The Game Plan

Having touched on this in Enforcer25’s Chicken Little thread, I thought it might demand a thread of its own.

Many remain frustrated at their failure to identify any given game plan after Dean Bailey’s 2 years at the reign as coach.

Once again, as if on cue, it has come to fruition among some posters after Melbourne’s first outing in the NAB Cup; Week One.

Let us be honest. At the risk of repeating myself, for the umpteenth time, Dean Bailey inherited a list at the conclusion of 2007 which resembled pretty much a list equivalent to Swiss cheese that was a year past its use-by-date in a fridge operating at >8º C.

In the subsequent two years (the first two years of his contract) he and his Footy Department have turned and tweaked the list, drafted & traded accordingly and tweaked again to what it resembles today. That is, in short, probably the youngest and most inexperienced list currently today in the AFL and that Melbourne probably has ever had (can’t confirm that, but it is a hell-of-a-hunch).

I would imagine, given the climate DB and his department have operated in, it would be quite a challenge to instill and develop a game plan with an ever changing side for experimental and developmental purposes over the last two years.

Enter 2010, with the inclusions of Scully, Trengove, Gysberts, Tapscott, Gawn, Fitzpatrick and MacDonald. New pupils, that have only been recently introduced to their new club, new teammates and new surrounds.

Take into account the current 2nd, 3rd year players of youth & inexperience in Spencer, Cheney, Jurrah, Jetta, Bennell, Maric, McKenzie and you begin to understand the sheer lack of cohesion at the moment and why there are frustrating skill errors evident.

Some have expressed their disappointment at the forwards pushing up the ground at times, leaving no target options for our ball carriers when they look up after obtaining the ball. You think this happens to only our side, and not others? All sides at sometime experience this. They all push up at times to zone-up or man-up; fill holes; whatever. There are four objectives in doing this: -

1/ To prevent or make it difficult for the opposition to hit a target i50.

2/ To prevent or make it difficult for the opposition to effectively score.

3/ To increase the chance of turning over the ball; therefore obtain possession.

4/ Slowing and changing the tempo of play.

The players are under instruction to quell the oppositions scoring at times during a game. Answer me this: Would you rather be 4 goals down at quarter time, or 6 goals down ?

Structure:

Backline

For a game plan to come to fruition properly you need a settled line up, cue structure. It has been far from settled and still needs tweaking with the above mentioned new inductees and 2nd and 3rd year players to be looked at more regularly and they’re to be given game time so prudent decisions can be made.

I think we all agree that the backline seems more settled in terms of positions consisting mainly of: -

Frawley

Warnock

Rivers

MacDonald

Bennell

And other candidates such as Cheney, Bruce, McDonald, Bartram, Garland, Morton, Grimes that can fill voids if need be. Davey did play off half back on occasions last year to provide run and accurate kicks (help set-up play).

Midfield

The midfield has had regular contributors in Jones, McDonald and Moloney (first full season last year for some time) and Sylvia (who has spent occasions up forward to provide a target). Davey was also a regular contributor by rotating through the midfield last year. Morton has h=been in and out of the midfield and played a bit down back for development.

However, the midfield is still in its infancy with the introduction of Scully, Trengove, Gysberts, Tapscott, Grimes this year and the possiblity of introducing young Jetta. We also still have the work in progress, that is the ruck division. Jamar, Spencer, Johnson, Gawn, Martin.

The midfield (the engine room) is oh so critical. We need to develop a pristine V8 engine room for the game plan to work effectively.

With these new additions, effectively time is still required to teach and develop the game plan. It really is a new start. Patience is required.

Forward Structure:

As for the forward line candidates: -

Jurrah – 9 games

Watts – 3 games

Wonaeamirri – 18 games

Bate – 68 games

Petterd – 29 games

Maric – 11 games

Morton – 40 games

Dunn – 52 games

Whilst Miller & Sylvia, Green and the odd ruckman in Jamar can float forward, it still resembles a 3 year old kindergarten at times.

