Midfielders	CBAs	CBA %	Notes
Jack Viney	27	79.4%	6 clearances
Christian Petracca	16	47.1%	2 clearances, 2 goals
Tom Sparrow	25	73.5%	No clearances
Alex Neal-Bullen	22	64.7%	No clearances
Kysaiah Pickett	8	23.5%	5 clearances, 2 goals
Bailey Laurie	2	5.9%	No clearances
Jack Billings	2	5.9%	No clearances

why? so he can win the clearance, run around in a circle, then bomb long to no one in particular?

he's brilliant at the first part, the second part is fine if he can work himself into space, but his disposal execution post-clearance leaves a lot to be desired

Went from averaging 1% CBAs to 11% but went many games without attending any.

I imagine this will be part of Goody's plan again to increase that number. But more likely on a need basis to either bring him into the game or give a spark.

He's so so important up forward for pressure and creating. I'm more interested in him fixing up his kicking and composure in front of goal. After kicking 41-18 in 2024 he dropped last year to 37-30. Would love to see a chart of his shots on goal as well because it generally seems they're from good angles and not far out.

 

Surely he hangs on to a screamer this season. 

  On 19/02/2024 at 06:01, Young Blood said:

Went from averaging 1% CBAs to 11% but went many games without attending any.

I imagine this will be part of Goody's plan again to increase that number. But more likely on a need basis to either bring him into the game or give a spark.

He's so so important up forward for pressure and creating. I'm more interested in him fixing up his kicking and composure in front of goal. After kicking 41-18 in 2024 he dropped last year to 37-30. Would love to see a chart of his shots on goal as well because it generally seems they're from good angles and not far out.

 

It’s his flying and on the run shots that spoilt last years figures. I also believe Kossie doesn’t look for a handball much any where near goal or trying to race out of the centre.

I love Kossie but he must be installed with more team aspects than just playing solo at times. Hi burns team mates occasionally and if he bought these team moments into his game we would be a 10% better team especially around goal and at centre clearances.

The Coaches either give Kossie a licence or are very remiss in team rules in his training. Or are just letting it slide for unknown reasons. We can’t afford this in our forward line especially and don’t believe it occurred in 2021. 

  On 19/02/2024 at 05:51, whatwhat say what said:

why? so he can win the clearance, run around in a circle, then bomb long to no one in particular?

he's brilliant at the first part, the second part is fine if he can work himself into space, but his disposal execution post-clearance leaves a lot to be desired

Exactly the stat indicates he won 5 clearances and kicked 2 goals like they were linked.

Turn one way and drive with your legs before disposing. Absolutely no point in zigging and zagging only to dispose the footy in a manner which had minimal advantage.

But if looks good to the eye that’s enough 

Pickett is a brilliant forward with the body strength and nous to be a powerful point of difference to disrupt opposition centre bounce planning. Particularly if there's been a spell where the ball hasn't been coming his way and he is a little fresh, he can step in and really boost the chances of chaos favouring us.

It is very similar to the tactic of playing Petracca forward for extended periods in the first half and then introducing him to the stoppage mix in the second half when opponents are already a little run down. If you're a tired mere mortal lining up at a centre bounce next to a much fresher opponent who happens to be one of the most powerful players in the game, you are already half beaten. Not a coincidence that Petracca's CBA are under 50% but his scoring from those appears disproportionate.

So, the numbers for those two look about appropriate to me - Petracca 50%ish, Pickett 25%ish.

Interesting to see Sparrow taking 75%. Clearly being developed to the role. As for Nibbler - his job is to contain the effectiveness of opponent clearances and provide blocks and support for our 'guns' to do their thing.

We've worked hard at limiting the damage opponents can do to us from stoppages and especially centre bouces, because those breakaways do expose the vulnerability of our very aggressive defence, especially with the 6/6/6 rule. It's why Oliver added to his game an astonishingly high number of intercepts for a midfielder.

Returning to the original point about Pickett - I think a fair analogy would be to the way we attempted to turn Harmes into a 'damaging midfielder' because he had demonstrated a string of games where he was being damaging on the payback while primarily playing as a stopper. Pickett will continue to be damaging as an option in stoppages and centre bounces, but if we get too sweaty and excited about that and try to hard to make it his main role, not only won't we get that damage, we will also lose a lot of his value of a goal-kicker and pressure forward.

