Whats changed?

[Demon Disciple 12,119]

IMO it has something to do with belief.

This group was riding a wave of momentum during our September run in 2018.
 

Instead of thinking we should be there or that we belong there, maybe this group finally understands that actions and actions alone get you there.

Maybe they have finally decided that they are there.

[Fritta and Turner 4,403]

4 hours ago, Engorged Onion said:

can you forgive a typo?

As a Tom Linson, sorry Tomelsun, sorry Tomilson, sorry Thomlinson, ah fruit cake, the answer is not really?.

[rjay 24,917]

6 hours ago, leave it to deever said:

I have noticed and a few commentators have mentioned that the players seem to genuinely enjoying themselves out there.

The old saying winners are grinners rings true.

It's much more fun when things are working for you...

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

I realise that when we were losing I was quick to pile on Goodwin, so in turn I should praise him for winning.

I also realise that it’s tough to truly know the impact that assistant coaches have.

But when I heard Ed Langdon recently say that Mark Williams has introduced a lot more skills training (genuinely 20 years too late), I am not surprised as surprised by the improvement.

The reason being that one of my observations on Goodwin was that he didn’t focus on the little things or the basics/skills of the game. He appeared to be more focused on the strategy and game plan. Therefore, now we have someone a bit more old school who can help us get the basic right it is allowing us to properly implement the strategy and game plans implemented by Goodwin.

In summary, we have finally got the balance right.

[Cheesy D. Pun 1,765]

6 hours ago, leave it to deever said:

Why are so many players improving?

Why have Salem, Tmac, Lever, Trac, Anb, Hunt, Spargo, Tomlison and Gus gone to new levels.

And all together.

Its a wonderful thing but what has been the difference?

 

I put very little of our improvement down to individual growth as players.

The system is working because they've decided that they have no choice but to trust each other.

It's very difficult to make good decisions when you're trying to work out whether the guy next to you has got your back.

We're not kicking the ball better or contesting harder. Our boys are quite simply in the right place at the right time, more often because their decision-making has become instant.

It looks like our pressure has lifted, but again, this is not about a willingness to tackle - that's been there for the last 5 seasons, at least. It's about the speed in which players make decisions.

An extra half second here and there because you have faith in your mate, means everything.

[titan_uranus 25,000]

1 hour ago, Cheesy D. Pun said:

I put very little of our improvement down to individual growth as players.

The system is working because they've decided that they have no choice but to trust each other.

It's very difficult to make good decisions when you're trying to work out whether the guy next to you has got your back.

We're not kicking the ball better or contesting harder. Our boys are quite simply in the right place at the right time, more often because their decision-making has become instant.

It looks like our pressure has lifted, but again, this is not about a willingness to tackle - that's been there for the last 5 seasons, at least. It's about the speed in which players make decisions.

An extra half second here and there because you have faith in your mate, means everything.

I agree with your overall point but not the bolded bit.

We are kicking the ball better. We're kicking more to our players' advantage, we're kicking more direct, and we're kicking less up in the air rubbish. The stand rule maybe is helping with that.

Some players are also contesting harder: Spargo and Hunt are the two who clearly stand out.

So there is some individual improvement, but there probably is every year. As you say though, it's system-based improvement that is the real factor here.

[At the break of Gawn 4,460]

I reckon we started to see it the end of last year. The thumping by Port  was a real come to Jesus moment for the group  and I think the group gathered together and started to make inroads.The two losses in Cairns were mainly due to unexpected conditions and Covid restrictions (travelling up the day of while Freo and Swans were there days beforehand), so I think if you exclude them we’ve been good for a while - we’ve won 12 of our last 15 games which is amazing.

[Cheesy D. Pun 1,765]

30 minutes ago, titan_uranus said:

I agree with your overall point but not the bolded bit.

We are kicking the ball better. We're kicking more to our players' advantage, we're kicking more direct, and we're kicking less up in the air rubbish. The stand rule maybe is helping with that.

Some players are also contesting harder: Spargo and Hunt are the two who clearly stand out.

So there is some individual improvement, but there probably is every year. As you say though, it's system-based improvement that is the real factor here.

I agree with you, 100% - we're seeing better kicks to advantage. I'd argue that decision-making and trust are the key drivers of that rather than the development of kicking skills.

