I tend to agree.

The young players stats are looking good, but the two way running and pressuring of the ball carrier who is delivering into our defensive 50 in completely non-existant.  Good teams don't leave their defenders one-out against their opponent, or as we've seen often in the first three rounds, outnumbered in our defensive 50.

I have NFI

with 17 post season operations operations we could be underdone.

The new 6-6-6 rule might be killing us

We might not be as good as we thought. Hawthorn and Geelong might have been cooked going into finals.

 

  On 10/04/2019 at 02:28, Sir Why You Little said:

I am not missing any point. 

Of course the entire midfield could work harder, but Jones has become a liability, purely because of age (not his fault), but to play him on a wing is just ludicrous, where speed is needed more than ever with 666. 

We now have effectively one side of the ground blocked, and a very easy option for the opposition to work through

It is the journalist who is missing the point 

The journo isn't missing the point.  He makes a pretty good point, to be honest.  I can't see how you can disagree with it.

In fact, I'd like you to go back through the article and point out what you disagree with.

  On 10/04/2019 at 02:55, Wiseblood said:

The journo isn't missing the point.  He makes a pretty good point, to be honest.  I can't see how you can disagree with it.

In fact, I'd like you to go back through the article and point out what you disagree with.

He is giving Jones a free ride on the wing. 

That is the root of the problem. Jones is far to slow to play anywhere near the wing. And by him being there unbalances the entire midfield, Of course the entire midfield can increase the workload both ways, no need to write an article about that. It is too obvious

  On 09/04/2019 at 06:37, Lord Travis said:

Have a friend who is a coach at Essendon. Can confirm this is one of the tactics they used. Another was his opponent streaming forward of the contest knowing Jones wouldn't/couldn't go with him. If we won the ball and Jones got it, they weren't as concerned about him being damaging compared to what they'd be able to get out of exploiting the match up. They rotated Heppell, Parish and Smith through the wing playing off Jones to great effect. It's a match up that opposition clubs are exploiting, and they would've done the same last year against Tyson.

We need to stop playing slow inside mids on the wing and play someone with running stamina and/or pace. Players like Fritsch, Stretch, Hunt, Hibberd are the types we should be playing there now. The wing needs to stop being a grave yard for slow inside mids or retiring players being protected.

Not sure what to do with Jones unless we play him inside mid again and start pushing Brayshaw and Oliver to the outside for stints?

If this is true, which I am not doubting you, then WTF could I see it from my couch and be screaming for a change, yet the blokes in the coaches box be totally oblivious to it?  And even more so, WTF is Jones so unaware of what is happening in real time and call for a change?

Seriously, a 200+ game, co-captain, standing about 50m on his own on a wing at a centre bounce, can't see what's happening?  It's laughable.

  On 10/04/2019 at 02:51, binman said:

A good article with solid reasoning supporting its central contention that our lack of defensive running from mids 'who have begun to play like millionares' is the cause of our defensive woes.

Combined with a lack of organisation around the stoppages from our middle 4 (plus Harmes and the cameo players)...is causing a lot of problems.

  On 10/04/2019 at 03:01, The Chazz said:

If this is true, which I am not doubting you, then WTF could I see it from my couch and be screaming for a change, yet the blokes in the coaches box be totally oblivious to it?  And even more so, WTF is Jones so unaware of what is happening in real time and call for a change?

Seriously, a 200+ game, co-captain, standing about 50m on his own on a wing at a centre bounce, can't see what's happening?  It's laughable.

Exactly....

  On 10/04/2019 at 03:02, rjay said:

Combined with a lack of organisation around the stoppages from our middle 4 (plus Harmes and the cameo players)...is causing a lot of problems.

Yes, true. Good point. A worry for supposedly one of the best mid fields.

I reckon a factor is oppositions have worked out strategies to nullify max. How many center clearances have we had this year. SFA. The 666 was supposed to advantage not hinder us.

  On 10/04/2019 at 02:47, Macca said:

Can do more but again,  it is only 1 bloke

What is your view from an overall perspective?

We have the best midfield in the league. 

