Review vs Adelaide Crows

[grassman75]

I cannot wait for WB vs GWS. We're both sitting 3-1 at the moment. Could well be a pretty big match.

Who would have thought that would be the case at 7.30pm on that cold Sunday night at Etihad in Round 23 last year

 

[mambavino]

I love seeing Jongy fly in out of nowhere as the third man up in the ruck contests around the ground. There was one tonight where I swear he had to have jumped on a trampoline to get that high.

 

[_Mike_]

Our backline looks so much more composed over that we've endured for the last 3 years. Putting MBoyd on the 1/2 back line was a very good move and Talia looks like a natural. Wood plays his guts out every time he goes on and even Roughie is developing form. For the first time in a while I see a core unit.

Let's hope we can cover reasonably well for Morris' injury over the next 2 months

 

[fargy]

 

[TheHoneyBadger]

Loved the physicality.

They were shellshocked.

 

[Super Hans]

I suck at photoshop, but these men were right. Adelaide, you just got AYCED.

 

[threenewpadlocks]

I don't think many people would agree with me but my favourite passage of play was one not where were were kicking bags or anything.

It was the last 15 minutes of the 1st quarter where our structure and positioning was so brilliant that we just locked the ball inside our forward half pretty much that entire period. If you discount the fact we got a goal right at the end of the quarter, we only got about 1 goal in a 10-15 minute period there, but the whole structure and that was brilliant.

Our forward class and finesse and "finishing" still needs some work but we're already arguably the best team in the the league for, speaking broadly, "defensive" work whilst already inside our attacking half which encompasses all of tackling, pressure, structure and similar things. There were a dozen times in that first quarter where Adelaide simply didn't have any targets to kick to up the field (whilst still in their defensive half, because of a really good press/zone), nor could they use run and carry (we pressured them well so they couldn't get over the top), nor would long sideways switches work (plenty of times when they did switch, it was from 20 metres out from their defensive goal, not 40, and our zone shifted to the fat side really effectively meaning that they didn't have a player open). We either forced turnovers when they tried to hit up a target and we got a spoil in (and as soon as our finesse in front of goal improves, we'll convert those to goals more often), or after really good zone we forced them to kick to a pack. And not to a pack in the middle of the ground, one only 60-70m out. And that kicking to a pack may have come after we shut down an attempted switch across the ground.

And just as a side note, it might not come up on any stats sheets, but this is where players like Crameri and Grant are extremely valuable. Crameri's gut running means that he's really good for helping the zone shift over to the fat side when the other team decides to switch, whilst Grant's fast closing speed means that he eliminates targets.

And all of this you can directly attribute to a coach. Individual brilliance - that's a players skill. Stringer kicking those brilliant goals at the beginning of the 3rd wasn't Bev's doing, that you can attribute to Stringer himself. However structures, zones, pressure, the philosophy of a team, all similar things, that's entirely Bev's work and I salute him for that. What a massive improvement.

 

[fronkalicious]

Cordy was pretty shite, but getting a 3rd man up consistently (Jong, Bonti, Picken and Stevens) and then rotating 2 others (Boyd and roughie) certainly softens the blow.

 

[Bont2Bruce]

And all of this you can directly attribute to a coach. Individual brilliance - that's a players skill. Stringer kicking those brilliant goals at the beginning of the 3rd wasn't Bev's doing, that you can attribute to Stringer himself. However structures, zones, pressure, the philosophy of a team, all similar things, that's entirely Bev's work and I salute him for that. What a massive improvement.

Absolutely.

I thought it was very informative when the commentators described the positioning of our entire team across the zone infront of Adelaide's defenders. You're a better whiz at editing video stills than I am, but I would love to see some of those moments highlighted - I know you've been able to use a picture to tell a really good tactical story in some of this year's earlier threads.

 

[TimlinOfficial]

#BabyBulldogs

 

[fargy]

Great that Haylea Cooney, Abby and Milla were in the cheer squad! Front row seats to the Jake show!

