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- West Coast
Loving the work, great effort from your point of view. Couldnt agree more with Will Schofield.This is just about as good as it gets for a pre-season game, injury concerns for McGovern and Ah Chee aside.
This was not your average knockabout that you expect in February.
This was a genuinely contested match, recording over 4 contested possessions & 1.5 tackles per clearance.
For a pre-season match these are very high figures. For comparison, only two matches from Round 1 last season exceeded this level of combatitiveness and congestion.
Both teams will be happy with the effort levels displayed.
Now let's be clear - this is a very good Port Adelaide team.
Their finishing 7th thanks to Shuey's boot in the Elimination Final was one of the largest anomalies within a season of anomalies. Consider last season they ranked as follows (per game):
Reverse the outcomes of the Round 7 and 15 matches at home (where despite dominating against us and Richmond respectively, they conjured a way to lose) and they finish the season top.
- 1st Time ball in forward half
- 1st Inside 50s
- 1st Least opposition inside 50s
- 1st Inside 50s differential
- 1st Contested marks
- 3rd Marks inside forward 50
- 1st Least opposition marks inside forward 50
- 1st Marks inside forward 50 differential
- 1st Least opposition goal assists
- 4th Least opposition score involvements
- 3rd Least opposition points scored
- 2nd Points scored
- 3rd Intercepts
- 1st Intercepts differential
- 3rd Clearances
- 2nd Metres gained
- 3rd Contested possessions
- 1st One-percenters [spoils]
- 1st One-percenters [spoils] differential
- 3rd Tackles inside forward 50
- 2nd Least opposition tackles inside forward 50
They are the greatest underachievers in recent history - and they know it.
They've since topped up [panic-bought] with a bevvy of mature players to extend their already talented ranks. For almost five months they have lived with the reality of that post-siren goal. Facing West Coast first-up in pre-season would provide an almost divine opportunity to exorcise the previous seasons' demons. This was not a weakened Port side; this was their best available team. They had come to win.
Coming into this match I must say that I was not overly confident of finding many positives. No ruck dominance without Naitanui, no forward structure without Kennedy and a handful of players being asked to fill roles they are yet to be proven in. I was fearful of Port bullying us through the middle and cutting us apart on the outside with their running power and getting far too many easy goals out the back. I would have considered lasting for three quarters and getting blown away in the last a productive outcome. To win, by virtue of midfield dominance is a result that is exceptionally encouraging for this side.
In the three times we faced Port in 2017, they destroyed us through the midfield on each occasion:
View attachment 464467
On Sunday [despite the thoughts otherwise from the awful commentary], that was reversed decisively:
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Positive differentials across the majority of midfield metrics.
The reworked midfield performed as well as hoped, won the greater share of hard ball, spread purposefully and ran the opposition off their feet late in the match.
If not for the ineptitude of our efficiency up forward, this would have been a comfortable victory against a team expected by most to finish within the top 4, missing only Wingard, Rockliff and S.Gray from its starting line-up.
We look fitter this year. Going off the figures on the club’s website, we now have eight players capable of rotating through the midfield who are over 85kgs – Shuey, Yeo, Sheed, Redden, Hutchings, Ah Chee, Gaff and Brayshaw. That provides a good starting point for a competitive engine room right there. Add to that a number of young midfielders who are over both 183cm and 83kg (Duggan, Venables, Nelson, Mutimer, O.Allen?) and we have a midfield unit that should be able to hold its own in physical contests. The oldest from those mentioned above is Shuey who turns 28 in June; the average age across all of them is just 23.2 – generational change is here and now.
There are two upsides to the retirements of Priddis and Mitchell:
This year we have a fluid midfield. The players are interchangeable. There will be different combinations involved at stoppages, spreading outside, supporting down back and presenting up forward. This new dynamism is possibly the most exciting facet of the team.
- Having a midfield with a lower age profile, we can expect to run out matches better this season than last.
- Both were limited from a rotational perspective; other than inside midfield, there wasn’t much in a positional sense they could offer apart from a defensive linking role. They were incapable of providing outside run, rebound counterattacks, marking options, ground level pressure. These limitations had considerable knock-on impacts to the rotational balance of the team, being a major reason why we would appear stale and one-dimensional in our play.
Back to the match performance, there appeared to be clear emphasis regarding ball movement – controlled out from defence and then running gung-ho (almost haphazardly so) in getting it forward once an imaginary line along the defensive side of the centre square was crossed. This lead to a lot of “bombing” it forward rather than finding targets. My impression is this was by design – much of this match was set-up to test the functionality of the “Richmond-meets-web-hybrid” structure in a contest against one of the best defensive teams in the competition.
