So what's actually changed?

[Canyouhearthedrums]

Is it? Week 1 we didnt have Walsh, and week 2 we didnt have Cerra. The growth has come from guys like Kennedy and JSOS improving, a game plan that plays more to our strengths, and an attitude shift across the whole club.

We had people out but it’s the first time in a decade we’ve fielded a deep, finals quality midfield. I’m not trying to diminish all the other stuff but none of that matters without the midfield.

We can argue about whether that’s the additions, or coaching or whatever (it’s all of them I guess). But the midfield is the thing for me. It’s glorious.

 

[forever blue 1]

We had people out but it’s the first time in a decade we’ve fielded a deep, finals quality midfield. I’m not trying to diminish all the other stuff but none of that matters without the midfield.

We can argue about whether that’s the additions, or coaching or whatever (it’s all of them I guess). But the midfield is the thing for me. It’s glorious.

Could we do a 1993 bombers year?
In the terms of that they won when they really shouldn’t have ?

 

[slashin_velvet]

Could we do a 1993 bombers year?
In the terms of that they won when they really shouldn’t have ?

No, because so far were suggesting we should be in the mix

 

[forever blue 1]

No, because so far were suggesting we should be in the mix

That’s not what my question was though
Yes said could we
Not what the current topic is
Excuse me
Exist stage left even

 

[My Hat]

Probably as much a consequence of what's changed as a cause, but it seems like we're taking our chances more often. In the past we'd occasionally have a patch where we dominated but weren't able to finish our work. But in both games so far we've enjoyed a period of dominance leading to a 7 goal quarter.

Sure wouldn't mind seeing a quarter like that in most of our games.

 

[forever blue 1]

Probably as much a consequence of what's changed as a cause, but it seems like we're taking our chances more often. In the past we'd occasionally have a patch where we dominated but weren't able to finish our work. But in both games so far we've enjoyed a period of dominance leading to a 7 goal quarter.

Sure wouldn't mind seeing a quarter like that in most of our games.

It’s silly for me to suggest
But it’s true in some aspects of life
The best way if defence is to attack
I know that don’t for the footy game perfectly but it’s true I feel
Want to put pressure on when you’re under attack
Hit them them with Carlton hell
Go fab 5

 

[Red Bull]

The insidious unholy alliance were rightly given the “lemon and sars”

Absolutely no coincidence in what we’re now seeing from the Carlton fc as a result …

 

[Ricky Mott]

We have Michael Voss!!!!

 

[therubbernub]

Luke Sayers has been a been forgotten in a lot of the good that has come over the past 6 months despite being essentially the architect in mid 2021.

Even prior to Teague commencing as senior coach there's was clearly some disconnect within the club and the priorities following Bolton's appointment. Lots of emphasis on ringing in memberships and updating our social media profile, assistance coaches seemingly never assessed through industry standards, a shockingly underfunded footy program which saw plenty of talented guys never reach their potential and some never got the opportunity at senior level at all.

It was a ballsy decision to call a club-wide review. So many in the media lashed the review and undermined the process and thought it was just a poxy attempt to undercut Teague. The final outcome, aside from confirming Teague wasn't the man to take the club forward, was a number of poorly performed assistants were turfed, our CEO was sacked, a thorough review took place to hire a new senior coach which had never been done in the club's history.

The club was again attacked for doing their due diligence in asking Clarkson if he was interested in applying for the role, and again when Lyons withdrew his interest. We then hired the best fit for the role: a young, hungry assistant coach with senior coaching experience, and were lashed for that.

We then replaced half the board and finally brought some entrepreneurial spirit into the club, bringing in career development coaches and analytics guys - both sorely lacking as other clubs started investing heavily in these areas.

Voss is going to get a decent amount of credit if the Blues can make the 8 this year, but senior coaches mainly control the bigger picture. Ensure relationships between players and coaches are working, ensure relationships between assistant coaches are working. Reinforce the non-negotiables on field. I strongly suspect, having heard him speak a couple of times, someone like Hansen is having as much an influence in properly aligning the gameplan and creating a tactical structure for the players.

There are some parallels with 2012 - knocking off the Tigers week 1, knocking off the runners up week 2, but things do feel a bit different this time around. Finally sense we're operating as a competitive unit and have the right people in the right positions of influence. Just so nice to watch the footy and actually resemble a tough, committed lineup.

Wasnt Playfair an analytics guy? Had to be sacked when the covid cuts came in

 

[BigBreakfast]

Heat, a commitment to defending the whole ground and physicality. Suddenly we are physically imposing.
One captain and faith in him. My favourite part.

 

[therubbernub]

I saw us running toward the goals in packs setting up handball chains in the first half. There was an obvious belief that we had the skills and clean hands to do this without turning the ball over. it worked and it allowed us to attack the F50 regularly. harry was a clear beneficiary.
i saw less of it in the second half, when the dogs increased their intensity on the ball carrier and started to cut off our handballs. The pleasing thing was, when they did that, we didnt allow them an easy rebound possession, as so often happened under DT.

