Binmans PA

I'm just loving how we are defending the ground and setting up to defend space. It's going to become very difficult to play against. It's very noticeable that we block outlets by hand and then sag our zone back to our half back (when defending from our own half forwardline), which creates space in behind for us and enables us to turn the ball over, usually in the corridor. This means we're starting attacks from in the corridor in the centre square, and then moving the ball either to our forwards running back into space towards our goal, or to leading forwards with much more space in front and around them to work in. You can see the result of this tonight. We were devastating on turnover, and most chains seemed to start through the middle of the ground. Being happy to lose the territory battle can mean we are defending from quite deep inside our own D50, but it eases our forward connection, because we're not kicking to a crowded A50. I'm loving the coaching and the discipline from the players to execute this. I think it's a bit of an evolution of how we tried to play Collingwood on KB last year. We sat deeper and allowed Collingwood to run into our zone, and then closed in around them. Well done, Goody and team.

That was deadset elite and you just knew as soon as he marked it, he'd kick it straight through the middle.

IMO he's exhausted from the rucking role by the time he competes in the air. He did mark and goal at a crucial moment and I thought his tap work was excellent. He's becoming a really handy ruck, which gets him into the game. As his tank improves, his marking will improve. Could have had a big night on the scoreboard, but his tackling and general contest game I felt was droppable. I think we'll see his best against Brisbane though.

That's because you flip flop, ya duffer.

Lol, you're kidding right? I'll eat my hat if we win by 100.

We'd all like a second jab. I'd be happy with 3 or 4 jabs in the next few years please.

Caleb didn't go to Caulfield Grammar, but those two are best mates.

Unless we lose one of JVR or Petty, I can't see us going big on any opposition KPF.

It's okay to get them wrong when Collingwood are on the wrong end of it. 😆

See, this is the thing. We didn't steal it then. We set ourselves up that way. We were super aggressive from every centre bounce and many around the ground stoppages. The mentality clearly being win a pure clearance either out of the front or unpressured or be prepared to lose the clearance and then dig in at our defensive end. That has been a noticeable difference in all 4 games we've played this year.

And sorry to be a downer, but I thought Hore really struggled. Was often the man in the hole and only got it right once in the second quarter. I wouldn't play May against Adelaide, but if we do, Hore definitely comes out for May.

I reckon far too much is being made of inside 50 disparity. We're setting ourselves up that way to slingshot as Collingwood did last year and as Geelong have done for years under Scott.

That last quarter was outstanding, but I've been writing about this a bit - we either try to win an extremely aggressive clearance or we're happy to lose clearance and play the game more in our defensive half. It leaves space in behind for our forwards and makes them look better and us function so much better. I like it. It's potentially more nerve wracking, but the slingshot is absolutely on with our game now. ANB, take a bow. What a game. Viney incredible in the first quarter and then a really even team performance after that. Well done, BBB and Lever's early intercept play was excellent. Up the redlegs and Goody must be an alright coach, I reckon. McQualter a great acquisition as well.

We did have Rex Hunt unfortunately, but otherwise I agree.

I've been critical of Jack at times over the journey, but there is no doubting his vital importance in turning our club around by driving standards and competitiveness. Congrats on 200, Jack. Let's hope he gets another flag or two.

I think Laurie will make it. Our development team have been second to none. I wonder if a centre bounce midfield role would suit him...

It was all team defence. Our post clearance pressure and ground level pressure was so good that the best they could do was kick to a congested forwardline or dump kick it to our free interceptors. Our defenders were great, but it was an all team effort.

We had a solid lead and they were kicking it back and forth to each other on our half forward line. We were literally just waiting for them to make an error and then slingshot on them. We didn't need to do anything else but defend. It was a very José Mourinho-like performance.

No, not as in gasping for air. See above.

Freedom of movement. My 75 year old father could outrun him today. As I said, he looked better down back and took that great pack mark in the first quarter, but otherwise his movement and agility seemed severely hampered to me and others around us at the game.

Where's the thumbs down button? Statistically he might be considered elite, but his disposal and decision making has gone through the roof. 5-10 times today he would have previously blasted away, but consistently made the right decision. He's started beautifully this season.

They look so smug though, even in defeat. I hate Hawthorn. Love you Hawthorn supporting wifey.

He looked slightly more comfortably down back, but he could hardly move in front of us a number of times.

I thought he looked deadset crook for most of the day.

This'll sound strange, but I think it's his best game in ages. He was 🔥