NAB Challenge 1 - Richmond v Melbourne

[Carrot Top 947]

At least he responded, got to pay that.

I guess he helped us out in case there is ever a toilet paper shortage. Other than that it was just Dwayne writing several hundred words on just how good Dwayne is.

[mdemonski2 403]

I think it was around half time when we kicked a goal to edge 1 point in front and Duh'wayne comes out with "well it looks like we've got a game on our hands."

Just plain stupid that all he can come up with is the usual commentary cliches when the game had been tight from the first bounce.

Definitely the most punchable head on tele. Easily surpasses Barrett and Tony Shaw.

With a name like Dwayne, what can you expect?

I mean who looks at a baby and thinks "Lets call this little baby Dwayne".

He was always going to struggle in whatever he did in life.

[KingSlayer33 170]

...She wasn't upset by this though - that ain't her style. She laughed at the reply and happily shows it to anyone that might make a comment that Dwayne is a good commentator. I'm yet to see such a person not change their mind after reading the self absorbed and condescending drivel he wrote her.

To be fair Carrot Top, it's not like she'd ever get to show it to anyone because surely there is nobody that thinks he is a good commentator!

[jnrmac 18,979]

We looked like a footy team for the first time since the Swans game in 2010.

[Dee Fan 3,247]

Watched the second half before and we were better in the last quarter that the third in my opinion, we seemed to improve as the game went on.

It was also very interesting to hear Brereton say that Pederson was making lead after lead and running himself in to the ground to clear the forward line and shortly after, Roos praised him for his game. I guess there are a lot of instructions given to the players that we aren't privy to and that's why we sometimes think a player has been ordinary when he's done exactly what the coach wanted him to do.

[H_T 2,941]

I've heard and read much about our missing forwards and rucks last night, not much about having missed Viney. Challenge or not, Richmond were hell bent on disposing us comfortably and Dimma said as much prior to the game. Overall a good hit out and it will be interesting to see how they handle Geelong in the next round.

[Jaded No More 57,945]

Already last night supporters were annoying me by yelling out "kick it forward, kick it long, stop handballing".

FFS are supporters so dumb that they would question a Paul Roos' game plan?

It's gonna be a long year for some if all they're expecting is fast forward movements.

[Deestroy All 14,261]

I've heard and read much about our missing forwards and rucks last night, not much about having missed Viney. Challenge or not, Richmond were hell bent on disposing us comfortably and Dimma said as much prior to the game. Overall a good hit out and it will be interesting to see how they handle Geelong in the next round.

Yep, more or less intimated that they expected to do to us what Hawthorn did to Brisbane.

NAB or not, they came to win, and didn't expect an actual capable football team to show up.

[What 18,810]

Yep, more or less intimated that they expected to do to us what Hawthorn did to Brisbane.

NAB or not, they came to win, and didn't expect an actual capable football team to show up.

Damian Hardwick was easily outcoached by the master, Paul Roos.

Just shows why we are paying Roosy the big bucks. He is a premiership coach and an absolute master tactician and a master of communication with his players.

Feels so good.

[Deestroy All 14,261]

Already last night supporters were annoying me by yelling out "kick it forward, kick it long, stop handballing".

FFS are supporters so dumb that they would question a Paul Roos' game plan?

It's gonna be a long year for some if all they're expecting is fast forward movements.

After Neeld, "kick it long" shouldn't be a phrase any Demon supporter should utter.

Even more so when you have no key forwards.

[Dee Fan 3,247]

Already last night supporters were annoying me by yelling out "kick it forward, kick it long, stop handballing".

FFS are supporters so dumb that they would question a Paul Roos' game plan?

It's gonna be a long year for some if all they're expecting is fast forward movements.

I had a guy in front of me saying the same all night, you just shake you head.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

After Neeld, "kick it long" shouldn't be a phrase any Demon supporter should utter.

Even more so when you have no key forwards.

Funnily enough there was a fair bit of long kicking by Melbourne, it's just the short kicking and hand balling had purpose and structure.

Edited February 15, 2014 by Clint Bizkit

[rpfc 27,476]

I can see the Members groaning in unison a little with some of the kicking sideways, hope it doesn't get to the players.

Honestly, who here thought that Roos would go for a playing style that relies on our skills and patience under pressure?

IMO it answers that question about whether you tailor your gameplan to your players or train your players to play the game style you wish and deal with the mistakes they will inevitably make.

[Maldonboy38 5,861]

I was at the game last night and watched the reply this morning. Still feeling good about it but the replay did bring a dose of reality and perspective.

Apart from some moments of great tackling from both teams there was very little tackling/swamping/pressure applied over and over again in the same moment of the game. Both teams seemed to focus on running, defensive structures, and controlling possession. So I ask myself, how will JKH, Pedo, Bail, Michie etc... do when they try the same things under main season pressure? It is this kind of question that just can't be answered until that pressure is applied. Our kicking a times was horrible (Richmond's was worse) so Roos is right in saying we still have a lot of work to do. What I am really pleased about is we can already see a game plan emerging and we played as a team.

