Jump to content

Damning handball stat


jnrmac

Recommended Posts

Sydney, Fremantle and us are the 3 teams in the negative. What do they have in common? Game plans with links to Paul Roos. It's working for the other 2 clubs. It doesn't matter if we handball backwards or forward when we're not hitting targets.

  • Like 7
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Not quite sure if it's damning or a hint into how our players are coached to play.

Paul Roos and his assistants at the time (Longmire and Ross Lyon) both use the handball backwards as the path forward by foot. All three clubs have negative metres for handballing, but 2 of those clubs are in the top 4.

Yeah we are handballing a lot, but I suspect it's more 'what do we do next' thats the problem, where I think Sydney and Freo have that part worked out better than us.

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

It doesn't matter if we handball backwards or forward when we're not hitting targets.

That's the stat that's important. Handballing or kicking backwards is not a problem if it frees up someone/provides an outlet. It is horrible if you miss the target consistently

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm sure this is why we hear about 2 way running all the time (I don't think they just reserve the term for offense and defense), Roos sees the value in setting up the play very methodically.

This nearly goes against the natural instinct which would be to be running forward to receive the ball. They want guys running forward but also others to run to help set up the play, first part seems to be sinking in, just need to get the skills together and hope we've got players forward to actually finish the job (and also have the confidence to kick it to them).

Link to comment
Share on other sites


I remember an article post NAB cup about our backwards handballs and they were pumping us up about it and how well it's worked. They just use stats the way they find fit

Edited by JV7
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I remember an article post NAB cup about our backwards handballs and they were pumping us up about it and how well it's worked. They just use stats the way they find fit

Seems we backed ourselves in the NAB games which we have hardly done since.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Suppose Jones receives an out the back handball at a center clearance. Who the F does he pass it to? The ball comes out of forward line faster than it goes in.

Malceski, Shaw or Jetta who run the lines free of the packs and then delivery to Lance Franklin who's come leading out at CHF or Kurt Tippett who's got a one on one in the goal square.

Howe, Grimes and Matt Jones don't quite replace the first 3! And maybe Dawes and Hogan can replace the forwards to some extent but they need more delivery not less!

In our mid patch of the season when we won games we were still handballing backwards but we were hitting up the likes of Frawley and Dawes at CHF. Definitely think the last few weeks at least it's being a vicious cycle of no run creating no options to receive or kick to or no skill to provide incentive to run and it just repeats.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Our most damning handball stat is how many don't hit a target from close range.

And that we handball at too closer range. If our man about to be tackled gives off and hits the target our bloke is only a foot away and gets wrapped up by the same tackler too often!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

And that we handball at too closer range. If our man about to be tackled gives off and hits the target our bloke is only a foot away and gets wrapped up by the same tackler too often!

Or the handball to the man who can break free in space but has to wait for the high looping slow handball that kills the run and the receiver get gang tackled.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

IMO one of the more damming stats this year would be total bounces for and against. I've kept an eye on it game after game and it's always horrible, will see if I can get a season total somewhere as it shows our lack of run, attack, belief in each other, and confidence, as well as our chase.

Link to comment
Share on other sites


IMO one of the more damming stats this year would be total bounces for and against. I've kept an eye on it game after game and it's always horrible, will see if I can get a season total somewhere as it shows our lack of run, attack, belief in each other, and confidence, as well as our chase.

Agreed. Have heard it mentioned on fox a few times.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Other good sides have run backwards and win, not bounced and win. Our problem is how many times we turn it over and get punished for it as opposed to how many times opposition have lost the ball to us and we punished them, by punished them i mean we made them watch us handpass and kick it backwards woefully until the opposition fell over laughing.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The over use of handball began with Dean Bailey trying to imitate the winning Geelong style of the time. The players couldn't do it like Geelong and instead looked like scared rabbits in the headlights, constantly passing backwards, sideways and turning it over. It's due to lack of speed, endurance, talent and guts.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

IMO one of the more damming stats this year would be total bounces for and against. I've kept an eye on it game after game and it's always horrible, will see if I can get a season total somewhere as it shows our lack of run, attack, belief in each other, and confidence, as well as our chase.

it points to our players not working hard enough to run and spread and find space.

