Forward line pressure

[smoovy]

I think this is the key to our improvement over the last few weeks.

The additions of Jaensch and Henderson down there have provided some much needed pace. Essendon had all sorts of trouble getting it out and we must have about 4 or 5 intercepts that lead to goals.

Walker has improved his defensive pressure massively in the last few weeks which has helped no end and Tippett always has been pretty agile and getting to the ball carrier.

 

[cammo6556]

^this. Great to see

 

[Drummond]

Agreed with all of that. There's no doubt the added speed of Jaensch and Henderson has helped in a big way. Our forward line pressure, particularly in the first half, was outstanding tonight, a real treat to watch. There aren't many things I'd rather watch than the opposition's defence have all sorts of trouble trying to find open men and have no choice but to turn it over due to our pressure.

 

[SydCrow]

ditto. Also Sloane has added something in intensity

 

[Allefgib]

This is probably where continuining to play an underperforming porpoise was costing us the most. He had bugger all defensive impact in the first 13 rounds. So great to see him come back and put in 8 tackles last night.

I think we are learning as a club the importance of young, quick legs. Good to see!

 

[Mismatched]

ditto. Also Sloane has added something in intensity

Agree, whilst he hasn't kicked any and probably won't kick many, Sloane's ability to create a contest from a position of disadvantage and then hold the ball in the area is just outstanding. Have been very, very impressed with this kid and he seems to be just getting better and better every week. This is the kind of bloke you just love to have in the side, because you just know, when his time comes to put his body on the line or create that contest, that he'll do the right thing and that at the very least we'll have a stoppage situation.

 

[spexau]

Sloane reminds me a lot like Sam Mitchell with the way he goes about it. Unrelenting, passionate and an outstanding leader. I was surprised to see he only got 14 possessions for the whole game, he seemed to be around everything. But I guess that's where his tackling and ball winning ability pays off because he doesn't have to have many possessions to make an impact as he gets the ball out or wins a 50/50 or 30/70 contest most times.

Anyway, Sloane aside our forward line pressure was very, very good. I agree with Hendo and Jaensch making a huge impact down there and I loved seeing Porplyzia on ball as he's so good at extracting. Hopefully he can play more in the middle to get that natural match fitness that's required for the role because he's quality further up the park.

Had to highlight Danger's 11 possession game too. Every possession was gold and his break away goal from the center square was jizz-tastic.

 

[The Sloane Ranger]

its amazing whatcan happen when you remove the wiches hats and replace them with players who have speed, energy and enthusiasm

 

[lunacy]

We are building a long list of forwards who can rotate through the forward line as genunie threatening forwards. Particularly as of next year I see;

- Tippett, Walker and Davis (who I have as a swingman as of next year spending some time forward).

- Gunston, Hendo, Dangerfield and Porps (as medium talls/lead up marking players).

- Jaesch, Knights and Douglas (as smalls who have all shown can be dangerous around goals).

- Ruckman (a times during the game they've put Maric, Griffin etc up forward briefly).

Plus we have guys like Vince, Thompson, Sloane etc who could all rotate through there if needed. And young KPP such as Sellar and McKernen who are handy back up.

If we manage to draft another quick small who can play forward we'll have a forward line which covers every aspect for the next 10+ years.

It is not only looking dangerous, classy and dynamic but as shown we actually have depth of rotations.

Guys like Hendo, Gunston and Jaensch could allow Porps and Knights (both adequate midfielders) to all spend small periods in the midfield to help out which is probably our biggest weakness. Plus Danger next year will probably spend a lot more time in the guts.

Obviously all the players that can play forward wont all be in the 22 at once but its looking like we wont have to worry about our forward line much in the future. Plus the real strength is the depth will now allow us to strengthen our midfield with rotations.

 

[kulak]

What the OP said.

Defensive pressure, especially in our forward line, makes our game plan work.

 

[smoovy]

The forward line pressure makes life so much easier for our midfielders and defenders.

Essendon had only 32 I50s to our 59. Last week Melbourne had 29 to our 60.

These are absolute hidings. To put it in some sort of perspective, I believe the record low is 27 I50s.