Roast The lack of shepherding, blocking and communication.

[Donakebab]

With our handball heavy run and carry style of play, these three things are vital in protecting our players with the ball, yet for some reason they are lacking so badly that they are virtually non existent. Every week I see players who could be protecting their team mate with the ball by laying a shepherd or blocking the oppositions run at the ball carrier, but instead they sit out waiting for the ball to be dished off to them. Instead of doing the team thing and reducing the pressure on the player with the ball, they wait for the easy possession, the player with the ball is put under too much pressure and they cough up the pill. Then to make matters worse because everyone is running forward with the ball, as soon as the opposition get their hands on it we get caught out and the ball sails straight into their forward line and they score.

As well as the lack of bodywork, the complete lack of talk is unbelievable. If you're not going to put your body in the way of the opposition, at least tell your team mate to get rid of the bloody thing before they get tackled and pinged holding. A perfect example this week was when Jobe got run down streaming into our forward 50 by Krakouer while Melksham (I think) ran behind at half pace and just watched it happen. If he had of just opened his mouth Jobe might have put boot to ball sooner and we probably would have kicked a goal instead of Port. Talk is something that was drilled into us as juniors, so why has it gone missing at the top level?

These are issues which desperately need to be addressed if we are to continue with our attacking style of play. They are basic fundamentals which players should be doing without a second thought. If these aspects were improved upon it would reduce pressure on players, which in turn would improve decision making and disposal efficiency.

 

[Shane Hird]

Great, thread No.5 about the same issues.


Can't wait for No.6 by 2pm...number 7 by six o'clock tonight

 

[Donakebab]

Yeah you're awesome. How about instead of being a smart arse and contributing nothing you link at least one thread where this direct issue has been raised so that a mod can merge them.

 

[Daytripper]

As well as the lack of bodywork, the complete lack of talk is unbelievable. If you're not going to put your body in the way of the opposition, at least tell your team mate to get rid of the bloody thing before they get tackled and pinged holding. A perfect example this week was when Jobe got run down streaming into our forward 50 by Krakouer while Melksham (I think) ran behind at half pace and just watched it happen. If he had of just opened his mouth Jobe might have put boot to ball sooner and we probably would have kicked a goal instead of Port. Talk is something that was drilled into us as juniors, so why has it gone missing at the top level?

It was Melksham.

He gave it off to Jobe and then ball watched. Didn't even attempt to block or shepherd (and he was within range) and if he did yell out to Jobe, he didn't hear it.

I'll give the kid a break since its only early days for him but that sort of stuff would never happen at St Kilda or Geelong.

 

[Donakebab]

It was Melksham.

He gave it off to Jobe and then ball watched. Didn't even attempt to block or shepherd (and he was within range) and if he did yell out to Jobe, he didn't hear it.

I'll give the kid a break since its only early days for him but that sort of stuff would never happen at St Kilda or Geelong.

Thought it was Melksham. I can understand he is young, but he still would or at least should have been doing this his entire footballing life. It wasn't my intention to single him out as it's a flaw that the entire team has currently, but this was the most recent and obvious example. Jobe was also partially at fault as he knows he isn't quick and he had plenty of time and options, but if at least one of the three things was applied then he would have been able to stroll into range himself.

 

[Eleven 38]

i dont know if there would have been time to actually call out shepherd would have been the best option!

however, how about running your full 15metres and then kicking it instead of running 5metres and bouncing??!

 

[Red Black and Blue]

While Melksham should have laid the shepherd, Jobe should not have bounced, every second he held it Zaharakis was being closed down.

 

[Shane Hird]

Yeah you're awesome. How about instead of being a smart arse and contributing nothing you link at least one thread where this direct issue has been raised so that a mod can merge them.

All comes under the one banner of 'teamwork' doesn't it?

One thread after another about Knights' game plan and the areas we are lacking in. Might as well put this under 'Open letter to Knights' thread and talk about how he hasn't improved the player's defensive skills.


You pick out Melksham making a huge error by not supporting the ball carrier...fair enough. But does it warrant a thread about it? Does it help you to get over the loss by focusing on a mistake by a 3 gamer?

I saw plenty of blocking and shepherding going on through the match by us. So I think it's the least of our problems atm.

But you blokes go right ahead and talk about all the 10,000 and 1 issues we face as a side. I'm just waiting for the thread about how the equipment manager who isn't replacing the studs often enough, which is effecting our field kicking on match day.

Look, i just click on these threads and have a look. And if I feel like being a smart arse then i will.

Sorry to upset you so...

 

[Ben the Gooner]

Ease off Nobby, it's a vaild topic.

I agree completely with the OP. I've been a huge critic of Ryder's for watching as his team-mates are run down, and the other players seem keen to join the party. To me that's unforgiveable. Yelling "you're hot" is drummed into you at under 10s.

 

[Shane Hird]

Ease off Nobby, it's a vaild topic.

I agree completely with the OP. I've been a huge critic of Ryder's for watching as his team-mates are run down, and the other players seem keen to join the party. To me that's unforgiveable. Yelling "you're hot" is drummed into you at under 10s.