 

[ferrisb]

We're winning...

 

[CJMB]

Structure, intent, clearly defined roles, belief.

 

[The Edukator]

It makes a difference not having a spud like Bolton coaching and speaking cliche garbage instead of being able to lead like Voss. MV is exactly what we've needed all of these years.

Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk

 

[Blue Bloods]

Defined roles, everyone know what their role is, playing to their strength in their preferred position.

Voss said in his preseason interview regarding positions and VFL player, you are not playing to get in the best 22 you are playing to get your role over others in the team playing that same role.
Good example Martin out, Fogarty in, Dow is a better player than Fogarty but Fogarty plays the high half forward better. No more Cripps resting as a tall forward, no more Dow in the forward pocket, no more Ed in the forward pocket.

Plus unrelenting pressure every single time you are near the ball.

 

[GordonBlue]

Top post! Great topic!

My number 1 change for everything that is happening is our coaching! It is super modern coaching. It is a self evolving gameplan that players can easily identify when to apply the different tactic.

Own game plan

1. Highly technical
2. However easily applicable and enforceable into the players
3. Innovative

It requires some top level coaching implement so quickly and instantly.

Of course I want to give credit to all the players that are just ripping it up. They are all just going the next level together... however I believe our coaching has allowed that and our gameplan revolves around our player's strengths. It allows them to do what they're good at.

It also takes the highest level coaching to really have an ALL IN attitude. You can just see how every single player believes in what we're doing.

We have a coaching department that can one day take us to 17 and some.

Voss, you are the man!

Also I am starting to think the acquisition of Aaron Greaves is going to be one of the most unheralded change that will reap maximum return. He is always around Voss/coaching. It was he that was the go to guy between Voss and the coaches on the weekend. Think this guy is actually having a very good affect. He is pretty much our coache's coach. And see how well they are doing, I am going to give him credit for the role he is doing.

So yeah, for me the biggest change and the most exciting thing is the fantastic coaching group we have!

 

[GordonBlue]

Luke Sayers has been a been forgotten in a lot of the good that has come over the past 6 months despite being essentially the architect in mid 2021.

Even prior to Teague commencing as senior coach there's was clearly some disconnect within the club and the priorities following Bolton's appointment. Lots of emphasis on ringing in memberships and updating our social media profile, assistance coaches seemingly never assessed through industry standards, a shockingly underfunded footy program which saw plenty of talented guys never reach their potential and some never got the opportunity at senior level at all.

It was a ballsy decision to call a club-wide review. So many in the media lashed the review and undermined the process and thought it was just a poxy attempt to undercut Teague. The final outcome, aside from confirming Teague wasn't the man to take the club forward, was a number of poorly performed assistants were turfed, our CEO was sacked, a thorough review took place to hire a new senior coach which had never been done in the club's history.

The club was again attacked for doing their due diligence in asking Clarkson if he was interested in applying for the role, and again when Lyons withdrew his interest. We then hired the best fit for the role: a young, hungry assistant coach with senior coaching experience, and were lashed for that.

We then replaced half the board and finally brought some entrepreneurial spirit into the club, bringing in career development coaches and analytics guys - both sorely lacking as other clubs started investing heavily in these areas.

Voss is going to get a decent amount of credit if the Blues can make the 8 this year, but senior coaches mainly control the bigger picture. Ensure relationships between players and coaches are working, ensure relationships between assistant coaches are working. Reinforce the non-negotiables on field. I strongly suspect, having heard him speak a couple of times, someone like Hansen is having as much an influence in properly aligning the gameplan and creating a tactical structure for the players.

There are some parallels with 2012 - knocking off the Tigers week 1, knocking off the runners up week 2, but things do feel a bit different this time around. Finally sense we're operating as a competitive unit and have the right people in the right positions of influence. Just so nice to watch the footy and actually resemble a tough, committed lineup.

Top post mate.

Agree with everything you said.

I have actually composed an email to send to the Pres to thank him for the bold decisions that he did.

If it wasn't for Sayers, none of this would be happening right now. This man's actions is why we're here now.

If we end up with this crew where we one day win the flag, all credit needs to go to Sayers.

Re the coaches, as I mentioned above, the very very smart acquisition of Aaron Greaves. He is Voss' right hand man. Sayers is giving Voss all the tools he needs to do his thing.

I cannot express enough how proud I am right now of the direction the club is heading.

 

[Gethelred]

1. Durdin, Owies setting up around Charlie/Harry at the balldrop within forward 50, relying on the two of them to bring the ball down in front of them and setting up to either gather it themselves or be position to pressure the exit. This puts tackling when and where it's needed, as opposed to near meaningless tackles around a stoppage that result in a ballup, and gets defenses feeling that referred pressure that leads to turnovers.

