Dee Believer
Rookie
- Joined
- Aug 23, 2012
- Posts
- 30
- Reaction score
- 42
- AFL Club
- Melbourne
I agree with the various points that have been made in this thread about player development (or lack thereof by guys such as Bate) and how our KPIs are developing throughout the year.
The GWS game was not a pretty game of football to watch - far from it. We still do look uncertain at times and do overuse the footy at half-back. There is a whole other debate going on too about whether the players understand the gameplan and believe in the gameplan.
I think it is important to remember two things here:
1) Whilst the main elements remain constant, gameplans evolve constantly and the coaching group will emphase different aspects of the gameplan from week-to-week depending on the previous match, match-ups, etc. Neeld comes from the Collingwood school of thought which Malthouse described as "We'd prefer to save a goal than kick a goal". The players' first instinct is to go defensive, tackle and if need be make the game scrappy to ensure that we do not concede easy goals. This defensive mindset was largely non-existent under Bailey. Until this defensive element is settled and becomes second nature to the players, it will be Neeld's primary focus and our ball movement up field will be a second priority.
2) A gameplan is only as good as the players who execute it. As was discussed above, both Neeld and Dave Misson agreed that our players lacked the necessary physical fitness and condition to be an elite-level side. We can't play Geelong/Collingwood/Sydney-style footy until the blokes are physically fit and strong enough to do so. This will take time and I'd prefer to build it slowly than go down the Essendon path and employ "The Weapon" to wreck the hamstrings/quads/calves of every player with endless weight sessions.
My biggest question about our gameplan under both Bailey and Neeld is the inability to stop opposition sides getting a run on. We have been competitive for 3 quarters in so many games and then get blown away in one quarter. I don't know if it is the responsibility of the coaching group or players to take action to stop 2 quick goals quickly becoming 7-8 in a row but we need to address it soon to become a better side.
The GWS game was not a pretty game of football to watch - far from it. We still do look uncertain at times and do overuse the footy at half-back. There is a whole other debate going on too about whether the players understand the gameplan and believe in the gameplan.
I think it is important to remember two things here:
1) Whilst the main elements remain constant, gameplans evolve constantly and the coaching group will emphase different aspects of the gameplan from week-to-week depending on the previous match, match-ups, etc. Neeld comes from the Collingwood school of thought which Malthouse described as "We'd prefer to save a goal than kick a goal". The players' first instinct is to go defensive, tackle and if need be make the game scrappy to ensure that we do not concede easy goals. This defensive mindset was largely non-existent under Bailey. Until this defensive element is settled and becomes second nature to the players, it will be Neeld's primary focus and our ball movement up field will be a second priority.
2) A gameplan is only as good as the players who execute it. As was discussed above, both Neeld and Dave Misson agreed that our players lacked the necessary physical fitness and condition to be an elite-level side. We can't play Geelong/Collingwood/Sydney-style footy until the blokes are physically fit and strong enough to do so. This will take time and I'd prefer to build it slowly than go down the Essendon path and employ "The Weapon" to wreck the hamstrings/quads/calves of every player with endless weight sessions.
My biggest question about our gameplan under both Bailey and Neeld is the inability to stop opposition sides getting a run on. We have been competitive for 3 quarters in so many games and then get blown away in one quarter. I don't know if it is the responsibility of the coaching group or players to take action to stop 2 quick goals quickly becoming 7-8 in a row but we need to address it soon to become a better side.
