Last night we missed 3 "gimme" goals where players had the goals wide open in front of them at short range, but missed. On all three occasions(Davey once, Jurrah twice), the players tried spectacular , clever ,"check-side"type kicks, which missed, when a plain old normal drop punt couldn't have missed. St Kilda suffered from the same problem in the finals the last two seasons.

Edited February 12, 201114 yr by JUMPING JACK CLENNETT

It wasn't good, trying to be too fancy, hopefully they will learn.

Aaron probably had a bit more time to straighten up for a drop punt. Usually you back these guys in to kick them. They will improve or decide better next time. Put it down to blowing out the cobwebs in the Nab Cup.

Maric made two from two with snaps. Good snaps that were appropriate. What disappointed me more was Maric's indecisiveness in Game 2 with the ball in the middle which resulted in a turnover and we were punished for it because he didn't know what to do; eventhough he had ample time with the pill.

I didn't think there were clear options for Maric at the time, but he should have come up with something better than that.

I also think the idea of curbing players' natural flair is counter-productive and antiquated in today's game.

I wouldn't expect to see much change.

I also think the idea of curbing players' natural flair is counter-productive and antiquated in today's game.

I wouldn't expect to see much change.

It's not about curbing flair, it's about making the right decision when using the ball.

Actually, "High Tower", I reckon that Maric's two goals were not fancy check kicks, but he sensibly used the natural hook of the right foot kick round the corner. If he'd been Robbo or Milne, he might have tried the impossible left-foot "check-side" from that position!

Actually, "High Tower", I reckon that Maric's two goals were not fancy check kicks, but he sensibly used the natural hook of the right foot kick round the corner. If he'd been Robbo or Milne, he might have tried the impossible left-foot "check-side" from that position!

Yeah, I have referred to them as good appropriate snaps. I don't consider them fancy. Just thought I'd make mention of them.

Probably right regarding Milne & Robbo - might add that they might have tried to run around another opponent too.

Davey is always doing cute kicks from anywhere on the ground, which in old-fashioned language were called "widow makers". They either result in turnovers, or kill momentum going forward. It's one thing holding him back from being "elite".

On a side note Jumping Jack, you must be happy with Melbourne's kick-ins. I have noted this many times but since around the mid way mark of last year Melbourne don't have a player standing in the pocket as a "get out of jail" option.

Most, if not all kick-ins go directly down the ground and usually cover a fair amount of distance and the end result is much better.

I am amazed that it has taken years (since about the days of Neil Balme) for Melbourne to do this.

Sorry to hijack the thread, I just know it is an issue that Jumping Jack Clennett often has.

Edited February 13, 201114 yr by Clint Bizkit

It's not about curbing flair, it's about making the right decision when using the ball.

That will come with experience.He has only played 12 games in the AFL.He comes across as desperately trying to impress. He'll make it..

Edited February 13, 201114 yr by jayceebee31

Aaron probably had a bit more time to straighten up for a drop punt. Usually you back these guys in to kick them. They will improve or decide better next time. Put it down to blowing out the cobwebs in the Nab Cup.

Maric made two from two with snaps. Good snaps that were appropriate. What disappointed me more was Maric's indecisiveness in Game 2 with the ball in the middle which resulted in a turnover and we were punished for it because he didn't know what to do; eventhough he had ample time with the pill.

Don't be too disappointed with the Kid. His brain fade, was no worse than Garlands failure to move to & mark that ball in our defence.

Garland then went on clumsily, to fumble the ball, allowing enough time for the Opp forwards to tackle him, causing a turnover. He had a heap of time & space & stuffed it.

So don't be too hard on the Kid.

He's making Big progress for such a little fella. He's just a boy trying to play a mans game, is Maric. Lets see how he goes over the first 7 games.

Davey is always doing cute kicks from anywhere on the ground, which in old-fashioned language were called "widow makers". They either result in turnovers, or kill momentum going forward. It's one thing holding him back from being "elite".

Thats a bad habit that has crept into his game over the last few years.

I noticed more last year, he cost a few turnovers, he is better than that.

Hoping this year,with a few better targets up forward,he pumps long and in front of a forward leading.

Or high for Jurrah and co but we need someone with the footy smarts to crumb.

He isnt the lone ranger, its another area we can improve.

