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- May 7, 2007
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- #1,101
One of the most noticeable differences was our cleanness by hand in the second half. What a difference it makes when players can gather the ball and have a second longer to pick an option, rather than constantly fumbling it. Masten was key in this area, and getting him more involved in the guys was crucial.
Our gameplan is clear, and I think it could bring success, but there has to be more physicality involved. For the last two years we've tried the 'corralling over tackling' option, and I am not at all a fan. In the second half we started tackling and tackling hard again, and it made such a difference. We shepparded, made actual efforts to smother balls and laid actual tangible pressure on the Demons. At this point Masten and Priddis got right on top.
Kerr is a massive in, because he is an excellent defensive midfielder as well as a great attacking one. Cox was poor in the ruck, but Kerr has the actual ability to turn a potential clearance loss into at least a draw. Shuey will benefit more than anyone from Naita's return, because he's always running to the most attacking spot. Cox's current shiteness means it ain't getting to that spot. He's working hard though.
Moving MoJu forward was a good move too, as he meant we could properly apply some forward pressure. Neither of the resting ruckmen can apply pressure like Naitanui, so putting Brennan there for that was a great call. Darling was incredible today, often running the length and back to chase and then present.
We missed MacKenzie and Waters, but I thought Schofield was much better. Selwood was better, Butler looks off the pace. A lot of their scoring same from free kicks and fifties. Some of them soft, some of them sloppy, but I thought for the most part out defenders had the better of it.
It did look like we got a bit of mojo back in that second half, but next week will give us a clearer idea. A fit Naitanui will make so, so much difference to this team, and Wellingham will be very valuable as well.
Lets hope this is somewhat of a tuning point.
Our gameplan is clear, and I think it could bring success, but there has to be more physicality involved. For the last two years we've tried the 'corralling over tackling' option, and I am not at all a fan. In the second half we started tackling and tackling hard again, and it made such a difference. We shepparded, made actual efforts to smother balls and laid actual tangible pressure on the Demons. At this point Masten and Priddis got right on top.
Kerr is a massive in, because he is an excellent defensive midfielder as well as a great attacking one. Cox was poor in the ruck, but Kerr has the actual ability to turn a potential clearance loss into at least a draw. Shuey will benefit more than anyone from Naita's return, because he's always running to the most attacking spot. Cox's current shiteness means it ain't getting to that spot. He's working hard though.
Moving MoJu forward was a good move too, as he meant we could properly apply some forward pressure. Neither of the resting ruckmen can apply pressure like Naitanui, so putting Brennan there for that was a great call. Darling was incredible today, often running the length and back to chase and then present.
We missed MacKenzie and Waters, but I thought Schofield was much better. Selwood was better, Butler looks off the pace. A lot of their scoring same from free kicks and fifties. Some of them soft, some of them sloppy, but I thought for the most part out defenders had the better of it.
It did look like we got a bit of mojo back in that second half, but next week will give us a clearer idea. A fit Naitanui will make so, so much difference to this team, and Wellingham will be very valuable as well.
Lets hope this is somewhat of a tuning point.