 

[james1995]

Might be a bit off topic but a midfield core of Libba, Macrae, Wallis and Bont is making very very excited and I'm not sure I can contain myself

 

[Skippos]

Hi all. Hope you don't mind me popping in. Crows fan but Dogs have always been my second team - only supported Crows when I came to Australia as they were local so never formed a real bond to a club. Really like the Dogs hence why I pop in so much. Great win today, much deserved. Just thought I'd give a little (which is nearly certain to become an essay) writeup on what I've noticed this year.

You guys are GWS's main rival to a dynasty in my eyes. The building blocks are there. The style of game and team based defense is able to cover some defensive short comings. An elite KPD would be a super recruit, as would a rebounding HB and a linebreaking & electric outside mid. Bontempelli is going to be the best player in the league; that's a given. He or Fyfe. His cleanliness and agility at ground level is obscene for a teenager as is his ability to spread and convert disputed ball into consolidated ball. By foot he's better than most inside mids, he reads the play super well and his marking is just elite. And that's for a kid. He's going to carry you to flags. MacRae is still improving but if he's to become the A grade ball user you need him to he needs to stop being so conservative by foot - none of this continual backwards chipping. Way too much elevation on many of his kicks too. Has the body and frame to be excellent inside and if he develops that he'll be unstoppable. Likewise needs some forward presence at his size and with his skill set. He's super important to where the club ends up as the genuine outside midfielder; players like him are the cream on top that turn top 4 sides into flag winners. Inside mids get you to finals. Outside mids give you the edge in them. Stringer too is going to be a superstar. We all knew he would be - but I'm now slowly converting to the belief that he should remain forward - he's the perfect foil to Boyd with his leading and ground level game and if complimented by a 3rd tall high half forward type it'd be a great setup. What Grant should be, but isn't, really. James Stewart of GWS should be lookinf for greater opportunity and would be a great list fit. With Bonts being elite and Libba coming back as well as Jong looking like a great bet and with Smith and Wallis to potentially impact, is there really a need for Stringer to move there? He'd be an explosive big bodied inside mid. But you're already sorted there and he's developing far better than expected forward.

Tom Boyd really is a massive gain. Just offers far more than any of the other blokes tried in that role. When not marking he's still having an influence. He's going to be some player. Really like the look of Bailey Dale and think he could add a new dimension to the half forwards and free up Dahl - who just keeps improving, even more. Jarrad Grant is a waste of talent. So much to like about him but just never pulls it together. He's worth persisting with but ideally loses his spot eventually. Structurally he's more important than he looks atm, IMO. JJ as a running back keeps improving too - having him on one flank with his attack is a massive get. Compliment him with an elite kick on the other flank and a lockdown small (Rourke Smith is your guy, here) and that defense looks so good. Could Webb be that kicker? I'm not sure; he's more of a midfielder for mine and while he's a good kick and certainly looks at home I don't think he's the long term answer.

Lin Jong is going to be some player. Started the game late and his year to year growth is incredible. Defensively there are shortcomings but experience fixes that with time. He's got the height and size to bullock his way on the inside and his composure and disposal under pressure is improving so much. Offers a marking threat with his height/leap which should see him hurt oppositions in future when dragging his man forward. Works so hard too. I reckon he's the missing link. I really think he's going to develop into an A grade *inside* midfielder. His size and athelticism/explosiveness is what's been missing from that midfield I reckon. I'm sure you're all seeing it too with him, but he's something special. Noticed him a few years ago and thought there's a little to work with but late last year in the VFL he was just super impressive.

Cordy's worth persisting with. He's never going to be a world beater but there's enough there to like. His previous mediocrity can be explained, IMO. Rucking is a bit of an art form. There's so much feel and touch involved; you've got to work your way in. Playing in a dual ruck setup means regular switches rendering a player unable to really work their way into the role. Cordy's almost always been playing 20-50% of games in the ruck; it's not enough to really get into the game so of course he's gonna look a little rubbish. Blokes like Grundy and Gawn always struggle in dual ruck setups but when left alone all of a sudden they're top notch. I prefer Campbell as a player but Cordy has use - he's got excellent reflexes and is cleaner and more skilled. I wouldn't persist with him long term but he's handy depth. I'd be playing Campbell.