It's fashionable to dribble 'em through nowdays , some fellas I'm sure feel more comfortable doing it but yes , it is annoying to miss gimmi goals like that .

I hope it was an coaching initiative, and Not just flashy undisciplined play. (coaching, as in an instruction to use your flair & take the game on, type of instruction, Be creative..)

Not Motlop like!

Thats a bad habit that has crept into his game over the last few years.

I noticed more last year, he cost a few turnovers, he is better than that.

Hoping this year,with a few better targets up forward,he pumps long and in front of a forward leading.

Or high for Jurrah and co but we need someone with the footy smarts to crumb.

He isnt the lone ranger, its another area we can improve.

You must watch a different game. There isn't a better field kick in the AFL than Davey.

Davey's role is to pierce the opposition zone, it's a high skill and will sometimes result in turnovers due to the degree of difficulty.

We give it to him off half back and through the middle because he's the designated kicker in these situations - others simply cannot do it.

The way he plays is different from Travis who often chose the difficult option, Davey often only has the difficult option.

Sometimes he's forced to bend the ball to make it work and sometimes it wont come off but most of the time he's deadly.

There's only a handful of players in the AFL who can do it. Have another look at the 2 Collingwood games from last season.

Edited February 13, 201114 yr by old55

You must watch a different game. There isn't a better field kick in the AFL than Davey.

Davey's role is to pierce the opposition zone, it's a high skill and will sometimes result in turnovers due to the degree of difficulty.

We give it to him off half back and through the middle because he's the designated kicker in these situations - others simply cannot do it.

The way he plays is different from Travis who often chose the difficult option, Davey often only has the difficult option.

Sometimes he's forced to bend the ball to make it work and sometimes it wont come off but most of the time he's deadly.

There's only a handful of players in the AFL who can do it. Have another look at the 2 Collingwood games from last season.

excellent post agree 1000%

it is those tricky little kicks, and his ability to execute them under extreme pressure, that make him the player he is. Occasionally one doesn't come off, but most of the time they get us out of touble while simultaneously launching an attack. I wish we had 3 more of him.

excellent post agree 1000%

it is those tricky little kicks, and his ability to execute them under extreme pressure, that make him the player he is. Occasionally one doesn't come off, but most of the time they get us out of touble while simultaneously launching an attack. I wish we had 3 more of him.

Agreed also. The odd turnover is a small price to pay - Davey's field kicking sets up more than enough goals to outweigh the ones that don't come off. There's no player that I'd want to have the ball more than Davey when a pin-point kick is required.

Going by the standard of general goal kicking by all teams on Saturday night there is nothing to indicate that they would have done better with more regulation attempts. These guys play on instinct, innate flair and usually deliver. Their quickness of thinking gives them their edge. But they can't hit them all.

Edited February 13, 201114 yr by america de cali

This point of view often confuses me.

Commentators as well always go on about players dribbling the ball through as though it's a fluke. I've always found that dribbling the ball through opens the goal face up and usually offers a greater margin for error.

This is what the pre-season is for. You can't fake the kind of confidence you need to kick 6 straight from all angles. SOmetimes it takes a number of weeks to get your engine up and going and get settled enough to be confident of trying those things. I'd like to see the guys taking the game on a few times in the pre-season, rather than just playing percentages now... and then when the real stuff starts, be unsure of whether or not to roll the dice on a risky but potentially devastating option.

The one that looked like a bit of a mistake was the very last one with Jetta just falling over at the end of the port game. It didn't matter by then, so most probably would have missed it... but it looked a bit clumsy. But there again, he tried something, it didn't come off... he learns. Exactly the way you want it to be in this situation.

You must watch a different game. There isn't a better field kick in the AFL than Davey.

Whoa, Back that truck up!

I never said he wasnt an excellent kick, the fact is,that he is.

On occassions he attempted a 'cute' little kick and they werent coming off.

They werent chopped off,and then a turnover.

He isnt the only one, short kicks cant be just as effective at times

when they hit their target.

When Davey missed it stood out.

Davey is always doing cute kicks from anywhere on the ground, which in old-fashioned language were called "widow makers". They either result in turnovers, or kill momentum going forward. It's one thing holding him back from being "elite".

daicos musn't have been elite then.

daicos musn't have been elite then.

Daicos hardly went beyond the HF line .

Daicos hardly went beyond the HF line .

Daicos played a lot of football in the midfield. Genius player.