Let's talk game plans.

[blaze036]

Score more Points then the Opposition

Just personally I think we should be targeting goals a little more

 

[Knightmare]

I think we were close to last in the AFL for defensive rebound 50s in the league, that's a much more pressing issue imo considering we also lost shaw and harry is getting older

Our forward line actually functions pretty well, just need to be more accurate with shots on goal.

I wouldn't be so inclined as to say that our forward line functions pretty well. It's a young, inexperienced, Cloke-centric forwardline which badly lacked variety until Reid went forward last year. We ranked 11th last year for % score once inside 50. 13th for % goal once inside 50. Our problems from a functionality standpoint in the forward half go further than just the simple goal kicking accuracy which is important but it's not the only relevant factor for consideration as we're also not generating the shots at goal from our inside 50s.

The forward press would help the front half because it keeps the ball inside the front 50. By locking it in it can help generate more forward 50 stoppages. From those forward 50 stoppages our premium midfielders have proven in the past to be able to generate goals from these situations with all of Ball, Swan, Beams and to a lesser extent Pendlebury and Sidebottom all excellent at this. Anyone remember those clutch Luke Ball goals in the final minutes of finals week after week. Our midfielders being the contested ball winners they are have the capacity to score goals from that avenue and with our team ranked 17th in forward 50 stoppages we give them no opportunity to contribute in this way.

If we win the centre clearances, have reasonable pressure in the front half and all the others moving into correct position the forward press can be exceptionally effective, particularly with the quality readers we have behind the ball - Reid specifically when given this freedom then becomes an absolute monster from a rebounding perspective as we saw from him in his All Australian season in 2011.

But onto your point of how the forward press would help our defensive issues. It would mean Reid can go back behind the ball to contribute as a rebounder in a big way that isn't possible with our current structure as an intercepting marking presence and penetrating, pin point kicking weapon which would increase the quality of our inside 50s and give our forwards the best possible opportunity to provide some scoreboard pressure. The ball would more often than not be locked into our forward half of the ground with perhaps if I had to hazard a guess 10 minutes per game more gametime with the ball forward of centre more than would otherwise be the case.

From a back half standpoint the key advantages with the forward press are that there are greater intercept marking opportunities for the defence which greatly increases your rebounding possibilities taking us from a purely 1v1 defending team to a team who can provide meaningful rebound. Additionally still with that pressure on the opposition ball carrier/user their ball due to the press is more likely to be of poor delivery and as such gives the defender a greater opportunity again of defeating their direct opponent further lightening the load on the back half.

I wouldn't call Harry old either. He's coming off a career season and he's lost nothing athletically and is still consistently one of if not our best performer on the track. He won't turn 30 until the 2016 season so he's still well and truly in his footballing prime (note that players from the ages of roughly 25-29 generally speaking play their best football) not a player who requires replacing at this stage as much as a relevant partner of equal quality needs to be found to play on the other wing. Perhaps this is Sidebottom, Young, Fasolo or someone else internally. Perhaps a Broomhead. It may be someone outside of our list. But he's hardly retiring next year due to any age of physical issues..

 

[Checkside35]

Knightmare.
We'd have to find a way to press that won't be torn apart by sides with good kicking skills over a distance. I'm afraid Hawthorn would tear it to bits. Sides with quick half forwards who have moved up higher would only have to clear longer and wider of our tall backs and then we're in trouble.
God forbid but players like Yarran, Garletta, L Jetta and co would be well aware of where to stand when a side implements the forward press. Players in a press guard a zone and not a player. I think this plays into the hands of opposition sides who have genuine lightning fast players.

 

[Checkside35]

There has been some concern regarding the amount of medium sized players we have drafted. Buckley has gone the horses for courses approach to suit his game style. A lot has been made of recruiting talls and their standing in the current game. As the game gets quicker and less about contested marking, the medium sized quicks will be more and more prominent.
Defensively, back lines play as a defensive unit so as Hawthorn do so well, getting an extra man to a marking contest lessens the damage that tall forwards can do. Isolating defenders is not as easy as it seems. I'll call that Bucks will look to put more and more numbers in the backline and use the slingshot type play through the middle more often. He won't give up on getting extra numbers to a ground ball contest.

