Coach Patch is ... stepping away to pursue other opportunities at the end of 2025

[D23D]

 

[amaz199]

Looking forward to what Patch can do with the forwards.

I felt like his interim had significant impact on our forward structures. We seemed to be more dangerous with the ball and although we still looked like a mess at times, showed we could at least put some scoreboard pressure.

I think with the lack of tall forward height, Patch should be looking to prioritise crumbing and stoppage setups in forward 50 as well as utilising Larkey up the ground a little more to open the space up for our mediums and smalls to get some separation. Comben may not be the answer now but we can mitigate that as much as we can by being quicker with our transition. A loose defender or two are useless if the ball isn't flying in from 50m away.

In all honesty, if I see some decent forward structure I will take it. We literally looked like the most uninspiring team offensively until Noble got the sack along with Heath University.

 

[King Corey]

Ok.

If the 2023 forwards coach was Heath Younie, I think a few more would've zeroed in on this line for further discussion.

We're a side in development and flux but where is the forward structure - and its coach at?

Watching live at most recent games, when we control the play there's an inevitable feeling of impending failure when we bring the ball forward.

Standard operating mode appears to be:

• Stationary Larkey trying to mark between 1-2 tall defenders
• Intercepting defenders stationed in the hot spots
• No smalls running to position or crouched ready to take advantage of spills / almost never see players camped goalside for cheapies
• Few viable leads from players other than Larkey
• Few marks in the corridor or in range
• A feeling of chaos when we get forward 50 possession, like everyone is just winging it in their first scratch for the club without any real system
• Players very hesitant to take snap shots, instead over-possessing more often than not

Going to assume these outcomes are a split between players not delivering to instructions - but also the instructions themselves.

As mentioned in another thread, our scoring primarily relies on Larkey, Zurhaar or Stephenson of late providing a "hero" effort of some kind. What are the other 3-4 players floating around there doing each game?

I can see signs of a plan in our team defence, ball movement etc even when it breaks down. But the forward line constantly looks messy and disorganised.

 

[Harris 10]

Ok.

If the 2023 forwards coach was Heath Younie, I think a few more would've zeroed in on this line for further discussion.

We're a side in development and flux but where is the forward structure - and its coach at?

Watching live at most recent games, when we control the play there's an inevitable feeling of impending failure when we bring the ball forward.

Standard operating mode appears to be:

• Stationary Larkey trying to mark between 1-2 tall defenders
• Intercepting defenders stationed in the hot spots
• No smalls running to position or crouched ready to take advantage of spills / almost never see players camped goalside for cheapies
• Few viable leads from players other than Larkey
• Few marks in the corridor or in range
• A feeling of chaos when we get forward 50 possession, like everyone is just winging it in their first scratch for the club without any real system
• Players very hesitant to take snap shots, instead over-possessing more often than not

Going to assume these outcomes are a split between players not delivering to instructions - but also the instructions themselves.

As mentioned in another thread, our scoring primarily relies on Larkey, Zurhaar or Stephenson of late providing a "hero" effort of some kind. What are the other 3-4 players floating around there doing each game?

I can see signs of a plan in our team defence, ball movement etc even when it breaks down. But the forward line constantly looks messy and disorganised.

I think you can extend the conversation to everything forward of centre as our mids and wings don't help. Our ball movement and positioning needs a heap of work and it won't be a quick fix.

On personell I think you can lock in the three you mentioned Larkey, Zurhaar or Stephenson as forward locks going forward, every other position is up for grabs in the forward line. Both wings up for grabs, and only LDU is a lock in the midfield.

 

[Samsquanch]

I think you can extend the conversation to everything forward of centre as our mids and wings don't help. Our ball movement and positioning needs a heap of work and it won't be a quick fix.

On personell I think you can lock in the three you mentioned Larkey, Zurhaar or Stephenson as forward locks going forward, every other position is up for grabs in the forward line. Both wings up for grabs, and only LDU is a lock in the midfield.

