Coach Is Craig McRae currently the best coach in the AFL?

[PhatBoy]

Nobody had written off Geelong in 2011 nice rewrite of history

End of an Era: The demise of the Geelong Football Club

Leave your tributes here.

www.bigfooty.com

No, no one at all was saying that Geelong were gone at the end of 2010/start of 2011.

Not even the Big Footy community

There wasn’t even a specific thread dedicated to it. That mentions other threads on the same topic.

Oh wait.

There was.

 

[RCAB]

I still rate Scott better.

Why?

McRae adjusts tactics on the fly (no pun intended) as well, if not better, than Chris Scott.

It’s worth highlighting last week's game against Brisbane. Last year Lions were, the no.1 kicking team in the AFL. Top-ranked for retention %, Kick Threat Rating (how often kicks lead to scores relative to expectation), and no.1 across:

• Chain to Score
• D50 to F50
• D50 to Score
• Defensive Half to F50
• Defensive Half to Score

Even this year, Brisbane have overrun teams late by unleashing that elite kicking game. But against Collingwood (on the Lions’ home deck), they couldn’t.

Take a look how Collingwood set up their zone in transition or defending scoring chains from opposition D50, particularly against Brisbane last week.




They consistently have this "Line Defence" forcing opposition to kick over it. They'll adjust the position based on opposition.

This forces Brisbane to go boundary rather than push corridor for quicker scoring.






Here the line is not as pronounced but it's effective at funneling the kick in the deepest wing. Not a good field position to kick from if you take a mark.







As you can see here, the Collingwood Line keeps pushing, either forcing a contested kick down the line or in the corridor. Eventually Morris is forced to kick backwards.




Brisbane have another mode. They will try to kick around the press by going backwards and sideways.

But unlike other teams who quickly move their "concentrated" press across the ground. Collingwood don't have to run as much to cover, what you see below is different:



As you can see Collingwood hold "two lines" and forces to Brisbane to stay on boundary with no corridor play.






5 mins in the third quarter, Brisbane is trying to play faster to overcome Pies' Line, as the line does a good job of moving back quickly without overly sprinting.

This kick ends into a Brisbane possession but only because of a contested mark to Neale.







Towards the halfway mark of the 3rd quarter (after another kick backwards) Collingwood starts to push their line more aggressively, while simultaneously holding it, as they notice Brisbane keep going wide and backwards.




Brisbane in this game kicked backwards a lot more than they usually do. In one instance Zorko kicked ball nearly 50m backwards, which almost turned into a turnover in itself.

Their five best score launch players on the day, Neale, Zorko, McCluggae, Dunkley and Lester (who usually combine for 9 a game) only had 4.

 

[FreddyTwoShoes]

Why?

McRae adjusts tactics on the fly (no pun intended) as well, if not better, than Chris Scott.

It’s worth highlighting last week's game against Brisbane. Last year Lions were, the no.1 kicking team in the AFL. Top-ranked for retention %, Kick Threat Rating (how often kicks lead to scores relative to expectation), and no.1 across:

• Chain to Score
• D50 to F50
• D50 to Score
• Defensive Half to F50
• Defensive Half to Score

Even this year, Brisbane have overrun teams late by unleashing that elite kicking game. But against Collingwood (on the Lions’ home deck), they couldn’t.

Take a look how Collingwood set up their zone in transition or defending scoring chains from opposition D50, particularly against Brisbane last week.


View attachment 2292232

They consistently have this "Line Defence" forcing opposition to kick over it. They'll adjust the position based on opposition.

This forces Brisbane to go boundary rather than push corridor for quicker scoring.




View attachment 2292234

Here the line is not as pronounced but it's effective at funneling the kick in the deepest wing. Not a good field position to kick from if you take a mark.





View attachment 2292237

As you can see here, the Collingwood Line keeps pushing, either forcing a contested kick down the line or in the corridor. Eventually Morris is forced to kick backwards.




Brisbane have another mode. They will try to kick around the press by going backwards and sideways.

But unlike other teams who quickly move their "concentrated" press across the ground. Collingwood don't have to run as much to cover, what you see below is different:

View attachment 2292249

As you can see Collingwood hold "two lines" and forces to Brisbane to stay on boundary with no corridor play.




View attachment 2292241

5 mins in the third quarter, Brisbane is trying to play faster to overcome Pies' Line, as the line does a good job of moving back quickly without overly sprinting.

This kick ends into a Brisbane possession but only because of a contested mark to Neale.





View attachment 2292243

Towards the halfway mark of the 3rd quarter (after another kick backwards) Collingwood starts to push their line more aggressively, while simultaneously holding it, as they notice Brisbane keep going wide and backwards.




Brisbane in this game kicked backwards a lot more than they usually do. In one instance Zorko kicked ball nearly 50m backwards, which almost turned into a turnover in itself.

