binman

Thanks for the stats IT - they make for interesting reading. I had planned to watch last season in order - one a week culminating in the GF just before the 2022 season starts. My thought was to post some short comments about each game - i even started a thread for it! But it took a while for me to get keen to watch them again and once i did have just watched them at random times (ie not weekly). And i didn't feel like over analyzing them and have just been enjoying them for enjoyment sake. So haven't bothered with a running commentary on them. That said, some interesting themes on the tactical front have emerged for me, things I missed or didn't fully appreciate during the season. I'll post some of those thoughts in this thread once i finish watching the season. But a reflection on clearances. Coincidentally, i watched the Dogs round 19 game last night (after a slow start i'm ahead of schedule). It really reinforced my thoughts at the time that Goody was playing ducks and drakes in that game - keeping his tactical powder dry so to speak. One example was our clearances. Goody replicated the round 11 set up in terms of Harmes running with Libba (i'd describe it as a soft tag), not locking down Macrae at all (barely put any defensive work into him) and allowing Daniel to be free behind the stoppage (defensive side) and play his customary sweeper/distributor role. Macrae had a whopping 38 possessions, and with 9, their equal most clearances. Critically, he also had 8 inside 50s and 9 score involvements (and 532 metres gained). Daniel had 34 possessions, 5 clearances, 2 inside 50s and six score involvements (and 415 metres gained). But come Grand Final Goody changed this set up. He didn't run even a soft tag on Libba - just allowed Viney (and sparrow when giving jack a chop out) to go head too head with the him. Libba's numbers were almost the same in round 19 and the GF. I predicted before the GF that Goody would not allow Daniel so much space. But whilst he tightened up on Daniel in the second half, he largely replicated the round 19 approach. And i think he did so because Daniels' influence is over rated. I focused a bit on Daniel when watching the round 19 replay last night and as was the case in the GF, so many of his possessions are just fluff - lateral short kicks that don't facilitate a switch or create scoring opportunities. And they give us time to set up our defensive structure ahead of the ball. In the GF, Daniel had, on paper, arguably a better game than round 19. He had 37 possessions (22 of which were uncontested), 631 meters gained and 5 inside 50s. But critically, he could only manage 2 clearances and a paltry (for a player getting so many possessions) 2 score involvements. Salem's numbers in the GF make for an interesting comparison given they play a similar role. Despite having 10 fewer possessions, Salem had 8 more meters gained (639), 2 more inside 50s and of most significance, SIX more score involvements. Daniel, despite his high numbers, didn't really hurt us in any of the four (inc. the preseason match) games we played against them in 2021. But McRae did. So in the biggest game of all, for the first time, Goody, put a lot of defensive work into Macrea (something i did correctly predict). And it a had huge impact on how effective the dogs were when winning a clearance and indeed their overall fortunes. The numbers tell the tale - 11 less possessions than round 19, 5 less clearances and 144 less metres gained. Reflecting Goody's tactical shift to deny Macrae time and space and limit his impact at stoppages, he had 6 less uncontested possessions - important because of how damaging he is with any time and space. But the key numbers are inside 50 and score involvements. In the GF, compared to round 19, Macrae had 5 less inside 50s and an incredible 5 fewer score involvements. I know there are stats about scores from clearances, but frustratingly i think Champion data lock them up as i can't find any. Really the critical stat is how often a team score directly from a clearance. Macrea is most damaging when the Dogs win a clearance and feed it out to him. We basically took that strength away and as a result really limited his impact. Conversely, compared to round 19 (and indeed all previous 2021 games), we were incredibly effective in terms of scoring from center clearances in the GF. For mine that is in large part a function of Goody keeping his tactical powder dry. He refused to show his hand with clearances and clearly they were working on different set ups and set plays for use in the finals. The employed some of these to devastating effect right through the finals. We were brilliant all season at absorbing pressure and not allowing teams to really hurt us when on top (save a handful of examples) - and responding finally with a goal of our own. What i found interesting when watching the replays in terms of clearances is that often we followed up that goal with another quick one from a center clearance to wrest back momentum completely. There was good example in the third q of the round 17 Port game. I wonder if that is a specific tactic, one that involves going to a particular center square set up that is infrequently used (but practiced throughout the season at training) that is maybe a more high risk, high reward (eg an aggressive set up ahead of the ball) set up/set play. In terms of next season, i agree they will tinker with things in terms of clearances. But there's no value in showing all your cards in the home and away season as opposition coaches will just go to town on them. So i think by in large they will keep the same set up and systems they used in the 2021 and work on their surprise set ups to use as required in home and away matches and dial them up comes finals.

Thanks George. What days and time do they train at Casey?

I can't seem to find info about training times etc on the MFC website. Does anyone know when the next session at Goshs park is?

I think Daisy's lack of pace would be exposed as a tagging mid. Zanks and Paxy both had shockers i thought. Pressure was ok but so may fumbles when under pressure, particularly Paxy.

These two comments are absolute rubbish.

