Patience is needed but...

[The Donners]

It's the first season for Matthew Knights. I love the attacking nature of his game plan... I don't like the defensive nature or lack there of.

The players must work for each other, the team work shown during the NAB series hasn't been brought into the season for proper bar some fleeting moments.

When possible, what I want to see is ALL the 1st, 2nd and 3rd year players get an extended run at some stage during the season otherwise this year will be a waste. We know what the senior players can do and in the harsh reality these are the players that couldn't get us to the finals in the previous 3 seasons.

More tough decisions will have to be made at seasons end however those same tough decisions will need to be made during this season! At the risk of turning to the old hands I want the young players to take thei role and so far I think to a large extent this has happened!

More accountable football, more youth being tested/blooded and greater skills. If these things happen through this season and the next we could be in for a very exciting ride!

 

[lamaros]

Knights has said that the priority at the moment is to get the attacking mentality and basic structures in place. He has a lot of other aspects to add to the gameplan be he said he wasn't to get the basics right before adding more things and risking over-complicating and confusing the players in this learning stage.

I have confidence that he has a lot more in mind than the run and carry we see at the moment, and that those things will come into the game as we progress.

Comparing the season proper to the NAB cup is silly.

 

[The Donners]

Knights has said that the priority at the moment is to get the attacking mentality and basic structures in place. He has a lot of other aspects to add to the gameplan be he said he wasn't to get the basics right before adding more things and risking over-complicating and confusing the players in this learning stage.

I have confidence that he has a lot more in mind than the run and carry we see at the moment, and that those things will come into the game as we progress.

Comparing the season proper to the NAB cup is silly.

You're right, ensuring your opponent doesn't get an easy kick is highly complicated!

As for comparing the season proper to the NAB Cup, I'm not comparing the limited success we had but the intensity and accountability. Tackling, shepparding and working for each other... that's not a basic element of the game?

 

[lamaros]

You're right, ensuring your opponent doesn't get an easy kick is highly complicated!

As for comparing the season proper to the NAB Cup, I'm not comparing the limited success we had but the intensity and accountability. Tackling, shepparding and working for each other... that's not a basic element of the game?

You should apply to Essendon to be the coach. It's obviously a lot easier than people think, I'm sure you'll do a better job than Knights.

NAB doesn't have the same intensity from the teams so you can't compare the two. Anyone can look like they're working harder when the other team is just getting a run out for fitness.

 

[The Donners]

You should apply to Essendon to be the coach. It's obviously a lot easier than people think, I'm sure you'll do a better job than Knights.

NAB doesn't have the same intensity from the teams so you can't compare the two. Anyone can look like they're working harder when the other team is just getting a run out for fitness.

Na, I wasn't a former Richmond captain.

No matter what game of football, whatever level of football, whatever competition, tackling and shepparding is a basic element of football.

 

[Go Gully]

You're right, ensuring your opponent doesn't get an easy kick is highly complicated!

As for comparing the season proper to the NAB Cup, I'm not comparing the limited success we had but the intensity and accountability. Tackling, shepparding and working for each other... that's not a basic element of the game?

Silly statement. Have you not seen the way footy has evolved over the past few years?

Defensive structures which teams now use allows opposition teams to get easy kicks in the defensive half and through the midfield but the idea of the set-up is to clog up the oppositions 50 and make them kick to at best a 50-50 contest then with numbers at the contest run and carry the ball in waves. Which will inturn give us plenty of uncontested disposals also.

 

[The Donners]

Silly statement. Have you not seen the way footy has evolved over the past few years?

Defensive structures which teams now use allows opposition teams to get easy kicks in the defensive half and through the midfield but the idea of the set-up is to clog up the oppositions 50 and make them kick to at best a 50-50 contest then with numbers at the contest run and carry the ball in waves. Which will inturn give us plenty of uncontested disposals also.

Which teams are you referring to, the good ones or the shit ones?

Evolved? True. For better or for worse? Less footballers with little footy smarts?

Use Geelong as an example of how to play, they are the benchmark after all. If all football was played like theirs, there are no easy kicks. They are free flowing AND accountable. Hawthorn are free flowing AND accountable.

Silly statement you say? Play more accountable football and you'll be heading in the right direction!

 

[Slattery_20]

Atmo, we just look like a bunch of kids trying to play with a bunch of guys who're stuck in bad old habits and a few old superstars. Need to get more games under new game plan especially into the youngsters. Talent + fitness + experience all needed

(as an aside, Hawthorn aren't that free-flowing: they labour the ball quite a bit when they're struggling. cf Saints game last year or any game the year prior)

I'm quite happy with Knights trying to perfect the plan A before worrying about plan B. This year it doesn't matter all that much if we lose a match or two, most would be happier with 8 wins & games into Houli et al than trying for those extra few we are capable of if we played Pev etc

 

[The Dustbin]

I agree with most of The Donners points.

