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Strategic improvement in the way we play

Altona-demon
in Melbourne Demons

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What are the strategic improvements to the MFC that you would like to see us develop to take into the next year?

My initial thoughts:

1.  The ability to adjust gameplan.  I feel like Geelong have illustrated the ability to change gameplay to take away the strength of their opponents on multiple occasions. Whether this was keepings off with us, or their ability to get Menegola back as a wing defender. I like Plan A, B, and C.  It was disheartening in the least to see Oscar Mc thrown forward or Steven May late in the fourth quarter as desperate "change ups".  MFC is far too predictable in our gameplan strategy. 

2. Increase the spacing at the ruck and stoppage.  Teams know we are seagulls to the chip at stoppage. Let's include Brayshaw in the centre mix as he has an ability to hold space and create options for Oliver and Viney to hb to.  A couple of key observations about our stoppage work:

- There is no value winning a contested possession in congestion if (as is the case with Viney) - you are likely to get caught, or (as is the case with Oliver) you are likely to have a rubbish disposal and create a very damaging turnover.  

- Our setup continues to be poor - the amount of times opponent teams are allowed to sit at the top or outside of our stoppages and pick up our contested ball work does my head in. Work it out. 

- Connection - hitouts to advantage are dominated by Max - but these don't convert to clearances - why? What is going on? Again let's work this out.

- Let's see Oliver continue the composure and run from the stoppage, he looks a COMPLETELY different player when he backs his pace and clears the stoppage. Let's get him to embrace that. 

3. Entry into forward 50. 

- If we bomb it in there - let's increase the fwd 50 defensive pressure IMMENSELY.  Let's do this by trying to play Jack Viney (arguably our best chase down defender) in the forward 50. 

- If we can enter with more panache, then let's chase Ben Brown to have a more centralised lead up forward creating space for Weid as the second forward (ala Hogan and McDonald 2018).

- Let's move TMac on. 

Interested to hear what other demonlanders think?

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    Welcome aboard AD.

    There's an excellent thread on tactics that was started a few months back.

    I don't have the link but hopefully someone will put it up soon.

    Suggest you repost in that thread and enjoy the dialogue. The points you have raised are well worth discussing.

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