I definitely want him to be a more consistent centre bounce presence this year, but we need him in the forward line. There’s no one else with his speed and pressure.

Has to be clear communication to work the swaps after clearances.

And I agree he has to do more with linking up in centre clearances.

You know who we underutilise after the first possession of a clearance? Big Maxy. He should be used as a basketball low post style distributor. Where every other player is spreading out and trying to run just handball up to big Maxy who’s impossible to tackle cleanly right away and have him dish handballs to the receivers.

  On 19/02/2024 at 06:01, Young Blood said:

Went from averaging 1% CBAs to 11% but went many games without attending any.

I imagine this will be part of Goody's plan again to increase that number. But more likely on a need basis to either bring him into the game or give a spark.

He's so so important up forward for pressure and creating. I'm more interested in him fixing up his kicking and composure in front of goal. After kicking 41-18 in 2024 he dropped last year to 37-30. Would love to see a chart of his shots on goal as well because it generally seems they're from good angles and not far out.

 

Were a fair percentage of his missed set shots last season a result of not taking his time in the set up?

Nonchalantly just waltzing around and shooting at goal. 

That doesn't mean he always missed under this scenario but i'd love to see the accuracy percentage vs times when he did take his full allotted time.

Nor did he always rush these shots.  And i'd hazard to guess he kicked more accurately when he did!

I also have a gripe here and this is with any player taking a set shot...not just Kozz.  That is, unless you're looking to score quickly as time is running out and you're behind, any player taking a set shot needs to use the maximum time allocated wherever possible.  This achieves a number of beneficial outcomes imv, including...

1.  Player shooting gets to recuperate somewhat which may help with composure and energy when shooting at goal.  A foot or two could make all the difference between winning and losing as we witnessed with Clarry's shot against the Blues.  Of course Maxy did have an unfortunate hand in spoiling that (literally) and pretty sure Clarry did take his allotted time here so probably did about as good as he could on this occasion.

This is certainly no slight on Clarry in this instance whatsoever.  But let's say he didn't take his allotted time and his mark was a few yards closer to goal...it could make all the difference under those circumstances.  Even the diff between going out in straight sets or into another Prelim!

2.  Given the ball is at our scoring end of the ground, a player who takes his full allotted time allows us (as the attacking team) to set up the press as best as possible.  Conversely, a quick set shot at goal plays into the oppo's hands as we don't have as much time to set up behind the ball and lock-in the press, offering the opposition more space/time to work the ball out of their defence and potentially transition quite quickly for a quick end-to-end goal!

3.  All players get to recover a little more and, given that the ball is in our defensive half, this should (in theory) help our boys to defend the oppo more effectively when they attempt to clear their D50 vs the alternative of a quick kick.

Edited February 19, 20241 yr by Demon Dynasty

Almost 50 CBAs for Nibbler + Tommy Sparrow for zero clearances 🥴

  On 19/02/2024 at 05:51, whatwhat say what said:

why? so he can win the clearance, run around in a circle, then bomb long to no one in particular?

he's brilliant at the first part, the second part is fine if he can work himself into space, but his disposal execution post-clearance leaves a lot to be desired

That’s exactly what i was going to type after reading the OP. If Kozzie wishes to play on ball, he has to seriously stop the selfish Hollywood stuff and execute the basics. He wins the ball without any trouble, what comes next actually disadvantages the side and causes turnover. He needs to be composed in that part of the ground and develop spatial awareness. So often he gets himself in the clear but still rushes the disposal. 

  On 19/02/2024 at 07:57, The Jackson FIX said:

Almost 50 CBAs for Nibbler + Tommy Sparrow for zero clearances 🥴

Nibbler we can forgive as he probably has very little experience at CBAs.

Sparrow on the other hand.

We probably need to be patient and wait for the real deal to unfold over the first 6 rounds or so before starting to dissect what appears to be working or not imho.

I wouldn't place too much emphasis on this type of hit out.  Most players probably had a free ticket to just loosen the cobwebs and run out the game without too many goals / KPIs etc coming into play.

I would like to see Kozzy mix in more midfield and being the deepest forward too. If I recall, 1 of his 2 SF goals last year was being played as the deepest forward, hard to contain him with his speed and strength.

  On 19/02/2024 at 08:18, Demon Dynasty said:

 

I wouldn't place too much emphasis on this type of hit out.  Most players probably had a free ticket to just loosen the cobwebs and run out the game without too many goals / KPIs etc coming into play.

