Decided to start a new post about the other kick-in. The one where we are trying to defend. It was very ordinary and we were extremely lucky to not get really hurt on the scoreboard. On at least 5 occasions we allowed several GC players to get past our defensive zone and it was only by chance (ie unforced skill errors and fumbles), not good management the ball got held up before they could get it to these players for easy, easy goals. The lack of coverage for these players was a real concern and we really dodged a bullet on Sunday.

it was the far side players, who effectively need to run the full length of the ground to cover these players, instead they often stood there guarding grass, whether it be lazy, ill disciplined, or just the players were a bit goal hungry waiting for a gold coast turnover, it is definitely something that they need to fix

Listening to the radio and being at the ground I think there was at least 8 times gold coast were streaming forward with 2 or 3 loose players. It was a worry. But we haver to remember that Viney has tried to change our gameplan. More defensive mindset and different set ups. This takes a long time to work with the same players playing together. This is the reason West Coast were like they were last year (some other factors involved).

Also a fitness issue we have a lot of younger players and they will have to improve running defensively.

Also we have to give credit to Guy Mckenna, I think he is one of the best coaches in the business. The main reason why the Suns have been respectable.

I agree, S-T.

I mentioned this in "Wonnabeeri's" kick-in thread.

I reckon our coaches should copy the kick-in defence tactics of other sides.....esp. the top teams! They all seem to have far less trouble than us in this aspect. So often when we kick-in it results in prolonged periods of desperate defence. Rarely do we get breakaways for potential "coast-to-coasters" the way the Suns did. As you've pointed out,luckily for us, they failed to use their opportunities by committing unforced errors.

Meanwhile, we had our best effort yet on the attacking aspect of our kick-ins(see Wonnabeeri's thread). I'm assured by other posters that this was because WE chose to use the"huddle". (I had the apparently incorrect notion that the huddle can only be used if the opposition "man's up", rather than occupying "zones.")

We are definitely not fit enough