Opinion Have we clicked?

[Crimson Azure]

This isn't a thread intended for us to get ahead of ourselves. I still think we may see a couple of our traditional lapses as the season goes on but in the last three weeks things have been different. There has been something different but its not just one thing so lets describe it as a certain je ne sais quoi.

I was going to post this thread after the Carlton game but wanted to see one more game, and a game against good opposition (although a little depleted).

The last month we have really gelled but in the last 3 weeks have finally made the most of our hard work. The players seem to not only trust each other but also seem to have a really strong idea of where each other will be at any time and what they will do once they get the ball.

In the first few games when we had control of the game we either gave up control for a portion of the game or didn't make the opposition pay for the dominance we had. That has gone from our game with 18 quarters won in a row. We aren't letting teams back into the game.

Just wanted to open this up for discussion. What is different? What has caused this? Who are the major contributes to this? Is this a honeymoon period or are we the real deal? Whatever the answer to these questions I'm intrigued and I must admit, even though I've been completely Melbourned for years and as even an eternal pessimist, I'm even getting a little excited.

Your thoughts?

 

[CTHORANGE]

We are certainly taking off up field when we have just about won the ball, which then makes our movement incredibly fast. It will be interesting to see how we go when things inevitably get tough and we get caught out a few times, dealing with that and not panicking is our next big test I reckon.

 

[saj_21]

It’s a bit of everything, biggest thing for mine is the players are confident as individuals and overall the team is more confident.

Goodwin had the basis of what we needed but the set up, game plan was tweaked slightly. Biggest change is having Weid/Smith in as a third tall alongside Tmac and hogan to create more contests in the air. This has meant less intercept marks inside our forward 50 and allowing the opposition easy ball out of forward line and allowing them goals out the back.

 

[qarocks]

the best we can hope for right now is for everyone to fall over steve bradbury style, letting us coast to glorious, glorious victory.

 

[RandB]

It doesn't matter who the opposition is, you don't win 18 consecutive quarters unless you are very fit and training well.

We have talent and we have passion. They are nothing without fitness though.

I think we will make finals but we have to hit them running. Right now though it's 1 week at a time.

Despite today's result, Dogs next week will not be easy. Alice Springs games are always taxing.

 

[mrmonkey]

I think our forward 50 efficiency has improved dramatically. Round one we were so wasteful the Hawthorn game we looked dysfunctional and I think that was the turning point, I think we were a lot better against Richmond but was still wasteful. Once we got tmac into the team we look a whole lot more dynamic shows how important he is to our structure. The tmac Hogan weid/smith combo is working really well. Yes we have had an easier run but I think it's given the players a chance to gain confidence and gel. It will be interesting to see how we go against the best but I'm optimistic. To be honest I would be happy to make finals and we are now in a really good position to get there. If we can get to the bye with 9-3 even 8-4 would be great. If we can get to 9-3 that would be 7 in a row which would be amazing considering our total last year was 12. Anyway I digress a bit, I really think we have clicked bring on the best.

 

[LeverPuller]

To answer your question, CA, I think it's a bit of everything.

What's become clear after the first few is our game plan at its most basic level is built upon having multiple tall forwards, not just Hogan and Gawn. We've not just rolled TMac through, but also Weid and Smith which has straightened us up immensely and helped Hogan's full-ground roam.

I think a big part is also the back line. We couldn't seem to work out who we wanted. Frost, Wagner and Hunt all rolled through. Now, I'm not saying that they shouldn't be playing (especially Hunt who will be there sooner rather than later) but the personnel grouping didn't seem to work. The back six has become much more settled in the last month and it's paying dividends - both in chemistry and in role (Lever being example 1 for the latter).

 

[schmuttt]

We're finally capitalizing on our stoppage and contested ball dominance. Be interesting to see how our next two games go, doggies are a good chance against us with potential fatigue from Alice and the Pies are playing pretty well.

 

[Russian Demon]

 

[Demon 16]

I’ve blown the lid off..

 

[Theseventhhamster]

We have the best midfield in the league and now we have a proper forward line too. Add belief and experience and we get footy not witnessed in over a decade.