Our structure behind the ball probably helps too. In the past, a shanked kick meant a fair chance of a goal the other way. Now, there's not quite as much riding on every kick as the opposition still has to find a way through a very miserly defence. That has to have some effect on your ability to maintain composure with the ball.

[AllMyTeamsAreWank 564]

I noticed last night petracca mention that this preseason they were given a very simple gameplan to execute. Not sure if I'm reading into it, but perhaps we were over complicating things in the past. 

[Cards13 9,117]

7 hours ago, AllMyTeamsAreWank said:

I noticed last night petracca mention that this preseason they were given a very simple gameplan to execute. Not sure if I'm reading into it, but perhaps we were over complicating things in the past. 

Jones said exactly the same thing, simple gameplan and trusting each other.

Williams and Chaplin have also said they have allowed the players to chose when to change things up or Gawn and Jacko as an example. Very interesting to hear and will be interesting to see how teams come at us as the season unfolds. 

[Jaded No More 68,903]

Players playing as a team not as highly talented individuals, and everyone buying into the defensive stuff and the two way running. So it’s not left to too few to carry the load, which is unsustainable. 

[leave it to deever 17,511]

11 hours ago, rjay said:

The old saying winners are grinners rings true.

It's much more fun when things are working for you...

I know Im enjoying watching footy again.

So this is what some supporters of successful clubs experience most of the time.

Wow.

[Breggsy 123]

Nice thread idea.

Injury List

I think we have benefited from a much smaller injury compared to other years. From the weekend maybe only Harmes? missing from our best 22. Not sure how long this can continue but the important thing is we can bank as many wins now so that if we do end up having a patch where we are missing a few key players, we aren't in the position where we need to keep winning to play finals.

Confidence and letting players play to their strengths

I feel like sometimes coaches can shift players around too much to fill a gap somewhere on the field and somewhere along the way they can lose touch.  I remember Richmond having similar issues back in 2016, trying to play small forwards out of position, back flankers in centre bounces and I firmly believe Carlton are going through it now.

All these players are drafted for a reason and will have some quality or skill to set them apart from your local footballer. I find it no surprise that players like Neal-Bullen, Spargo, Hunt are all playing good roles for the team. Neal Bullen is a great example. He has always been a great runner and great pressure player. He's not going to have 30 and kick 5 but as long as he's playing to his strengths then it's going to be a pro for the team.

Game style and pressure

I heard on Purefooty about round 3 where they described the difference in our game plan compared to previous years. We are playing a more uncontested brand where in other years there was a real mentality to just win the hard ball and force it forward.  We have now had more centre clearances against us than we have won despite having gawn/trac/oliver in there. This was our whole game  only a few years ago and while we are still ahead in overall contested possession, we are currently ranked 5th for uncontested possession diff, 2nd for marks inside 50 differential, 1st for inside 50s and amazingly 18th for turnovers diff per game (something I would never have thought possible with some of our kicks).  This game plan is either really flourishing due to the new stand rule, or was we adopted it because of the new rule? Win the ball back and rather than just surging it forward with ala 2018, keep the ball out of the other teams hands, hit up lower risk kicks and then once we are in that wing to half forward space being able to find a player inside 50.  My only knock on this would be where these shots are coming from. Is it that we are able to generate set shots in poorer positions because we are happier to find options there or are we unable to generate targets in high look spots.

 

This is our set shots until round 5 leading to an overall conversion under 50%

 

[Watson11 2,240]

2 hours ago, Breggsy said:

My only knock on this would be where these shots are coming from. Is it that we are able to generate set shots in poorer positions because we are happier to find options there or are we unable to generate targets in high look spots.

 

This is our set shots until round 5 leading to an overall conversion under 50%

 

I like the changes going inside 50.  It’s just our set shot kicking is one of the basics we haven’t improved.  In 2017 and 2018 we were the easiest team to defend against because it was obvious our plan was to go front and centre, and not only was our inside 50 to shots on goal ratio deplorable , but we were easily hurt on the rebound. This year we are having more shots from the pockets, but our inside 50 to shots on goal ratio is almost 50%. The pockets are also easier to stop the rebound.  If we improve our accuracy then sides will have to start working out how to defend the pockets, and that will open up the centre more. We just need to improve our goal kicking.