I acknowledge that we still need a strong focal point up forward to be more competitive, but I will watch Jurrah and Jack’s (Watts) development with interest in terms of structure. For now, I think the best strong focal point (albeit a watered down one) we have on the list in the form of B.Miller. How I wish it was M.Pavlich. You can’t have everything I guess.

With regard to the KPF’s lets observe Watts, Bate, Morton, Sylvia and Jurrah with interest in terms of structure. The more game time they have together, along with the new midfield, the more the well-oiled game plan will improve.

As I've said before, the list is very much in it's infancy in terms of development. The little things such as clearances, efficient execution of skills, minimising clangers / turnovers, entering inside 50's all add up and contribute to an effective game plan.

Whether the coach decides to go man on man, play a loose defender in the backline, change the midfield or the forward set-up. There are different plans for different methods. The likes of Hawthorn, Geelong, Collingwood, Bulldogs and St.Kilda all change there style or game plan depending on what their opposition is dictating, or they are simply superior in confidence that the little things they do during the game (ie.skills and execution) will be enough to dictate play. Whether that be tempo football or fast break neck offence football. The main constant is doing the little things right under the right conditions. You do those effectively to the best of your ability, it will assist your game plan on any given day.

Rather than make me read this can't we just replace the coach with Lyon, bring back Robbo, delist Maric, Jetta, Strauss and Bennell, trade Morton in a fire sale and make Watts play regardless of whether he's fit or not. Then can't we just go back to kicking it long and see what comes up?

Rather than make me read this can't we just replace the coach with Lyon, bring back Robbo, delist Maric, Jetta, Strauss and Bennell, trade Morton in a fire sale and make Watts play regardless of whether he's fit or not. Then can't we just go back to kicking it long and see what comes up?

Ahh, the old "kick it long" strategy. As often heard within the stands from time to time, along with some expletives of course.

I think it's important to know and *understand* the greater picture, rather than after a loss, post "where the f&^* is the game plan?"

Don't you ?

Respect Hightower my brother, was thinking of starting a similar thread.

The Game Plan

Having touched on this in Enforcer25’s Chicken Little thread, I thought it might demand a thread of its own.

Many remain frustrated at their failure to identify any given game plan after Dean Bailey’s 2 years at the reign as coach.

Once again, as if on cue, it has come to fruition among some posters after Melbourne’s first outing in the NAB Cup; Week One.

Let us be honest. At the risk of repeating myself, for the umpteenth time, Dean Bailey inherited a list at the conclusion of 2007 which resembled pretty much a list equivalent to Swiss cheese that was a year past its use-by-date in a fridge operating at >8º C.

In the subsequent two years (the first two years of his contract) he and his Footy Department have turned and tweaked the list, drafted & traded accordingly and tweaked again to what it resembles today. That is, in short, probably the youngest and most inexperienced list currently today in the AFL and that Melbourne probably has ever had (can’t confirm that, but it is a hell-of-a-hunch).

I would imagine, given the climate DB and his department have operated in, it would be quite a challenge to instill and develop a game plan with an ever changing side for experimental and developmental purposes over the last two years.

Enter 2010, with the inclusions of Scully, Trengove, Gysberts, Tapscott, Gawn, Fitzpatrick and MacDonald. New pupils, that have only been recently introduced to their new club, new teammates and new surrounds.

Take into account the current 2nd, 3rd year players of youth & inexperience in Spencer, Cheney, Jurrah, Jetta, Bennell, Maric, McKenzie and you begin to understand the sheer lack of cohesion at the moment and why there are frustrating skill errors evident.

Some have expressed their disappointment at the forwards pushing up the ground at times, leaving no target options for our ball carriers when they look up after obtaining the ball. You think this happens to only our side, and not others? All sides at sometime experience this. They all push up at times to zone-up or man-up; fill holes; whatever. There are four objectives in doing this: -

1/ To prevent or make it difficult for the opposition to hit a target i50.

2/ To prevent or make it difficult for the opposition to effectively score.

3/ To increase the chance of turning over the ball; therefore obtain possession.

4/ Slowing and changing the tempo of play.

