Thinking without the footy

[whelan45 203]

I think the way todays game is being played is increasingly like basketball. It is imperative that when you don't have the footy, wherever you are on the field, whether the ball is near you or not, you have to be actively thinking and moving to be in the exact correct position. No longer can you cruise, switch the brain off a bit and generally jog in the right areas. Players need to be cutting down angles, be proactive in their thoughts and movements.

On defense in basketball, it's not about stealing the ball off your direct opponent, it's about denying every other bloke the ball, creating pressure and panic on the guy with the ball.

This is a mentality that needs to be drilled into our players. The urgency of our boys when they dont have the footy is way off where it needs to be. It is so important that they continue to think and be urgent in their movements wherever they are on the field.

I can see that both our offensive and defensive game plans are flawed and stagnant. I understand this is unlikely to change until next year. But the mentality ive explained above I believe should begin to be rammed home to the boys.

Thoughts?

[titan_uranus 24,980]

I think it's patently obvious that we struggle to apply the requisite pressure when we don't have the ball.

Whilst it is a legitimate reason to look at our youth and inexperience when highlighting deficiencies in our execution of our game plan, that is all to do with when we have the ball. When we don't, it shouldn't matter whether your 18 or 28, a stick or a tank, you should have the ability and the desire to chase the ball-carrier, to tackle as hard as you can, to zone where and when you are supposed to, and to look lively, not walk around.

Players like Dunn, Bate, Maric, Newton, Sylvia, Jurrah, Bennell and Morton have all, at times this year, failed to impress defensively. Bennell aside, they're all into their third year at least.

[e25 5]

We should get Garry to give Phil Jackson a call.

He's not contracted for next season and I think we'd go pretty well running the triangle offense...

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,703]

I just don't think we are fit enough, fast enough or strong enough. And our skills are poor. Apart from that...

Seriously, it has been reported elsewhere that James Hird and Simon Goodwin were horrified at the level of fitness at Essendon when they arrived. I wonder whether we, too, are similarly comparatively unfit.

[Tony Tea 2,806]

On defense in basketball, it's not about stealing the ball off your direct opponent, it's about denying every other bloke the ball, creating pressure and panic on the guy with the ball.

That is precisely what Malthouse sides do best. You only have to look at the finals Collingwood won in 2002 and 2003 to realise Malthouse footy is all about pressure, panic & winning big games. A pretty underwhelming Collingwood list almost won the flag in 2002 and were smashed in 2003, but Brisbane were pretty damn good. What I wouldn't give to have an undermanned Melbourne make a grand final. (Again.) Please, Melbourne, employ a coach whose priority is pressure & panic.

[e25 5]

Honestly, when I see the thread title, I just think "Nathan Jones".

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,703]

Honestly, when I see the thread title, I just think "Nathan Jones".

I'm the reverse, I think anyone but...

[e25 5]

I'm the reverse, I think anyone but...

Yeah, that's what I meant.