I thought they cost us the game today.

I think we underestimate the importance of this facet of the game.

I think we need to use some creative thinking on this point. This year's the ideal opportunity to try some innovations. Sides with a chance of making the finals don't have this luxury.

20m. kicks to the back pocket are not innovative.....or effective(but better than Rivo's short pass to an opponent 25m. out, straight in front.)

Am I insanely obsessed with this failing in our tactics?

I've seen some fantastic pieces of play from us in recent weeks where it looks like we've used a set play and kicked a goal in about 15 seconds from a kick-in.

Hasn't happened a lot, but it has happened and it has looked like what Bailey has been preaching has finally worked.

Its coming together, but be patient.

well im glad it cost us the game :D

well im glad it cost us the game :D

yeah, i hate to say it, but...

Seriously though today was great. We didnt win but got very close (perfect) Young players did well, morton jones grimes bennell.

and we are pretty much going to get picks 1 and 2. Well its more likely now.

Seriously though today was great. We didnt win but got very close (perfect) Young players did well, morton jones grimes bennell.

and we are pretty much going to get picks 1 and 2. Well its more likely now.

True. I think this 'winning culture' thing is overrated. I've heard comments of surprise at the competitiveness of our young players.

Complacency will not set in.

We saw continued development and improvement from our young stars. The team definitely did not give in, they were competitive til the end.

AND we are still on track to get that priceless priority pick.

I thought they cost us the game today.

I think we underestimate the importance of this facet of the game.

I think we need to use some creative thinking on this point. This year's the ideal opportunity to try some innovations. Sides with a chance of making the finals don't have this luxury.

20m. kicks to the back pocket are not innovative.....or effective(but better than Rivo's short pass to an opponent 25m. out, straight in front.)

Am I insanely obsessed with this failing in our tactics?

No, you are not JJC. I get very sweaty palms every time we kick the ball in. A short pass in front of goal is just not on. Poor Rivo must have felt the size of a 2 dollar coin when he mucked up his kick in. The goal to WCE as a result together with McLean being penalised for a very soft push in the back after marking 30 metres out were the two defining factors that eventually cost us the game. Brock hardly made contact with his opponent. A terrible decision. BTW, I didn't think the umpiring was too bad although one bloke had better do some homework on his bouncing of the ball.

What we would give to have wheatley in the team. :angry:

I thought they cost us the game today.

Am I insanely obsessed with this failing in our tactics?

I seem to remember we ( and some others ) discussed this at least a season ago and not everyone then quite got it. But its very much an area that needs to be perfected. Apparently a lot of this years preseason focused on entries into the 50. Thats all well and good and to be commended and in reality it would be foolhardy not to practice this area but how much is scored against us from the pressure and turn overs in our defensive 50.

I dont mind if we dont perfect it this year but hopefully it will be next years preseason focus. So many attacks start from that 'other' goal.

No, you are not JJC. I get very sweaty palms every time we kick the ball in. A short pass in front of goal is just not on. Poor Rivo must have felt the size of a 2 dollar coin when he mucked up his kick in. The goal to WCE as a result together with McLean being penalised for a very soft push in the back after marking 30 metres out were the two defining factors that eventually cost us the game. Brock hardly made contact with his opponent. A terrible decision. BTW, I didn't think the umpiring was too bad although one bloke had better do some homework on his bouncing of the ball.

That's why they brought the rule in.

Even if he didn't push as such, his hands aren't even allowed to rest gently on the opponent's back.

It was silly by McLean who didn't need to do it as he was already in best position.

well im glad it cost us the game :D

Now, will you relax Digga? :D

Pure and simple, we suck at kick-ins. As much as I love Rivers, he's no good at it. His disposal isn't the highlight of his game. He shouldn't be taking them.

Davey's good at them, but he's wasted at full-back. I think we have to wait for Whelan or Wheatley to come back to deal with them for the rest of this year. As for the future, maybe Bennell?

I thought they cost us the game today.

I think we underestimate the importance of this facet of the game.

I think we need to use some creative thinking on this point. This year's the ideal opportunity to try some innovations. Sides with a chance of making the finals don't have this luxury.

20m. kicks to the back pocket are not innovative.....or effective(but better than Rivo's short pass to an opponent 25m. out, straight in front.)

