NAB CUP 1: NORTH MELBOURNE AND RICHMOND

[Theo 276]

Quote:Kick outs

Field kicking

Decision making

Defensive running

Trust

I also watched both games and must admit I was dissappointed with the lack of improvement in these ongoing problem areas

It seems to me we still dont run hard enough in defending turnovers.I hope that we will get better as the team starts playing like a team. It doesnt yet exhibit any natural cohesivness of a good side. Its a bit like watching a group of indiviguals playing to a predetermined structure with no room for natural footy skills ie taking a risk playing the ball as it comes.

Maybe the coaches have seen this as a necesary step in the rebuilding plan.

They just dont loook like they are playing natural intuitive football

Scott Lucas said the same thing on 3AW. The midfield does not work hard enough when we don't have the ball. ditto: Sylvia and Jetta as well.

[The heart beats true 18,183]

Watched the replay of the Richmond game tonight and thought we looked better than when I watched at the ground.

One thing that really worked against our game plan is the ridiculous last team over the boundary free kick. With less midfield runners on the ground and the Tigers fresh legs combined with the speed of the carpet at Docklands we got run over at times when Neelds game plan would usually see us competing for a 50/50 ball on the boundary. I noticed a few players kicking the ball more in the corridor than I'm sure they'd be allowed in regular season.

I wish the NAB cup didn't have such stupid rules. Don't hold your breath for us to be much chop in this form of the game. It doesn't suit us, even with our best team on the park.

[DeeSpencer 26,269]

One thing I'd really like to see is us sharing the ball more. Even if it's overuse I think we need to get the possessions up. At one stage Nicholson streamed through the midfield with Sylvia next to him and didn't hand of the ball and then turned it over. I'd prefer to see to the ball given to Sylvia who's had more time to look afield.

Another instance late in the Richmond game Dunn gets the at half back and bombs the ball to half forward under pressure. The ball goes to 3 Richmond defenders. Now maybe our forwards are creating space but it looked more to me like the hadn't recovered their positions to provide an option. Here I think there are 2 issues, the lack of spread and the lack of sharing the ball. It might be a game plan issue but really I think a lot of problems are down to the players not being switched on which is disappointing.