The AFL unfairly changed the rules.

Goodwin is not stupid. We will adapt.

 

  On 10/04/2019 at 03:01, Sir Why You Little said:

He is giving Jones a free ride on the wing. 

 

So you think he's giving Jones a free ride on the wing?

What does that have to do with the article itself and the focus on wanting our midfielders to improve their two way running?

  On 10/04/2019 at 03:13, Wrecker45 said:

We have the best midfield in the league. 

The AFL unfairly changed the rules.

Goodwin is not stupid. We will adapt.

 

Serious question.

Nothing is different now going into round 4 re rules as it was  going into round 1

Why wait til now to adapt ?

  On 10/04/2019 at 02:28, poita said:

I'd be interested to see Max's hitout stats compared to last year, particularly in respect of hitouts to advantage. A number of his taps on Friday hit Shiel and Heppell on the chest.

It is difficult for Oliver and Brayshaw, who I agree have been clearly our best players, to expect to receive a tap in one place and then have to change tack and defend when it ends up somewhere else.

Last year Gawn's hit out to advantage rate was 35-36%, this year it is currently at 32.5%.  He is winning only 50% of ruck contests though this year which I'm certain is well down on last year, so he is slightly less effective at winning hit outs this year and doing slightly less with them.

  On 10/04/2019 at 03:13, Wrecker45 said:

We have the best midfield in the league. 

The AFL unfairly changed the rules.

Goodwin is not stupid. We will adapt.

 

Jury is still out on that one Wrecker. As for adapting I hope it happens before June.

  On 10/04/2019 at 01:08, rjay said:

Well written article by Ryan I would have thought.

Our midfield for whatever reason have become lazy, they are downhill skiers at the moment.

The other big problem and probably the main reason we are getting scored against so much from stoppages is that they are not playing as a unit. I include Max in this, he's a key part of that unit. It's every man for himself...

Viney is always problematic, it's his nature to see ball get ball and then try and break tackles. It's not always (most often) the best option...he needs to be a team player and hopefully this was pointed out to him in the "circle of truth"...

Harmes can be a bit selfish with the ball particularly around goal...

So currently we have a lazy, selfish and disorganised midfield, a virtually non existent forward line and a VFL level defence.

It's no wonder we a 0-3.

Turning around the midfield will go a long way to making that 1-4...

 

.

Its our young Midfield  players who have been sneaking sips of bathwater,  when they think no-one is looking.

Here is the beginnings of our downfall,  so far in 2019

 

It all starts and ends in the midfield.   the onfield BUCK stops with the midfielders.

  On 10/04/2019 at 03:15, Wiseblood said:

So you think he's giving Jones a free ride on the wing?

What does that have to do with the article itself and the focus on wanting our midfielders to improve their two way running?

Because Jones is part of that midfield and because he is not functioning to a level we need, it makes the whole structure worse. 

  On 10/04/2019 at 03:13, Wrecker45 said:

We have the best midfield in the league. 

Who ! ???

Name them. I'll be waiting for this one.

  On 10/04/2019 at 03:21, Sir Why You Little said:

Because Jones is part of that midfield and because he is not functioning to a level we need, it makes the whole structure worse. 

Great,

BUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE ARTICLE?  WHY CAN'T WE HAVE AN ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTING THE IMPROVEMENTS OUR OTHER MIDS NEED TO MAKE?  WHY DOES IT ALL HAVE TO BE ABOUT JONES?

  On 10/04/2019 at 03:28, Wiseblood said:

Great,

BUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE ARTICLE?  WHY CAN'T WE HAVE AN ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTING THE IMPROVEMENTS OUR OTHER MIDS NEED TO MAKE?  WHY DOES IT ALL HAVE TO BE ABOUT JONES?

Because he is the root problem. He shouldn’t be there. 

A point the journalist does not mention, which makes it completely useless

FFS

I just don't know what to do with Nathan
Don't know just what to do with Nathan
I'm so used to watching you in red and blue
Seeing tatts all over you
And now that you're through ...

