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

[Blackhawk42]

i hate being negative, but last night was probably the worst game of football I have watched on TV from siren to siren. I know GWS had a lot of guns out, but they barely fired a shot. Geelong were still pretty average too. The lack of skills have been in the news lately, and when arguably the best player in the game (Danger), is offering up skills that would rival the local 12's, it may actually be a legit matter of concern.

 

[threesixpio]

all that will do is allow more players to get to every contest to pressure the ball carrier, cause turnovers, and generally congest play. No thanks

What do you think about what Clarko said about rewarding more HTB leading to less congestion? Interesting argument

 

[Mootsy]

I still think the game is too congested, it needs to go back to free-flowing footy, defensive footy is boring to watch. if I wanted to watch Rugby I would watch Rugby.

The big grab is also gone, a staple part of AFL for a 100 years, it's gone these days.

Standards are low.

 

[Tuco]

Goal scoring is the key. The aesthetics of congestion are actually a non issue. More goals and the conversation isn't even needed.

As long as turnovers lead to damage teams will always try to maximise opposition errors and minimise disposal errors. Pressure acts are the best way to do this and so tackling, dropping players back, kicking to uncontested sityation, and presenting at the stoppage will always be rewarded. Nothing new about that.

Question is what are we asking for? More long kicks? Well congestion actually generates long kicks. Richmond are the premiers and are the longest kicking team in footy.

They're happy to kick to a contest because they are confident in their forward 50 pressure. Ie tackling.

AFL360 aired the stat that the avg score has dropped by 1 goal in ten years. Meh.

Here's the rub.

It's goals stupid.

If goal kickers were more accurate from set shots this avg points stat would be blown out of the water in short order, but round after round, year after year, we see players miss sitters. Honestly, teams put bugger all work into the most important part of the game - kicking for goal.

The reason Plugger and Dunstall were so great was their accuracy.

They had one job and bloody well nailed it. Sure they were contested marking beasts, and congestion reduces supply, but we're still seeing plenty of chances go by.

Too many players come into footy now as midfielders, are asked to tackle and do team things, and their ability to kick straight for goal drops down the list.

I'm talking about set shots here.

Too many teams are running at 50% or worse.

 

[NOBBYS]

Went to bed early after watching a bore fest for 3/4 .
No atmosphere poor skills <GWS not prepared to contest.
Geelong far superior.
Tonights games
SYD vs NM ADE vs CARLTON
Probably in bed by 8.30 watching repeats of Days of our Lives!

 

[mxett]

What do you think about what Clarko said about rewarding more HTB leading to less congestion? Interesting argument

it may work, however, are we going to end up with way more freekicks (and potential inconsistencies), and way more players just disposing of the ball erratically so they dont get penalised?

 

[threesixpio]

it may work, however, are we going to end up with way more freekicks (and potential inconsistencies), and way more players just disposing of the ball erratically so they dont get penalised?

I think his point is that it has swung way too far in one direction (forgive the unintended tackle pun)

 

[JohnnyFontane90]

Congestion only got worse around the footy as soon as the interchange went through the roof. As for flooding it was a game plan used for two year until the cats broke through with kamikaze type football which was amazing to watch. The interchange is root of all evils in the AFL today


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There is no evidence to suggest this.

What caused the game to change (become 'evil') was the widespread introduction of team defense by paul roos (it would have happened decades earlier if australia wasn't an isolated bubble in the corner of the word). interchanges were less than half what they are now when team defense started.

when a side has numbers back it's difficult to kick through them, so you need to run in waves and break lines like geelong did and that was only possible because of increased interchanges. increased interchanges was the solution to flooding not the cause.

they brought in the cap after 2013 and the game's gotten progressively worse since..

 

[JohnnyFontane90]

Last year's scoring was very similar to 1997, which only produced half the proportion of close games (6.5% v 13%).

i really hope it's crystal clear to everyone that increased interchanges doesn't coincide with lower scoring.

 

[AndyLucimitis]

What's making the game so unattractive is the tackling. Players are now so much better at it and and soon as a players grabs the ball he is nailed. Couple this with the flooding introduced in 1996 by Sydney and we get the rugby scrum style of football.

This is happening at all levels. I watch a girls Under 18 match and the congestion is just as bad,

The flooding can be stopped by the coaches and potentially because these are positional instructions to players.

