New gameplan

[Jabso]

So far this year we have been playing a different brand of footy to previous. Even against Adelaide in patches we played a great style of footy. We play pretty wide initially but we try to direct the ball into the forward line long and up the middle. Player seem to be smarter in running for each other making us look quicker than we are. The best example is the run provided by the defence.
Obviously being almost injury free and full of confidence can attribute to this better style of play, but i believe Malthouse has done a good job. Perhaps the rules change have made Mick sit up and take notice and change the gameplan acordingly.
Also what is very evident is the increased rotations from Malthouse. Usually our main goers in the mid in Lica, Holland and Bucks get 100% gametime but rarely any midfielder is getting over 90% game time now, and it's really working.

It's very early days but let's have a look at the new roles of some players:

1. Davis - More impact time off the bench, into the forward line and sometimes in the midfield.

3. Lonie - Rarely any time at all in defence this year. Has played midfield/ on the wings and really relished it. He has lost some weight and seems to have a bigger engine and for some reason is tougher at the footy.

4. Didak - Not really changed in the sense that he still plays 90% as a forward but has been given a licence to roam up the ground, leaving the forward line open and giving him a chance to deliver slicing passes (INCLUDING HIS RIGHT FOOT! ) to the forwards.

5. Buckley - A real spare parts man. Has a really free role and with him moving in and out of the midfield so often he seems to slip under the radar and looses his tagger.

6. Holland - Has become a tagger again.

10. Carracella - Playing the vintage Andrew Williams wing role (when he was good). That is floating on the wing up the forward line and defensive line and becoming a real link player especially around HBF at times. Cara has not been noted for his defensive ability and this is a crucial part of a small forward nowadays, has been told to learn some new tricks and seems to have rediscovered some old ones.

20. Tarrant - Also one given a licence to roam. Not just roam as in his trademark long leads, but roam in a style of a floating forward like R.Murphy or A.Embley. HFF is the ideal position for him however if need be can play FF and CHF.

23. Rocca - Full forward, is dangerous. Will probably be moved to CHF when fitter to get involved in the play more.

24. Lockyer - A bit of a relief/impact player of the bench. Also doing a bit of tagging.

26. Johnson - Not that much difference but alot of play is directed through him. Pinch hits on the wings/midfield and has become a real (sorry for the Americanism) "quarterback" for us.

27. Maxwell - Plays various roles depending on opposition. 3rd key back, CHB, loose backman, small defender.

32. T.Cloke - Again not much difference, CHF/3rd key forward but with a little time up back.

36. Swan - A transformed player. Last year was great at times as a small defender (still would like him at this role) and sometimes pinch hit in the midfield for a quarter. But his move to midfield full time has payed off for us. Not the most damaging player, nor the quickest but knows how to get it, uses it well and has a nice footy brain. Although I must admit now and again he has matchup brain fades.

 

[DidaksLeftFoot]

Nicely done Jabso

 

[Nardz]

10. Carracella - Playing the vintage Andrew Williams wing role (when he was good).

and you were doing so well til that comment..

 

[Coin_Toss]

I noticed the rotating too, Jabso. I think it is a wonderful idea, personally - now we seem to have the fresh legs to run over teams, especially in the 'premiership quarter'. So far the 'premiership quarter' has been our most efficient scoring quarter after three rounds.

 

[FIGJAM]

I think the only thing which has changed with Malthouse's game plan, is his propensity to encourage faster decision making. That is, move the ball on quickly, after marks, if possible.

The reason I think this is good, is because we've had guys like Freeborn and Woewodin who would stand around all day after a mark on half back, take five minutes to find an option, then kick to a contest for at best a null result.

Some players have struggled to adjust to this. Woey's gone as a result. Some players have to ensure that they kick over the mark first. Didak has to ensure that playing on after a mark isn't manditory!

Like everything, it's about balance. Malthouse happened to skew us a bit in favour of the defensive side of the ledger, which everyone seemed to love when we were winning finals in 02 & 03, and he still has great emphasis on this side which is clearly very important.

But as I said in 02 & 03, having blokes hold the ball for possession's sake is a non-sensical approach. Possession is obviously key, but you have to assess options quickly and move it quickly (where feasible) to provide a readable flow for the forward line. We've done this over the last six quarters, and arguably showed glimpses against the Cows (although the bad quarters were Freeborn-esque in delivery going forward).

 

[hotpie]

Well said Figgy.

The game plan is about playing to your strengths. In our case its move the ball quickly and give Taz and Pebbles a chance to lead, mark and goal from set shots, and for Didak and Davis to crumb. Its not about quick legs (because we still are a pretty slow team by comparison with others) , its quick brains, and thats why Woey is gone.

 

[Lonie_from_50]

Good stuff.

 

[Murray]

Swan, from defence to a wing with time rotating through the middle.

Thomas on a wing, with licence to run forward.

Heath Shaw, taking up his brothers role

 

[WhyWilliams]

I have never been a Carracella fan but surely he is a million times better than Andrew Williams.

"Vintage Andrew Williams when was that!

The new game plan is have three big ugly forwards and two ruckmen plus a number of other fit players. It helps having 37 players to pick from not 25 like last year.

But lets keep a lid on it.

 

[Jabso]

Have a look at the first three rounds of 2003. That is vintage Andrew Williams.

We seem to use the wings more than most clubs, now while going wide may not seem that fashionable it stops defenders clogging up the middle of the forward line and makes our delivery forward much less predictable.

 

[Murray]

Have a look at the first three rounds of 2003. That is vintage Andrew Williams.

We seem to use the wings more than most clubs, now while going wide may not seem that fashionable it stops defenders clogging up the middle of the forward line and makes our delivery forward much less predictable.

Spot on jabso
Mick loves to use the wings, then transfer the ball into the middle or into CHF.
This is probably one reason Tarrant should be given a try on a wing.

 

[Stakerz]

Well done mate, in reading that it makes me love Collingwood more

 

[jefffff34]

Have a look at the first three rounds of 2003. That is vintage Andrew Williams.

Wasn't there a thread somewhere that you made saying Willo was the buy of 2003?

 

[ant22]

Have a look at the first three rounds of 2003. That is vintage Andrew Williams.

We seem to use the wings more than most clubs, now while going wide may not seem that fashionable it stops defenders clogging up the middle of the forward line and makes our delivery forward much less predictable.

williams got under the the gaurd of opposition coaches when he first came to Collingwood. Once he was noticed he was useless. I reckon the word vintage would need to be used on a player that plays for than a few good games. Apart from that you are pretty accurate in your assesment.

Having said that its amazing how much a side can straighten up when you have something to kick to . For mine Johnson is the key out of the backline . His ability to actually grab the ball , break the lines and go direct(something very few backman do these days) is something we really missed from him last year. I really wanted him to become an onballer but I definaltely think he should stay back now . Its a big early call but I am tipping him for All Australian in the back pocket this year.