Their five best score launch players on the day, Neale, Zorko, McCluggae, Dunkley and Lester (who usually combine for 9 a game) only had 4.

Well, based on those screen shots he’s a flippin’ genius and nobody else comes close.

Case closed!

 

[Warhorse]

Why?

McRae adjusts tactics on the fly (no pun intended) as well, if not better, than Chris Scott.

It’s worth highlighting last week's game against Brisbane. Last year Lions were, the no.1 kicking team in the AFL. Top-ranked for retention %, Kick Threat Rating (how often kicks lead to scores relative to expectation), and no.1 across:

• Chain to Score
• D50 to F50
• D50 to Score
• Defensive Half to F50
• Defensive Half to Score

Even this year, Brisbane have overrun teams late by unleashing that elite kicking game. But against Collingwood (on the Lions’ home deck), they couldn’t.

Take a look how Collingwood set up their zone in transition or defending scoring chains from opposition D50, particularly against Brisbane last week.


View attachment 2292232

They consistently have this "Line Defence" forcing opposition to kick over it. They'll adjust the position based on opposition.

This forces Brisbane to go boundary rather than push corridor for quicker scoring.




View attachment 2292234

Here the line is not as pronounced but it's effective at funneling the kick in the deepest wing. Not a good field position to kick from if you take a mark.





View attachment 2292237

As you can see here, the Collingwood Line keeps pushing, either forcing a contested kick down the line or in the corridor. Eventually Morris is forced to kick backwards.




Brisbane have another mode. They will try to kick around the press by going backwards and sideways.

But unlike other teams who quickly move their "concentrated" press across the ground. Collingwood don't have to run as much to cover, what you see below is different:

View attachment 2292249

As you can see Collingwood hold "two lines" and forces to Brisbane to stay on boundary with no corridor play.




View attachment 2292241

5 mins in the third quarter, Brisbane is trying to play faster to overcome Pies' Line, as the line does a good job of moving back quickly without overly sprinting.

This kick ends into a Brisbane possession but only because of a contested mark to Neale.





View attachment 2292243

Towards the halfway mark of the 3rd quarter (after another kick backwards) Collingwood starts to push their line more aggressively, while simultaneously holding it, as they notice Brisbane keep going wide and backwards.




Brisbane in this game kicked backwards a lot more than they usually do. In one instance Zorko kicked ball nearly 50m backwards, which almost turned into a turnover in itself.

Their five best score launch players on the day, Neale, Zorko, McCluggae, Dunkley and Lester (who usually combine for 9 a game) only had 4.

Really enjoying your posts in this thread. Only thing holding Mcrae back is longevity at the top. Certainly looks an astute coach.

 

[DopeMaster]

Why?

McRae adjusts tactics on the fly (no pun intended) as well, if not better, than Chris Scott.

It’s worth highlighting last week's game against Brisbane. Last year Lions were, the no.1 kicking team in the AFL. Top-ranked for retention %, Kick Threat Rating (how often kicks lead to scores relative to expectation), and no.1 across:

• Chain to Score
• D50 to F50
• D50 to Score
• Defensive Half to F50
• Defensive Half to Score

Even this year, Brisbane have overrun teams late by unleashing that elite kicking game. But against Collingwood (on the Lions’ home deck), they couldn’t.

Take a look how Collingwood set up their zone in transition or defending scoring chains from opposition D50, particularly against Brisbane last week.


View attachment 2292232

They consistently have this "Line Defence" forcing opposition to kick over it. They'll adjust the position based on opposition.

This forces Brisbane to go boundary rather than push corridor for quicker scoring.




View attachment 2292234

Here the line is not as pronounced but it's effective at funneling the kick in the deepest wing. Not a good field position to kick from if you take a mark.





View attachment 2292237

As you can see here, the Collingwood Line keeps pushing, either forcing a contested kick down the line or in the corridor. Eventually Morris is forced to kick backwards.




Brisbane have another mode. They will try to kick around the press by going backwards and sideways.

But unlike other teams who quickly move their "concentrated" press across the ground. Collingwood don't have to run as much to cover, what you see below is different:

View attachment 2292249

As you can see Collingwood hold "two lines" and forces to Brisbane to stay on boundary with no corridor play.




View attachment 2292241

5 mins in the third quarter, Brisbane is trying to play faster to overcome Pies' Line, as the line does a good job of moving back quickly without overly sprinting.

This kick ends into a Brisbane possession but only because of a contested mark to Neale.





View attachment 2292243

Towards the halfway mark of the 3rd quarter (after another kick backwards) Collingwood starts to push their line more aggressively, while simultaneously holding it, as they notice Brisbane keep going wide and backwards.




Brisbane in this game kicked backwards a lot more than they usually do. In one instance Zorko kicked ball nearly 50m backwards, which almost turned into a turnover in itself.

