Analysis How the state of the game has evolved, is the increased rate of injuries a result of of the evolution

[mxett]

The Tigers arnt.
The way we play is probably the most exiting brand of footy there is. Hunt in numbers and surge forward.

That's part of the issue. The best few sides can still play attacking football despite the congestion around because they have the skill to penetrate the defensive set ups. But the majority of teams cannot, which means the game becomes an unmitigated disaster. Did you watch the first half of the bombers v hawks? It was unwatchable. Furthermore, the model for success is heading closer and closer to a field of midfielders because they are more capable of getting to every contest to congest play and pressure the ball carrier. Positions such as rucks and tall key position players are becoming less and less important.

 

[victo76]

That's part of the issue. The best few sides can still play attacking football despite the congestion around because they have the skill to penetrate the defensive set ups. But the majority of teams cannot, which means the game becomes an unmitigated disaster. Did you watch the first half of the bombers v hawks? It was unwatchable. Furthermore, the model for success is heading closer and closer to a field of midfielders because they are more capable of getting to every contest to congest play and pressure the ball carrier. Positions such as rucks and tall key position players are becoming less and less important.

I tend to agree with this.

 

[NoobPie]

. Did you watch the first half of the bombers v hawks? It was unwatchable. .

If a tree falls in the woods and no whinger was there to whinge about it...

 

[Ron The Bear]

did you see the crowd bronx cheer essendon for actually kicking a ball forward this afternoon?

What’s that got to do with congestion? That’s just Essendon’s gameplan.

Have a look at Eagles/Port and see if you can remember how to play.

 

[captain cotch 9]

That's part of the issue. The best few sides can still play attacking football despite the congestion around because they have the skill to penetrate the defensive set ups. But the majority of teams cannot, which means the game becomes an unmitigated disaster. Did you watch the first half of the bombers v hawks? It was unwatchable. Furthermore, the model for success is heading closer and closer to a field of midfielders because they are more capable of getting to every contest to congest play and pressure the ball carrier. Positions such as rucks and tall key position players are becoming less and less important.

So you want the game changed becuase your team is shit.
Maybe your team should get better.
Its a massive over reaction imo

 

[Macpotata]

^not at all. Tigers are good to watch, the eagles this year too. Not many more than them I'm afraid. Majority of teams and games this year are bloody horrible.

 

[Macpotata]

Freo at home, pies since the blues game, a few other teams bring it and play some good footy. That's about it.

 

[Jeff76]

Watching the Crows Blues game, my god it's just horrible, might chuck the box set of Days of our lives on.

 

[mxett]

What’s that got to do with congestion? That’s just Essendon’s gameplan.

Have a look at Eagles/Port and see if you can remember how to play.

it was also Hawthorn. Once Essendon's pressure fell away the hawks were able to score

 

[Ron The Bear]

it was also Hawthorn. Once Essendon's pressure fell away the hawks were able to score

If Essendon's kicking backwards then it's because they're told to avoid kicking to a contest. Maybe because they lack breakaway speed when the ball hits the ground.

Both the Eagles and Port were looking to move the ball forward at every opportunity, even if Port were outclassed.

 

[mxett]

If Essendon's kicking backwards then it's because they're told to avoid kicking to a contest. Maybe because they lack breakaway speed when the ball hits the ground.

Both the Eagles and Port were looking to move the ball forward at every opportunity, even if Port were outclassed.

well I've watched numerous games this year and found very few entertaining. We were ahead at half time today yet found the game dreadfully boring

 

[Ron The Bear]

well I've watched numerous games this year and found very few entertaining. We were ahead at half time today yet found the game dreadfully boring

I don’t know what to say. Maybe write a letter to your club asking them to jazz it up.

 

[mxett]

I don’t know what to say. Maybe write a letter to your club asking them to jazz it up.

As I said in an earlier post, it isnt just my club. Most clubs simply cannot effectively carry out the game plan required today, which is why games are so messy and scoring is so difficult

 

[JayJ20]

What's happened to the scoring this year? I find myself turning off most games.

The standard has fallen a lot. Last two years were pretty entertaining. This year is shaping up to be the dullest year since 2007. Richmond, West Coast and maybe Geelong are the only teams worth watching.

 

[Ron The Bear]

As I said in an earlier post, it isnt just my club. Most clubs simply cannot effectively carry out the game plan required today, which is why games are so messy and scoring is so difficult

That describes my club for about 30 out of 35 years. It found a way. Others can too.

