flexibility in playing list

[Old Spice]

Before the first Grand Final, I did a comparison between Collingwood and St Kilda in terms of player flexibility, and the attendant tactical manouverability that gives the Pies.

While on the main board a lot think catching the premiers is a matter of nutting out our game plan, and how we fare with injuries, the amount of development we have pumped into our list, particulalry through our VFL team, gives us an enormous filip that will take opposition teams a bit of time to catch up with.

It's already evident from comments by Ratten that Carlton are leaching Rowdy's brain to tap our intellectual property, which includes building a team of mutli-positional players.

A team that can have players to put out brushfires across the ground, by giving relief or strengthening a line, are much better placed. Not only do you not skip a beat if a player goes down or is having an off day, it means to hold your spot in the team you have to be able to multi-skill. There's no resting on laurels, knowing you have a particlar position wrapped up.

A look at our team will reveal those that already have that multi-positional flexibility - Leroy is a notable beneficiary of his ability to play three positions fairly proficiently - those that can do so at a pinch, and those who at present are one position players. Some of those like Dick will be expecting to play a role in the midfield when he builds up his body.

Genuine Multis

Beams - mid, small fwd
Blair - mid, small fwd
L Brown - ruck, tall def, tall fwd
Davis - small fwd, mid
Didak - mid, small fwd
Johnson - b/w the arcs
Jolly - ruck, tall fwd, tall def
Krakouer - mid, small fwd
Macaffer - small fwd, small def
McCarthy - mid, small fwd
O'Brien - def, fwd
Pendlebury - b/w the arcs
Sidebottom - b/w the arcs
Swan - b/w the arcs
Tarrant - tall def, tall fwd
D Thomas - b/w the arcs
Wellingham - b/w the arcs
Wood - ruck, def, fwd

Buckley - small def, mid
Keeffe - ruck, tall def
Rounds - small fwd, small def
Sinclair - mid, small fwd
J Thomas - mid, small fwd
Young - mid, def

Pinch-hitting Multi's

Ball - mid, small fwd
N Brown - tall def, tall fwd
Goldsack - tall def, tall fwd
Maxwell - tall def / sweeper, mid, fwd
Reid - tall def, tall fwd
Shaw - def, mid
Toovey - small def, mid/tag

One Position

Cloke
Dawes
Dick

The pinch-hitting group I think are not first options, but certainly have played cameos across the ground and are capable if required.

I'm not certain about a lot of the VFL list, in terms of what they are earmarked for, but I'd wager my undies that they are getting an all-round schooling in the VFL.

If I have more time, I'd love to look at our opponents in this regard, because from memory, St Kilda had a lot less flexibility across the ground than we did.

 

[TradeDraft]

Daniel Farmer can Play Multiple Positions as FWD/MID/BACK

 

[gravy1]

I'd say Shaw is a genuine multi. I reckon he started as many games on the wing this season as he did at half-back.

 

[Old Spice]

I'd say Shaw is a genuine multi. I reckon he started as many games on the wing this season as he did at half-back.

Yeah, I was touch and go there. Thought he ran up the field more from defence a la Fisher, but happy to stand corrected there. There's no doubt he's more than capable.

 

[joxstrap]

I like your analysis.

I think there has been a focus from Hine to bring this sort of flexibility to the side, and in particular a mid/forward focus. To have a number of midfielders who are attacking is a huge bonus because your best and most dangerous players can go there to rest rather than the bench and cause problems for an oppositions backline. They always need marking and can then have another push through the midfield to cause a defender to lose his man, or be forced to play out of position.

I like the idea of a backline which is internally flexible - ie, multiple players who can be the loose man - Maxwell, Reid, O'Brien, Shaw and provide run, and players who can match up on a variety of opponent - Tarrant, O'Brien, Toovey, even Reid can take a big strong FF or a CHB, as can Brown as shown by taking Riewoldt in the GF.

