Random thoughts not worthy of a thread (Part I)

[Kimbo]

... had a theory about our season next year... basically our biggest weakness last year was our contested footy, and we have two players Ziebell and Cunnington who could possibly turn this weakness into a strength off their own back this season --

...the stats for our 5 worst games of last year... apart from the Sydney game... the other 4 games (West Coast x2, Hawthorn and Fremantle) we had 21% less Clearances and 11% less Contested Touches.

For a Side that's 2nd in the league for DE% and Uncontested Possessions.. 5th in I50.. 3rd in Goals Kicked and 1st in Goal Kicking accuracy it doesn't take much effort to realize where our weakness was last season.

For the three main inside stats; Tackles, Clearances and Contested Possessions we ranked 14th, 8th and 13th respectively. Now if Ziebell raises his GT% to 75% and Cunnington to 80% (which is very possible) we figure to do much better in the contested areas then we went last year.

It is being weak around the contests which imo has been our biggest weakness under Brad Scott...

Interesting theory, and evidence, thanks MR. The last line I've quoted... has that been so every year of Scott's tenure? I thought we did okay a year or so back, but slipped back in 2012 as we focused on our uncontested/running/attacking footy more, yes?! If so, putting the two together will be deadly, particularly if we shift the kick/handball ratio a wee bit more (to help overcome the highly defensively structured sides).

 

[Mixed Results]

Interesting theory, and evidence, thanks MR. The last line I've quoted... has that been so every year of Scott's tenure? I thought we did okay a year or so back, but slipped back in 2012 as we focused on our uncontested/running/attacking footy more, yes?! If so, putting the two together will be deadly, particularly if we shift the kick/handball ratio a wee bit more (to help overcome the highly defensively structured sides).

Well we did play a much more uncontested game with our handball run, but unless I'm forgetting someone I can't think of any other real good clearance players we had for us in 2010 and 2011 apart from Greenwood getting more games, but yeah we probably did improve last year just our game plan skewed the stats to make it look like we declined. Looking it up we were 15th in CP in 2010 and 7th in 2011 so the only thing I can think of is maybe Todd Goldstein's drop of form hurt us more then we thought.

But still there is a lot of potential for us to stick to the gameplan and still have an elite contested ball crew if Ziebell and Cunnington step up.

 

[Black Diamond]

Thanks for taking the time, Mixed Results. Your perspective is definitely appreciated.

 

[roos_fanatic08]

thanks MR, quite a good read that.

While I do agree with your theory I also think that the game plan is too blame. If our players had more of a defensive mindset at the stoppages then I reckon out tackles would increase significantly while our oppositions clearance number would decrease slighty. Will be an interesting season.

 

[Kimbo]

Well we did play a much more uncontested game with our handball run, but unless I'm forgetting someone I can't think of any other real good clearance players we had for us in 2010 and 2011 apart from Greenwood getting more games, but yeah we probably did improve last year just our game plan skewed the stats to make it look like we declined. Looking it up we were 15th in CP in 2010 and 7th in 2011 so the only thing I can think of is maybe Todd Goldstein's drop of form hurt us more then we thought.

But still there is a lot of potential for us to stick to the game plan and still have an elite contested ball crew if Ziebell and Cunnington step up.

Yeah, that's kinda what I thought. For me, each of the three years has had a certain focus, or emphasis on the way towards (hopefully) 'putting it all together'.

We began to see the handball use and attacking focus in 2010, the benefit of which I saw as removing the Laidley-esque dour defensive/chip-chip game plan. The downside, due to fitness, inexperience and game style meant we were opened up big time on the counter attack (once the opposition got it over the top).

In 2011 we seemed to focus more on contested possessions and transitioning better from attack to defence, and maintaining a semblance of defensive structure. We were still found out mentally and physically against the top sides, however.

In 2012 we further 'improved' our attacking game plan, and augmented it with more run out of defence, particularly with the assistance of Atley's rapid maturation. We learned the lessons of the Port game and got better at slowing down and maintaining possession for the sake of defence while, at the same time, continuing to leverage our attacking strength (and not simply handballing for the sake of it).

In 2013 I'd like to continue to see improvement in kick/handball ratio or at least kicking effectiveness (in order to maintain possession and composure while in attack). That said, we don't want to throw the baby out with the bathwater and deny the effectiveness of our running/handballing game either. Both have a role.

The contested possessions, as you highlight, will help us vary our attack (from the middle and stoppages, not just on the counter attack from HB) while, at the same time, deny possession to the opposition. As much as I really hate Ross Lyon, I'd like to borrow a leaf or two from his playbook. Defensively, it would be good to mimic some of the structural elements, and offensively it would be good to learn how to better exploit or unpick it too. This is also where kicking effectiveness comes in.

