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What is the pre-season for?

Maldonboy38
Maldonboy38
in Melbourne Demons

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I am really struggling to figure out what the AFL clubs, including Melbourne, are looking for in the pre-season matches, be they NAB cup or NAB challenge games.

In the media, Nick Reiwoldt, that injured Collingwobble defender and even the flawed-Messiah James Hird have stated something like "we are not aiming to win the NAB cup". We hear all the reasons spun by clubs like:

[*]getting games into the young guys

[*]practicing our structures

[*]getting everyone match fit

[*]seeing who will step up this year

[*]etc...

In reality, it appears as if none of these are true. In some games, some clubs have put their best side in each week. Sydney rarely even attempt to win. Our pre-eseason form last year did not simulate our real season game-play at all. St. Kilda the other night were not going hard at many contest (Lenny Hayes was not beaten - he just didn't go at it like he usually does).

I didn't see any of the Melbourne/Lions game today but by reading the posts of those who were at the game you would think our backline was practising all things not to do during the regular season.

Any ideas of what the pre-season is for?

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    It's for supporters to get their panties in a knot. Other than that, it serves no function at all.

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    Helps give an indication of your players form/fitness/etc before the real stuff. The last 5~ players picked four Round 2 may get a gig based on their performances in the NAB Cup (Maric... Jetta today).

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    Primarily it's to get some match fitness prior to Rnd 1.

    But with young or restructuring teams, not aiming for top 6, then it's also about teaching, & to help those senior players, struggling for good form, to get a chance to run themselves into some sort of form before the season start.

    But for supporters, who have got themselves too far ahead of themselves, it's a painfull realisation that we're not the only ones who happen to be Improving & Changing...

    We must remember that it's still the first week of March, and the Hottest part of the year, for footy.

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    to work on a tactic that will not be used during the year, like full press zone

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      On 05/03/2011 at 06:44, Maldonboy38 said:

    I am really struggling to figure out what the AFL clubs, including Melbourne, are looking for in the pre-season matches, be they NAB cup or NAB challenge games.

    In the media, Nick Reiwoldt, that injured Collingwobble defender and even the flawed-Messiah James Hird have stated something like "we are not aiming to win the NAB cup". We hear all the reasons spun by clubs like:

    [*]getting games into the young guys

    [*]practicing our structures

    [*]getting everyone match fit

    [*]seeing who will step up this year

    [*]etc...

    In reality, it appears as if none of these are true. In some games, some clubs have put their best side in each week. Sydney rarely even attempt to win. Our pre-eseason form last year did not simulate our real season game-play at all. St. Kilda the other night were not going hard at many contest (Lenny Hayes was not beaten - he just didn't go at it like he usually does).

    I didn't see any of the Melbourne/Lions game today but by reading the posts of those who were at the game you would think our backline was practising all things not to do during the regular season.

    Any ideas of what the pre-season is for?

    You ask some very valid things in your opening thread.

    To me, and I am different to most- I think it is a great time for coaches to try to get the players to implement what the pre season is all about, try young players and implement strategies if current plan is not working.I thought the coaching department let down the club and it's supporters yesterday as the day-game was a nothing, excepting maybe gaining some match practice into several players. I attended match and afterwards left very disappointed,not that we lost , that we did not optimise the time.

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      On 06/03/2011 at 00:47, jayceebee31 said:

    You ask some very valid things in your opening thread.

    To me, and I am different to most- I think it is a great time for coaches to try to get the players to implement what the pre season is all about, try young players and implement strategies if current plan is not working.I thought the coaching department let down the club and it's supporters yesterday as the day-game was a nothing, excepting maybe gaining some match practice into several players. I attended match and afterwards left very disappointed,not that we lost , that we did not optimise the time.

    Not to be rude...but how do you know the club didn't optimize the time yesterday? Maybe they did everything they wanted to do, maybe more.

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    It's to give the players a training session as close to a real game as you can get.

    Unfortunately many on here take it way to seriously.

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      On 06/03/2011 at 01:29, UTAH said:

    It's to give the players a training session as close to a real game as you can get.

    Unfortunately many on here take it way to seriously.

    Which is a real shame because it brings down the general morale for the season ahead!!!

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      On 05/03/2011 at 14:32, Mad_Melbourne said:

    to work on a tactic that will not be used during the year, like full press zone

    Certainly doesn't seem to be what we are trying to do. I support playing young kids to give them a chance to see what it's about. But we have played so many there is no way we can expect any system out of them. Yesterday's system was abysmal. Not much better against bombers.
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      On 06/03/2011 at 01:23, ox_5 said:

    Not to be rude...but how do you know the club didn't optimize the time yesterday? Maybe they did everything they wanted to do, maybe more.

    It certainly showed us what we are not good at. But that is a great learning experience in itself.
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      On 06/03/2011 at 01:29, UTAH said:

    It's to give the players a training session as close to a real game as you can get.

    Unfortunately many on here take it way to seriously.

    I think they'll start to step it up next Friday & the week after.

    We play the Hawks Friday, so we will want to keep them honest, as we play them Rnd 2, I think. We won't want to show all our tricks Friday, but we'll need a stepup in Intentcity.

    Then the Lions Rnd 3.

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      On 06/03/2011 at 03:45, Harrisonrules said:

    Certainly doesn't seem to be what we are trying to do. I support playing young kids to give them a chance to see what it's about. But we have played so many there is no way we can expect any system out of them. Yesterday's system was abysmal. Not much better against bombers.

    we were using a full press zone in both the matches, and ill bet come round one we will be playing man on man, as the midfielders and defenders had no clue who they were manning up on as brisbane players ran into space.

    so its a teaching experience for the defenders so they can slot into a position if injures occur.

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