How this game of football has changed in just 12 months.. The first round game last year between Geelong and StKilda saw only 3 yes 3 goals in the first half 2 for Geelong and 1 to the saints. This year the first game between Carl and Rich was a scoring feast 18 goals to 12

Melbs total of 11 goals was the second lowest of the round (GWS 5)

Most of the games I saw this weekend were great fast flowing footy Exciting attacking footy with a touch of defence.

At Melbourne we appear to always be 1 or 2 years behind all the other teams. We are playing a type of football that has now been surpassed. I think that watching Haw Vs Coll was better than watching the Dees fumble and stumble around. Even the Pies seem to have refined their games plan,playing more riskier faster footy. Maybe some time we will learn just not to copy others.

Edited April 2, 201213 yr by Bossdog

The basis of the game plan is still the team defence/offence press of defensive and forward press and the spread with each team adding their own variations.

We need to master the presses and the spread. We are coming from way back in terms of fitness and in terms of game plan.

Personally i'd be waiting 6 to 8 rounds before trying to "call" a new trend or change in the game. The opening round can often see the "young colt" teams starting in a rush. The hardness of the bigger bodied senior guys banging in etc as the year wears on might see a totally different dynamic to the style of game we see in 8 or 10 weeks versus what we see in these first few weeks.