Their five best score launch players on the day, Neale, Zorko, McCluggae, Dunkley and Lester (who usually combine for 9 a game) only had 4.

Kudos for some actual analysis in a thread filled with 'I reckon' type comments.

Not sure if any of this gets McRae the current golden leaders jacket, but better effort than most posts.

As a Pies supporter I've noticed our coaching has been top-notch so far this year - obviously very difficult to compare to other coaches, but good effort in at least trying to substantiate your opinion.

 

[demondavey]

Chris Scott given the most 'stacked list' of all time WTF you on about

Probably because players want to go there and they can get them there. What’s he going to say, don’t recruit them because I want someone else to have them so my coaching ability can be measured differently for the BF punters to chat about?

 

[demondavey]

Why?

McRae adjusts tactics on the fly (no pun intended) as well, if not better, than Chris Scott.

It’s worth highlighting last week's game against Brisbane. Last year Lions were, the no.1 kicking team in the AFL. Top-ranked for retention %, Kick Threat Rating (how often kicks lead to scores relative to expectation), and no.1 across:

• Chain to Score
• D50 to F50
• D50 to Score
• Defensive Half to F50
• Defensive Half to Score

Even this year, Brisbane have overrun teams late by unleashing that elite kicking game. But against Collingwood (on the Lions’ home deck), they couldn’t.

Take a look how Collingwood set up their zone in transition or defending scoring chains from opposition D50, particularly against Brisbane last week.


View attachment 2292232

They consistently have this "Line Defence" forcing opposition to kick over it. They'll adjust the position based on opposition.

This forces Brisbane to go boundary rather than push corridor for quicker scoring.




View attachment 2292234

Here the line is not as pronounced but it's effective at funneling the kick in the deepest wing. Not a good field position to kick from if you take a mark.





View attachment 2292237

As you can see here, the Collingwood Line keeps pushing, either forcing a contested kick down the line or in the corridor. Eventually Morris is forced to kick backwards.




Brisbane have another mode. They will try to kick around the press by going backwards and sideways.

But unlike other teams who quickly move their "concentrated" press across the ground. Collingwood don't have to run as much to cover, what you see below is different:

View attachment 2292249

As you can see Collingwood hold "two lines" and forces to Brisbane to stay on boundary with no corridor play.




View attachment 2292241

5 mins in the third quarter, Brisbane is trying to play faster to overcome Pies' Line, as the line does a good job of moving back quickly without overly sprinting.

This kick ends into a Brisbane possession but only because of a contested mark to Neale.





View attachment 2292243

Towards the halfway mark of the 3rd quarter (after another kick backwards) Collingwood starts to push their line more aggressively, while simultaneously holding it, as they notice Brisbane keep going wide and backwards.




Brisbane in this game kicked backwards a lot more than they usually do. In one instance Zorko kicked ball nearly 50m backwards, which almost turned into a turnover in itself.

Their five best score launch players on the day, Neale, Zorko, McCluggae, Dunkley and Lester (who usually combine for 9 a game) only had 4.

Very solid mate. Good footage and analysis.

 

[FromOldFitzroy]

McRae is certainly astute.
As regards the recent game between the Pies and Lions, McRae, if I interpreted it correctly, said that Brisbane had come off a 1 day shorter break, and after playing in 40 degrees in the Gather Round. But, that said, it was in Brisbane.
No one’s ever won a premiership in March or April, but the Pies are certainly contenders, serious contenders.
I’m looking forward to the Hawks and Pies match, because I feel that Mitchell has ‘it.’ Which is a pity, because I prefer the Hawks at 0 and 5, as they were at the start of last year.

 

[TiggyTig]

Probably because players want to go there and they can get them there. What’s he going to say, don’t recruit them because I want someone else to have them so my coaching ability can be measured differently for the BF punters to chat about?

Can you not read? I said Scott took over a 'stacked' team. What part about that didn't you understand?

 

[PhatBoy]

Can you not read? I said Scott took over a 'stacked' team. What part about that didn't you understand?

Well for starters you said it was the most stacked team of all time.
It wasn’t even the most stacked Geelong team of 2010-11, was it.

And his coaching ability hasn’t been graded on what he did with the side he took over, it’s been graded on what he’s done as all those players retired and how he’s kept Geelong competitive since.

 

[demondavey]

Can you not read? I said Scott took over a 'stacked' team. What part about that didn't you understand?

Oh I can read, he took over a stacked team in 2011. Big deal. However from 2012 onwards he has constantly had to reinvent the list and done everything to keep them in contention for top 4. My point still stands, players want to go there and I think he is a huge part of that.

Tiggity Tig Tug.

 

[demondavey]

Can you not read? I said Scott took over a 'stacked' team. What part about that didn't you understand?