 

[Furn2]

did you see the crowd bronx cheer essendon for actually kicking a ball forward this afternoon? This isnt a media agenda, the public are becoming sick of unwatchable, slow, wrestling, fumbling, congested keepings off.

Its real and it's no coincidence it opens up as the game goes on.

Get rid of interchange and it opens up 15mins in.

 

[Furn2]

That describes my club for about 30 out of 35 years. It found a way. Others can too.

Watching Richmond is awful for 80% of the time.

You guys dominate when once fatigue sets in and the game opens up.

 

[Ron The Bear]

Watching Richmond is awful for 80% of the time.

You guys dominate when once fatigue sets in and the game opens up.

Well maybe just watch Dusty then. Most people reckon he's pretty good to watch.

I'm aware we don't have many other high scorers in fantasy footy. Collingwood beat us by more than 300 Champion Data Monopoly points last week, leading some to claim a moral victory.

 

[mxett]

Its real and it's no coincidence it opens up as the game goes on.

Get rid of interchange and it opens up 15mins in.

or even earlier. Coaches will realise they need players to preserve their energy, otherwise theyll be over run in the last half

 

[JayJ20]

How much of this is because there has been no blockbusters this year? Carlton playing friday nights was an awful decision.
I also think the quality of media is also to blame.
There are so called experts that has no fing idea about afl like hutchy, barrett, sam mclure and to some extent Whatley commenting.
We also have ex footballers that havent played in over 10 years like dermott, gerard weatley and so on.
With so much media coverage these days they need something to talk about so negative storys are easily written and it creats drama.
Imo the game is in a good spot. Most teams can beat anyone on their day. That hasnt happend for a long time

Geelong vs GWS was supposed to be a blockbuster and that was a Friday night...
Richmond and West Coast are the only good sides that play consistently well. The only sides that you can expect to see some good football from.

Too many teams make simple skill errors and play a defensive, congested gamestyle.

Last year had a lot of upsets too, but teams played an entertaining brand of football. The AFL better hope that things change

 

[JayJ20]

How much of this is because there has been no blockbusters this year? Carlton playing friday nights was an awful decision.
I also think the quality of media is also to blame.
There are so called experts that has no fing idea about afl like hutchy, barrett, sam mclure and to some extent Whatley commenting.
We also have ex footballers that havent played in over 10 years like dermott, gerard weatley and so on.
With so much media coverage these days they need something to talk about so negative storys are easily written and it creats drama.
Imo the game is in a good spot. Most teams can beat anyone on their day. That hasnt happend for a long time

Geelong vs GWS was supposed to be a blockbuster and that was a Friday night...
Richmond and West Coast are the only good sides that play consistently well. The only sides that you can expect to see some good football from.

Too many teams make simple skill errors and play a defensive, congested gamestyle.

Last year had a lot of upsets too, but teams played an entertaining brand of football. The AFL better hope that things change

 

[kickazz]

I only caught the left two minutes of Sydney vs North last night. Close game less than a goal in it. But that last two minutes was absolute poo to watch, what a let down.

 

[Johnny_Dogg4]

Watching Richmond is awful for 80% of the time.

You guys dominate when once fatigue sets in and the game opens up.

richmond have been terrible to watch for the last 5 years, i cant stand the way they play

if you want an entertaining contest, dont watch richmond

 

[HTT]

This Richmond conspiracy theory is up there with the Bombers defence of Hird in the kool aid drinking stakes.

This state of the game stuff feels like it has been waxing and waning ever since the shitfest that was the 2015 GF. It's getting more air time at the moment because your average media ********* can calculate that average scoring is down - not because everyone hates Richmond. You had been irrelevant for so long most people didn't mind you winning it last year in case you didn't notice.

The 2015 GF was the exact opposite of what people whinge about today - it was a high skilled team picking apart a side playing a hard press.

 

[Ichabod Noodle]

Interesting development in my son’s under 12 game this morning. At stoppages around the ground the umpire would only allow the ruckman and a couple of rovers inside 15 metres of the ball-up.

“Get back, get back! Clear space! - you and you! Back further. Move!”

It was like he was recreating a mini-centre square at each ball-up. And you know what? It worked. Game flowed a lot better with far less congestion and repeat stoppages.

Just a thought....