We outnumbered Port for running bounces 13-2, which is indicative of the intent to take the game on and carry the ball forward. Indeed, this figure is more than twice our average per game across 2017 [15th], where we recorded only two matches above 10 running bounces in the season – and nine matches with 4 or less.
The forward set-up was deliberately unorthodox. Darling deployed as a “false” key forward; Waterman acting as a defensive forward for much of the game; Ryan parked in the goalsquare with Lecras, Cripps and Ah Chee providing pressure and support.
The explanation follows:
As can be seen from the above, forward efficiency was not a priority in this match. For the forwards, it was about applying pressure, creating opposition turnovers and setting benchmarks.
- The key metric for the forwards from the coaching panel was for pressure acts and tackling.
- It is clearly apparent the remit for Darling was simply to play a sacrificial role and bring the ball to ground, stay away from the goalsquare and hit his running km target. This does not however excuse his poor performance [more on that further down].
- Waterman was being tested on his ability to track the rebounding runs of opposition halfbacks. After three-quarter time he was freed to play as a hit-up CHF.
- Ryan was stationed in the goalsquare to make sure he had the maximal opportunity to display forward pressure acts with an emphasis on chasing and repeat acts.
Our disposals per goal was 41.75 which is horrible [i.e. above 40 is junk, under 20 is elite] and typifies the ineffectiveness of the forward group against Port’s defensive zone.
However I’m sure the coaching staff will be pleased with the following statistics:
View attachment 464469
Dominance of possession up forward, applying pressure and making tackles and scoring from opposition turnovers in the forward half. This is exactly what was tested in this match, and overwhelmingly the outcomes of the test were positive.
As Emperor Xi would put it, this is “Richmond” football with West Coast characteristics.
One cannot forget the backline also. The defensive zone held up successfully, despite McGovern leaving the field just 10 minutes into the match.
One tweak to the defensive structure was noted – and it is one that I have wanted to see since 2016. Usually we play a seven man zone inside defensive 50 – FB, CHB, x4 flankers [much of the time one is key-sized] and a defensive +1. The CHB [usually McGovern] leaves his immediate opponent to intercept mark, whilst the +1 [Yeo or Hurn] serves as a secondary interceptor as coverage for the CHB.
What I have longed to see is for the +1 to be a counter attacking disposalist rather than an interceptor – at times last season we got glimpses of this from Yeo to very good effect. I have long considered Jetta to be the natural best option for this position and it was good to see him given the opportunity with Yeo moved onto the ball. Winning goals aside, 450 metres gained at 90.5% disposal efficiency is exceptional.
It was a hallmark of our play across the back: quick switch; pull back if it’s not on; find Jetta drifting inside across defensive 50 arc; spearing kick to centre square target that tears apart the opposition zone.
This is what he was recruited for.
Some brief individual notes:
#1. Liam Ryan – Looks a natural forward that has instinctive quality. Did his Round 1 chances no harm by laying 3 tackles inside forward 50. Looked lost for periods when the play wasn’t directed towards him. Guilty of leaving his feet too many times when the ball came in, but that will come in learning he is in a much bigger pond now. The marketing department is going to love him.
#2. Mark Lecras – Quiet. No scores. No assists. 1 tackle. Less than 10 disposals despite 85% match time, a third of which were clangers. Searched up the ground for the ball. On this form he does not warrant a Round 1 start considering the options available.
#3. Andrew Gaff – Best on ground. Looks bigger than last year and it helped him contribute more on the inside than we’re used to seeing. Looks primed for a massive year.
#4. Dom Sheed – Looks huge. Finally has the body to go with his game. Will be disappointed with zero tackles however.
#5. Brad Sheppard – His best game in an Eagles shirt since 2015. Was a rock after McGovern went off. Adds to my opinion that he functions best when there are only two key-sized defenders in the team and plays undersized third defensive tall.
#6 Elliot Yeo – Quality all round performance, swinging through midfield, defence and attack. Looked a class above at times.
#8. Jack Redden – This is what we have been waiting for. 26 disposals (12 contested) at 88.5% effectiveness, 6 inside 50s, 5 clearances, 7 tackles and a goal. Made the most of no longer being in the shadow of Priddis or Mitchell.
#13. Luke Shuey – Was a class above as usual. Elite.
#14. Liam Duggan – Started down back and pushed into the midfield. Won 8 contested possessions in just 58% time on ground. Larger body is letting him impact the contest more effectively.