 

[THATSGOLD]

After a year of some posters/supporters scratching their heads and yelling "There's no game plan", let's share what we think the game plan is and/or what it should be.
It would be good if a single post only included one of the lines (e.g. backs) and then backed up by subsequent posts relevant to other lines. Just being mindful of essays that some (including me) can write at times.
Put your coach's hat on, grab a board and go for it.

Coach Checkside

I reckon I saw Buckley's plan not being executed very well. Shorter kicks through the middle to a leading target were often butchered. Our half forwards didn't work hard enough to straighten us up.
Hard working half forwards are going to be paramount to the plan and perhaps the tonic to cure the long bomb to a 3 on 1 contest, in the opposition's favour.
More after others have had a go.

Tighter in defence.
Get the ball out easier from a kick in. More accurate kicking. Have plenty of numbers back to avoid being out numbered.
More discipline.
When checking to other side of the ground in back half make sure you're not out numbered before doing so.

 

[Captivating]

any game plan needs great execution. Work on our skills and we'll look good no matter what our game plan is.

 

[Hva sher a]

Rather than talking a game plan, I think the next evolution is having a range of game plans/styles which our players are adaptable enough to change at each quarter or even mid-quarter.
It places a lot of emphasis on educating players on the different plans (eg NFL) and having pre-set responses to different situations.
My point is rather than suggesting a specific plan, why can't we have a series of them.
It makes it harder for opposition coaches to plan against.

I also like the idea of flipping players in different positions to give areas different "looks". Eg in basketball teams often go small and mobile for set periods. We could do the same thing eg have Elliott, Fas, Swan as our "key" forwards and place Cloke, Reid on the wings to exploit height matchups. If the opposition counters you reset the tactics and positions. The idea is to throw the opposition out of their rhythm and minimise any weaknesses they may be exploiting.

 

[jonbe54]

Rather than talking a game plan, I think the next evolution is having a range of game plans/styles which our players are adaptable enough to change at each quarter or even mid-quarter.
It places a lot of emphasis on educating players on the different plans (eg NFL) and having pre-set responses to different situations.
My point is rather than suggesting a specific plan, why can't we have a series of them.
It makes it harder for opposition coaches to plan against.

I also like the idea of flipping players in different positions to give areas different "looks". Eg in basketball teams often go small and mobile for set periods. We could do the same thing eg have Elliott, Fas, Swan as our "key" forwards and place Cloke, Reid on the wings to exploit height matchups. If the opposition counters you reset the tactics and positions. The idea is to throw the opposition out of their rhythm and minimise any weaknesses they may be exploiting.

Its a good option and much used in professional sport in the US, our targetting of flexible players who can play a number of positions, of tallish medium utilities able to flip has me hopeful that there is an iron in the fire for just this 'brand' of football.

 

[Hinequarters]

Thank god Bucks has us to point him in the right direction

 

[HappyRed]

Flying V..

 

[loki04]

Thank god Bucks has us to point him in the right direction

What did you want us to talk about? How short, short shorts are?

 

[Checkside35]

Thank god Bucks has us to point him in the right direction

No harm in footy heads having a discussion about what we have seen and what we'd like to see. Believe it or not, forums have posters who do understand and love the finer points of the game. I'm sending these responses to Bucks. Hope he reads them and takes note.

 

[jmac70]

Always look both ways when crossing the road...particularly in Europe or the USA.

 

[Checkside35]

Always look both ways when crossing the road...particularly in Europe or the USA.

Did I need to be clearer in the thread title?

 

[jmac70]

Did I need to be clearer in the thread title?

It's not the worst game plan.

 

[Checkside35]

It's not the worst game plan.

Sort of resembles Freo's game plan. Low risk,not getting across the road with any great speed is akin to low scoring.

 

[Hinequarters]

What did you want us to talk about? How short, short shorts are?

