1 contests because they will win them. I think our issue, particularly over the last two years, is that we struggle to create situations of 'clean' 1-on-1s. All of Hawkins and Walkers goals, with the exception of one paid to a free in the last, came from them beating their opponent - but only their opponent. They were able to take the marks because the ball movement was either fast enough, or the kicks inadvertently good enough, that the spare man couldn't get over and influence the contest. So as much as credit needs to go to Hawkins for trying to drag us over the line it feels like he was able to do that because the midfield finally found some time and space.

So I don't think the issue is necessarily foot skills per se but tactical choices we make, and tactical battles we lose. Clearly there's a problem with players firing long into the 50 in the belief they're under pressure, and we had plenty of players who weren't anywhere as clean as they've shown they can be. But can help but feel that delivery into the 50 is badly hurt by our inability (refusal?) to win contested situations and move the ball quickly from there.

 

[dazbroncos]

Clearly since 2011 there's been an emphasis on trying to get the ball to Hawkins and Pods in 1-on-1 contests because they will win them. I think our issue, particularly over the last two years, is that we struggle to create situations of 'clean' 1-on-1s. All of Hawkins and Walkers goals, with the exception of one paid to a free in the last, came from them beating their opponent - but only their opponent. They were able to take the marks because the ball movement was either fast enough, or the kicks inadvertently good enough, that the spare man couldn't get over and influence the contest. So as much as credit needs to go to Hawkins for trying to drag us over the line it feels like he was able to do that because the midfield finally found some time and space.

So I don't think the issue is necessarily foot skills per se but tactical choices we make, and tactical battles we lose. Clearly there's a problem with players firing long into the 50 in the belief they're under pressure, and we had plenty of players who weren't anywhere as clean as they've shown they can be. But can help but feel that delivery into the 50 is badly hurt by our inability (refusal?) to win contested situations and move the ball quickly from there.

I just think there has been little faith in the lead up options other than Hawk. As such, they aren't' looking low as a first choice. They look up and see Colossus and go for him.

My thing with Kersten was as much that he would be able to get going sway from Hawk and get those leads honored. Walks added to that late to some degree.

Hopefully with Vardy, Menzel, Kersten and Walker the belief in the options will grow and the dependance on Hawk will drop and will the eyes.

Go Catters

 

[Daniel McL]

We only saw Hawkins, Walker & Kersten play together once, against the Suns, Kersten kicked 3 in debut game. Walker got dropped after that I'm pretty sure. I'm looking forward to those three especially getting full pre-seasons & training together more as a forward line. Then throw in Vardy & Menzel getting chances & our forward line looks pretty good! Also McCarthy & maybe Lang crumbing forwards would be nice!

 

[Pivo]

I just think there has been little faith in the lead up options other than Hawk. As such, they aren't' looking low as a first choice. They look up and see Colossus and go for him.

It goes some way to explaining why coaches love seeing a spread of goalkickers.

Means the side isn't one dimentional and has multiple avenues to goal.

I also get the feeling that younger, less experienced players have a tendency to focus in on the big power foward, especially when under the pump.

Hawkins is a great "get out" option when under pressure. But if we always go there, it obviously becomes easily for defenders to sweat off their man and help out.

Reason why a reliable "foil" always helps.