Sorry I don't do links but take a look at Garry Lyon's column in The Age today.

His message is that forwards have let the focus on defence overtake the principles of playing as a full time attacking forward. Not erough movement, too much zoning off by defenders because forwards have allowed themselves to be dictated to.

He mentions Melbourne only in passing: one sentence in maybe 1000 words but I can't help think he is really having a go at how our forwards are set up (as well as most of the rest of the AFL forward lines with two notable exclusions being Cats and Pies).

Can't help but think he would make a great part time forward coach.

Just read the article and thought exactly the same thing

Just read the article and thought exactly the same thing

Fwds going backwards

Try this...

Clint Bizkit, March 2009:

Players starting 20 metres out. Why oh why were Melbourne’s forwards starting each centre bounce 20-30 metres out from goal with no one on the goal line? All that happens is that when they lead for the ball, instead of marking it 20-30 metres out they are marking it 50-60 metres out. Straight away they are losing all that space to lead into. Why do it?

Garry Lyon, June 2010:

It happens because we see so many forward lines of four or five players, with their opponents, huddled together 40 metres out from goal at centre bounces. Where is the advantage in that? One of the most important tools in a forward's armoury is the ability to move first.

Simplistic article with a thrust that suggests that all a forward needs to do is get moving. Yes: very mobile forwards are essential. But. What about pressure up the ground? What about lack of space? What about being outnumbered? What about the large number of skilled on-ballers running the ball ALL the way down the ground through half-forward, not just off half-back? What about the inability of his teammates to hit a tight target. Blaming forwards for not finding space is like blaming a roof for falling when there are no walls to hold it up.

Even the heading (courtesy of a subby, no doubt) is misleading? Forwards going backwards? Forwards find the most space when they have turned their defender and are running towards goal: Jack Watts last week; Miller against Port; Geelong all the bloody time.

Steve Johnson is capable of running into space because Geelong bring the ball down quicker than most so the Johnson has more space in which to move, and Geelong are precise at hitting forwards in limited space because they are better kicks than most.

The nature of defence has changed because ALL players are fitter and more athletic and able to cover more ground, which means they can get back into coverage.

Garry neglects to mention that the best side in the competition has won two out of the last three premierships - and should have won three, except that the side which won the other premiership did it better on the day (and Geelong choked) - precisely by having its back-men zone off their forwards.

When done properly, zoning off works. Melbourne's goal should be to get it working; combine it with a strong-running on-ball brigade; and run at the defenders, draw them up the ground, and hit the Melbourne forwards who will then have the necessary space in which to move.

I do see what Lyon is saying.

There has been a shift from forwards hunting goals to hunting their opponents and applying pressure when the defense has the ball, to create turnovers in dangerous positions.

It's all about creating turnovers and limiting potential damage on a rebound.

I think you'll find melbournes forward setup is less about set plays and leading patterns, and more about creating situations where the opportunities to kick goals are created.

I think the article is about AFL players in general.

You may be able to apply that to MFC but we are by no means alone in this respect.