So far in 2022 it's noticeable in just 3 games that quite a lot has changed in the way we play compared to last year. I thought it would be good to start a thread to see what people had noticed was different about the way we play and to celebrate the positive changes we've made to our game plan and style of play. It's very clear the players understand the game plan, expectations of them and are now able to execute in a really organised and effective way. Big well done to Vossy and the coaches on being able to achieve this so quickly!
For me there's a few things that i've seen...
1. The first and most obvious one is our desire to clear a stoppage using handball. There are a lot more quick short handballs to move the ball around the stoppage and congestion to someone who can kick with less pressure or who is able to run towards goal uninhibited. This has replaced the Ed Curnow and Mitch Robinson style of hack kick out of congestion that always went to the opposition team. This has allowed us to keep more possession of the ball and not be scored against as easily as we aren't giving the ball back to them all the time.
2. Our centre bounce setup structure has been extremely effective - we usually move into positions (once the ball goes up) so that we have one player out the back and one out the front. We've seen a number of times where the person out the front has received the handball and had a clean run towards 50 which has worked quite well. Ruckman are hitting in down to the defensive side where they can. Equally we are seeing the use of handball to get the clearance and find an outside runner for the kick where it's possible.
3. Outside run off the back of the square from the HB's and anytime we have a mark or possession has been quite noticeable. We have great kicks from the backline and between Williams, Saad, Doc and Newman, we have used these players to get kicks in deeper by running past looking for the handball. In line with the run is also what looks like a general mandate of not standing on the mark and backing off. This seems to be working quite well in that the player who would otherwise stand the mark now gets to be part of the zone rather than someone to run around.
4. In general play our transition to i50 is much more methodical than last year which was an absolute mess. We are able to maintain possession down the wing with a tall being the outlet as we move the ball forward. We leave space open so that we can lead back into it and take the mark. Rinse and repeat until we get to the kick inside 50 which tends to be more central than in previous year. This has also allowed us to play tempo footy and slow things down and hold possession really well when we've needed to kill opposition momentum.
5. Our forwards are structured up well so they can try the mark or bring it to ground where our smalls are setup perfectly. This is far more organised than last year where the opposition intercept defender would own us every week of last year. Equally a lot more of our entries are from central positions due to the HB runners and centre clearances giving us greater variety as to where we kick inside 50. The 3rd tall up forward is also helping to great more forward stoppages where our tackling has been first class.
6. Our pressure game has ramped up significantly although it almost appears like there is a focus on getting speed at the opposition ball carrier rather than necessarily tackling. The workrate is up which is pleasing and equally the defensive and offensive running is noticeably better. They showed on Fox last night the mids transitioning into the forward line to put pressure on the fall of the ball and to lock it in. Last year i saw plenty of front running but not in an organised and deliberate way which often meant we got caught out when it rebounded.
7. The wingers are being used properly this year! They are being given the ball and are often the outlet when the ball is switched from the other side. Even we switch we have been much better are luring the opposition players in first to create more space on the opposite wing. Clearly as part of the team defense the wingers are required to drop into the backline regularly to help. LOB was on the last line a couple of times as evidence of this. Happy to also rotate others into the wings at times too with JSOS, Fogarty and Fish all being used there over the past couple of weeks for rotations.
8. Players playing positions they are used to playing in. Doc backline. Williams HB. Fisher rotating on-ball and HFF. Kennedy mid.
9. Cripps injury free, enough said!
What have others seen that is different?
For me there's a few things that i've seen...
1. The first and most obvious one is our desire to clear a stoppage using handball. There are a lot more quick short handballs to move the ball around the stoppage and congestion to someone who can kick with less pressure or who is able to run towards goal uninhibited. This has replaced the Ed Curnow and Mitch Robinson style of hack kick out of congestion that always went to the opposition team. This has allowed us to keep more possession of the ball and not be scored against as easily as we aren't giving the ball back to them all the time.
2. Our centre bounce setup structure has been extremely effective - we usually move into positions (once the ball goes up) so that we have one player out the back and one out the front. We've seen a number of times where the person out the front has received the handball and had a clean run towards 50 which has worked quite well. Ruckman are hitting in down to the defensive side where they can. Equally we are seeing the use of handball to get the clearance and find an outside runner for the kick where it's possible.
3. Outside run off the back of the square from the HB's and anytime we have a mark or possession has been quite noticeable. We have great kicks from the backline and between Williams, Saad, Doc and Newman, we have used these players to get kicks in deeper by running past looking for the handball. In line with the run is also what looks like a general mandate of not standing on the mark and backing off. This seems to be working quite well in that the player who would otherwise stand the mark now gets to be part of the zone rather than someone to run around.
4. In general play our transition to i50 is much more methodical than last year which was an absolute mess. We are able to maintain possession down the wing with a tall being the outlet as we move the ball forward. We leave space open so that we can lead back into it and take the mark. Rinse and repeat until we get to the kick inside 50 which tends to be more central than in previous year. This has also allowed us to play tempo footy and slow things down and hold possession really well when we've needed to kill opposition momentum.
5. Our forwards are structured up well so they can try the mark or bring it to ground where our smalls are setup perfectly. This is far more organised than last year where the opposition intercept defender would own us every week of last year. Equally a lot more of our entries are from central positions due to the HB runners and centre clearances giving us greater variety as to where we kick inside 50. The 3rd tall up forward is also helping to great more forward stoppages where our tackling has been first class.
6. Our pressure game has ramped up significantly although it almost appears like there is a focus on getting speed at the opposition ball carrier rather than necessarily tackling. The workrate is up which is pleasing and equally the defensive and offensive running is noticeably better. They showed on Fox last night the mids transitioning into the forward line to put pressure on the fall of the ball and to lock it in. Last year i saw plenty of front running but not in an organised and deliberate way which often meant we got caught out when it rebounded.
7. The wingers are being used properly this year! They are being given the ball and are often the outlet when the ball is switched from the other side. Even we switch we have been much better are luring the opposition players in first to create more space on the opposite wing. Clearly as part of the team defense the wingers are required to drop into the backline regularly to help. LOB was on the last line a couple of times as evidence of this. Happy to also rotate others into the wings at times too with JSOS, Fogarty and Fish all being used there over the past couple of weeks for rotations.
8. Players playing positions they are used to playing in. Doc backline. Williams HB. Fisher rotating on-ball and HFF. Kennedy mid.
9. Cripps injury free, enough said!
What have others seen that is different?
"Goddess" 