Blokes like Honeychurch, Hrovat and Hunter need to really impose themselves. With the list you're building there's limited space for players of their type and I reckon if they continue to be 15-30 players on the list they'll be replaced. They need to take the next step up within a year or two for mine. I think two of them will, but right now at their size and role there isn't space to carry mediocrity. With the rising inside mids at the club it's important Clay Smith makes a spot his own too or else he'll be overtaken. The key defensive stocks need some work. Jordan Roughead just isn't good enough, sorry lads, and Talia has too many defensive short comings. Ideally you gain a #1 defender and fast. That's the main aim, IMO. Other than that I really rate the footy Bevo has you playing. Covers the flaws in the 22 and improves upon the strengths. Chuck some line breakers in there and it'd run rampant regularly.

Good luck lads, hope you keep this form up. Happy to discuss anything I've said here; I enjoy it - and really like your club.

 

[threenewpadlocks]

Absolutely.

I thought it was very informative when the commentators described the positioning of our entire team across the zone infront of Adelaide's defenders. You're a better whiz at editing video stills than I am, but I would love to see some of those moments highlighted - I know you've been able to use a picture to tell a really good tactical story in some of this year's earlier threads.

I'll try and get some footage of the end of the 1st quarter, but I'll need to pick out the camera angles where they broadcast from behind the goals. It's really noticeable when you sit at the front of level 3 (where I like to sit) because you can see the player positioning unfolding in front of you. You could quite clearly see, say if an Adelaide player had possession 15 metres out from goal in the back pocket, how our players guarded space from anywhere between 20-70 metres out from that space. It was quite phenomenal how we managed to do every one of: cover the short kicks (leading to spoils in some cases), cover the packs (causing 3's on 2's at times), pressure the ball handler, cover the switch, and ensure that they don't handball and run through the corridor, all at the same time. The fact that we managed, for large periods of the game, to cover all 5 of those things, or at least 4 of them quite well, is credit to Bev and the coaching team.

 

[stefoid]

I suck at photoshop, but these men were right. Adelaide, you just got AYCED.

Aycimilated

 

[ThirdLegUp]

Our backline looks so much more composed over that we've endured for the last 3 years. Putting MBoyd on the 1/2 back line was a very good move and Talia looks like a natural. Wood plays his guts out every time he goes on and even Roughie is developing form. For the first time in a while I see a core unit.

Let's hope we can cover reasonably well for Morris' injury over the next 2 months

I'd call it a master stroke personally, got to hand it to BEv, i honestly though WTF... makes me wonder if this wasn't something Bev had pondered even before comeing to the dogs. Not only has the move benefited the team in a big way, but seems to have reinvented Moyd.

Sure he had his 35 touches a game in the mid with his eyes closed, but it was a numbers game with Moyd, the more times he gets it, the more times he will hit a target (and sadly miss a target or bomb it long also) but somehow he still manages to get plenty of it, but with 90% accuracy, resulting in counter attacks and defensive thrusts, and if the ball hits the ground inside our 50... there is no one other then libba better suited to getting in and under.

If someone had rubbed a lamp and the Genie said, right, do you want Moyd getting 45 touches today at 60% or 30 or 25 at 90%... i would have taken that and ran.

Best thing though, it will actually help preserve his body a little longer, he is super fit as we all know, as a mid, he had 1 year max left, as a defender, he might still have up to 3 with some injury luck.

 

[VitalDread]

Who would have thought bringing in an athletic ruckman that gives second efforts that tires out Jacobs would be so effective

gosh it's almost like the club knows players better than most people on this forum

 

[Some Idiot]

I'd call it a master stroke personally, got to hand it to BEv, i honestly though WTF... makes me wonder if this wasn't something Bev had pondered even before comeing to the dogs. Not only has the move benefited the team in a big way, but seems to have reinvented Moyd.

Sure he had his 35 touches a game in the mid with his eyes closed, but it was a numbers game with Moyd, the more times he gets it, the more times he will hit a target (and sadly miss a target or bomb it long also) but somehow he still manages to get plenty of it, but with 90% accuracy, resulting in counter attacks and defensive thrusts, and if the ball hits the ground inside our 50... there is no one other then libba better suited to getting in and under.

