Handball magic

[the pearl 36]

For the last two (more??) games we've had more handballs than kicks. For the past couple of seasons, this has presented us with problems - going around in circles, handpassing to stationary team mates, loose handballs - all leading to turnovers and sometimes, a stack of goals kicked against us. It looked like we handballed too much and that the game plan could have been flawed and that the coach might not have been up to it. Bailey never wavered in his media interviews or his approach.

Against Richmond and also against Brisbane, the movement of the ball by hand has been superb - opening up runners, breaking through lines, running the opposition of their feet. Chains of handballs have resulted in running goals. Defending opposition players have been bamboozled, tricked and confused.

It has taken our breath away with the precision of the handballs and the vision. The efforts of the receiving players to make great position and support their team mates has been fantastic.

I think I can see what the coach is trying to do. It won't happen all the time but when it happens most of the time, we're going to be hard to beat!

[e25 5]

Players getting accustomed to the pressure and being composed under pressure, seems to have helped.

Goddamn we look sharp out there.

Such a contrast.

I expect we'll once again soon see times where we look like we are overhandballing.

That will likely be a result of teams reading our game style and trying to counteract it.

Some will succeed and turn it into a shambles but this is the case with any gameplan.

If we're good we'll be able to adapt.

[Gorgoroth 12,910]

Helps when we handball to running players in good positions instead of stationary ones just to get rid of the ball before being tackled.

[Allen Jakovich 516]

Only one thing has changed.

Our level of belief.

[Eth 4]

Only one thing has changed.

Our level of belief.

Can't disagree.

It's amazing comparing our efficiency with our handball compared to last year - we were handballing to stationary players, putting ourselves under pressure etc., but now we move it so swiftly through our defence/midfield ready for a penetrating kick to a forward - I remember counting about 10-15 handballs in one short passage of play where no handball went to a stationary player and we worked our way right around those Brisbane players until a kick was made into the forward line. It was amazing to watch.

[Disco Demons 92]

colin sylvia returned last week and looked so confident to do what he liked....and did what he liked.

is it fair to say that melbournes mid tier players are now playing good footy? ie., dunn, jones, etc?

[Adam The God 30,019]

Can't disagree.

It's amazing comparing our efficiency with our handball compared to last year - we were handballing to stationary players, putting ourselves under pressure etc., but now we move it so swiftly through our defence/midfield ready for a penetrating kick to a forward - I remember counting about 10-15 handballs in one short passage of play where no handball went to a stationary player and we worked our way right around those Brisbane players until a kick was made into the forward line. It was amazing to watch.

You could be describing Geelong too. It is interesting. We've certainly got a similar game plan to them. I think our advantage over a Geelong (in the long run) will come when Watts comes in to dominate. Geelong run and spread very much as we did on Saturday night. They don't have a particularly efficient power forward, but this is the clear advantage we much potentially have. It'll be interesting to see how we combat whatever challenges are thrown at this game plan.

[Go the mighty Dees 0]

You could be describing Geelong too. It is interesting. We've certainly got a similar game plan to them. I think our advantage over a Geelong (in the long run) will come when Watts comes in to dominate. Geelong run and spread very much as we did on Saturday night. They don't have a particularly efficient power forward, but this is the clear advantage we much potentially have. It'll be interesting to see how we combat whatever challenges are thrown at this game plan.

Having seen Watts play a couple of time with Casey and seeing him close up in quarter and three quarter time breaks, I do not believe he will ever be a power forward in the mould of a Carey, Brown or even Neitz. He doesn't have either the physique or playing style. I think he will be more Nick Rewolt or Royce Hart, although quicker than either in hand and feet. He is a better kick than either, has fantastic lightening fast attacking handball like Tom Scully, but at this stage at least does not have the marking power of either, although there were glimpses of what was to come in that direct down at Ballarat last Sarurday. By the way I would describe Jack Hawkins as a power forward for Geelong, perhaps not in the Brown mode but certainly a target. JW will not be unlike him when've matures, except faster and more skillful.

Don't get me wrong - he will be a gun. Just not in the next year or so. We must all be patient. Personally I hope he doesn't play this year unless he plays two or three blinders in the 2s to get his confidence sky high. He doesn't look like doing that anytime soon, but you can certainly see the potential. In any case, the club's position has changed in the last week or so. We are now genuine finals contenders and all selection from now on in has to be done on merit, on current form. Jack is a long way off being selected on that criteria.

[Adam The God 30,019]

I would consider Riewoldt a power forward, but certainly in a different sense to a Jon Brown. Over the next decade power forwards will generally be of Riewoldt and Watts' build, in order to compete in the new football order. Players must be able to play different positions if a team requires them (ie high up the ground, towards centre wing and centre half forward and in the goal square and even in the midfield occasionally). Players like Franklin and Pavlich have set this benchmark, one that I can see Watts eventually being able to play. He may not have the bulk of a Pavlich, but with time, Watts may well.

As for this year, certainly, Watts won't be dominating. I expect that after 40 to 50 games and that'll take at least this season or the next.

[... 11]

Having seen Watts play a couple of time with Casey and seeing him close up in quarter and three quarter time breaks, I do not believe he will ever be a power forward in the mould of a Carey, Brown or even Neitz. He doesn't have either the physique or playing style. I think he will be more Nick Rewolt or Royce Hart, although quicker than either in hand and feet. He is a better kick than either, has fantastic lightening fast attacking handball like Tom Scully, but at this stage at least does not have the marking power of either, although there were glimpses of what was to come in that direct down at Ballarat last Sarurday. By the way I would describe Jack Hawkins as a power forward for Geelong, perhaps not in the Brown mode but certainly a target. JW will not be unlike him when've matures, except faster and more skillful.

I would consider Riewoldt a power forward, but certainly in a different sense to a Jon Brown. Over the next decade power forwards will generally be of Riewoldt and Watts' build, in order to compete in the new football order. Players must be able to play different positions if a team requires them (ie high up the ground, towards centre wing and centre half forward and in the goal square and even in the midfield occasionally). Players like Franklin and Pavlich have set this benchmark, one that I can see Watts eventually being able to play. He may not have the bulk of a Pavlich, but with time, Watts may well.

A montage?! Excellent. Hang on, I'll just put the Rocky IV soundtrack on... ok I'm back. Here goes:

Watts will be the same height as Sandilands, as fast as Davey, as strong as Jonathon Brown, smarter than Fevola, as courageous as Voss, and with better knockers than Pamela Anderson, and a backside and legs like Jamie Lee Curtis mid 80s. This, combined with Cameron Ling's pill, Koschitske's co-ordination, and Barry Hall's temperment wil see him lead the Dees up forward.

Jack 'Montage' Watts.