That was my key take away too. I'm curious about the tactical evolution of AFLW and women's football in general. There are any number of tactical elements that are the same as the AFL (eg pressure being fundamental, use of zones ect) - but in many ways AFLW is a different game, so i assume some bespoke tactics are developed (Dees in October i'd be interested in your thoughts on this idea). Stinear is obviously trying to implement a game plan based on precision kicking, quick play on after marks (often with a handball to player running past) and lots of handballs. This game plan differs from the men's team quite a bit. It actually reminds me of how the dogs' mens team plays. And like the dogs men's team i think it is model susceptible to really high opposition pressure, like Richmonds' in the first quarter and the saints until 3 quarter time. And of course like that applied by the Crows. Too many links in the chain that can be broken. The crows actually played a lot like our men's team do - repeat entries, high press, supper pressure, win the post clearance contests, surge it forward etc etc. And like our mens team they have the best defence, averaging something like 16 points per game against, which is nuts. But that is not to say Stinear should change his game plan. If he and his team believe that is the best model - and have trained all pre season on that model - then he should stick with it. If the Goodwin era has any lessons, then surely backing in the coach in terms of their choses tactical model is one of them

Chill man

Wind has really picked up now

Tayla Harris has been pretty poor so far in terms of intensity and particularly failing to prevent defenders taking intercept marks

Im at the ground and the wind is pretty light. Minimal advantage Who did a knee?

And further to these excellent points, it is ridiculous to compare Omicron to previous variants. Even more ridiculous that some people use the current Omicron tsunami as evidence to retrospectively support anti mandate, anti masks and anti restrictions positions on previous variants. Omricon arrived in Victoria and NSW in mid November. Today, less than 3 weeks later, in those two states alone there were 53, 000 plus cases, with both jurisdictions acknowledging wit the testing and RAT issues this is almost certainly an undercount. The phrase 'game changer' has been used ALOT in the last two years. However, if there was ever a time for it to be used accurately now is that time. Omricon has changed the rules AND the playing field.

The first game of 2022 is near the end of March. Based on the South African experience, surely the Omricon wave will have run its race by then. Assuming we don't get another variant of concerns (a big assumption i know) the 2022 season should not face too much disruption you'd hope. However, there will likely be any number of disruptions between now and then. The AFLW will almost certainly be impacted, particular given most players also have other jobs and so therefore are more at risk of getting Omricon than the men. The lists are smaller too, which will make fielding sides problematic if too many players have to sit out games. And of course the AFLW is starting with numbers super high and possibly not peaking till a fair way in the AFLW season. For the AFL, teams are almost certain to face a range of disruption, for example an impact on the training program because of positive cases in the playing and/or coaching teams. Apart from disruption such as having to isolate groups of players and/or coaches, even with Omricon being less severe, as Kate Roffey pointed out at the Bluey elite athletes do not want to get a respiratory illness. Nor do they want any interruption to their preseason, such is the carefully calibrated program they have to complete. (On the severity of Omricon, there is an interesting narrative developing. All the talk is about Omricon but Delta still makes up a high percentage of cases and as i understand it also a high percentage of hospitalisations. It is still very important to take measures to reduce transmission, one to try and stem the Omicron tide and get to the end of this wave as quickly as possible and two to prevent the spread of the more virulent and dangerous Delta variant.) The AFL teams that manage this situation the best will have a definite advantage come the 2022 season. Any team that can get through preseason with minimal interruption to their training program will have an edge over teams that have interruptions. Good management and luck will play a part, but i reckon a key determining factor will be having a team of young men who are motivated and disciplined enough to keep their eyes on the prize, minimise risks, avoid unnecessary risks and possibly eschew activities they would normally participate in over the preseason (eg nightclubbing, going away with mates, having a drink at the pub, going to parties etc). I reckon the dees have such a group of players.

Without a doubt one of, if not the, greatest goals by a Demon. Ever. One thing I really loved about that goal was the set up. Jackson, famously taking centre bounces at a critical stage in the game, follows up and has time gather and look for an option - and sees Clarry running through the corridor. Jackson weights a perfect handball into space so Clarry doesn't have to break stride. Clarry never looked like missing - incredible given his struggles with accuracy all season. Everything worked with that goal. One of our young stars rucks and wins a follow-up possession, our clearance set up worked (inside mid, winning the contest and getting it out the front) and we get it to an A grade mid, who is running at speed in a dangerous position. And Clarry puts the Grand Final to bed. Awesome team goal.

Rigid middle digits?

Overnight sensation. Assuming of course overnight is defined as 30 odd years of being one of the best operators around. But sure let's wait to judge.

He snuck in

Ta. I read it as: Best Friends Forever only bite at Home and Away and are not FINAL as far as Count Dracula on Friday night is concerned

What does this mean?

100% agree with all comments. Absolutely already playing as a mid, albeit low minutes. But that is because he covers the inside mid role viney plays when Jack is resting. Key player in future seasons.

Can't complain. Don't play any team twice who finished above us. And I reckon only playing the swans once is a good outcome.

Brilliant idea.

I have been all over the world, but have never been to the Alice (or NT for that matter). I was going to go last year, and all things being equal plan to go to the game next season. And combine it with a holiday up there. Agree on making it a blockbuster. It sort of was the year 7 and the AFL put money into it, but it has tailed off since. But now that we are premiers, we have some serious drawing power and cred. I reckon they should make it an annual game against the eagles. Two big clubs from opposite sides of the country. Both teams are likely to be in final contention for the next few years (the eagles more from a perspective of the advantage they get playing home it must be said), so the game will always have a lot riding on it. And both clubs have worked hard to build connections with aboriginal communities. Given we own their home ground, happy for us to play our home game against the Eagles at the Alice.

Cricket?

If it was me i would have gone with the old WE have 15 flags between US