If someone had rubbed a lamp and the Genie said, right, do you want Moyd getting 45 touches today at 60% or 30 or 25 at 90%... i would have taken that and ran.

Best thing though, it will actually help preserve his body a little longer, he is super fit as we all know, as a mid, he had 1 year max left, as a defender, he might still have up to 3 with some injury luck.

He's close to career best football. He's using the ball better than he has in his career for mine. The leadership and experience from him and Bob just make the younger players down there better players.

 

[Bont2Bruce]

I'll try and get some footage of the end of the 1st quarter, but I'll need to pick out the camera angles where they broadcast from behind the goals. It's really noticeable when you sit at the front of level 3 (where I like to sit) because you can see the player positioning unfolding in front of you. You could quite clearly see, say if an Adelaide player had possession 15 metres out from goal in the back pocket, how our players guarded space from anywhere between 20-70 metres out from that space. It was quite phenomenal how we managed to do every one of: cover the short kicks (leading to spoils in some cases), cover the packs (causing 3's on 2's at times), pressure the ball handler, cover the switch, and ensure that they don't handball and run through the corridor, all at the same time. The fact that we managed, for large periods of the game, to cover all 5 of those things, or at least 4 of them quite well, is credit to Bev and the coaching team.

Yeah, TV simply doesn't do justice and you can't see half of the positioning that is going on out there most of the time.

I thought we took 10 minutes or so to get our structure going tonight, there were a lot of early passages where Adelaide waltzed through the middle but thankfully that changed somewhere about mid-way through Q1 and we never really looked back from there.

 

[threenewpadlocks]

I'd call it a master stroke personally, got to hand it to BEv, i honestly though WTF... makes me wonder if this wasn't something Bev had pondered even before comeing to the dogs. Not only has the move benefited the team in a big way, but seems to have reinvented Moyd.

Hawthorn did the exact same thing with Burgoyne. When I was talking to a mate at some point in the pre-season, making a vague comment about how Bev said that Boyd was going to play half-back, he just came out and said "exactly like Burgoyne" and picked him to have a good year. Also he said Kelly was drafted to teach Bev's game style to the Footscray defenders, because obviously Bev couldn't coach the VFL team.

 

[Sights]

What disappointed you about Grant? I didn't really get a good look at him at the ground (seemed to be involved more on the other wing)

Not so much what he did as what he didn't do. Seemed to have a very quiet game when most of everyone else was all over the ball - although maybe you and I were just sharing the same wing!

 

[Next Waiting]

What makes them so sure it was an accident?

 

[ThirdLegUp]

And all of this you can directly attribute to a coach. Individual brilliance - that's a players skill. Stringer kicking those brilliant goals at the beginning of the 3rd wasn't Bev's doing, that you can attribute to Stringer himself. However structures, zones, pressure, the philosophy of a team, all similar things, that's entirely Bev's work and I salute him for that. What a massive improvement.

Agree with you 100% on your post, but here you are only half right, it is something to do with Bevo, because he is placing direct faith in the skill and brilliance of his players that he sets up the basic structure, and lets them add the individual spice to make it work... as he says, using the best of the players ability in the most beneficial way. Where as MAcca seemed to want to micro manage every detail, leaving no room for the 'individual to shine'. It's this faith in them that i think the boys are loving. So while it was stringer doing what he did, it was also bevo letting him do it.. faith in him...I think thats what they mean when they say he 'believes' in them.

 

[Dav1d]

love that
edit: needs more Clay though

 

[Bont2Bruce]

Hi all. Hope you don't mind me popping in. Crows fan but Dogs have always been my second team - only supported Crows when I came to Australia as they were local so never formed a real bond to a club. Really like the Dogs hence why I pop in so much. Great win today, much deserved. Just thought I'd give a little (which is nearly certain to become an essay) writeup on what I've noticed this year.

"We don't want to be everyone's 'second best side'
Luke Beveridge, April 11 2015, post-match press conference on afl.com.au

Good luck lads, hope you keep this form up. Happy to discuss anything I've said here; I enjoy it - and really like your club.

But cheers, you sound like an informed observer.