2. Whenever there is a stoppage in the back half, we have layers of defenders sitting between the stoppage and the goal at 10, 25 and 40m further afield. Sometimes they have a man and sometimes not, but it's pretty reliable; the first two sit both down the line and corridor side, with the 40m sitting directly between the stoppage and the goal. When the ball is in the back 50, we have a loose player both in the goalsquare and about 15m out directly in front whilst matching their players at the stoppage. This means that there are no cheapies that dribble through or just get over the line, and that if our opponents win a stoppage they can't kick and the ball stays nearby the mids for them to tackle, which suits us as our mids aren't lightning and we need the indecision to give us a moment to get behind the ball or catch the ballcarrier.

3. Improved leading patterns between the key forwards and marking targets ahead of the ball. With the exception of the final quarter last night when our system broke down out of sheer panic, you don't generally see Harry, Jack, Charlie, Martin etc flying for the same ball. If you see more than one of them in a pack, it's pretty clear there's a designated marker and another bloke flies to hold the space behind him. Durdin also has a hell of a leap on him which lets him compete aerially to bring the ball to ground. This means more marks and - more importantly - more balls hitting the deck in dangerous positions up forward.

4. Instead of more running, smarter running. Instead of bolting for the back half, hold your shape and move sideways across the ground or directly backwards 15-20m. Instead of sprinting end to end over and over or gunning it forward when your teammate wins the ball, your talls held their position down the line and further along and you wait for the right moment to run past him. Less running means better endurance, and I can't help but wonder if that's connected to our goalkicking efficiency this year. It's easier to kick at goal when you're not exhausted.

 

[charred_fate]

Culture

 

[HavUEvaSeenTheRain]

For me.

Cripps is back to being a top 5 midfielder not top ~40 and moving much more freely
Kennedy playing A grade football.
Actually having a third tall intercepting defender.
Being able to link up through handballs from stoppages. We are setting up much better in there and having better players also helps.
Full buy in from the players with the game plan and pressure has been so much better.

The list has also changed. We lost Jones but that’s it and the rest are a year older and we are better for that.
If I was told tomorrow that Cripps would break his back and be back to last years form, We would only get another two games out of Charlie, another 16 full games out of Harry, 8 more games from Fish, About a dozen more games out of Martin, Williams, Doc and Pitto, 3 more games out of Gov and Hewett and Cerra wouldn’t play for the rest of the season then I think we might have a difficult season. That’s what we had to contend with last season. Fingers crossed we stay healthy. This week we will be pretty much full strength which is pretty amazing and exciting.

 

[onesilop]

Defined roles, everyone know what their role is, playing to their strength in their preferred position.

Voss said in his preseason interview regarding positions and VFL player, you are not playing to get in the best 22 you are playing to get your role over others in the team playing that same role.
Good example Martin out, Fogarty in, Dow is a better player than Fogarty but Fogarty plays the high half forward better. No more Cripps resting as a tall forward, no more Dow in the forward pocket, no more Ed in the forward pocket.

Plus unrelenting pressure every single time you are near the ball.

I remember a couple of years ago SOS was decrying that the list that he recruited was not being played the way they were recruited. E.g Dow playing high half forward

It seems so simple to think that you use specialist skills in their position and that makes you a better side.

 

[HavUEvaSeenTheRain]

I remember a couple of years ago SOS was decrying that the list that he recruited was not being played the way they were recruited. E.g Dow playing high half forward

It seems so simple to think that you use specialist skills in their position and that makes you a better side.

Dow is the perfect example of why there’s no point pumping games into players just because. He should’ve been a full time mid in the twos.
Setters on a wing is surprisingly still a thing and SPS is never going to make it as anything other then a defender imo simply because he doesn’t have the work rate.

 

[thylacine60]

Top post! Great topic!

My number 1 change for everything that is happening is our coaching! It is super modern coaching. It is a self evolving gameplan that players can easily identify when to apply the different tactic.

Own game plan

1. Highly technical
2. However easily applicable and enforceable into the players
3. Innovative

It requires some top level coaching implement so quickly and instantly.

Of course I want to give credit to all the players that are just ripping it up. They are all just going the next level together... however I believe our coaching has allowed that and our gameplan revolves around our player's strengths. It allows them to do what they're good at.

It also takes the highest level coaching to really have an ALL IN attitude. You can just see how every single player believes in what we're doing.

We have a coaching department that can one day take us to 17 and some.

Voss, you are the man!

Also I am starting to think the acquisition of Aaron Greaves is going to be one of the most unheralded change that will reap maximum return. He is always around Voss/coaching. It was he that was the go to guy between Voss and the coaches on the weekend. Think this guy is actually having a very good affect. He is pretty much our coache's coach. And see how well they are doing, I am going to give him credit for the role he is doing.

So yeah, for me the biggest change and the most exciting thing is the fantastic coaching group we have!

Great post.

 

[thylacine60]

BELIEF

 

[katmanblue]

What's changed? My expectations.