[Carrot Top 947]

After Neeld, "kick it long" shouldn't be a phrase any Demon supporter should utter.

Even more so when you have no key forwards.

True, but yelling 'kick it short' just seems weird.

[binman 38,134]

Honestly, who here thought that Roos would go for a playing style that relies on our skills and patience under pressure?

TBO i did - and said as much in post a few days ago about the game plan i expected Roos to implement. I reckon using short kicks is a higher percentage option than moving it arouind by handball as the player can stop and is protected once he marks. It places a huge premium on players running hard to give the outlet option. The risky kicks are the long crosses to the opposite wing (such as the one Dunn unloaded) and the kicks to the corridor. Oh. and any kick by the pencil.

[Red and Bluebeard 2,033]

True, but yelling 'kick it short' just seems weird.

So we'll just have to go with "Don't !$ it up!"

[DeeSpencer 23,134]

True, but yelling 'kick it short' just seems weird.

Maybe what I'll be yelling is use the option and use the switch.

It's not about short kicking it's about skilled kicking to get the ball up the ground. The switch and the square up in to

the middle are the crucial kicks. The run from the mids and half forward is what powers the game plan.

The best patches of play involved beautiful diagonal kicks out to the wing that opened up space for the rest of the team to spread in to.

The other consideration was that we played at Etihad and you are going to get pushed back to your backline more at Etihad and have to share it around more. At the G we'd still focus on ball retention but at the same time probably get a higher ratio of long kicks to short kicks.

[jayceebee31 669]

Great effort ,we were at the ground, we sat right in front of the Richmond President and CEO.

They were amazed by the change in the MFC players skills and attitude. their tackling was superb.

Go Dees

[Deez 298]

to be honest, i think it went a little more like this.

Richmond considers themselves top 5 team, finals bound.

they came into this game as a warm up, not wanting to risk injury.

Don't get me wrong, i think we have made some good progress.

To see vince, cross, tyson and all the new guys add to the team was great

The effort and performance as a team, albeit under perhaps lower pressure than in an afl season, was better than it has been and a game plan appeared evident.

seeing linking up passages was pleasing.

But i wouldn't go as far as saying we were a better team on the day or that hard wick was out coached.

Yep, more or less intimated that they expected to do to us what Hawthorn did to Brisbane.
NAB or not, they came to win, and didn't expect an actual capable football team to show up.

Damian Hardwick was easily outcoached by the master, Paul Roos.

Just shows why we are paying Roosy the big bucks. He is a premiership coach and an absolute master tactician and a master of communication with his players.

Feels so good.

[rpfc 27,476]

TBO i did - and said as much in post a few days ago about the game plan i expected Roos to implement. I reckon using short kicks is a higher percentage option than moving it arouind by handball as the player can stop and is protected once he marks. It places a huge premium on players running hard to give the outlet option. The risky kicks are the long crosses to the opposite wing (such as the one Dunn unloaded) and the kicks to the corridor. Oh. and any kick by the pencil.

Well, there were 192 handballs...

We did use a lot of under pressure handballs backward to teammates under pressure. IMO it is better to make sure you have given it to a teammate backwards in that situation than kicking it forward in 'hope.'

Perhaps I am more surprised at how adept they were at it than Roos implementing a 'maintain possession' style of footy.

[Pennant St Dee 11,279]

FMD how much did I drink last night, I watched the replay this morning and nothing changed, we still played good footy with run and a bit of composure in the back half.

For those having a pot at Jimmy T, what I liked was he did nothing for first half but Roos didn't shelter him and left him out there he kept having a dip and was better in 2nd half.

No passengers last night, been a long long time since we had an alL round effort by all 22(or whatever the NAB Cup nmbers are

[binman 38,134]

Well, there were 192 handballs...

We did use a lot of under pressure handballs backward to teammates under pressure. IMO it is better to make sure you have given it to a teammate backwards in that situation than kicking it forward in 'hope.'

Perhaps I am more surprised at how adept they were at it than Roos implementing a 'maintain possession' style of footy.

Good point about the handballs. I was more referring to the style Bailey favoured of sweeping the ball out of the back half with a wave of handballs but you're right there were lots of link up handballs to get the ball to an outlier. Also a lot of short quick handballs around stoppages.

Good point also about their capacity to implement the style of footy. Impressive really and speaks to some good training. As training reports have emphasized there has been a lot of training with footys which has to help but perhaps the biggest ingredient is faith by the players in Roos and his messages.

Also i was saying to a mate that perhaps the game plan, which is akin to keeping off, is more natural to footy players than one based on zones and territory

[rpfc 27,476]

The natural inclination is to look forward though, and I don't think Roos intends to stifle that; I see the 'keepings off' as a complimentary piece for players patient enough to use a teammate nearby than hope one is downfield.

[BarnDee 284]

just watched the whole game replay , hooked up laptop to tv , , loved it , massive read MASSIVE improvement , my early prediction of 8 wins stands , bolt upright