Last night, Carlton racked up an endlessly depressing stream of uncontested possessions. Thus, their possession stats went through the roof compared to ours. It made for woefully boring football,but was relentlessly effective against us, the turnover kings. What does it take for a team to shift it's defensive strategy to make these possessions accountable? It has to come from the coach/es. Why are we not playing contested, accountable football? Why, why, why, why?

It was a combination of our disgusting stratedgy of pushing players back last night, and also work rate.

Carlton had plenty of work rate last night, we had very little, which is why they consistently found space between themselves and there direct opponents, and they were able to hit open targets pushing up toward the ball all night.

How many times did we find hit up targets in space last night?

Even Brad Miller has been able to do this again at Richmand, so clearly there is gameplan and personnel issues at our club, but I am not telling you anything that we don't already all know and can see with our own eyes out there.

It's because of all the new defensive tactics of the 'modern' game. Back in the day, you had an opponent and you stuck with them. Sure you had to work hard to stay with them, but it was simple to understand. It also allowed for 1 on 1 contest and big marking etc. Nowadays it's all shifting zones, switching players on the mark and trapping the ball.

As a football fan with a heavy basketball background I can tell you that these defensive tactics are great in a small area (like a basketball court) but on a huge playing field like a football field (especially the G) you have to be real quick and very very organised to avoid being caught out.

It seems at times we are neither.

It does make for boring, uneventful football but what can you do? The NBA made zone defence illegal for the exact same reason. It made games boring and fans hated it.

Last night, Carlton racked up an endlessly depressing stream of uncontested possessions. Thus, their possession stats went through the roof compared to ours. It made for woefully boring football,but was relentlessly effective against us, the turnover kings. What does it take for a team to shift it's defensive strategy to make these possessions accountable? It has to come from the coach/es. Why are we not playing contested, accountable football? Why, why, why, why?

Simple question: were you at the match, or did you watch it on tv?

It's because of all the new defensive tactics of the 'modern' game. Back in the day, you had an opponent and you stuck with them. Sure you had to work hard to stay with them, but it was simple to understand. It also allowed for 1 on 1 contest and big marking etc. Nowadays it's all shifting zones, switching players on the mark and trapping the ball.

As a football fan with a heavy basketball background I can tell you that these defensive tactics are great in a small area (like a basketball court) but on a huge playing field like a football field (especially the G) you have to be real quick and very very organised to avoid being caught out.

It seems at times we are neither.

It does make for boring, uneventful football but what can you do? The NBA made zone defence illegal for the exact same reason. It made games boring and fans hated it.

Based on last nights game I would be advocating for making the zone illegal. Felt like watching a soccer match at times. Otherwise they need go reduce the number of players on the ground...

It's because of all the new defensive tactics of the 'modern' game. Back in the day, you had an opponent and you stuck with them. Sure you had to work hard to stay with them, but it was simple to understand. It also allowed for 1 on 1 contest and big marking etc. Nowadays it's all shifting zones, switching players on the mark and trapping the ball.

As a football fan with a heavy basketball background I can tell you that these defensive tactics are great in a small area (like a basketball court) but on a huge playing field like a football field (especially the G) you have to be real quick and very very organised to avoid being caught out.

It seems at times we are neither.

It does make for boring, uneventful football but what can you do? The NBA made zone defence illegal for the exact same reason. It made games boring and fans hated it.

You are allowed to play a zone defense in the NBA, the only proviso being that you cant just plant one player in the key to guard space they must be perceived to be guarding a player. If you have a defensive player camped in the key a defensive three second technical will be called, the offensive team gets a free throw and possession.

You are allowed to play a zone defense in the NBA, the only proviso being that you cant just plant one player in the key to guard space they must be perceived to be guarding a player. If you have a defensive player camped in the key a defensive three second technical will be called, the offensive team gets a free throw and possession.

So if you are technically defending a player, how is it a zone?

Last night, Carlton racked up an endlessly depressing stream of uncontested possessions. Thus, their possession stats went through the roof compared to ours. It made for woefully boring football,but was relentlessly effective against us, the turnover kings. What does it take for a team to shift it's defensive strategy to make these possessions accountable? It has to come from the coach/es. Why are we not playing contested, accountable football? Why, why, why, why?

I thought we were the transition kings

Simple question: were you at the match, or did you watch it on tv?

I was at the game, which is why it was sooooo apparent that the blueboys just happily ran into unmanned space to be delivered to, with a startling lack of pressure from us. With the exception of the Adelaide game, our willingness to make the opposition accountable for an entire game simply does not exist.