#15. Jamie Cripps – One of our best and a certain starter for Round 1. 7 forward half tackles and 6 contested possessions demonstrated his positive aggression. Should have kicked two goals.
#18. Daniel Venables – Just 5 disposals despite 74% time on ground. Looked classy when he did have possession. Did a lot of work off the ball, blocking for team-mates and checking opposition runners in the corridor. Defensive aspects were his focus from the club in this game. Will still be 19 when this season finishes – some serious potential but will take time before he has any major impact on this team.
#19. Nathan Vardy – By far our best key player up forward. Increasingly looking like he will become the preferred understudy when Naitanui returns. Indeed, I would place him above Darling as a forward alone on current form.
#20. Jeremy McGovern – Copped a non-deliberate, but reckless, hit in the face from R.Gray just 10 minutes into the game and was not seen again under the concussion rule. Will be fine for JLT match 2.
#23. Lewis Jetta – Given opportunity to roam as a spare in defence and took it with both hands. I’ll say it again – 450 metres gained at 90.5% effectiveness. Could be a very damaging weapon this season if he is able to replicate his performance from this match.
#25. Shannon Hurn – Quieter than usual game from the captain with just 12 disposals, however he did move deeper in defence after McGovern left the field. Made some out of character mistakes during the second quarter that cost goals and looked slow at times. Expect to see him play a less expansive role this season due to his lack of pace.
#26. Francis Watson – A mixed bag. Is terrible in one-on-one situations and has no presence in the air despite his height. But has the instinctive ability to create space for himself when in possession through poise and select a target rather than blazing away. Showed some class in the last quarter playing off the wing. Has a lot of ability but needs to add more mass to his frame before he can be considered a regular first team option.
#27. Jack Darling – Just awful. 9 disposals, 7 clangers. No scores. A goal assist from a terrible kick to a 1-on-2 that bounced fortuitously to a team-mate in the goalsquare. Dropped marks – it is getting like Lynch 2005 all over again. Asked to play a J.Riewoldt role and bring the small forwards into play but failed it miserably. The greatest disappointment from this match. I would argue a case for dropping him on this form.
#28. Thomas Cole – Kept R.Gray relatively quiet whilst he was on for Port and for the most part looked assured down back. Kept mistaking him for Butler, which is a compliment to him.
#29. Scott Lycett – Average. Is a more effective ruck than Vardy, but ultimately was soundly beaten in ruck contests by Ryder who looks more like a blimp than a footballer. Vardy’s superior effectiveness up forward will keep him out the team when Naitanui returns.
#31. Will Schofield – Is a complete liability when isolated in defence. For a key defender he is hopeless in 1-on-1 situations and lacks awareness at ground level. Two of Dixon’s goals came whilst he was marking him. Should see out the season at East Perth.
#33. Brayden Ainsworth – A lot of effort for little impact, however there was much to like about his approach. Threw himself around despite having a smaller body. 4 of his 6 possessions were contested. Looked rushed with ball in hand due to not having a quick step which affected his decision-making.
#34. Mark Hutchings – 21 disposals in 43% time on ground. His impact handed us midfield ascendancy, which ultimately won us the match. Like Redden, looks like he is on a mission to prove himself this season after living in the shadows. Will start Round 1.
#37. Tom Barrass – Did well to keep Dixon in check for most of the game, which will be a boost to his confidence after their meetings last season. Looks a bit more mobile.
#41. Brendon Ah Chee – Rolled his ankle early, struggled to fight on against his former club, but in the end was forced to depart after just 58% time on ground. Now apparently on crutches so Round 1 may be in doubt. I can see why he has struggled to find a permanent position – he may be listed as 89kg, but certainly does not look it. With his longer than typical wingspan, he is capable of playing taller than his 189cm height. We should be aligning his physique against Fyfe, Bontempelli, Dangerfield, Martin, Stringer etc and get him into that 92-93kg profile that allows for explosive line-breaking capability. He will still be 24 at the end of this season, so there is plenty of time left in him. Will be Wellingham Mk.II until he adds more size. Don’t expect miracles early.
#45. Jake Waterman – I am yet to be convinced that he is capable of making it. Yes, he is just 19 and still developing, but he just too small to operate as a key forward and not aware and agile enough to play off the flank. He is already competing with Kennedy, Darling, Vardy, M.Allen and McInnes for a place in the team and by the end of the season Brander and O.Allen will be in the mix as well. I just don’t see how he will find a place in the team.
Overall, this was a very encouraging performance from a team that I feel is going to surprise a lot of people this season. Bring on Freo.