Yes Sir.

 

[OB1]

As has been discussed here before things like Shepherds & blocks are defensive aspects that have to be taught to most players. Remember that the majority of kids who get drafted into the AFL were standout juniors. They were the kids getting heaps of the ball every week & expected their lesser teamates to do the hard 1%ers. Guys like Stanton would have never really done any defensive work as a junior & even guys liek Slattery would have been a midfield gun as a junior. The defensive side has to be taught & it has to come from the coaches.

I can understand that Knights was very much a soft midfielder but surely we should have some other coaches who can impart thier experiences on the players. WTF is GO'D doing? Is the message not getting through or is it not being delivered. I know it sounds simple & quite stupid but is Knights trying to turn our team into a clone of his soft unaccountable playing style? Maybe thats harsh on him but I certainly don't remember him being strong defensively. Are his assistants mearly wallflowers or are our players not listening to his message. I know some here want to believe its all part of some master plan that will just click in 2013 to deliver a flag but I just can't see it.

 

[Donakebab]

All comes under the one banner of 'teamwork' doesn't it?

One thread after another about Knights' game plan and the areas we are lacking in. Might as well put this under 'Open letter to Knights' thread and talk about how he hasn't improved the player's defensive skills.


You pick out Melksham making a huge error by not supporting the ball carrier...fair enough. But does it warrant a thread about it? Does it help you to get over the loss by focusing on a mistake by a 3 gamer?

I saw plenty of blocking and shepherding going on through the match by us. So I think it's the least of our problems atm.

But you blokes go right ahead and talk about all the 10,000 and 1 issues we face as a side. I'm just waiting for the thread about how the equipment manager who isn't replacing the studs often enough, which is effecting our field kicking on match day.

Look, i just click on these threads and have a look. And if I feel like being a smart arse then i will.

Sorry to upset you so...

Sorry I'll make sure I search for the 'teamwork' thread next time...

This wasn't an attack on Knights' game plan and I did mention that it wasn't an attack on Melksham either, simply it was the most recent and obvious one that I could describe and people would know what I was talking about. If this thread was specifically about Melksham or Knights, then it would be titled 'roast-Milky nd Whitey iz da suxorz'.

This is a real issue of something that is lacking from the majority of the playing group and therefore I felt it warranted a thread. I know I'm not the only who has noticed this either. It's the players who aren't performing these simple yet necessary tasks often enough on the field, the coaching staff need to point this out and put a strong emphasis on it as an area that needs working on. If you watch a classy outfit like Geelong, basically every player does the three fundamentals listed at every opportunity, hell they almost go out of their way to do it and they see massive reward for it.

 

[james_omahoney]

Lovett-Murray failed to tell Fletcher he was hot with a defender on his tail last year, and it cost Fletch an injury to his ankle with sidelined him for few weeks.

 

[SydneyBomber]

soft, unaccountable, and a 'me first' attitude in the midfield?

hmm, camporeale is the midfield coach isn't he....?

do. not. want.

 

[Ben the Gooner]

soft, unaccountable, and a 'me first' attitude in the midfield?

hmm, camporeale is the midfield coach isn't he....?

do. not. want.

I'd say it falls under O'Donnell as the defensive actions coach, but yeah, definitely an issue the coaches need to address stat.

 

[Pevers-Legend]

I'd say it falls under O'Donnell as the defensive actions coach, but yeah, definitely an issue the coaches need to address stat.

No G'Od worries about the back 6. Campo deals with the midfield and there is a reason why teams stream away from us at clearances while we scrap and kick/hnadball hurriedly.

How many soft Port goals came fomr an easy take away at a stoppage? I cringe to think.

 

[Slattery_20]

These things do get brought up at the weekly player reviews.
Personally think it just gets lost on field, not re-enforced enough by coaches/assistants/captain/team-mates

 

[Slattery_20]

No G'Od worries about the back 6. Campo deals with the midfield and there is a reason why teams stream away from us at clearances while we scrap and kick/hnadball hurriedly.

How many soft Port goals came fomr an easy take away at a stoppage? I cringe to think.

GO'D is in charge of defensive "actions" or structures or some such. So clearly trying to make the point it's not just about 6-on-6.

Both be looking for a job next year if I was running the show.

 

[Here_we_come]

This is the single most frustrating and annoying thing about watching Essendon.

There is nothing more annoying than watching one of our players getting run down and pinned with the ball.

The Watson example on the weekend was disgusting.

 

[Pevers-Legend]

GO'D is in charge of defensive "actions" or structures or some such. So clearly trying to make the point it's not just about 6-on-6.

He may work on defensive actions (I did not think his role stretche dot the whole team - happy to be corrected), but the mids still are instructed by Campo on where to stand and how to react - that has to include setting up defensively as well as offensively.

Both be looking for a job next year if I was running the show.

Thats what I would think. G'Od has not impressed me at all since he has been back. Did nothing with the midfield or the backline.