42 minutes ago, demon3165 said:

The Hawks did it in their golden years nothing new there.

My memory of the way they played was not to get in behind the defence, but to kick through the zone. Whereas now it seems to be about getting easier chances over the back. That was certainly the Collingwood method, but you're probably right overall

26 minutes ago, DemonKolt said:

How is your opinion “hard facts”??

This is the same bluey that openly criticised the club on here by stating that they had made a huge mistake trading Sam Weideman out at the end of 2022....

The guy has zero credibility.

23 minutes ago, Adam The God said:

My memory of the way they played was not to get in behind the defence, but to kick through the zone. Whereas now it seems to be about getting easier chances over the back. That was certainly the Collingwood method, but you're probably right overall

Doesn’t that require not only having kicking precision skills, but also more distance to get over the back than most of our guys have?

2 hours ago, DubDee said:

Cue the outrage when Fritsch doesn't get dropped

He is obviously playing poorly but had 15 touches and 8 score involvements. Better than the rest of the forwards

Obviously he is out of form and some of his efforts are poor but he not a chance to be dropped with so many worse performers

8 score involvements? Funny. Not a single goal kicked or a single goal assist.

He should be dropped but Goodwin will never do that

33 minutes ago, Fritta and Turner said:

How many debutants have we played this season?

Out of necessity because of injuries/suspension

1 hour ago, DemonKolt said:

You have no clue Bluey

Sestan has only just started his third year, and it is hard for him to replace Hore given he got moved to the backline about 4 months ago

Kentfield is 19 and hasn’t even been at the club 12 months, of which 2 months he was seriously ill… Recruiting blunder?? Pfffft

Verrall is a 21yo developing ruck behind the GOAT. Expecting him to debut by now is the only head scratcher here….

Not sure you understand the concepts of patience and player development. These players may not make it, but it’s much too early to know

You may not be aware, but Bluey is the DL master of sarcasm.

10 minutes ago, monoccular said:

Doesn’t that require not only having kicking precision skills, but also more distance to get over the back than most of our guys have?

Possibly, although the EPL plays fast from the middle of the park. So defensive pass, pass, pass, angled pass into midfield or wide ball to play it in behind or cut inside and reverse pass to winger or striker making a diagonal run.

So it's about being able to flip the switch with speed in certain parts of the ground.

Again, as Hoyne said on SEN, Collingwood in 2022-2023 knew they didn't have enough elite kickers (N Daicos, J Daicos, Sidebottom and Pendlebury), so played a forward handball game. We're trying to do the same with Windsor, Lindsay, McVee, Bowey and Kozzy.

With all of those guys in the team and the power from stoppage of say Oliver and Trac, combined with the pace of those aforementioned guys, you've got an ability to play that forward handball game. Particularly from stoppage, exhibit A, all those out the front stoppage scores against GWS, which came from aggressive forward handballing.

Edited April 2Apr 2 by Adam The God

1 hour ago, DeeSpencer said:

Time trial and speed are completely different things. Even Sharp is only moderately quick, although he can sustain the high cruising speed for long distances.

Laurie would be our slowest mid or perhaps on par with the big bodies of Langford and Culley, he can just sustain his running over 2km.

I doubt that Laurie would be slower than Viney

2 hours ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Fullarton has had a couple of strong weeks at Casey.

Casey's frantic and often fumbling ball movement has favoured his marking game.

Not sure if he will get a call up but form is decent.

Wouldn't mind seeing him trialled for a half each week down back. Fringe players have to play more than one position these days IMO.

Laurie, Woey and Brown ... just not sure. None seems to have that X factor needed to succeed at today's AFL

😞if I had a $ every time these words or similar are written ..” not sure they show enough for AFL”…

10 minutes ago, Deestar9 said:

😞if I had a $ every time these words or similar are written ..” not sure they show enough for AFL”…

Unfortunately Woey gives me vibes of young Stretch. Laurie is probably a little better than JKH but in a similar mould.

Brown might make it on a HBF

9 minutes ago, Deestar9 said:

😞if I had a $ every time these words or similar are written ..” not sure they show enough for AFL”…

WIth K.Brown, i cannot see why they wouldn't develop him as a HHF. He'll need one more pre-season to build a tank before he can have a real crack but its a role we are in desperate need of. He is quick, athletic and should be full of hunger.

5 hours ago, binman said:

By the by i answered that I'm just interested in their tactics and asked a follow up question:

What are the tactical overlaps between EPL and AFL (Australian rules football)?

While the English Premier League (EPL) and Australian Football League (AFL) are distinct sports, they share some tactical overlaps:

Pressing and Counter-Pressing: Both EPL and AFL teams use pressing tactics to disrupt opponents' play. In the EPL, high pressing and counter-pressing (gegenpressing) are common to regain possession quickly1. Similarly, AFL teams apply pressure to force turnovers and regain control2.

Formation Flexibility: EPL teams often adjust formations to exploit opponents' weaknesses, such as shifting between 4-3-3 and 3-5-23. AFL teams also adapt their formations during play to create space and maintain defensive solidity2.

Use of Space: Both sports emphasize creating and exploiting space. EPL teams use wingers and overlapping fullbacks to stretch the field3, while AFL teams use strategic positioning to open up the field for attacking plays2.

Data-Driven Strategies: Both leagues increasingly rely on data analysis to refine tactics. EPL teams use GPS tracking and video analysis to optimize player positioning and strategy3. AFL teams also integrate physical, technical, and tactical data to enhance performance2.

