Footy fact! By a factor of 12.3 to 1, Melbourne has had more kicks smothered than any team in the history of all Australian rules football since 1858.

Perhaps signs of lack of awareness/footy smarts/confidence/options upfield to kick to? Garry Lyon had great awareness. So did Hird. Those guys never got caught or had kicks smothered.

With regard to smothers, i can't stand when someone is manning the mark and the umpire calls play-on and they continue to just stand there.

It should be instilled in them as a 1%er that as soon as the umpire calls play-on, they rush the guy with the ball.

Footy fact! By a factor of 12.3 to 1, Melbourne has had more kicks smothered than any team in the history of all Australian rules football since 1858.

I'm not sure what the percentage figure means but it confirms what we all saw last Sunday - a team that was slow both physically and in thought processes and reaction and no better exemplified by James Frawley who used to be good in both areas.

With regard to smothers, i can't stand when someone is manning the mark and the umpire calls play-on and they continue to just stand there.

It should be instilled in them as a 1%er that as soon as the umpire calls play-on, they rush the guy with the ball.

I get annoyed to but its usually because they can't hear them. However it is no excuse They should be aware that umps are calling ply on much quicker and be prepared.

Re the smothers it is a klller. Lack of awareness is astounding but its also a factor of the players up the ground not providing options. And on the rare occasions we do they lead is not 'honoured' Hence players stop doing it. Move it quick. Dont think. I get sick of seeing other teams chip short kicks to a player running into space. We never do it and its why our stats are so appalling. It breaks up opp'n structures and keeps retention of the ball. Footy 101.

I have a couple of others to go with yours.

1. The Harry O'Brien trick of shepherding the payer on the mark. We can't get this basic concept particularly on kick ins.

2. Kick ins. Our players stand about 15m off the goal line, We are allowed to stand 5m from the goal line. Makes a big difference.

And while we are at it.

3. The simple task of of closing space in the fwd 50 We allow a 'hole' to be created for an opp player to run into and take a simple mark

4. A tall players standing on the goal line when a player is kicking from 50m or thereabouts. Der. How basic is that.

5. No player in the centre square set up on the defensive side. we do it all day.

6. Allowing Opp'n full backs to kick a short on to the pocket. What is up with that?? Never understood why we can't stop that

Edited April 5, 201312 yr by jnrmac

Smothers are also a product of a slow side, which cannot either ran past an oncoming opponent or away from a trailing opponent.

And please, don't get me started on kick outs. Who at Origin green lighted a campaign associated with Melbourne kick outs?

I'm not sure what the percentage figure means but it confirms what we all saw last Sunday - a team that was slow both physically and in thought processes and reaction and no better exemplified by James Frawley who used to be good in both areas.

This has been going on for the last 6 years is appalling and exhibits the bone laziness that is an integral part of the melbourne football culture

If the off field cant see that and do something then they should move on as suggested elswhere on this forum There is no excuse for it None!

I get annoyed to but its usually because they can't hear them. However it is no excuse They should be aware that umps are calling ply on much quicker and be prepared.

Re the smothers it is a klller. Lack of awareness is astounding but its also a factor of the players up the ground not providing options. And on the rare occasions we do they lead is not 'honoured' Hence players stop doing it. Move it quick. Dont think. I get sick of seeing other teams chip short kicks to a player running into space. We never do it and its why our stats are so appalling. It breaks up opp'n structures and keeps retention of the ball. Footy 101.

I have a couple of others to go with yours.

1. The Harry O'Brien trick of shepherding the payer on the mark. We can't get this basic concept particularly on kick ins.

2. Kick ins. Our players stand about 15m off the goal line, We are allowed to stand 5m from the goal line. Makes a big difference.

And while we are at it.

3. The simple task of of closing space in the fwd 50 We allow a 'hole' to be created for an opp player to run into and take a simple mark

4. A tall players standing on the goal line when a player is kicking from 50m or thereabouts. Der. How basic is that.

5. No player in the centre square set up on the defensive side. we do it all day.

6. Allowing Opp'n full backs to kick a short on to the pocket. What is up with that?? Never understood why we can't stop that

I couldnt agree more junior Its so bloody obvious where the simple problems are and they kepp doing it. Why cant these simple things be fixed It may give us more confidence