The contest is up

[ErnieSigley]

Not at all.

Teams who are high on contested possession will get first possession most times, whereas teams that rely on uncontested possession have to find a way to get the ball first. If - and yes, I'm not kidding myself; this is still a massive if - we can recruit more players with great disposal and improve our current crop's skills steadily, this trend actually suits us.

Which teams rely on uncontested possession?
What are you talking about?
You need a balanced side. Clearly we have don't have enough good ball users.

 

[Dannnnnnnnnn]

Which teams rely on uncontested possession?
What are you talking about?
You need a balanced side. Clearly we have don't have enough good ball users.

I just mean that other teams are putting less consideration into winning the hard ball and winning the clearances and more consideration into forcing turnovers and killing them on the rebound. I've never shied away from the fact that we're completely unbalanced and 100% agree that we need better users of the football in our side. All I'm saying is that we've now got a solid base of players who can mostly ensure first possession of the ball when up and running. If we can add the "cream" to that core and install structures which allow us to transfer that first-ball-get into a more accurate and direct pass, we'll be well on our way.

I know you don't agree with the way Macca is going about everything Ernie but for now I think he's set a very solid foundation which can be built upon. If this does not even begin to happen within a year's time then I'll be standing right with you at Whitten Oval with my torch and pitchfork out.

 

[House_of_Dahl]

First rule of football is you must get the ball. Seems we are still stuck on rule one............

No, I'd say looks like we have nailed the first step, with a very young list, and are now moving on to develop the other elements.

 

[Wilfork]

Without even looking at the stats, we can judge from the "eye test" that we generally have more numbers around the contest compared to the opposition, but limited options up the field.

We can't defend or utilise the spread. You'd hope this is the very next thing we develop.

 

[Ridley This]

Teams that don't use their possessions well don't win the game?
Earth-shattering stuff.

All that's happened here is that people are realizing the term 'clearances' has always been inadequacy. It's 'effective clearances', i.e. ones that lead to a mark inside 50 or a score which are important, and watching us play at the moment we should be at the bottom of that list.

Haven't all teams been playing 'Rebound' football since the early 90's? Pressuring the ball carrier isn't exactly new either.