That's possibly the grossest oversimplification of our 2015 campaign I've seen.
Just as simple is the fact the circa 2017 team is an
arguably better team on paper than the 2015 one bar NicNat. Yet Simmo has engineered an impressive slide from 2nd to 11th.
Easier for me to just put two and two together and realise it was Pike who blindsided the comp with his defensive web, while the removal of McKenzie and Brown from selection forced a faster, more lethal rebounding team. Then it was a case of momentum building on belief ridden all the way to the GF.
Now, with the extra tall defence choices, the addition of Jetta, Redden, Petrie and Mitchell, rather than seeing any improvement all its highlighted is a coach all at sea compiling a best 22. He spends all his time moving form players from favoured positions (hello Yeo and McGovern) whatever gaping hole became apparent from the week before. Rinse and repeat. Outcome is I've never seen so many players go backwards.
Without Nic Nat our game plan consists of conceding the entire 150m of the ground that exists between the two 50m arcs. Winning the footy at halfback then every player sprinting the length of the ground to try to provide an option. Cant work out why we run out of steam in the final quarter.. EVERY week.
Also loved the forward thinking selections. Partington missing three weeks of footy so he could sit out and watch Masten stink it up. Lamb this week. The lowest level of debutants in the league. Could just go on an on and on.