That stacked list was only stacked for a few years anyway, then they needed to restock accordingly.

So your point it’s a bit skewed old boy.

 

[TiggyTig]

Oh I can read, he took over a stacked team in 2011. Big deal. However from 2012 onwards he has constantly had to reinvent the list and done everything to keep them in contention for top 4. My point still stands, players want to go there and I think he is a huge part of that.

Tiggity Tig Tug.

Read OP i replied to stating that both Clarko and Dimma took 'stacked teams' to multiple flags but Scott didn't.

 

[RCAB]

Today is going to be an interesting watch for me.

Essendon is no.1 team in the AFL at retaining the ball via kicks. They like to chip the ball around but also like to go sideways with their handball rather than forward (doesn't help they went and got McKay), so it will be interesting how Collingwood defend this all day.

Moore is also a huge out, organises the back 6, but is also their best player at neutralising long kicks inside D50.

 

[Jedi01]

Rest are just making up the numbers.

 

[FreddyTwoShoes]

Did I see him on the news last night talking about Jack Crisp

25

Jack Crisp

Age

32

Ht

190cm

Wt

91kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

21.2

5star

K

11.5

4star

HB

9.7

5star

M

4.6

4star

T

4.0

5star

CL

2.2

4star

D

17.7

4star

K

10.7

4star

HB

7.0

4star

M

5.1

5star

T

1.6

3star

CL

1.0

3star

D

14.4

4star

K

8.4

4star

HB

6.0

4star

M

2.8

3star

T

3.0

5star

CL

1.4

4star

about to break the consecutive games record, and mentioning that he "may/may not" have had covid during that time (but still played)?

Really? For the sake of a weird one-liner on camera, he's raised questions about the clubs (and Jack Crisp

25

Jack Crisp

Age

32

Ht

190cm

Wt

91kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

21.2

5star

K

11.5

4star

HB

9.7

5star

M

4.6

4star

T

4.0

5star

CL

2.2

4star

D

17.7

4star

K

10.7

4star

HB

7.0

4star

M

5.1

5star

T

1.6

3star

CL

1.0

3star

D

14.4

4star

K

8.4

4star

HB

6.0

4star

M

2.8

3star

T

3.0

5star

CL

1.4

4star

's) compliance and behaviour?

I'm probably over-stating it (almost certainly am), but why bring it up at all?

 

[deck]

he's raised questions about the clubs (and Jack Crisp 's) compliance and behaviour?

There hasn't been a rule on Covid for a few years now. It's treated like any other illness. If you think you can play then you play.

 

[FreddyTwoShoes]

There hasn't been a rule on Covid for a few years now. It's treated like any other illness. If you think you can play then you play.

Yeah, fair enough.
The way he said it made it sound like they'd pulled a swifty so I assumed it was in the early covid times, but you're right - there's every chance it happened more recently and wasn't underhanded at all.
My bad.

 

[g_TRAIN]

Right up there.

Collingwood have some good players yes, but they're performing above average for that list and have done consistently under his tenure

 

[Pavlovs Cat]

I think Fly is an excellent coach but give me Scott. Last year we were pretty ordinary and got done by a couple of kicks by the eventual premier. Win that and we beat Sydney. For us to go so deep last year was a good coaching effort in my view. Against the Pies he changed things up mid match and solved the Pie Puzzle, which is a pretty tough puzzle to solve. I also think Bevvo is pretty underrated as well. We all laughed last year but they've lost JUH, MacRae, Daniel (ok they were fringe players last year) and have had long term injuries to Bont, Treloar, Weightman and a season ending injury (most likely) to Darcy yet Bevvo still has the Doggies humming.

All Pies, Cats and Dogs would be pretty happy with their coaches at the minute.

 

[iGNITER]

A plane has entered the chatroom.

Literally in tears laughing at this post. Absolute gold.

 

[Dazb86]

I don't particuarly rate the pies list that highly.

McRaes system is doing the job.

 

[Gavin Excell]

I don't particuarly rate the pies list that highly.

McRaes system is doing the job.

Good test of their club and physical fitness staff ahead of the short break to WA

 

[Colby2Sheez]

Considering he was just out coached on the weekend, I'd say definitely no.

He also has a stack of mature players that would need very little direction, so he has one of the easiest coaching gigs in the comp.

 

[tmpies01]

Considering he was just out coached on the weekend, I'd say definitely no.

He also has a stack of mature players that would need very little direction, so he has one of the easiest coaching gigs in the comp.

Fly made it easy for his players by drilling it into them from the day he walked in the doors. The only reason why the players need little direction now is because they have matured and added layers on top of the current system/gameplan.

Without Fly the players don’t go into those set plays that almost won them the game. If Crisp kicked it we’d all be declaring Fly the best in it.

If he’s being out coached in round 8 that’s fine by me, as long as it’s not a final.