Am I insanely obsessed with this failing in our tactics?

I miss that old topic, i'm surprised you didn't bump the old classic thread!

Good bump, however.

As much as I love Rivers, he's no good at it. His disposal isn't the highlight of his game. He shouldn't be taking them.

I made the call before he kicked it, what's rivers doing with the ball in his hand? I can understand taking a quick one if there is a bloke 30m in space but it took too long. Not rivers fault as much as a few others for leaving him in that position, good on him for backing himself though.

Grimes, Bennell, Bruce, Davey etc 1of them should have been close enough to take the kick. The issue may have been with the 1st 2 being a little green, hopefully the wellman can fix this!

One avoidable error that we repeatedly make is this:-

After a point one Melbourne player who isn't going to kick in(eg Warnock) often decides to fetch the ball from wherever it ends up behind the goals. Meanwhile the actual kicker in comes to the goalsquare waiting to receive the ball.

Our backline is therefore one short, making the opposition zone significantly easier to set up.

Perhaps the idea is to give the kicker-in more time to weigh up his options, but it never seems to help. Perhaps we could get the best of both worlds by allocating a volunteer(I'd do it!!!!) to be stationed behind the opp. goal,and collect the ball as fast as possible, and quickly pass it on to the kicker.

When the ball's in the crowd, the volunteer would quickly hand over the spare ball, then do his best to collect the other ball from the crowd without it going on the ground.(obviously this isn't always possible).

Do other Demonlanders think this is too pedantic a point?

I also wanted us to lose on Sunday, but I'd like to see us work on thoughtful strategies for next year, when every win is crucial.

Davey and Wheatley are the best at present..though obviously Wheaters isnt there at all.. a bit of a shame in respect to kick outs as he is the only one who can lob it beyond that first wall of forward offensiveness. Its an element thats not used enough from where I sit.. Let the opposition crowd where IT thinks the ball will go and then put men ( ours ) to where it will go and make a lob sided contest out of it..even if ball goes to floor keep it moving forward and you're half way down the pitch. Much better..well I think so..lol

Our kick ins should only be done by Davey, Whelan (when playing) or Green. Our best kicks and more experienced players. But yes I to am glad it cost us the game. hehe.

Our kick ins should only be done by Davey, Whelan (when playing) or Green. Our best kicks and more experienced players. But yes I to am glad it cost us the game. hehe.

And hopefully soon Straussey

I miss 2003 when Big Al Nicholson would bomb it 55m to an opposition player time and time again.

Oh wait, no I don't.

That's why they brought the rule in.

Even if he didn't push as such, his hands aren't even allowed to rest gently on the opponent's back.

It was silly by McLean who didn't need to do it as he was already in best position.

True, but how many times do guys get away with it with much more forceful contact? Such as a blatant push in the back? Brock was stiff. I hate the new rule even though I support a definite push in the back as a free kick. A guy backs into you, what are you supposed to do with your hands? It's just a natural reaction to put them in front of you to protect yourself.

One avoidable error that we repeatedly make is this:-

"After a point one Melbourne player who isn't going to kick in(eg Warnock) often decides to fetch the ball from wherever it ends up behind the goals. Meanwhile the actual kicker in comes to the goalsquare waiting to receive the ball.

Our backline is therefore one short, making the opposition zone significantly easier to set up."

Didn't anyone else notice this? Is it too small a point to make a difference? Have I noted something that our Footy Dept has overlooked? Does it matter? Are there other factors like this that we may have overlooked?

With half-decent kick-ins, we'd have beaten the Dogs today.

Thank heavens we didn't!

We MUST improve this next season.

With half-decent kick-ins, we'd have beaten the Dogs today.

Thank heavens we didn't!

We MUST improve this next season.

Whelan's cough up at the Punt rd end was terrible! And Bartram should never ever kick the ball in. EVER. Couldn't believe Aker(?) missed that gift from him at the city end in the last.

I couldn't believe Bartram got the kick in. He signalled for the target to come closer to him, then proceeded to kick it over their head. Jeepers...

As long as the cheer squad/supporters ensure the second football goes on the ground and rolls end over end before our opponent kicks out and it wastes a few seconds getting the second ball off the ground, i'll be happy