I like a backline which is relatively settled with only a few players rotating through there, like Johnson, Wellingham, Thomas etc from time to time, and a forward line that is constantly changing with midfielders pushing in and out causing the opponents backline to be constantly searching for the best matchups and makes them focused on us rather than finding a structure that's best at repelling attacks and setting them up.

I think that's partly been our success, the players who can go there and into the midfield giving our stars a break. The main players in that mold for me are:

Didak, Beams, Sidebottom, Blair, Thomas, Davis, Krakouer, L.Brown, D. Jolly, MacAffer, Wellingham

What a time to be a pies supporter.

 

[shanman]

What a time to be a pies supporter.

It really is.

Back in town from OS and watched a few of dads tapes, stumbled across last years ANZAC day game (wasn't the first choice). In that game we had Shannon Cox, meds, JA, Fraser, Barham, Lockyer and an injured Rocca.. The big standout for me was Fraser being brutalised by Rider, we all remember it.. Now we Have Jolly and an improved Leigh Brown and all the Kids, that particular game was the Caffs debut.

Was never one to bag Fraser, but I realise now that Jolly in the side just makes every game less stressful. And how the pies 2010 would never have carried Rocca in that condition who could not play one let alone a couple of roles..( a loved champion but it was sad to watch...)

Our improvement from 2009 to 2010 is stark, and I dare to believe it is just going to get better. Back on topic, flexibility is a huge reason for this..

 

[doppleganger]

Wood is a ruck only.

He would be exposed playing KP defense.

 

[look at him goooo!]

Before the first Grand Final, I did a comparison between Collingwood and St Kilda in terms of player flexibility, and the attendant tactical manouverability that gives the Pies.

While on the main board a lot think catching the premiers is a matter of nutting out our game plan, and how we fare with injuries, the amount of development we have pumped into our list, particulalry through our VFL team, gives us an enormous filip that will take opposition teams a bit of time to catch up with.

It's already evident from comments by Ratten that Carlton are leaching Rowdy's brain to tap our intellectual property, which includes building a team of mutli-positional players.

A team that can have players to put out brushfires across the ground, by giving relief or strengthening a line, are much better placed. Not only do you not skip a beat if a player goes down or is having an off day, it means to hold your spot in the team you have to be able to multi-skill. There's no resting on laurels, knowing you have a particlar position wrapped up.

A look at our team will reveal those that already have that multi-positional flexibility - Leroy is a notable beneficiary of his ability to play three positions fairly proficiently - those that can do so at a pinch, and those who at present are one position players. Some of those like Dick will be expecting to play a role in the midfield when he builds up his body.

Genuine Multis

Beams - mid, small fwd
Blair - mid, small fwd
L Brown - ruck, tall def, tall fwd
Davis - small fwd, mid
Didak - mid, small fwd
Johnson - b/w the arcs often plays as a small defender as well
Jolly - ruck, tall fwd, tall def never in my life have i seen him play as a KPD. just because a ruckman floats behind the play occasional doesn't mean they can play as a tall defender
Krakouer - mid, small fwd
Macaffer - small fwd, small def i think he'd be very abled as an occasional mid. didnt see it this year but saw it on occasions last year
McCarthy - mid, small fwd
O'Brien - def, fwd he had never played forward before
Pendlebury - b/w the arcs
Sidebottom - b/w the arcs assuming between the arcs is means mids and flankers, he can play small forward
Swan - b/w the arcs
Tarrant - tall def, tall fwd
D Thomas - b/w the arcs can play small forward
Wellingham - b/w the arcs
Wood - ruck, def, fwd see jolly

Buckley - small def, mid
Keeffe - ruck, tall def
Rounds - small fwd, small def
Sinclair - mid, small fwd
J Thomas - mid, small fwd
Young - mid, def

Pinch-hitting Multi's

Ball - mid, small fwd can't play as a small forward
N Brown - tall def, tall fwd yeah he played one or two quarters as a forward early on but he is defs just a defender atm
Goldsack - tall def, tall fwd
Maxwell - tall def / sweeper, mid, fwd
Reid - tall def, tall fwd
Shaw - def, mid
Toovey - small def, mid/tag

One Position

Cloke
Dawes
Dick

The pinch-hitting group I think are not first options, but certainly have played cameos across the ground and are capable if required.

