Ball use, ball movement, ball retention, ball delivery. In a game of some 250-300 possessions or whatever, the relative efficiency of this by either side becomes crucial to the outcome.
Both teams’ pressure was good. So under the pressure applied, generally:
The Hawks: appeared to maintain poise more, (including absorb the tackle) get it out to a guy who has clearer vision downfield, (a few handballs) hence a better kick forward : clean clearance
Blues: (though Cripps and George at times were doing some of the above early I thought), I can’t count the times our guys rushed it to boot coming out of congestion, with a blind kick forward: dirty clearance
Going with the assumption we are not instructed to use blind kicks, ergo its happening by default when the pressure is applied in close/congestion
The Hawks method looks like a discipline, presumably trained, practised under pressure conditions
Last night was the most evident display I think I’ve seen, of the contrast between two different ball use methods, broadly: Precise kicking to advantage VS. Untargeted blind/rushed kicks
I think We can improve this and turn fortunes around ‘in-season’ pretty quickly if we, Urgently:
a) -we need to have an “absolutely no blind kicks rule” (take extra 1/2 second, absorb tackle if necessary, look, handball to better position/ look for target when Kicking ), and, practise this under pressure conditions. Starting today. Guys like Walsh, Cerra, DeKonig can change the way they do this, but it requires changing some habits (Cripps has shown us this can be done)
b) -get Boyd in, Carroll if ready, and look to fast track Wilson if he’s thereabouts, and White. Speed and ball use.
Must do’s. Or else start a reset.
A lot of the defensive pressure and positioning was good and we were right in it, if a few things had gone our way (we missed a few, were denied a few), so there’s upside to get in it this season if we attend urgently