 

[KickLongTackleHard]

All in the context of playing bottom 8 sides but in terms of changes to how we've played:

Defence
Defence is much better. Don't know if we are not playing as high in our last line any more, but we aren't getting caught out the back easily like we were. Lever has improved steadily each week and the cohesion is back.

Midfield
We've improved our midfield dominance through Brayshaw replacing Salem as a pure mid.
We've not had lapses.

Forward
Our efficiency to score from forward entires has improved through T Mac coming in and the smaller forwards being freed up. Felt like we were really grinding away for goals earlier in the year.

I think because there is more space in the forward line from much quicker ball movement with good skill which beats their numbers getting back. The game has opened up for us when we break forward, much less bombing on to heads. That's partly how the opposition is defending as a whole too I think.

We'll need to be in this form in the last 6 weeks of the season:
Geelong (A)
Adelaide (A)
Suns (H)
Swans (H)
WC (A)
GWS (H)

 

[LeverPuller]

All in the context of playing bottom 8 sides but in terms of changes to how we've played:

Defence
Defence is much better. Don't know if we are not playing as high in our last line any more, but we aren't getting caught out the back easily like we were. Lever has improved steadily each week and the cohesion is back.

Midfield
We've improved our midfield dominance through Brayshaw replacing Salem as a pure mid.
We've not had lapses.

Forward
Our efficiency to score from forward entires has improved through T Mac coming in and the smaller forwards being freed up. Felt like we were really grinding away for goals earlier in the year.

I think because there is more space in the forward line from much quicker ball movement with good skill which beats their numbers getting back. The game has opened up for us when we break forward, much less bombing on to heads. That's partly how the opposition is defending as a whole too I think.

We'll need to be in this form in the last 6 weeks of the season:
Geelong (A)
Adelaide (A)
Suns (H)
Swans (H)
WC (A)
GWS (H)

On form only WC away is truly scary.

 

[KickLongTackleHard]

On form only WC away is truly scary.

Form lines will change but only GC in that list is an easy opponent. No way I'm pencilling in Geelong away, Adelaide away, Sydney at home in already.

Will need to re-assess another month into our #journey.

 

[Dark Avenger]

 

[schmuttt]

Need to back up against what can be a pretty good Dogs side on their day this week.

QB is looking massive atm.

 

[nathancarroll]

I've noticed the last 5 weeks we have been bolder and are utilising the corridor more on our counter attack. Our skills have been up to scratch so the high risk high reward strategy has been paying off.

Also, the presence of Tmac cannot be understated. Having 1 big mobile forwards with diesel tanks is hard to defend, let alone 2 with the paring he makes with Hogan.

 

[joe444]

You've clicked, guys. I saw this happen in 2007.

For god's sake, don't stuff it up.

 

[schmuttt]

You've clicked, guys. I saw this happen in 2007.

For god's sake, don't stuff it up.

dude please the lid isn’t off yet

 

[Simon_Says]

Form lines will change but only GC in that list is an easy opponent. No way I'm pencilling in Geelong away, Adelaide away, Sydney at home in already.

Will need to re-assess another month into our #journey.

Just to Point out, in regards to our late run of games;
Giants may or may not have there guns back,
Heres to hoping that $cully, Greene, Lobb and Kelly are all still on the shelf

 

[Gysberts2Bate]

I think we’re going to be unstoppable at the ‘G

 

[LeverPuller]

Just to Point out, in regards to our late run of games;
Giants may or may not have there guns back,
Heres to hoping that $cully, Greene, Lobb and Kelly are all still on the shelf

And Williams

 

[Tempy Tiger]

We are the form team in the comp right now. And this is clearly the best side the club has ever fielded in my 42 years. I think a lot of this has to be put at Goodwins feet, particularly selection. He stuck with Lever through awful early form and he also stuck with ANB and Melksham. He’s also shown the door to Jeffy and Dom who were not strengthening the side. The only way those two guys come back in now is through injury surely.
We also need to keep in mind that we have had an incredible run with no significant injuries. We are putting out our absolute best 22 at the moment. Take 5 or 6 of those guys out and it would bring us right back to the pack. But surely we deserve a blessed run with injuries for the year given this clubs last twenty years.

 

[Demon 16]

dude please the lid isn’t off yet

Actually I took it off in post #10.

 

[Theseventhhamster]

Actually I took it off in post #10.

Lost mine a good year or so ago.