Our kick in strategy

[The Great Gabsby]

Now we've never been the greatest kick in specialists. In fact for the last 10 years or so I'd say we were average at best. So its been interesting to see the strategies put in place this year.

In the first round we seemed to go short to the pockets and then try the ol run and carry around the opposition. Cue hospital handballs galore resulting in goals a plenty for the opposition.

But it seems as though in the collingwood game and especially the adelaide game, the strategy has changed. Instead of going short to the pockets, it seems we are targeting Jamar who has been instructed to float outside 50. Then one of two things happen - either Jamar marks and we're sweet, or Jamar creates a contest at his feet at which many dees players have now congregated and they work together to effect the take away and happy days ensue.

Its definitely an interesting strategy which was relatively effective against Adelaide, but seemed to really rely on the ground level players dominating the contested possessions in order to effect the take away. Rather then rely on keeping possession we are essentially kicking to a 50-50 and then backing our boys to get the clearance. Its a high risk reward type strategy which has worked so far but I just hope we have a plan B if we start getting smashed at the contested possessions.

 

[Crimson Azure]

I thought for the first time ever we had a strategy in mind. On the other hand we also had a great plan to stop the Crows kick out too.

 

[melbournemartin]

It's hardly a strategy to kick short to the pockets. Opposition teams nearly always concede that kick because they know they'll likely stop the next one.

On Adelaide we had the "kick long to Jamar" tactic and it worked well.

If we had another player who could take big pack marks, Stefan Martin perhaps or hopefully Max Gawn in the future, then we could have one poised on either flank and hopefully one of them wouldn't be opposed to an opposition ruckman.

 

[Nightman Cometh]

Definitely been one of the areas where we are behind the 8 ball in terms of strategy. The best teams seem to have a number of set plays bringing the ball out of defence. For eg, Collingwood and their shepherding of the man on the mark.

One thing I dont think we use often enough is the quick rebound. We never seem to get a quick kick in after a behind, and our slowness gives the other team heaps of time to set up their zone structures. That was one of the major reasons we got mauled by Hawthorn- we couldnt get the ball out of our 50 from kick ins.

 

[saj_21]

One thing I dont think we use often enough is the quick rebound. We never seem to get a quick kick in after a behind, and our slowness gives the other team heaps of time to set up their zone structures. That was one of the major reasons we got mauled by Hawthorn- we couldnt get the ball out of our 50 from kick ins.

Yeah good point about the speed in which we bring the ball back, you can have the best strategy in the game but if you take to long to intiate it, its effectiveness is greatly reduced. Whether we go short or long, we just need to make sure we get ball moving as quickly as possible.

We use to be pretty good in the kick outs around 04/05, we've seemed to struggle since the AFL brought the new rule in, but that has seemed to coincide with our general crapiness!

 

[DemonLord]

We did try a quick kick in on the weekend and that sneaky Crows player with the flags (also known as the goal umpire) was on to us and beat our guy around the head until he slowed down.

Sad but true.

DL.

 

[Crusty Demon]

I've been saying for years that Jamar or whoever the ruckman was come gameday, wasn't being targetted at our kick ins. Now whether that has been a stategy or our ruckmen weren't working hard enough, I'm not sure, but I did notice at the Adelaide game in particular, we looked for Jamar. If we can't find an open target in our defensive 50, then at least we have a plan B in looking for Jamar outside the 50. We seemed to have at least a 2 on 1 everytime we did it on Sunday which worked great. I believe this will get even better in the coming years, as Strauss is a fantastic kick and I'm sure will be utilized more when he becomes a regular in our first 22. I don't like us kicking into the back pocket, as it gives the opposition more time to put there zone into effect. There's a reason why teams don't man up on the back pocket on kick ins. It's exactly what they want you to do. Hopefully we can continue to get better at this important part of the game. Sunday was a step in the right direction....

 

[d33my]

There was quite a few times when the ball just sailed straight into Maric's (?) arms though,
I guess that was mostly due to poor kicking skills?

IMO we defs need at least two strategies because especially if we continue to select one genuine ruckmen Jamar will be wrecked by round 6 because he has to run and put himself in position every time.

 

[demonben]

It's simple really.
Just give the ball to Aaron davey.
You automatically win

 

[Demon 16]

Just let Moloney kick torpedos well into the centre square.

 

[melbournemartin]

Or better yet, re-recruit Paul Wheatley for that very job.

 

[Dez!]

Or better yet, re-recruit Paul Wheatley for that very job.

Wasn't that the previous plan that never worked?