You just don't know what to do with the pill
Your defensive running make me ill
Going to the football only makes me sad
Training makes me feel as bad
When you play like poo
I just don't know what else to do

Like a pie or chip
It needs some sauce on it
I need you kicking goals, not playing like sh*t

I just don't know what to do with Nathan
I just don't know what to do with Nathan
Jonesy if the head coach drops you to the twos
Go on TV like Paul Roos
But stay off the G
This is now all fugazi

  On 10/04/2019 at 03:28, Wiseblood said:

WHY CAN'T WE HAVE AN ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTING THE IMPROVEMENTS OUR OTHER MIDS NEED TO MAKE?

A constructive article in the newspaper? That would be something.

The only such articles I can recall have been when Essendon have been down, and have been along the lines of what Essendon need to do to get up again, written dispassionately and impartially by journos whose personal allegiance to Essendon fortunately did not influence their opinions.

  On 10/04/2019 at 03:13, Wrecker45 said:

We have the best midfield in the league. 

The AFL unfairly changed the rules.

Goodwin is not stupid. We will adapt.

First things first Wrecker

We need our more experienced players and our best players playing well

If that was happening the hurdles in front of us are easier to overcome

And if these players aren't match ready then rehab them and give up to 6 other players on the list a chance.  Supporter expectation is then lowered but so be it.

You set foot on the field you are deemed as 100% ... there are no excuses.

  On 10/04/2019 at 03:42, Sir Why You Little said:

Because he is the root problem. He shouldn’t be there. 

A point the journalist does not mention, which makes it completely useless

FFS

No he's not 'SWYL'...a wingman is never the root problem.

Our problems start in the guts...ably assisted by our KPF & KPD.

Jones is a long way down the list.

  On 09/04/2019 at 06:37, Lord Travis said:

Have a friend who is a coach at Essendon. Can confirm this is one of the tactics they used. Another was his opponent streaming forward of the contest knowing Jones wouldn't/couldn't go with him. If we won the ball and Jones got it, they weren't as concerned about him being damaging compared to what they'd be able to get out of exploiting the match up. They rotated Heppell, Parish and Smith through the wing playing off Jones to great effect. It's a match up that opposition clubs are exploiting, and they would've done the same last year against Tyson.

We need to stop playing slow inside mids on the wing and play someone with running stamina and/or pace. Players like Fritsch, Stretch, Hunt, Hibberd are the types we should be playing there now. The wing needs to stop being a grave yard for slow inside mids or retiring players being protected.

Not sure what to do with Jones unless we play him inside mid again and start pushing Brayshaw and Oliver to the outside for stints?

Hibberd's struggling enough down back and Hunt doesn't have the tank and is needed forward or back as well.

We've tried Kolodjashnij who has been an absolute disaster. We'll surely try Stretch this week. 

One thing we need to do is start playing more kicking and spreading/switching and using whoever it is on the wings in an uncontested style. Jones might not have the burst speed but he'll still know how to run and get on the end of kicks in space. Making the opposition accountable in general play and not being so desperate to attack so quickly and directly will help everyone defend.

Of course the easiest way to get in to some uncontested kicking is for defenders to win the ball back cleanly and start the kicking chain. Without more midfield pressure we won't be able to win the ball back with this current backline. Everything is linked together.

I love Jonesy and always will.

But Goodwin's decision to replace Tyson with another true contested midfielder on a WING highlights his stubbornness. He is refusing to adapt and is reminding me of Dimma when he was trying to be Clarko with the wrong cattle.

Goody plays contested ball players on a wing and at half-forward and we will continue to be exploited in those areas until we make a list adjustment going into 2020.

I don't care what instruction Jones or ANB are given.. 

It is in their nature to gravitate to the contest. 

Edited April 10, 20196 yr by stevethemanjordan

  On 10/04/2019 at 05:17, rjay said:

No he's not 'SWYL'...a wingman is never the root problem.

Our problems start in the guts...ably assisted by our KPF & KPD.

Jones is a long way down the list.

Disagree

the Wingman has become very important in the 2019 game, and Jones is not up to it and is therefore being exploited by the opposition.