The players are under instruction to quell the oppositions scoring at times during a game. Answer me this: Would you rather be 4 goals down at quarter time, or 6 goals down ?

Structure:

Backline

For a game plan to come to fruition properly you need a settled line up, cue structure. It has been far from settled and still needs tweaking with the above mentioned new inductees and 2nd and 3rd year players to be looked at more regularly and they’re to be given game time so prudent decisions can be made.

I think we all agree that the backline seems more settled in terms of positions consisting mainly of: -

Frawley

Warnock

Rivers

MacDonald

Bennell

And other candidates such as Cheney, Bruce, McDonald, Bartram, Garland, Morton, Grimes that can fill voids if need be. Davey did play off half back on occasions last year to provide run and accurate kicks (help set-up play).

Midfield

The midfield has had regular contributors in Jones, McDonald and Moloney (first full season last year for some time) and Sylvia (who has spent occasions up forward to provide a target). Davey was also a regular contributor by rotating through the midfield last year. Morton has h=been in and out of the midfield and played a bit down back for development.

However, the midfield is still in its infancy with the introduction of Scully, Trengove, Gysberts, Tapscott, Grimes this year and the possiblity of introducing young Jetta. We also still have the work in progress, that is the ruck division. Jamar, Spencer, Johnson, Gawn, Martin.

The midfield (the engine room) is oh so critical. We need to develop a pristine V8 engine room for the game plan to work effectively.

With these new additions, effectively time is still required to teach and develop the game plan. It really is a new start. Patience is required.

Forward Structure:

As for the forward line candidates: -

Jurrah – 9 games

Watts – 3 games

Wonaeamirri – 18 games

Bate – 68 games

Petterd – 29 games

Maric – 11 games

Morton – 40 games

Dunn – 52 games

Whilst Miller & Sylvia, Green and the odd ruckman in Jamar can float forward, it still resembles a 3 year old kindergarten at times.

I acknowledge that we still need a strong focal point up forward to be more competitive, but I will watch Jurrah and Jack’s (Watts) development with interest in terms of structure. For now, I think the best strong focal point (albeit a watered down one) we have on the list in the form of B.Miller. How I wish it was M.Pavlich. You can’t have everything I guess.

With regard to the KPF’s lets observe Watts, Bate, Morton, Sylvia and Jurrah with interest in terms of structure. The more game time they have together, along with the new midfield, the more the well-oiled game plan will improve.

As I've said before, the list is very much in it's infancy in terms of development. The little things such as clearances, efficient execution of skills, minimising clangers / turnovers, entering inside 50's all add up and contribute to an effective game plan.

Whether the coach decides to go man on man, play a loose defender in the backline, change the midfield or the forward set-up. There are different plans for different methods. The likes of Hawthorn, Geelong, Collingwood, Bulldogs and St.Kilda all change there style or game plan depending on what their opposition is dictating, or they are simply superior in confidence that the little things they do during the game (ie.skills and execution) will be enough to dictate play. Whether that be tempo football or fast break neck offence football. The main constant is doing the little things right under the right conditions. You do those effectively to the best of your ability, it will assist your game plan on any given day.

Game plans are only useful if players are consistently executing the 'basic' skills. Very few of our 'better' players have above average kicking skills. (Green,Davey, Sylvia and Bate are the only four I can think of.) Many have 'adequate' skills and, indeed a number have below average kicking Skills.(Bruce, Warnock, Bartram, Jamar are all poor.) Keep recruiting guys that kick well. Keep delisting players with below average skills.

Game plans are only useful if players are consistently executing the 'basic' skills. Very few of our 'better' players have above average kicking skills. (Green,Davey, Sylvia and Bate are the only four I can think of.) Many have 'adequate' skills and, indeed a number have below average kicking Skills.(Bruce, Warnock, Bartram, Jamar are all poor.) Keep recruiting guys that kick well. Keep delisting players with below average skills.

Agree (as i have highlighted), and as long as those players are adhering to that plan.

Regarding kicking skills. I'm sure Alistair Clarkson would agree. He likes left footers with precision. Our FD has tried to address this over summer re: kicking over 30m, etc.