[pinkshark 950]

My 11 and 8 year old boys nicknamed ANB - Alex Nearly Bullen, based on the fact of watching him for many years and being frustrated at his impact.  As in he 'nearly' did good things.  After another good game by Nibbler on the weekend my young fella said I have a new name for Nibbler:  Alex New-Bullen.  Cracked me up.  

As for whats changed as per this thread:   Im gonna say the input from premiership experienced coaches.  I have been a goodwin critic, but he's obviously smart enough to employ these blokes so fair play to him.  Cant argue with 6-0.  Still cant believe Im writing that.

 

[Tony Tea 2,809]

Players with significant upside, a year older, a year wiser, a year better coached by a cadre of experienced footy-heads.

[Guest]

The club, for the first time in 30 odd years of supporting it, is now aligned. There has been no magical overnight changes; just occasional tinkering where necessary but mostly our nose has been kept to the grindstone.☝?

Well balanced coaching staff where the intense, nurturing and tactical are implemented? ✅

Genuine A grade talent (as opposed to B+ talent expected to carry the load of an A grader) backed by well synchronized supporting cast, and who are in the sweet spot of being 24-26? ✅

Mostly silent, but constructive, board who we’ve barely heard from post 2013? ✅

Two experienced CEOs who have their own way of looking at things, but are both serious men with track records of success?✅

Rebuild plan that has been mostly followed for roughly 7 to 8 years from its inception (with some adaptations as circumstances dictate)?✅

The last one should get us the most excited. Bomber Thompson was first appointed at the end of 1999. Dimma at the end of 2009. The Cats saluted in 2007. The Tiges in 2017.

While this guarantees nothing and there are no golden rules in football or life, Roosy was appointed at the end of 2013. The rebuild he launched is now coming up on 8 years. ?

 

 

 

[tiers 2,833]

As I have said before in previous posts, the late Dean Bailey used to say that it takes 70 games played as a group to build the sort of cohesion and understanding needed for success. We are getting to this target -  Oliver, Petracca, Brayshaw, Salem, Harmes, Gawn, TMac(?), Viney, Jetta and maybe others. It is significant that Oliver, Petracca, Brayshaw and Gawn have been prominent in recent Brownlows.

McCartney used to say that it takes 5 years to build an AFL footballer. Combine the two and 2020 was supposed to be our year but it will now have to wait for 2021. With good coaching and leadership it's nearly time for this group to burst out and find success.

Adding May, Lever, Langdon and Tomlinson plus Choco and Yze's contribution to a team structure that now has winners and stability on all lines makes it look as if they were on the right path. It just takes patience and learning.

[DeeSpencer 25,678]

The striking thing to me is that team wise we aren't all that different to the 2018 version that won 2 finals and beat GWS, West Coast etc to get in to finals. That was our line up then.

FB: Jetta  Oscar  Hibberd
HB: Lewis  Frost  Salem   Int: Fritsch
C: Tyson   Oliver   Jones
HF: ANB   Tommy  Petracca
FF: Spargo  Weid   Hannan  Int: Melk
Foll: Gawn  Viney  Brayshaw
Int: Harmes Vanders

Backs:
Out: Jetta Lewis, Fritsch Oscar Frost
In: Hunt, Rivers, Lever, Tomlinson, May

Mids: 
Out: Tyson, Vanders, Harmes
In: JJ, Petracca, Langdon (Gus to a wing)

Forwards:
Out: Weid, Hannan, Petracca (mid)
In: Jackson, Kosi, Fritsch

Coaches:
Out: McCartney In: Williams
Out: Jennings/Mathews In: Yze

I feel like we spent 2 years in the wilderness but really we've kind of come full circle back to a lot of what we were doing late in 2018.

The backline needed turnover and we've replaced young key defenders with more experienced options who have now settled in, then also replaced some older legs with fresh (and fast) legs on the flanks. Salem and Hibbo (in a modified role) are the only holdovers since 2018 so it's not a huge surprise that things took a while to get sorted. The shift from all out press to keeping a defensive anchor has been a big positive too.

The midfield was crying out for a Langdon player who we got, but there the biggest change has been the young leaders stepping up and starting to own the way they wanted to play. We also had to adapt to Petracca coming in last year which helped him go to another level but threw out the balance of 2018. JJ has given us what Harmes did (and could do again) as a negating and receiving option. 