I'm not certain about a lot of the VFL list, in terms of what they are earmarked for, but I'd wager my undies that they are getting an all-round schooling in the VFL.

If I have more time, I'd love to look at our opponents in this regard, because from memory, St Kilda had a lot less flexibility across the ground than we did.

good work. further evidence that the new sub position should be a runner and not a KKP. just some corrections

 

[The 10th Letter]

Agree with everything mentioned in this thread and it is this flexibility that is the reason that I'm not too concerned about the new interchange scenario. The coaches are obviously going to have to tweak the game plan somewhat to accommodate the new rules, but I imagine an adjustment was always on the cards despite the rule change in order to remain ahead of the pack.

This year's crop of draftees also project as flexible types, with an emphasis on the forward line and midfield. A lot of opposition teams are hoping - perhaps even banking - that the new rule changes will bring us back to the pack, but despite our high rotations with a four man bench I'm not convinced that there is another team out there that can go with us for sheer depth through the middle and attacking options up front.

As previously mentioned, most of our midfielders are capable of resting forward, or even across the half-back line, while still remaining key contributors. Despite the heavy rotations in previous seasons, our game plan is as successful as it is based on the shared workload and versatility of the 18 on the park, no other team currently does it better.

 

[ClarkeM]

Cloke can play up the wing like a Matthew Richardson though yes?

 

[Old Spice]

good work. further evidence that the new sub position should be a runner and not a KKP. just some corrections

Ball snagged 3 V Carlton this year, but would struggle positioned as a small forward at the bounce-down. It's a bit arbitrary in the sense that I haven't limited the flexibility to starting positions on the ground but where in general play they are able to get to and become dangerous / helpful, eg, Jolly, Wood, Harry, Goldsack. So, no, I wouldn't have Jolly or Wood starting the game as KP players, but they are certainly proficeinet when they float down there once the ball is in motion.

 

[well left]

Yeah I have to agree that Wood being anything more than a ruck is a stretch at this point in time.

I do agree with your theory though and I think that was evident in the VFL last year in that Wood and McNamara spent plenty of time forward to try to develop a second string to their game. Same with Keeffe although I get the feeling ruck may be the second string to him playing KPD.

With Tarrant returning I would not mind seeing us swing Reid forward occassionally to see how he goes. Whilst his kicking was a disaster early on now that he feels comfortable at senior level I think it would be worth seeing if he is a viable option to Cloke and Dawes.

The ability to swing either Tarrant or Reid forward and back would really be handy.

 

[look at him goooo!]

Ball snagged 3 V Carlton this year, but would struggle positioned as a small forward at the bounce-down. It's a bit arbitrary in the sense that I haven't limited the flexibility to starting positions on the ground but where in general play they are able to get to and become dangerous / helpful, eg, Jolly, Wood, Harry, Goldsack. So, no, I wouldn't have Jolly or Wood starting the game as KP players, but they are certainly proficeinet when they float down there once the ball is in motion.

each of those goals were from stoppages in the 50 so that probably emphasises even more so that he is just a pure midfielder.

harry kicked his goals when teams heavily flooded our defensive 50 to the extent that our half-backline was positioned around our 50 arc. hardly show he can play forward or that he is able to.

its generally the job of the ruckmen to float back in the hole to help the defenders out so them doing so still places them firmly under the ruckman catergory ( ruckman/forward in jolly and woods case)

i think youve been slightly too generous with some players in terms of the number of positions they are able to play but then again we each have our own opinions

 

[Old Spice]

Fair points gents, probably overly generous. Still, as Well Left points out, I certainly think Wood and Keeffe are getting that experience in the twos.