If you watch, bounces usually come from teams "switching" deep in the back half and thus freeing up a man going out.

I have been critical of our switches - because switching relies on players running hard to get free.

We switch but don't work hard enough to free up the next man or are too slow or gunshy to pull the trigger and get the ball to the next player free.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

The over use of handball began with Dean Bailey trying to imitate the winning Geelong style of the time. The players couldn't do it like Geelong and instead looked like scared rabbits in the headlights, constantly passing backwards, sideways and turning it over. It's due to lack of speed, endurance, talent and guts.

So, just the four problems to fix then? Shouldn't be too hard.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Demonland Forums  

  • Match Previews, Reports & Articles  

    GAMEDAY: Rd 12 vs Fremantle

    It's Game Day and the Demons and the Dockers meet on halfway on neutral territory in the heart of the country in Alice Springs and the Dees need to win to hold onto a place in the Top 4.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 9

    TROUBLE by The Oracle

    Situated roughly in Australia's geographic centre, Alice Springs has for many years been a troubled town suffering from intermittent crime waves, particularly among its younger residents. There was a time a little while ago when things were so bad that some even doubted the annual AFL game in the town would proceed.  Now, the hope is that this Sunday’s Melbourne vs Fremantle encounter will bring joy to the residents of the town and that through the sport and the example of the participants,

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Match Previews

    Welcome to Demonland: Luker Kentfield

    With the Melbourne Football Club's first pick in the 2024 AFL Mid-Season Draft and pick number 11 overall the Demon's selected Western Australian key forward Luker Kentfield from Subiaco.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 240

    TRAINING: Tuesday 28th May 2024

    Veteran Demonland Trackwatcher Kev Martin returned to the training track to bring you the following observations from Gosch's Paddock this morning. Beautiful morning for training. The dew has dried, out from AAMI, quiet chatting. Maysie does his heart symbol. 7 in rehab, Turner, Hore, Sestan, BBB, Petty, Spargo and Schache. All in runners. Melky weighted and change of angles work. Salem has his individual program. White cap (no contact), Howes, Woewodin and Sparrow

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    GALLANT by KC from Casey

    The world “gallant” is not one that is readily acceptable to losing teams in our game of football so when it was used in the context of the Casey Demons’ loss to Sandringham in yesterday’s match at Casey Fields, it left a bitter taste in the mouth.  The Demons went into the game against the St Kilda affiliated Zebras with the advantage of playing on their home turf (not that this has been a major asset in 2024) and with very little else going in their favour. The Saints have close to a full

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Casey Articles

    MEANWHILE by Whispering Jack

    … meanwhile, at about the same time that Narrm was putting its feet on the accelerator to obliterate the long-suffering Euro-Yroke combination, I heard someone mention in passing that Kuwarna was leading Waalitj Marawar by a whopping 46 to 1 halfway through the second quarter of their game over in Adelaide. “What is football coming to?” I asked myself.  In front of my eyes, the Demons were smashing it through the midfield, forcing turnovers and getting the footy to their forwards who w

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Match Reports

    PREGAME: Rd 12 vs Fremantle

    The Demons head back on the road for the fourth time this season as the travel to Alice Springs to take on the Fremantle Dockers at Treager Park on Sunday afternoon. Who comes in and who goes out?

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 284

    PODCAST: Rd 11 vs St. Kilda

    The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Monday, 27th May @ 8:30pm. Join George, Binman & I as we analyse the Demons victory at the MCG over the Saints in the Round 11. You questions and comments are a huge part of our podcast so please post anything you want to ask or say below and we'll give you a shout out on the show. If you would like to leave us a voicemail please call 03 9016 3666 and don't worry no body answers so you don't have to talk to a human. Listen & Chat LIVE

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 30

    VOTES: Rd 11 vs St. Kilda

    Captain Max Gawn has a considerable lead over reigning champion Christian Petracca in the Demonland Player of the Year Award. Steven May, Alex Neal-Bullen & Jake Lever make up the Top 5. Your votes for the win against the Saints. 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 54
  • Tell a friend

    Love Demonland? Tell a friend!
×
×
  • Create New...