I look forward to seeing Sheezle and Drury taking positions in attack by mid season and to seeing Ford or Chom, heck, even CCJ assuming key positions to create more opportunities for converting almost scores into actual goals. Stephenson has a spot.

Zurhaar, Curtis and Taylor can work out amongst themselves who wants to be there the most.

Mahoney doesn't need to go forward. He is at least capable of hitting a target with a 20m pass to move the ball out of defence.

 

[tazaa]

Can he find the on/off button on Curtis and reset him please

 

[King Corey]

Will say it again - no scrutiny for this guy or his line?

Forward structure - what structure?

First quarter we were generating solid chances from good footy. Lost count of the simple intercepts and defenders simply getting in front of their forwards. No nuance or method once we we got inside 50.

There's also the lack of easy goals. We have enough spills down there now with 2 big guys but the forward line functions as a mash of parts rather than looking to have any real organisation.

 

[Horizons_00]

Isn’t Jonathan Brown helping us out? :/

 

[Devington]

Isn’t Jonathan Brown helping us out? :/

Does game review with a few players, probably only the big forwards, goes over their footage with them. AFAIK it's as small/simple as that. Not to discount how valuable it is though.

 

[TennisPlayerAndy]

Will say it again - no scrutiny for this guy or his line?

Forward structure - what structure?

First quarter we were generating solid chances from good footy. Lost count of the simple intercepts and defenders simply getting in front of their forwards. No nuance or method once we we got inside 50.

There's also the lack of easy goals. We have enough spills down there now with 2 big guys but the forward line functions as a mash of parts rather than looking to have any real organisation.

The whole forward half is a black hole.

Talls leading away from the ball carrier. Mediums in unusable positions. Smalls doing…..nothing.

Disastrous.

 

[The Nostradamus]

At least he got Lowson to sign with our vfl team

Forward line is going ok I’m more concerned with the backline

Blakey should be sacked imo

 

[hoffseason gains]

At least he got Lowson to sign with our vfl team

Forward line is going ok I’m more concerned with the backline

Blakey should be sacked imo

IMO Backline is a talent problem, Forward line a structure problem. Backline generally decently set up if not for disastrous lack of pressure upfield.

 

[tazaa]

Xavier Clarke looked after Richmond's forward line.
Patch in the gun?

 

[Nylex]

Xavier Clarke looked after Richmond's forward line.
Patch in the gun?

I hope not. He’s a high quality man

 

[Val Keating]

I hope not. He’s a high quality man

Usually I’m of the opinion that to be a good coach someone should experience another club environment, but coaching under Clarko will be fantastic for his career.

 

[Horizons_00]

Piss off Patch. Midfield has been shithouse.

 

[SunnyBoner]

Piss off Patch. Midfield has been shithouse.

Surely Clako signs off whatever Patch (or the other line coaches) recommends for our midfield?

 

[Disco Dew]

Patch is gone thread when?

 

[giantroo]

 

[backtothedraft]

Lovely guy but the right call. I hope we go external to appoint our next midfield coach. We've invested so much draft capital in that line we need to get the right coach to develop and uplift the group.

 

[hilly]

I'm guilty of it as well but tbh I dont know how we have satisfied ourselves that Person X is a quality assistant coach.

 

[jay317]

Wasn't someone saying none of our assistants were signed for next year. Yet they all are except Patch? So more of the same next year?

 

[Chadwiko]

Wasn't someone saying none of our assistants were signed for next year. Yet they all are except Patch? So more of the same next year?

That was me and I was told that all of our assistants were out of contract at the end of this year. Sounds like some of them may have been re-signed, but not Patch.

 

[King Corey]

Lovely guy but the right call. I hope we go external to appoint our next midfield coach. We've invested so much draft capital in that line we need to get the right coach to develop and uplift the group.

Themanbun shot holes in our midfield setups on a weekly basis earlier in the year.

Underwhelming bordering on awful when the personnel are factored in.

Time for change.

 

[Shinboner1]

Nothing changes if nothing changes man