Just watched the reel of Oliver's million disposals against the Cats. I haven't been game to watch the replay of the whole game but it strikes me that Oliver has absolutely magical hands in close BUT most of his kicks are just long bombs. If he had elite foot disposal as well he'd be the perfect package, more importantly, some forwards might move to some space and take marks. Then we might score goals instead of racking up totally useless 'Inside 50' stats.

Get onto it, Simon, get on to it straight away...

Oliver is a beautiful kick, but clearly our plan was to bomb the ball forward quickly and create a spillage (or offensive mark), or/and then get to the foot of the contest. Problem is, we didn't do the last part. And when we managed to get to the foot of the contest, we weren't clean. I was at the ground and this bombing inside 50 game was so evidently a directive from the coaches box.

It seemed to happen even more when Clarry went crazy in the last quarter, which to me says that we wanted to keep playing our system at all costs and at the end of the night, we just didn't work hard enough to lock the ball inside forward 50.

That said, some of Clarry's kicks went to 2 on 1s. He can get better (like the rest of our mids and forwards) at kicking to the advantage of forwards. 

However, I can't think of a better kick for an inside midfielder in the competition.

He must be short sighted.  

Back to topic his long bombs are quite penetraring and work well in fast transition with 1 to 1 targets ahead but like the rest of the team he bombs to a crowded forward line with few leads on offer.

Edited April 1, 20196 yr by america de cali

I know there is another level we can play at because we saw it last year and we are not playing anything like we did last year.

I just hope we get to that level again before it is to late.

I'm Not panicking yet, just praying at the moment. 

One guy I'm not worried about in the slightest.

57 minutes ago, dieter said:

Just watched the reel of Oliver's million disposals against the Cats. I haven't been game to watch the replay of the whole game but it strikes me that Oliver has absolutely magical hands in close BUT most of his kicks are just long bombs. If he had elite foot disposal as well he'd be the perfect package, more importantly, some forwards might move to some space and take marks. Then we might score goals instead of racking up totally useless 'Inside 50' stats.

Get onto it, Simon, get on to it straight away...

Yes, this is an area (and has been for some time) that needs attention and it is just a one-on-one adjustment but, to be effective - as Clarrie is a relatively long kick - once in one of those types of possessions and moving forward - the forwards need a plan to lead into space to receive. Not just one avenue/corridor will suffice, however. It must be at least two-pronged and thus drawing out a couple of opposition defenders 'on the chase'. Hunt, with speed, might be a very good start as one of these receivers, as could be Lockhart or the big Preuss - coz no-one is going to get in his way on purpose.

It would also assist with Brayshaw's clearances and disposal quality; the latter has shown this skill on some occasions, and of course, Melksham has done this in deeper configurations in the forward line quite regularly, to a teammate in a better position.

This adjustment to entries is absolutely critical; we all can count the number of times each game that such attacking possession with limited direct intention results in negative turn-overs. Good one, Dieter and Goodwin, get onto it this Thursday night! It may even become contagious, team-wide.

Edited April 1, 20196 yr by Deemania since 56

Not too worried about his kicking in general, but all of our inside mids need to work on getting the ball out to a player running towards goal who can hit up a target rather than bombing it. In two games this season the inside players haven't taken the ball forward in the stoppage nearly enough. Gawn also has to be part of that both with his taps and by being involved at ground level so it's not 4 v 3 against mobile rucks at centre clearances.

And when they do go for the quick kick it has to be to advantage and with numbers running on to the ball. 

There's no point having Oliver, Brayshaw, Harmes, Viney getting 120 touches between them and nothing coming from it.

If those guys do get 30 each then I want Fritsch and Kolodjashnij getting fed the ball on the wings from them rather than 70 inside 50's for no score. I think we went for far too much wet weather footy against the Cats, acting like it was a swamp rather than playing to the conditions but still maintaining smart football.

By the way there's actually a photo of Oliver right next to where I'm posting this and it shows just how high and elaborate his ball drop is. 

It's certainly a concern I have with him as well as other talented youngsters we've had like Hogan and Petracca that they are so gifted we forget to really work on developing their fundamentals to a high standard. A more compact and fluent kicking action would help him.

Has shown potential to be our most damaging kick alongside Melksham. But he's too good inside to find space for on the outside at present. He's played 60 games and won 25 contested possessions on the weekend, and I'm pretty sure he had a 50-plus possession game vs the Cats but some of of them were almost imperceptible. Neo's kicking will get sharper the more aware he becomes that he owns time.

Literally the least of my worries. As close to a perfect player as they come. Two bung shoulders. No pre season. No worries. 