Not as short as you'd imagine

 

[Knightmare]

Knightmare.
We'd have to find a way to press that won't be torn apart by sides with good kicking skills over a distance. I'm afraid Hawthorn would tear it to bits. Sides with quick half forwards who have moved up higher would only have to clear longer and wider of our tall backs and then we're in trouble.
God forbid but players like Yarran, Garletta, L Jetta and co would be well aware of where to stand when a side implements the forward press. Players in a press guard a zone and not a player. I think this plays into the hands of opposition sides who have genuine lightning fast players.

Sadly Hawthorn despite our new gameplan continue to beat us as evidenced by their 55 and 35 point wins in 2013 and the 22, 47 and 38 point wins in 2012 leaving Nathan with a 0-5 record v Hawthorn whereas under Mick with the press Hawthorn even in his final year we experienced a positive record including a finals win in 2011 before bowing out to Geelong in the grand final.

I'd counter that argument and debate that the forward pressure and a stoppage based game suits us v Hawthorn because they want the ball outside in a game where they can maintain control of the footy. In a stoppage focused game where it's locked into our forward 50 it exploits Hawthorn's by line relatively weaker back half and also keeps the ball locked into the contest more than it otherwise would playing to our strengths and away from the strengths of Hawthorn.

Playing the outside, possession gameplan we play now I feel if anything it exposes the difference between us and the top end sides as evidenced by our worse 2012 and 2013 seasons relative to our 2010 and 2011 seasons.

Additionally on the outside linebreakers you mention they're less likely to get the time and space to go for a run against the press. The press forces clubs into pressured kicks rather than getting the opportunity to hold or run with the footy when applied with conviction.

 

[loki04]

^^Hawks only lost that ef due to poor goal kicking and a herculean efforts of Cloke and Swan.
Hawks were a team getting used to a new gameplan of which was designed specifically to counter the press.
Also I can remember quite a few drubbings at the hands of the hawks in mm's time at the club.

 

[Cousin of Daicos]

Bucks: "Hey lads, you know what we've been doing to Geelong since 2011? Do that every week to everyone"

Premiership guaranteed.

I await my cheque in the mail Ed.

 

[Bard]

Bucks: "Hey lads, you know what we've been doing to Geelong since 2011? Do that every week to everyone"

Premiership guaranteed.

I await my cheque in the mail Ed.

Or Sydney... generally speaking.

 

[mike123]

Anyone remember those clutch Luke Ball goals in the final minutes of finals week after week.

Luke Ball only got 2 goals this year.

 

[mike123]

Knightmare.
We'd have to find a way to press that won't be torn apart by sides with good kicking skills over a distance. I'm afraid Hawthorn would tear it to bits. Sides with quick half forwards who have moved up higher would only have to clear longer and wider of our tall backs and then we're in trouble.
God forbid but players like Yarran, Garletta, L Jetta and co would be well aware of where to stand when a side implements the forward press. Players in a press guard a zone and not a player. I think this plays into the hands of opposition sides who have genuine lightning fast players.

Collingwood needs a defender capable of shuting down X factor players. Toovey is overated as a shutdown defender as early in the year Linsday Thomas kicked 4 goals with him in the side and Garlett and Yarran teared us apart kicking three each. Marley Williams also seen as a rebounding defender who can also shut down players is overated. He best game defensively was against Yarran but other than that that Motlop and Davey kicked two goals on him and Wingard and Thomas kicked three, we kneed someone who can play on guys like these, and not let them kick there two to three goals. Shaw was probably our best optiom but we tradet him. As for or forward press we kneed a Andrew Krakouer replacement as he could get a silky handpass in a tight situation to set up a goal and could tackle helping our press. And also was a goal kicker wich would make us less dependent on Cloke.

 

[Lockyer24]

I'd like us to be more defensive overall, flooding more and zoning less. Up forward I'd like Trav to roam between wing and about 25m out never deeper, with two of Elliott/Reid/White leading out.

 

[mike123]

I'd like us to be more defensive overall, flooding more and zoning less. Up forward I'd like Trav to roam between wing and about 25m out never deeper, with two of Elliott/Reid/White leading out.

With the Interchange cap won't it be harder to keep a constant flood In the backline and run the ball out and press to keep the ball in the fowardline.