Possession Football

[bandicoot 1,395]

It was glaringly obvious today why we failed so miserably against the Tigers.

Our game style revolved around kicking to contested packs.

Traditionally, every time you kick to a contested pack you have a 50/50 chance of winning the ball.

Unfortunately for Melbourne, our weak midfield depth means that our chances are more like 40/60.

This results in our players kicking to a pack, losing possession and watching the ball return straight back.

Conversely, Richmond kept possession of the football by finding free players by foot, slowly working the ball up the field and only kicking to a contested pack in their forward 50.

It is critical that we keep possession of the football and don't give it up to the other team.

It couldn't be that difficult to hit up a loose player, moving the ball up the field whilst retaining control.

Im no a coach, yet this is a basic understanding of football. Why are we not doing this?

[Norm Smith's Curse 2,593]

Our list is a running list, not a competitive ball winning list.

[RalphiusMaximus 6,026]

Our list is a running list, not a competitive ball winning list.

Carlton recruited for speed and ball use, then taught them how to play hard. Now they have a team where every single player will hurl themselves at the ball and/or man to try to win that ball, and then run and work hard for each other once they have won it. Our light running players need to learn how to do this. If they can't they will be culled. Simple.

[jnrmac 20,055]

It was glaringly obvious today why we failed so miserably against the Tigers. Our game style revolved around kicking to contested packs.

I disagree with this. That is clearly what they are doing but that is not the game plan. Neeld is not telling them to play this way. They are not capable at present of playing the way he wants them too.

They are getting confused, they are frightened of making the wrong choices hence they are like rabbits in headlights.

PLayers need to generate some confidence in their ability to hold on to the ball, take the game on, deliver to an uncontested player. Players without the ball are not running and spreading and this is a huge problem for the ball carrier.

It's clearly not working. ATM