Would’ve thought by sheer weight of exposure that at least once the ball just falls in your lap 

We have no idea what role Sparrow and ANB were asked to play when it came to clearances. They may well have exceeded the expectations of the coaches.

  On 19/02/2024 at 05:51, whatwhat say what said:

why? so he can win the clearance, run around in a circle, then bomb long to no one in particular?

he's brilliant at the first part, the second part is fine if he can work himself into space, but his disposal execution post-clearance leaves a lot to be desired

The first part is getting and get it going forward our way.  The rest will come. I will take his 5 from 8 clearances over 0 from 22 from NIbbler. 

  On 19/02/2024 at 08:36, The Jackson FIX said:

Would’ve thought by sheer weight of exposure that at least once the ball just falls in your lap 

Agreed.

In isolation it's a severely poor return if the intent was for both to get heavily involved at CBs

Kozzie in rotation with Tracc would be awesome, if the full compliment is on board Viney, Clarry, Gus and Sparrow.

  On 19/02/2024 at 08:35, Lexinator said:

I would like to see Kozzy mix in more midfield and being the deepest forward too. If I recall, 1 of his 2 SF goals last year was being played as the deepest forward, hard to contain him with his speed and strength.

The dream team for me would be Trac deep with Kozzie floating off the (striker) in Trac.

Our own Batman and Robin combo.

Trac's body use is second to none he would destroy teams but he obviously wants his midfield minutes.

I would use this in a final if everyone was healthy and we could allow this to happen.

This is what gets us back to the promise land i reckon.

Don't see it happening unfortunately with team balance, Goody's preference.

 

  On 19/02/2024 at 05:51, whatwhat say what said:

why? so he can win the clearance, run around in a circle, then bomb long to no one in particular?

he's brilliant at the first part, the second part is fine if he can work himself into space, but his disposal execution post-clearance leaves a lot to be desired

As opposed to our other mids who drop it on a dime for our forwards? At least he wins the clearance.

  On 19/02/2024 at 11:16, YesitwasaWin4theAges said:

The dream team for me would be Trac deep with Kozzie floating off the (striker) in Trac.

Our own Batman and Robin combo.

Trac's body use is second to none he would destroy teams but he obviously wants his midfield minutes.

I would use this in a final if everyone was healthy and we could allow this to happen.

This is what gets us back to the promise land i reckon.

Don't see it happening unfortunately with team balance, Goody's preference.

 

Isn't Trac's mid minutes more to do with rotations?  This is where i would've loved to have seen Rivers come into the middle for serious mid minutes, effectively substituting for Trac in a significant way.  Allowing him to play more substantial minutes forward.

I like the Kozzy tag team suggestion and this would make that duo more damaging with the extra time together.

Trac was just 'ok' at CBAs in 23, but for mine was slightly more damaging when moved forward.  Rivers in could have been a good move to accommodate this.

I'm not bullish on Sparrow getting the job done here either (CBA attendances and effectiveness).  And alot less on ANB.  That's just not his gig and teaching an old dog etc must have some impact on his potential to deliver here surely?  Effectively not really on him if he was asked to step into it and it doesn't come off.

Edited February 20, 20241 yr by Demon Dynasty

He has no tank to be a midfielder he is a burst player and plays on instinct his decision making in that midfield position is not great.

I understand people's view on him as being quick but if he had to go on 2 or repeat efforts he'd be asleep for half a game, leave him where he's dangerous and make him an attacking forward not a defensive one.

I am hoping with Petty and McAdam, Fritsch and maybe Fullarton along side him he will really be a handful.

  On 19/02/2024 at 05:51, whatwhat say what said:

why? so he can win the clearance, run around in a circle, then bomb long to no one in particular?

he's brilliant at the first part, the second part is fine if he can work himself into space, but his disposal execution post-clearance leaves a lot to be desired

Very good point Wwswd.

He's a small forward who we've seen change games.

I don't mind him in the guts for the odd cameo. Especially if he's struggling.

But for me he is a freakish goal sneak and that's always his main job.

We just need a big fwd he can work with.

 

I watched some of the practice match against Richmond and Kozzie looked good in the middle. Worth using for some cameo rotations occasionally.

Edited February 21, 20241 yr by No. 31