The record shows I'm in favour of DB, that I claim to have seen evidence of his GP(s).

However we've a picture, a thousand words, a thread entitled game plan ... but no game plan.

Perhaps you're addressing an entirely different issue.

The record shows I'm in favour of DB, that I claim to have seen evidence of his GP(s).

However we've a picture, a thousand words, a thread entitled game plan ... but no game plan.

Ah, but there is, my point is that it is dysfunctional and more importantly a "work in progress"..

Can you tell me St.Kilda's game plan ?

edit: Don't take me as being smart at all, the thread topic is about the Melbourne game plan. Apart from kicking out from full back with a set plan, or a centre bounce or throw-in there are so many variables and so many plans to counteract the opposition's set up.

Perhaps you're addressing an entirely different issue.

My first few sentences in the opening post may give hint to a different issue, but it is all about the game plan and peoples opinions on it.

The record shows I'm in favour of DB, that I claim to have seen evidence of his GP(s).

However we've a picture, a thousand words, a thread entitled game plan ... but no game plan.

Perhaps you're addressing an entirely different issue.

I thinks that's the point. We have many critical of "the gameplan" without considering all of the factors which go into implementing one successfully ie these factors are key in rendering the gameplan successful.

The gameplan was evident at various times last year and had many of us pretty impressed.

The record shows I'm in favour of DB, that I claim to have seen evidence of his GP(s).

However we've a picture, a thousand words, a thread entitled game plan ... but no game plan.

Perhaps you're addressing an entirely different issue.

The gameplan many don't see is evolving. had you been at the Dogs game last year I thought that was our best game for the year. We showed glimpses of what I'm sure will become our gameplan. More time into players is required. There's a long way to go. The club aren't kidding when they talk about 2014.

I'll give you the fact that attacking our gameplan is a bit of a moot point when we're such a young list with lots of first-year players and not a lot of experience. But:

Some have expressed their disappointment at the forwards pushing up the ground at times, leaving no target options for our ball carriers when they look up after obtaining the ball. You think this happens to only our side, and not others? All sides at sometime experience this. They all push up at times to zone-up or man-up; fill holes; whatever. There are four objectives in doing this: -

1/ To prevent or make it difficult for the opposition to hit a target i50.

2/ To prevent or make it difficult for the opposition to effectively score.

3/ To increase the chance of turning over the ball; therefore obtain possession.

4/ Slowing and changing the tempo of play.

The players are under instruction to quell the oppositions scoring at times during a game. Answer me this: Would you rather be 4 goals down at quarter time, or 6 goals down ?

I don't agree with this.

The last few years have been dominated by teams who are more offensive and more able to score whilst still having strong defences. The era of depending on flooding and congestion ended after Sydney won their flag.

Why can't a team make it difficult for the opposition to hit a target inside 50 by having a defensive unit that can do that themselves? Why is it that when a team gets a run on of 4 or 5 goals, we see our forwards in our defence? The best way to negate a 4-goal run would be to kick 4 goals of our own, right?

Good work hightower, I like your analysis

A couple of wins on the board and there will be less talk about game plans and skills.

Why can't a team make it difficult for the opposition to hit a target inside 50 by having a defensive unit that can do that themselves? Why is it that when a team gets a run on of 4 or 5 goals, we see our forwards in our defence? The best way to negate a 4-goal run would be to kick 4 goals of our own, right?

Right. This point of view of yours doesn't necessarily disagree with my post entirely you have to admit.

If I had the forward structure (of experience) of five to six years ago, I'd back our defence to look after themselves and back kicking our own goals.

However, what is overlooked is when the FD decide to do this (ie at the time of the quarter), already 3-4 goals down and taking into account that we've scored no goals ourselves for 20-25 minutes. They maybe of the opinion that we don't look like scoring a goal and with 2-3 minutes remaining we may as quell the opposition at least from geting 4-5 goals in front. So we can reset ourselves for the next quarter with new instructions. Maybe seen as a negative ploy to some, and that itself is hard to argue. I think it depends how dangerous your forward line looks, and at the end of the first quarter against Freo, we weren't looking that dangerous at all.