Along with Cunnington, I'd like to see Ziebell, Bastinac, Wright, Harper and Atley (along with others) begin to show some (more) of the Wells/Harvey like awareness, skill and composure. What Roos would refer to as 'tricks' that provide the 'x factor'. The guys I've named have it, and should show increasingly more of it as they mature and develop more confidence. While they might not reach their level (yet), having more of these guys able to do this will spread the hurt factor across the paddock.

 

[GarnerSmash]

Further to what you say above Kimbo, I reckon there has been a fair bit of individual education going on while the guys have been playing at AFL level. For example, Cunners learning to block properly at stoppages at AFL level, which impacted his attitude towards winning the ball himself. I get the feeling that perhaps our drop off in contested possession and clearances from 2011 - 2012 was in part due to individuals learning aspects of the game in the hope of coming out the other side a more complete player. We shall see in due course...

 

[GarnerSmash]

You know what'd be good?

A photo gallery of the guys at training. I ain't homo (NTTAWWT) but I would like to see how the guys are developing physically over the course of the summer.

 

[Engimal]

You know what'd be good?

A photo gallery of the guys at training. I ain't homo (NTTAWWT) but I would like to see how the guys are developing physically over the course of the summer.

Agreed. Apparently Harper has put on a bit of weight.

 

[Husk]

Good posting.

Cunners and Ziebell really are key players for us this year. It's interesting to note Bastinac was also moved to an outside role last year.

 

[Moose Malloy]

Boomer linking up with Emile Heskey (not something I ever expected to say) on the new Rebel Sport ad:

 

[muttley45]

its gunna be a long painful year for the bulldogs

 

[King Corey]

Saw a few of the lads down at the tan this morning in official training gear.

By memory.. Lachie, LA, Ziebell, Patch, Taylor G, Taylor H, Jamie, Cam D, Currie, McKenzie, Atley, Gysberts.

There was some kind of fun run scheduled at the tan but the north boys had already done a quick lap. Whether they were going to then do the fun run I'm not sure.

As always when you see these guys in settings with non-footballers they are a hell of a lot taller and carry more lean mass than you expect. Garner was taller than I thought, looked close to the 188cm mark. Gysberts looked like he had put on a bit seeing him up close.

MacMillan and Atley are in top nick.

 

[ArjenTheGreat]

It took all of 22 seconds in season 2013 for Heppell to pull out of contest.

22 seconds LOL.

 

[mark73]

You know what'd be good?

A photo gallery of the guys at training. I ain't homo (NTTAWWT) but I would like to see how the guys are developing physically over the course of the summer.

Yeah, ok.

 

[Hard_to_Beat]

When did we recruit Johnny Knoxville?

 

[Shermanator]

One guess at Richmond's ladder position after the first two rounds of the NAB Cup???

HINT: It's between 8th and 10th..

 

[Moose Malloy]

Operation Premiership is on One at 1.30 PM today. For those that haven't seen it, it's a cracking look at North and Barassi in the 70s.

 

[Yondola]

As this is a random thought page i thought i would ask this random question. Whilst reliving the glory of my youth and watching the clip for 'The thing about football' by Greg champion i noticed the kangaroos supporter at 1:59 and remembered that during every single televised game when i was growing up the camera man always found her whether she was cheering or going ballistic about something. Just wondering if there is any particular significance with her and the club or not as it is a memory which has stuck in my head about our great club.

Dunno how to post a vid on here, but the link on youtube is can anyone answer this for me.

 

[The Butcher]

Can't help ya Yondola, but thanks for the clip and GO NORTH! Sport was better in the.... past.

p.S. How good is it to be North and not one of the multitude of scummy teams out there.

 

[Twinkletoes]

can anyone answer this for me.

It was purely because she and her daughters would sit in the same spot each wee, right near a camera on the boundary, and they'd "go ballistic" as you put it. The fact a couple of them were gorgeous girls helped too, I imagine. I know one of the daughters. The mum you speak of is almost 20 years older now but still alive and well, although I don't think she can get to games anymore. Her and her girls were certainly featured often in the ch7 footy coverage throughout the 90's.

 

[The Butcher]

I'm trying to find the footage of that former cats player who was nuts.. it's the famous clip where he did a dance around his opponent in the goal square while shadow boxing. For some reason i keep thinking Crackers Keenan and can't think of any other name. I reckon that steeple chaser they've got now is a dead ringer.

Any help much appreciated.

 

[muttley45]

I'm trying to find the footage of that former cats player who was nuts.. it's the famous clip where he did a dance around his opponent in the goal square while shadow boxing. For some reason i keep thinking Crackers Keenan and can't think of any other name. I reckon that steeple chaser they've got now is a dead ringer.

Any help much appreciated.

sounds like could be mark jackson

 

[The Butcher]

Thats the one thanks Muttley!

 

[The Northerner]

Thats the one thanks Muttley!

I think the moment you are thinking about is in this video here.

 

[King Corey]

It was purely because she and her daughters would sit in the same spot each wee

Probably just old age mate, it'll happen to us all.