9 minutes ago, Skuit said:

Has shown potential to be our most damaging kick alongside Melksham. But he's too good inside to find space for on the outside at present. He's played 60 games and won 25 contested possessions on the weekend, and I'm pretty sure he had a 50-plus possession game vs the Cats but some of of them were almost imperceptible. Neo's kicking will get sharper the more aware he becomes that he owns time.

Love it.  Great analogy.

1 hour ago, Jaded said:

Literally the least of my worries. As close to a perfect player as they come. Two bung shoulders. No pre season. No worries. 

I'm not worried either: he's the best player I've seen at Melbourne after Flower - I've been watching since 1959, however if he improved this aspect he'd be even better.

Oliver is already better than Robbie Flower.

6 minutes ago, Petraccattack said:

Oliver is already better than Robbie Flower.

Oliver is very good.. freakish in some respects. Has a bit of a way to go yet to pass Tulip. He might

You obviously never saw Flower play 

Edited April 1, 20196 yr by beelzebub

1 minute ago, beelzebub said:

Oliver is very good.. freakish in some respects. Has a bit of a way to go yet to pass Tulip. He might

Oliver has the ability to be a serious goalkicker, and damaging as a leading forward out of the goalsquare.  I remember David King calling for it last season, and he was right.     I  hope we see that soon,   though its just about impossible to take him out of the middle as hes so good there.

Once he starts hitting the scoreboard, its game over.

1 minute ago, Petraccattack said:

Oliver has the ability to be a serious goalkicker, and damaging as a leading forward out of the goalsquare.  I remember David King calling for it last season, and he was right.     I  hope we see that soon,   though its just about impossible to take him out of the middle as hes so good there.

Once he starts hitting the scoreboard, its game over.

Oliver is a rare bird. Not only can read the ball....can predict it ( seemingly )

He plays footy like Bobby Fischer played chess.

A quality Oliver needs to employ ( better ) is tempo. He makes the impossible happen but he needs to actually make the possible happen also.

About the only player on our list who can achieve something higher than A grade...I E..Stellar.

31 minutes ago, Petraccattack said:

Oliver is already better than Robbie Flower.

HOW DARE YOU !!!!!!!

Moderator/s ... ban this person!!!!! For life !!!! 

In the mess that was Saturday evening for many around him, this was an amazing home and away game statistically (average weighted composites) for Clarry.  He ranked number 1 on the evening by a country mile vs his peers at a weighted score of 7.025.  The next best was Viney @ 4.275.  In terms of a weighted score and this method of comparison that is an insane margin.

While this was not a personal PB in home and away rounds (i have not covered finals appearances in the comparisons) he has only bettered it twice....  Round 2 vs the Lions (7.25) and Round 7 vs the Saints (7.125)  last year (using the same composite method).

Cool hand Clarry is back to his brilliant best!

Now we just need a whole chunk of others to get around him and lift their output/game.

38 minutes ago, beelzebub said:

Oliver is very good.. freakish in some respects. Has a bit of a way to go yet to pass Tulip. He might

You obviously never saw Flower play 

29 minutes ago, beelzebub said:

Oliver is a rare bird. Not only can read the ball....can predict it ( seemingly )

He plays footy like Bobby Fischer played chess.

A quality Oliver needs to employ ( better ) is tempo. He makes the impossible happen but he needs to actually make the possible happen also.

About the only player on our list who can achieve something higher than A grade...I E..Stellar.

Hnmm well this is an interesting comment Beelzebub

And I do agree Wholeheartedly ..

Rob Flower FREAK Footballer  and Even BETTER Bloke aside.

Clarry is, perhaps the most peripheral visceral and naturally empathic footballer I have ever seen!! Ex Rob!!

Nuff Said Both serious XXXX Factor but not the same player!

Edited April 1, 20196 yr by picket fence

1 hour ago, Petraccattack said:

Oliver is already better than Robbie Flower.

No, he is not.

1 hour ago, Petraccattack said:

Oliver is already better than Robbie Flower.

He’s definitely “in the conversation” Pettracaflab, which is a high compliment indeed. He’s well overtaken Stinger now in my eyes which is another high compliment (gees I had a man crush on him).

What’s with this peck kissing the opposition on the cheek FCS?

Cut that [censored] out right now Clayton. 

Pardon my ignorance. Who are Neo and Stinger?

1 hour ago, Fanatique Demon said:

Pardon my ignorance. Who are Neo and Stinger?

Keanu Reeves and Gordon Sumner. 

No issues with Clarry, we would be in big  trouble without him.

from the highlights it looked like he might have gained some speed over preseason?  he has always had a burst but it looks more pronounced now and lasts longer.