Hey demonlanders!

I’m not sure if this has been addressed in another topic so please delete if so. Our forward connection now looks pretty darn good. Especially comparing it previous years.
 

From what I can see, having Spargo and Kozzie being such a threat, Fritsch being able to always create space and Ben Brown and TMAC if not marking it, consciously making sure they get one hand to a contest to get the ball in the right drop zone, has meant we now have defenders that can’t double team as much and also makes them play closer to their man. Fritsch now looks like he is constantly having more space to lead into because teams can’t afford their defenders to drop off their man. 
 

Is it Spargo and Kozzie alone that have allowed this connection to prove more fruitful with goals?? Was that what has been missing?

Should also include Neal-Bullen and occasional ring-ins like Petracca, Oliver, Jackson and, of course, Maxie..

We have this year finally realised that there are roles for everyone. Sometimes they are fixed, sometimes they vary with the opposition set-up, the  state of scores or simply to confound and to confuse.

It relies on switched-on, disciplined role players who set up in the right positions and who can turn nothing into something. Very hard to defend against.

Golden rule of footy ... play in front

Our forwards are now doing that quite consistently and look at the difference it's made

First 2 lines in that team of the century painting with Smith pointing at the blackboard

Expect to win

First to the ball

And there can never be a connect if the forwards play from behind.  In a split second what can the ball carrier see if that happens?  Opposition colours (obviously)

In finals, the basics are often even more important (with all the pressure involved)

7 or 8 of every 10 free kicks are awarded to the ball player or the player playing in front.  And hurried kicks in finals often fall short.  Play the percentages

The advantages are enormous