These overlaps highlight the strategic depth and adaptability required in both sports. If you have more specific aspects you're curious about, feel free to ask!

I'm not sure how full-on the soccer practice is and how much the tactics would rub off. But I agree some soccer could be a good inclusion in training. Hand-eye coordination, ball control, kicking ( including toe pokes and longer kicks off the carpet), teamwork, positioning and something more interesting than running laps. And changing things up can keep players refreshed and on their toes. Just as long it doesn't replace essential Aussie rules training drills the criticism seems rather silly.

1 hour ago, Adam The God said:

My memory of the way they played was not to get in behind the defence but to kick through the zone. Whereas now it seems to be about getting easier chances over the back. That was certainly the Collingwood method, but you're probably right overall

They always kicked back and across the ground and then attacked; Mitchell is playing a similar type of game but quicker. We are a long way off the pace and skill now. If teams allow us to make it a contest-to-contest game, we are in with a chance, but I think those teams are limited.

5 hours ago, Roost it far said:

Love hearing that about Tholstrup

Sounds like we’re rolling out the same midfield but Rivers going back.

Great news about Lindsay, sheesh we dodged a bullet for once.

Waiting for the return of knuckles

Edited April 2Apr 2 by Demon Dynasty

12 minutes ago, Go Ds said:

I'm not sure how full-on the soccer practice is and how much the tactics would rub off. But I agree some soccer could be a good inclusion in training. Hand-eye coordination, ball control, kicking ( including toe pokes and longer kicks off the carpet), teamwork, positioning and something more interesting than running laps. And changing things up can keep players refreshed and on their toes. Just as long it doesn't replace essential Aussie rules training drills the criticism seems rather silly.

People are forgetting one big difference: one has a round ball that doesn't bounce in different ways, and you don't handle the ball, but if we bring it in the side, we might be in with a chance.

19 minutes ago, demon3165 said:

They always kicked back and across the ground and then attacked; Mitchell is playing a similar type of game but quicker. We are a long way off the pace and skill now. If teams allow us to make it a contest-to-contest game, we are in with a chance, but I think those teams are limited.

The game still relies on contests and stoppages. We just need to get way better at winning contest, see 2017-2024. Stoppage work against GWS is what needs to be replicated. Where we need to get better, obviously, is on turnover. Right now, we stuff up on turnover, mostly because we bomb it long to an outnumber, instead of using forward handball and run to open up the forwardline.

Hmm it says a lot when we have pages of comment on Soccer on AFL site.

Sestan was the non playing emergency last weekend, so he’s probably not far from getting a game.

Would be in over Howes this week if it was up to me.

16 minutes ago, Adam The God said:

The game still relies on contests and stoppages. We just need to get way better at winning contest, see 2017-2024. Stoppage work against GWS is what needs to be replicated. Where we need to get better, obviously, is on turnover. Right now, we stuff up on turnover, mostly because we bomb it long to an outnumber, instead of using forward handball and run to open up the forwardline.

The issue sides have moved away from contest to contest football now it's a pace running game with ball skills and we are one a paced poor skills midfield, last week showed up Oliver, Viney and co and they just chased stops all day, it also does not help that Max cannot jump at centre bounces and relies on contact, more and more opposition ruckman just jump into him and nullifies him to get get first use.

32 minutes ago, demon3165 said:

People are forgetting one big difference: one has a round ball that doesn't bounce in different ways, and you don't handle the ball, but if we bring it in the side, we might be in with a chance.

Makes it even easier mark it can’t get tackled from behind so either wheel and go or push back and hit the next option

5 hours ago, Young Angus said:

Go Tholstrup...very excited for him to be part of the middle going forward too!

If he's part of the midfield, he'll be going back going forward.

4 minutes ago, demon3165 said:

The issue sides have moved away from contest to contest football now it's a pace running game with ball skills and we are one a paced poor skills midfield, last week showed up Oliver, Viney and co and they just chased stops all day, it also does not help that Max cannot jump at centre bounces and relies on contact, more and more opposition ruckman just jump into him and nullifies him to get get first use.

I don't disagree that the make up of our midfield is too one paced. Goody says we're trying to change that, but for injuries...

5 minutes ago, Adam The God said:

I don't disagree that the make up of our midfield is too one paced. Goody says we're trying to change that, but for injuries...

This has been known since 2022. Even Stevie Wonder could see it. We have just not invested in it and did the old What I did today, you do tomorrow now it's bitten us in the 🍑🍑🍑🍑.

19 minutes ago, demon3165 said:

The issue sides have moved away from contest to contest football now it's a pace running game with ball skills and we are one a paced poor skills midfield, last week showed up Oliver, Viney and co and they just chased stops all day, it also does not help that Max cannot jump at centre bounces and relies on contact, more and more opposition ruckman just jump into him and nullifies him to get get first use.

We got towelled up by Rowell, he ain’t that fast. Get Kozz and Lindsay in there and see if Rowell runs away from us then.

Edited April 2Apr 2 by Roost it far

3 hours ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Laurie, Woey and Brown ... just not sure. None seems to have that X factor needed to succeed at today's AFL

Hmm, not sure about that. In my mind, the X factor belongs to very special players, and there are only a few of them. There is room for good, solid team players, the ones who notch up 200 games and opposition supporters have no idea who they are.

In fact, I'd love to have a few of that type right now.

Edited April 2Apr 2 by Demonised
Clarity