One Technical Aspect Which Has Improved In 2007...

[The Royal Sampler]

Our tackling. I'm sick to death of seeing Joe Nobody waltz through five Collingwood would-be-tacklers and kick a goal, we were seriously one of the worst tackling teams in the league, in terms of tackles laid/held.

Brad Scott, if you're the man responsible for the astronomical improvement in our tackling this season, I owe you a beer.

 

[Magik]

Couldnt agree more. THey've become a great tackling side.

It's just the 100% effort right across the board thats the most noticable. One thing bout Malthouse coached teams is their heart!

 

[Magpie Mick]

i've noticed that the tackling has been great too!! It always used to s$&* watching our players try half hearted tackles !!!

 

[lenny20]

For all those naysayers on the importance of strong tackling:

2002 (GF): 44.7 tackles per game, 5th best in comp
2003 (GF): 44.4 tackles, 6th best

Two good years. Misleadingly low counts really since our opposition was hardly ever in possession, so we couldn't tackle them. As opposed to:

2004: 40.4 tackles, 16th (worst in comp)
2005: 40.6 tackles, 15th (2nd worst)

Two shite years. Last year:

2006: 45.7 tackles. 12th best.

Still not great but much better than a 40 average of the previous two years. Reflected by a 5th place finish.

But now, wait for it:

2007: 55.8 tackles per game (5th best)

That's a big jump. My conclusion? Football is all about tackling. Looks like we're heading for a good year.

 

[Stakerz]

I thought it was going to be our Kicking around the ground which would be another one to add to the list.

But I agree with you on this one, I remember last year we couldn't land a tackle for crap and players would get through with ease.

Bock and Edwards gave us the don't argue a couple of times which worked

 

[Frederlick]

For all those naysayers on the importance of strong tackling:

2002 (GF): 44.7 tackles per game, 5th best in comp
2003 (GF): 44.4 tackles, 6th best

Two good years. Misleadingly low counts really since our opposition was hardly ever in possession, so we couldn't tackle them. As opposed to:

2004: 40.4 tackles, 16th (worst in comp)
2005: 40.6 tackles, 15th (2nd worst)

Two shite years. Last year:

2006: 45.7 tackles. 12th best.

Still not great but much better than a 40 average of the previous two years. Reflected by a 5th place finish.

But now, wait for it:

2007: 55.8 tackles per game (5th best)

That's a big jump. My conclusion? Football is all about tackling. Looks like we're heading for a good year.

Great stat, out of interest who is first?

 

[3066]

Brad Scott, if you're the man responsible for the astronomical improvement in our tackling this season, I owe you a beer.

And I'll buy you a souvlaki too.

Seriously, it has been brilliant hasn't it.

 

[The Royal Sampler]

Sure has.

I hadn't seen the stats, thanks for those lenny20. It was just so apparent from watching the games that we were executing our tackles much better this year.

 

[prO]

Great stat, out of interest who is first?

1 Sydney
2 Melbourne
3 Kangaroos
4 Port Adelaide
5 Collingwood
6 Brisbane Lions

With the exception of Melbourne, that says it all really.

 

[Cyclops]

I was aware our pressure had improved this year. By god we're ragged in our delivery but so are the opposition.

This time last year we were all smooth delivery and not touchjing the sides, but strong teams could rough us up (eg Adelaide).

This year we're going down to the sides with teamwrok (Port and Eagles) but running the rest ragged. Good to see.

1 Sydney
2 Melbourne
3 Kangaroos
4 Port Adelaide
5 Collingwood
6 Brisbane Lions

With the exception of Melbourne, that says it all really.

Your point that tackle counts are reliant on opposition possesion holds true for melbourne: if they're chasing bums all day they're bound to get a few tackles.

 

[MarkT]

Have to agree. I’ve been frustrated for a while with our meek tackling efforts and we look back to our 2002/3 level again.

 

[sloth6]

Just hold your breath Royal Sampler,

Ryan Lonie and Chris Egan are yet to play in a match together.

Missed tackles, baulks and easy get aways will once again be high in number!

 

[ralu]

Our tackling. I'm sick to death of seeing Joe Nobody waltz through five Collingwood would-be-tacklers and kick a goal, we were seriously one of the worst tackling teams in the league, in terms of tackles laid/held.

Brad Scott, if you're the man responsible for the astronomical improvement in our tackling this season, I owe you a beer.

Maybe several brews

 

[Lonie_from_50]

Good thread and great stats lenny.

Brad Scott surely responsible.

 

[Pemby]

Our tackling. I'm sick to death of seeing Joe Nobody waltz through five Collingwood would-be-tacklers and kick a goal, we were seriously one of the worst tackling teams in the league, in terms of tackles laid/held.

Brad Scott, if you're the man responsible for the astronomical improvement in our tackling this season, I owe you a beer.

Absolutely. He has brought the Brisbane Lions secret to winning premierships. Hard, attacking football.