Hit a target

[Maybenextyear]

How can we have so many players in one side with the worst disposal in the league.

They start playing when there 6, play through elite junior ranks, get recruited and are payed hundreds of thousands of dollars while training everyday and what is the common weakness....kicking and handballing.

How can you not hit a target 15m away or simply handball cleanly to a guy running past. All clubs have a few with bad disposal...we have a few that don't.

 

[Richo URA Star]

Comes down to the mindset during training sessions. They need to simulate pressure conditions during training. That is when the group will improve under game conditions. The same players that turn over the ball week in week out should not be given a run.

 

[beaver fever]

Unfortunately with kicking skills as a rule you either have it or you don't. Very hard to teach a player how to kick a football, when they've likely been kicking it the same way for over 10 years. The reason why we have so many is because we drafted so many.

 

[Anti-pow]

Comes down to the mindset during training sessions. They need to simulate pressure conditions during training. That is when the group will improve under game conditions. The same players that turn over the ball week in week out should not be given a run.

Totally agree.

They could spend all day, every day practicing kicking at training, never miss a target and it won't mean shit when it comes to game day.

I'm not sure how you can simulate it though, as a guy running at you while your kicking at training doesn't have the same consequences as if you stuff up in a real game. No matter what you do, your mind still knows your at training.

 

[TOOs_Finest]

What was blatantly obvious to me yesterday was that after qtr time, our team lost momentum. First one player was too gun shy to take the first option, which meant that the second option was rushed and under even more pressure -> which lets the zoning defenders in, making the kick look bad. Then the next guy followed suit...

Once one or two did this, it spread like a disease through the team, and they reverted to bad habits. Then all of a sudden Rance or White would take a mark in the back half and play on immediately... you could sense in the players and supporters, it was "WTF! he played on... oh shit!". But then to everyone's surprise, the WBD players were caught off guard and we would string a few possessions together.

Despite the feeling of a "risk factor" involvement, the fact is that if you play on quickly, using first instincts, it is the attacking team that will 90% of the time react positively and get to the ball first. We need to back ourselves... just watch a replay of the Bombers second half for a fine example of young players backing themselves (as hard as that is to say).

Too many times after qtr time, we were too scared to take the first option, and it was down hill from there...

 

[Tigersman]

I would like to see us encourage a more arrogant, extravert playing persona on field. Confidence has a huge role in this and I feel we are fragile in this area.

 

[sante]

The players always say its confidence, but why don't we fix it?

 

[nut]

Unfortunately with kicking skills as a rule you either have it or you don't. Very hard to teach a player how to kick a football, when they've likely been kicking it the same way for over 10 years. The reason why we have so many is because we drafted so many.

the irish seem to go allright at the moment

 

[Azzleberry]

I think it has more to do with their decision-making. We dont draft players who have this.. I know at the Hawks they look for footballers who have good decison making.

Have a look at the game on the weekend... If you count all the times we make a bad decision, you will see this is a fundamental problem at the club (ie. not a first option, handball to a player under pressure, let the opposition read what you are going to do with the ball, give off to a left footer on their right side, handball to a player in a worse possition than themselves)

 

[tugga]

I think it has more to do with their decision-making. We dont draft players who have this.. I know at the Hawks they look for footballers who have good decison making.

Have a look at the game on the weekend... If you count all the times we make a bad decision, you will see this is a fundamental problem at the club (ie. not a first option, handball to a player under pressure, let the opposition read what you are going to do with the ball, give off to a left footer on their right side, handball to a player in a worse possition than themselves)

This is something that AFL clubs have generally steered away from, but I think it's time it came back. Clubs seem so intent on drafting athletes and then trying to turn them into footballers, but the likes of Sam Mitchell go OK don't they and Lance Whitnall, for all his bodyshape issues, read the play nicely and had the skills to at least make it as a player.
We need to start darfting footballers, not Olympic athletes. Draft kids who can kick, put themselves in the right position and read the play. Who cares if they can't run 100m in under 11sec or jump over a tall building.

 

[beaver fever]

the irish seem to go allright at the moment

Yeah they didn't have 10 years of kicking it the same way to hold them back.

 

[emperor]

The players always say its confidence, but why don't we fix it?

you can't just "fix" confidence, its a by product of other aspects that aren't existent in our footy. Belief being the main one. Until the players totally believe in themselves and the club around them, they will never be confident on the field.

 

[emperor]

This is something that AFL clubs have generally steered away from, but I think it's time it came back. Clubs seem so intent on drafting athletes and then trying to turn them into footballers, but the likes of Sam Mitchell go OK don't they and Lance Whitnall, for all his bodyshape issues, read the play nicely and had the skills to at least make it as a player.
We need to start darfting footballers, not Olympic athletes. Draft kids who can kick, put themselves in the right position and read the play. Who cares if they can't run 100m in under 11sec or jump over a tall building.

Yes, it is no good being able to outsprint and outjump your opponent if you aren't smart enough to get in the right positions or your teammates don't have the footy brain and foresight (as well as the requisite skill) to make the most of opportunities during the game.

 

[Barnzy]

Daniel Jackson, anyone?

 

[Roachy8]

Unfortunately with kicking skills as a rule you either have it or you don't. Very hard to teach a player how to kick a football, when they've likely been kicking it the same way for over 10 years. The reason why we have so many is because we drafted so many.

Exhibit A = Richo.

This is why Terry's comments post game so baffled me...
(About having more skilled players in for round 1 but going for more "hard at it types that give a contest" in rounds 2 & 3)

Your hard at it types will always struggle to execute great skills unless all of the pressure is out of a game...

Surely the answer is to play your skilled players & coach, motivate, teach or whatever them to go hard at it!!!!!

It was almost like admitting a failure to get the required application and performance out of the group.
Even if these thoughts were pivotal in the selection decisions I am astounded that you would air them to the public.

It was really weak actually...

 

[thegrach]

Daniel Jackson, anyone?

Try Jarred Brennan.

 

[Goldust]

This is something that AFL clubs have generally steered away from, but I think it's time it came back. Clubs seem so intent on drafting athletes and then trying to turn them into footballers, but the likes of Sam Mitchell go OK don't they and Lance Whitnall, for all his bodyshape issues, read the play nicely and had the skills to at least make it as a player.
We need to start darfting footballers, not Olympic athletes. Draft kids who can kick, put themselves in the right position and read the play. Who cares if they can't run 100m in under 11sec or jump over a tall building.

LIKE say, a Daniel Connors (who we seem to avoid playing for no clear reasoning!!!)