In the preseason, there were a number of topics and posts highlightiing our lack of natural skill in our backline. There is no lack in our backmen GETTING to a contest - but the skills coming out of defence to set up attacks was a worry in the NAB cup and challenge matches.

It is only round one, but this trend was on show for all the other clubs to see today. You know our defence had a bad skills day when one of the best users of the ball is Bartram. He actually played his role well today but as for the others, their lack of skill was hihjlighted. Tapscott was excellent in defence and it was great to see his ball use.

MacDonald - turned into trouble, handballed into trouble and kicked very poorly.

Rivers - his efficiency rate for every skill today would be at about 40%

Garland - did his job (eventually) on Goodes but even he bad a number of bad decisions.

Grimes - excellent at everything except disposal.

Two suggestions:

1. Our midfielders have to move a lot more so our backline do not have to continually kick to stationary targets near the boundary line. This lack of movement and options increasses the probability of clangers and restricts the defender's options.

2. We must get games in to Gysberts, Blease and Strauss. We cannot advance too far without an increase in backline kicking skills.

Thoughts?

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Thoughts?

We played Tapscott back for a reason.