Not sure how to stop the excessive tackling -maybe escalate the fatigue factor - but the beauty of the game has diminished with this.

 

[Jack Bradley]

I hate agreeing with the media circlejerk... but far out brussel sprout football has been shit to watch this year.

Hawks v geelong... literally the only (non north) game that has been good.

 

[shaqsuns]

There is no evidence to suggest this.

What caused the game to change (become 'evil') was the widespread introduction of team defense by paul roos (it would have happened decades earlier if australia wasn't an isolated bubble in the corner of the word). interchanges were less than half what they are now when team defense started.

when a side has numbers back it's difficult to kick through them, so you need to run in waves and break lines like geelong did and that was only possible because of increased interchanges. increased interchanges was the solution to flooding not the cause.

they brought in the cap after 2013 and the game's gotten progressively worse since..

That’s where I disagree with you, there does seem to be a correlation between increased rotations and stoppages in our game. Geelong was never the team that over used the interchange if you remember it was Collingwood who did it against Geelong in round 8, 2008 which at the time was amazing to watch as it was different. However from that moment it just got ridiculous and the AFL just let it go even though the problem of congestion was identified years ago.


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[Macpotata]

7 min left in the 1st half and it's 4 goals a piece in the dons game.

35-39 at half time in the dogs game.


4 goals last night for GWS.


What the ****

 

[Macpotata]

I hate agreeing with the media circlejerk... but far out brussel sprout football has been shit to watch this year.

Hawks v geelong... literally the only (non north) game that has been good.

There's been a few more. Eagles vs cats and eagles vs Freo was good. Cats vs dees pretty cool too.

 

[ScoobySnacks]

I’m not one for making drastic changes, but as this season drags on I’m finding it harder and harder to watch.

Having all 36 players forward of the centre is a major problem, it means attacking teams are generally bombing into horribly crowded forward lines, and when there is a turnover there isn’t anyone in the forward 50 to kick to if there is.m a fast break.

 

[mxett]

7 min left in the 1st half and it's 4 goals a piece in the dons game.

35-39 at half time in the dogs game.


4 goals last night for GWS.


What the ****

it's deplorable. I'm bored shitless and this is my side. Attacking football is basically impossible through the continued defensive positioning of players. Only the most skillful teams can get through, which certainly doesnt apply to essendon. Either the rules change this rubbish or fans will drop off like flies

 

[Macpotata]

it's deplorable. I'm bored shitless and this is my side. Attacking football is basically impossible through the continued defensive positioning of players. Only the most skillful teams can get through, which certainly doesnt apply to essendon. Either the rules change this rubbish or fans will drop off like flies

Good post. Mate I was expecting a cracker and was pumped for this game. I tipped the dons and rooting for them and want to see a good contest regardless who wins. I was having a nice relaxing day but ever since I tuned into this game it's got me frustrated and bored shitless. McGuire at half time " what a ripping gane we got here "

****en off McGuire. Always trying to overhype shit up. This game is a dud and the 3rd qtr from the other scrap heap game was like football royalty compared to this.


Eagles port SHOULD be a good game. But who knows these days

 

[captain cotch 9]

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

 

[mxett]

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

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.

 

[shaqsuns]

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

So 170 tackles in a game (which was just the suns vs bulldogs game) is in a good spot? That was boring and the skill level looked deplorable due to their being no room to execute them.


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[afl genius]

So 170 tackles in a game (which was just the suns vs bulldogs game) is in a good spot? That was boring and the skill level looked deplorable due to their being no room to execute them.


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The mid to late 90s which most consider to be the golden era of footy had an average tackle count per game at 18-19 so the game has complete changed into a tackle fest. 50 interchange cap and 6 6 6 in each area at every centre bounce and the game will improve drastically

 

[captain cotch 9]

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.

Essendon are just shit mate haha

 

[mxett]

Essendon are just shit mate haha

if you think it's just us you're blind

 

[mxett]

The mid to late 90s which most consider to be the golden era of footy had an average tackle count per game at 18-19 so the game has complete changed into a tackle fest. 50 interchange cap and 6 6 6 in each area at every centre bounce and the game will improve drastically

Leigh Matthews suggested players start in zones for each stoppage. Not sure how easy that would be to adjudicate but it would be interesting to try in preseason. It would be similar to allowing only 4 players in the centre square at the bounce

 

[captain cotch 9]

if you think it's just us you're blind

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