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Jumping Jack Clennett
Jumping Jack Clennett
in Melbourne Demons

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I reckon a lot of our problems emanate from the reluctance of our players to play on after a mark or a free.

This stems from a lack of confidence either in their ability to quickly find an upfield option, or that there will be someone running past, or a lack of confidence that the upfield target will win the ball.

Meanwhile the forwards don't lead early or confidently, since they know that the ball probably won't arrive quickly.

The player with the ball who has failed to play on then looks hesitant and uncertain. He ends up having to kick backwards, sometimes to very near goal, where a small error can result in a soul-destroying turn-over goal.

It's very evident in point kick ins, too, where players don't hurry to get the ball back into play before the opposition zones are set up. With the good teams, the kick in is instantaneous.

I know that the over-riding mantra is to keep possession. To play on quickly without checking for a safe forward option can result in the dreaded turnover. However, I think that our players would rapidly gain more confidence in each other if we adopted the tactic of "play on at all times".

Hawthorn, Sydney, Port etc ALL play on at every opportunity. Why not copy them?

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    Interesting how your views (and mine which concur with yours) may differ from the coaching staff however:

    From Brad Miller's review of JKH in the last Casey game

    Jay Kennedy-Harris: Jay played wing and high half-forward. He had a really solid game last week and I thought Jay backed it up this week, by playing his role well. He had five tackles, missed two and had zero fumbles, so that was a highlight of Jay’s game. I thought he was really clean around traffic. Jay often gained an advantage for us, which was really great to see on the day. He had a tendency to want to always play on after taking a mark or gaining a free kick, which is something we will address this week, as there are times he needs to be more composed and allow the play to unfold first. He kicked a really nice goal in the last quarter, just through repeat efforts and pressure in the forward line. We thought he played his role for the second week in a row.

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    I suspect it has to do with whether a player gets the ball after a t/over or whether he is involved in an attacking chain.

    If we get the ball after a t/o then its likely we won't have anyone upfield. And unless our players are running hard - something they have been poor at - then one needs to be more composed with the ball and not give it straight back.

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    Something that I have been banging on about for a while now is that Melbourne players are too slow to turn around and get quickly back behind the mark.

    This means they can't react quickly enough to the quick option and play on if that is the best option.

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    Depends where every one else is actually situated on the field. Sometimes your team mates havent been as like minded and gone fwd.

    Overall though I like the idea of pushing on...places the opposition under pressure.

    I do however think we're a few blokes shy up front just at present to make a play on ( at most times ) effective

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    Honestly a lot of our problems have nothing to do with playing on, they have a lot to do with the list not being good enough.

    There is no one to kick to and the one with the ball is often not a good enough kick or decision maker to hit what would be the right target if we had one.

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    Honestly a lot of our problems have nothing to do with playing on, they have a lot to do with the list not being good enough.

    There is no one to kick to and the one with the ball is often not a good enough kick or decision maker to hit what would be the right target if we had one.

    You have no right writing that...Now go and drink a glass of Rosey-ness and a a slice or two of blinkered-pie and once saty-sfied you two can suggest we've got the cattle but its just a wait on development !!

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    Something that I have been banging on about for a while now is that Melbourne players are too slow to turn around and get quickly back behind the mark.

    This means they can't react quickly enough to the quick option and play on if that is the best option.

    We are a seriously dumb side with very little confidence Hope it improves I watch other sides play on with some immediacey we have none in fact we wait for the other side to get back we give them time too much time so iI really dont understand his comments

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    Also I am not sure Miller would know! However I will leave that to others to judge

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