I'm not fazed about this year, of course I want to win and play in the finals. Unfortunately with injuries now set in, realistically we are going to find it hard make the top 8. I'll get my enjoyment from seeing the development of Myers, Reimers, Gumby, Daniher, Houli, Dempsey, Jetta, Pears, Ryder etc. and seeing the players respond to Knights game style/plan.

I've seen enough of Knights already and what he has bought to the table in terms of game style, list management, player development and match fitness (Even though the sof tissue injuries have been shocking).

One last thing, people have to learn to accept other peoples views and opinions. After all this a forum.

 

[The Donners]

Atmo, we just look like a bunch of kids trying to play with a bunch of guys who're stuck in bad old habits and a few old superstars. Need to get more games under new game plan especially into the youngsters. Talent + fitness + experience all needed

(as an aside, Hawthorn aren't that free-flowing: they labour the ball quite a bit when they're struggling. cf Saints game last year or any game the year prior)

I'm quite happy with Knights trying to perfect the plan A before worrying about plan B. This year it doesn't matter all that much if we lose a match or two, most would be happier with 8 wins & games into Houli et al than trying for those extra few we are capable of if we played Pev etc

Agree 100%

 

[The Donners]

I agree with most of The Donners points.

I'm not fazed about this year, of course I want to win and play in the finals. Unfortunately with injuries now set in, realistically we are going to find it hard make the top 8. I'll get my enjoyment from seeing the development of Myers, Reimers, Gumby, Daniher, Houli, Dempsey, Jetta, Pears, Ryder etc. and seeing the players respond to Knights game style/plan.

I've seen enough of Knights already and what he has bought to the table in terms of game style, list management, player development and match fitness (Even though the sof tissue injuries have been shocking).

One last thing, people have to learn to accept other peoples views and opinions. After all this a forum.

True, but doesn't mean you have to agree with them!

 

[ant555]

Im pretty sure that the Knights game plan includes more defensive pressure given it was the first thing he mentioned we neeeded to improve on when he got the job.
People keep asuming our game plan does not include defensive pressure but that is not the case. The times we have applied it we look very good. The problem has been a number of players continue to fall into old and lazy habits. They try and zone or corral. They dont chase loose players. They let players run on the inside to recieve hanballs. When have put pressure on these areas we have played some really good footy.
It is not the game plan that is falling down. It is the players not doing enough of the one percenters and poor skill errors that keep burning us.

 

[Daytripper]

Silly statement. Have you not seen the way footy has evolved over the past few years?

Defensive structures which teams now use allows opposition teams to get easy kicks in the defensive half and through the midfield but the idea of the set-up is to clog up the oppositions 50 and make them kick to at best a 50-50 contest then with numbers at the contest run and carry the ball in waves. Which will inturn give us plenty of uncontested disposals also.

Great post.

 

[Slattery_20]

Im pretty sure that the Knights game plan includes more defensive pressure given it was the first thing he mentioned we neeeded to improve on when he got the job.
People keep asuming our game plan does not include defensive pressure but that is not the case. The times we have applied it we look very good. The problem has been a number of players continue to fall into old and lazy habits. They try and zone or corral. They dont chase loose players. They let players run on the inside to recieve hanballs. When have put pressure on these areas we have played some really good footy.
It is not the game plan that is falling down. It is the players not doing enough of the one percenters and poor skill errors that keep burning us.

Inexperience & unfamiliarity are killing us. These will improve
People seem to have forgotten the good patches - middle quarters against Dogs was probably a good example, tackled & pressured & worried a decent side out of it

 

[The Donners]

Im pretty sure that the Knights game plan includes more defensive pressure given it was the first thing he mentioned we neeeded to improve on when he got the job.
People keep asuming our game plan does not include defensive pressure but that is not the case. The times we have applied it we look very good. The problem has been a number of players continue to fall into old and lazy habits. They try and zone or corral. They dont chase loose players. They let players run on the inside to recieve hanballs. When have put pressure on these areas we have played some really good footy.
It is not the game plan that is falling down. It is the players not doing enough of the one percenters and poor skill errors that keep burning us.

You're right, lack of accountability wouldn't be a part of his gameplan, I do realise that. Perhaps then he needs to make examples of his players rather than allow it to continue? Tough love might work?

 

[Pevers-Legend]

Im pretty sure that the Knights game plan includes more defensive pressure given it was the first thing he mentioned we neeeded to improve on when he got the job.
People keep asuming our game plan does not include defensive pressure but that is not the case. The times we have applied it we look very good. The problem has been a number of players continue to fall into old and lazy habits. They try and zone or corral. They dont chase loose players. They let players run on the inside to recieve hanballs. When have put pressure on these areas we have played some really good footy.
It is not the game plan that is falling down. It is the players not doing enough of the one percenters and poor skill errors that keep burning us.

I agree. We did these things in the NAB cup and seem to have dropped the ball.

One point to note is that our worst game in the NAB cup for defensive pressure and run was against St. Kilda when we had our oldest line up. It is the seniors who need ot pull their weight in this regard more and set the the tone for the juniors.