The forward line is really getting back to what we did very well at the end of 2018. The pressure is more consistent. The talls have paired well. Tom is back to being Tom and LJ is doing what Weid did - offering something in the ruck and a contest forward. Fritsch is a bit different but he's taken over what Melk/Petracca gave us in 2018, and obviously there's still options with a 3rd genuine tall and changing things around. 

Brendan McCartney was very good in setting a culture and standard of young mids to hunt the ball and compete. He was the development coach and mentor we needed to get that aspect of the game right. Choco is now providing a bigger focus on run, skills and decision making, no doubt still stressing the need to win the ball. Soccer has had that system for a while of the 'manager' who controls everything but a 'first team coach' or similar who's job is to drill the players, I think it's a great set up as long as there's trust and the roles are defined.

The midfield set ups, coaching and leadership are huge factors in getting us playing well. A lot of it is that we've got maturing talent and one way or another they were probably going to start to click more but a fresh voice from outside the club has surely helped. 

[mauriesy 7,287]

5 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

Out: Jetta Lewis, Fritsch Oscar Frost
Out: Tyson, Vanders, Harmes
Out: Weid, Hannan, Petracca (mid)
Out: McCartney
Out: Jennings/Mathews

So we "aren't all that different", except we've changed five backs, three mids, three forwards (i.e. half the team positions) and two assistant coaches?

[MurDoc516 1,523]

13 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

Backs:
Out: Jetta Lewis, Fritsch Oscar Frost
In: Hunt, Rivers, Lever, Tomlinson, May

Mids: 
Out: Tyson, Vanders, Harmes
In: JJ, Petracca, Langdon (Gus to a wing)

Forwards:
Out: Weid, Hannan, Petracca (mid)
In: Jackson, Kosi, Fritsch

Coaches:
Out: McCartney In: Williams
Out: Jennings/Mathews In: Yze

Looking at the outs and the ins. Disposal and speed has drastically improved.

[dino rover 714]

In defence relative to 2018 we have significantly upgraded our skill level by foot with Rivers May Lever Tomlinson (note Frost's turnover to Tmac in the Hawthorn game).

Our tackling pressure in the fwd half commences our defence and makes it easier for our defence in that there isnt too much easy transition.

Our midfield runs to help the defence as Salem highlighted in a post match interview - not just Max running into defence but more of the midfield more often.

Jacko whilst not a key forward - yet - is more than a chop out ruckman a la Pederson, TMac or Weid and that helps Max and Jacko is a big mobile talented mid.

Finally Langdon on the wing with Brayshaw developing means our own transition is much better and the capacity for the wings to choke the oppositions transition is greater.

 

[DubDee 25,839]

Nothing major has changed since last year imv, it's a cumulation of everything that's happened Since Roos came to the club in 2014. 

We have had Coaching stability - no head coach sacked in 7 years. We have drafted and traded very well. We have a strong culture. The players have bought in and there is mutual respect.

7 years of a hard slog, if you hold it together and don't crack (eg, don't sack Goody, leading to instability, players maybe leaving, and re-starting a new game plan etc.) you earn a chance to have success.

We have a lot to thanks PJ and Roosy for.

[whatwhat say what 22,742]

for mine, side has changed markedly since 2018

the (preferred) set-up has been relatively consistent since midway through last season

lack of injury has seen the added benefit of cohesion within the 22 (23?) that make up the team each week

[DeeSpencer 25,678]

29 minutes ago, mauriesy said:

So we "aren't all that different", except we've changed five backs, three mids, three forwards (i.e. half the team positions) and two assistant coaches?

The backline turnover has been high, and we’ve swapped from young to experienced tall defenders and vice versa with the flankers (Hunt seems youthful even if he’s not).

The midfield and forwards aren’t all that different, and we’ve replaced assistants but in a similar set up of an experienced development coach and a midfield coach on the rise. 

Watching our wins against the Cats, Hawks and the Tigers have felt incredibly similar to those finals in the style of play. The numbers on the jumpers have changed but it’s forward pressure, a marauding midfield and scoring in runs of goals.

If you went away in October 2018 after we landed Steve May and came back 2 weeks ago you’d be asking who Kossie, LJ and Rivers are but otherwise you’d be thinking it looks pretty familiar.