Ground balls

[tiers 2,781]

It was almost nauseatingly apparent that both Garry and Roo had been instructed to talk about how many "ground balls" we gathered in the forward line.

It seemed as if it was "ground ball day" all day for Jeffy and others. And Jeffy at least got to the ball drop and had scoring opportunities.

Finally we were able to hold the ball in the forward line and prevent "slingshot" clearances leading to easy scores against. What a change!

The coaching panel finally also decided that a "back stop" last man behind the ball was going to work. No more easy over the top handballs to the goal square.

But why has it taken seven weeks.These deficiencies were obvious in round 1.

2020

Go dees.

 

 

[Gorgoroth 12,331]

Stubbornness. Obviously the coaches thought the plan they had was best and the rest was a blip on the radar. 

 

[deebug 1,754]

Not to sure, lets just hope we have turned the corner and things keep on improving for the rest of the season.

[Forest Demon 4,681]

I’ve noticed “ground balls” has been the new buzz word all year. They have crapped on about it nearly every game I’ve watched.

[In Harmes Way 7,541]

Don’t forget “connection” for term of the year

[Demon Dynasty 15,560]

12 hours ago, tiers said:

It was almost nauseatingly apparent that both Garry and Roo had been instructed to talk about how many "ground balls" we gathered in the forward line.

It seemed as if it was "ground ball day" all day for Jeffy and others. And Jeffy at least got to the ball drop and had scoring opportunities.

Finally we were able to hold the ball in the forward line and prevent "slingshot" clearances leading to easy scores against. What a change!

The coaching panel finally also decided that a "back stop" last man behind the ball was going to work. No more easy over the top handballs to the goal square.

But why has it taken seven weeks.These deficiencies were obvious in round 1.

2020

Go dees.

 

 

Personel and form.

Jeffy our No.1 tackler inside 50 from 2018 and Hannan No.6 both out for the first 5 / 7 weeks respectively.

ANB No.2 was badly out of form when he was in earlier in the year and then out, till Sat, where he found some form.

T-mac No.5 last year, badly out of form till the 2nd half of Saturday's match.

Edit:  C Wags has the No.1 title here so far this season (using averages) followed by ANB, Tracc, Sparrow & Jeffy (both equal 4th).

Edited May 6, 2019 by Rusty Nails

[P-man 13,224]

Hannan, Garlett, Lockhart, Hunt and Nibbler could take shape as a decent mosquito fleet.

[Mazer Rackham 14,969]

... except for the Garlett and Nibbler parts

[P-man 13,224]

4 minutes ago, Mazer Rackham said:

... except for the Garlett and Nibbler parts

Nibbler was the leading tackler on the weekend and Jeffy had six score involvements. Who would you have in the side ahead of them right now?

[SPC 2,829]

Nibbler and Groundballs shouldn't be in the same sentence. 

[Mazer Rackham 14,969]

Not about who I would have ahead of them.

It's whether they're up to it. Garlett prefers the flashy low percentage option, often to the cost of the team, and Nibbler has ... whatever the opposite of X factor is.

[P-man 13,224]

7 minutes ago, Mazer Rackham said:

Not about who I would have ahead of them.

It's whether they're up to it. Garlett prefers the flashy low percentage option, often to the cost of the team, and Nibbler has ... whatever the opposite of X factor is.

Well, it kinda is. We’re talking about the here and now. I trust you don’t have any ready replacements for them.

Not every player has to have “x factor”. Nibbler certainly isn’t in the team for that. He’s in there for his work rate which the coaches clearly appreciate.

Jeffy took a couple of low percentage options on the weekend but if you look at the body of work, he clearly makes our forwardline a more dangerous one.

I know there’s a common dislike for Nibbler and Garlett but you could at least pot them after a bad game. Their contributions on the weekend were solid.

FYI using the quote feature helps me know you’ve responded to my post.

[Deemania since 56 6,165]

3 hours ago, Forest Demon said:

I’ve noticed “ground balls” has been the new buzz word all year. They have crapped on about it nearly every game I’ve watched.

In relation to whatever 'ground balls' means I was impressed on several occasions against the Sqwarks just how clean and effective were the pick-ups and roll-ons executed by Petracca, across the game in tight contests. 

[buck_nekkid 5,496]

Ground balls - sounds like that would hurt!

ON a side note, I thought Trac really showed his value in this department.  His strength in the contest and his ability to distribute was back, and I think it made a massive impact.  (Won’t mention the pie floater attempt at goal...)

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,462]

27 minutes ago, buck_nekkid said:

Ground balls - sounds like that would hurt!

ON a side note, I thought Trac really showed his value in this department.  His strength in the contest and his ability to distribute was back, and I think it made a massive impact.  (Won’t mention the pie floater attempt at goal...)

I think if we're praising Petracca's performance, we're setting a low bar. I expect a lot more from someone with his talent. Yes, it's good to see his ground ball work, but he also needs to be taking marks, kicking goals and just getting the ball more often.