Good work hightower, I like your analysis

A couple of wins on the board and there will be less talk about game plans and skills.

au contraire....there will be more talk if we actually see any of either !!

Rather than make me read this can't we just replace the coach with Lyon, bring back Robbo, delist Maric, Jetta, Strauss and Bennell, trade Morton in a fire sale and make Watts play regardless of whether he's fit or not. Then can't we just go back to kicking it long and see what comes up?

bennell is going to be a star why get rid of him?

strauss has hardly played to get judge yet.

and we spent how many years trying to get a young team and developing them why bring back robbo?

The gameplan many don't see is evolving. had you been at the Dogs game last year I thought that was our best game for the year. We showed glimpses of what I'm sure will become our gameplan. More time into players is required. There's a long way to go. The club aren't kidding when they talk about 2014.

I definitely agree with this.

I'm not sure if it showed up on te telly, but the first 8 or so rounds last year I really felt that we were starting to see some systems come in and the players play to them with confidence. A few mid year injuries, some smashings and then the deplorable situation we were forced into saw the end to that.

You might...if ever generous in forgiveness, to put last Sunday down as First day Fumbles. (im not , but lets for the sake of moving forward suggest it was ) Then we will need to see to semblance of both skills and plan execution else the Bumblers will make short work of us making the Freo excursion seem a picnic

It surpises me somewhat as I seriously beleive we were a better team last year than our results indicated of the much debated reasons. Underneath all that was a team, I thought. I imagined, foolishly, that the starting position was the underlying ability and formwork and not the position it seems where after a very early start to training and much work we seem worse.

Im looking forward ( if with a modicum of trepidation) to the Essendon game if for no other reason than to see something psasingly resembling a 'real' Melbourne effort.

I know Rome wasnt built in a day ..but didnt we start months ago ?

bennell is going to be a star why get rid of him?

strauss has hardly played to get judge yet.

and we spent how many years trying to get a young team and developing them why bring back robbo?

Oh boy...

Please tell me you are joking...

bennell is going to be a star why get rid of him?

strauss has hardly played to get judge yet.

and we spent how many years trying to get a young team and developing them why bring back robbo?

My tongue is in my cheek if you know what I mean!

Oh boy...

Please tell me you are joking...

nope, not at all

nope, not at all

No, I meant that I was hoping you'd got the sarcasm in Roost It's post.

Game plans are only useful if players are consistently executing the 'basic' skills. Very few of our 'better' players have above average kicking skills. (Green,Davey, Sylvia and Bate are the only four I can think of.) Many have 'adequate' skills and, indeed a number have below average kicking Skills.(Bruce, Warnock, Bartram, Jamar are all poor.) Keep recruiting guys that kick well. Keep delisting players with below average skills.

Agree with mostly what you have said,but you forgot Watts as an elite skills player, especially kicking supposedly.I would also add Dunn, Grimes, Maric and perhaps Wona as honerable mentions

You've made me a happy man HT.

Great stuff.

Anybody going to the Future Fund event tonight?

If so, I'll see ya there

The gameplan many don't see is evolving. had you been at the Dogs game last year I thought that was our best game for the year. We showed glimpses of what I'm sure will become our gameplan. More time into players is required. There's a long way to go. The club aren't kidding when they talk about 2014.

The Dogs game saw me in the stands.

It was mentioned in another thread as a GP evident match and I posted agreement.

Edit:

Players missing (on Sunday) from that team:

Johnson, Bartram, Bruce, Bate, Valenti, Whelen, Robertson, McLean.

Agree with mostly what you have said,but you forgot Watts as an elite skills player, especially kicking supposedly.I would also add Dunn, Grimes, Maric and perhaps Wona as honerable mentions

I wasn't counting the really young players. I'm sure Watts is a very good kick. Grimes is a good kick. Dunn is a good kick but RARELY gets the pill! Maric!!! gasp. He is a LONG way from convincing me he can kick a footy well.