binman

Again AD, it appears you have misunderstood me. I'm not sure what you mean saying i have suggested 'such a strong correlation' between winning flags and clearances or what you mean by misleading? Fact are facts. Of course there are outliers, but the facts are indisputable. The majority of flags in the last 15 years have been won by teams who have not prioritized winning clearances. It is not a statistical blip. It is evidence of a particular tactical approach. One the dees are now adopting. Thankfully. The two most successful teams of the modern era - the hawks and the Tigers have been near the bottom of the clearance differential table in their premiership year. I totally agree there any number of other key factors contributing to the success in the Hawks and tigers winning seasons. I wasn't suggesting otherwise. I didn't even imply clearances was the most important factor, or suggest they are more or less important than the other factors. You might argue forward driven defensive pressure is the most important factor. And you might be right. Or not (i would argue a team that has fully bought into the system and have a collective 'winning first culture' is the most important factor). But that is a different discussion. The dees are now less focused on the need to win clearances than we were. In this respect we are following the tiger's lead. We are also following their lead in a host of other ways, tactical and cultural. Of course we don't want to be down eight zip early doors. However it is worth nothing that we ended the game down eight in clearances, meaning from about the 20 minute mark of the first quarter we broke even. Suggesting Goodwin made some changes.

With respect, I disagree with both of these points. We have changed the way we play and we no longer prioritse winning clearances the way we did under Roos or in Goodies first three seasons as coach. Which by the by, contradicts the Goody doesn't change narrative many on DL adhere to. Again i'm not saying clearances are not important to us, but there a has been a clear tactical shift in regard to the relative importance of clearances - a shift that gathered pace in the second half of last season In 2018 we were 4th in clearance differential with +2.4 (the tigers were last, with -5.6) In 2019 we were 3rd in clearance differential with +3 (the tigers were 16th, with -4.6, the eagles, who won the flag, were 7th with +0.3) In 2020 we were 6th in clearance differential with +1.4 (the tigers were 16th, with -3.8, the team they beat in the Grand Final, the lions was 9th at +1.1) Added to the above the Hawks under Clarkson, the most successful team in modern history, have not have a huge focus on winning clearances. To win a flag recent history would suggest clearances ain't where it's at. And thankfully goodie has clearly recognised this and made the appropriate tactical change. It is worth noting in this context that under Cameron, the Giants have been very focused on winning clearances. Topped the differential table in 2017, third in 2018 and second in 2019 - the year they made the Grand Final (and got smashed by a team not focused on clearances). And in 2020? Twelfth. Coincidence? Maybe. But more likely, Cameron, like all AFL coaches, has drilled down on what factors have made the tigers so successful and tried to replicate them. Which is smart. The dogs topped the clearance differential table when they won the flag in 2016, but no doubt responding to the factors have contributed to premiership success have been mid table since. Interestingly the Power have topped the clearance differential table the last two years, so have landed on a different tactical model. Time will tell if it is works. But history suggests it won't. Source for data: https://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/ft_team_rankings?year=2020&type=DA&sby=29&advv=Y

I never said we were deliberately conceding clearances in order to create opportunities to "intercept mark". That would be crazy. I said winning clearances is no longer the kpi it was. Important, yes. Critical, no. As i noted it is a tactical shift that started last season, and was really evident in the back half of the season. A tactical shift that mirrors the tactics employed by the team that has won three of the last four flags. As Dr Gonzo notes, we are setup very well behind the ball which means if we do lose clearances we can intercept and counter attack. And like the Tigers and West Coast, another team that isn't totally focused on clearances (and the winner of the fourth flag in the last 4 years) we now have brilliant intercept talls in May and Lever. The key to this tactical shift being effective is making sure there is pressure on the player kicking the ball and the defensive web is set up well ahead of the ball. The tigers are brilliant at both aspects.

Sure, but part of the issue for freo was one, our pressure and two well how well structured we were defensively. And our ball use was equally bad. The tigers would have been six goals up at the end of the first quarter. And gone into cruise control. Game over. Im not saying an early eight zip clearance differential is great. Just not the indicator it once was for us.

The clearance differential is not the cause of concern some are making it out to be i don't think. Essentially, like many clubs, we are modelling key aspects of our game on the tigers. The tigers don't care about clearances. Their focus is on what happens after the clearance defensively. As is ours, a shift that happened last season. Opposition win a clearance from a stoppage (which is where 80% occur, centre square clearnces are seen but not the main game). We put the ball carrier under pressure, who dump kicks into their 50. We intercept, often with a mark. We are set up well ahead of the ball and hurt them on transition (though we turn it over much more than the tigers unfortunately- which is why kozzie and spargo are so important). Rinse and repeat. Winning clearances is no longer the kpi it was. Important, yes. Critical, no. Consider this. At one point in the first i think I heard a commentator say they were 8 zip up in clearances. We were 3 goals up and dominating. And the commentators were pointing out time abd time again our intercept marks. But of course not making the connection. Because, you know who would expect full time professional to get it. Daisy would have pointed out the connection. They have arguably one of the top 3 mids in the game in fyfe and a strong support crew. They will win their fair share of clearances. And no doubt freo fans are bemoaning rhe fact they won the clearances and lost the match. Just as we did so often in say 2019. But we were always in control of that game. They pressed early in the third and once that was repelled it was game over. They got more clearances. But we killed them with intercept marks and as result got 75 odd percent of our score from turnovers. Just like the tigers. Think about how often that had happened to us in the past.

Not sure about 40, but yes I agree. In a team of butchers he is a surgeon. Well perhaps a surely is also an exaggeration but you get my point.

Sorry, did i miss something. Are you attempting to be satirical? Like a DL version of The onion?

A real bummer. Love the way she plays. And it is crazy how much her kicking has improved this season (which interestingly is a feature of many of the men recruited form Ireland - I'm convinced it is because they haven't had a lifetime of rubbish technique to overcome a AFL level). If I was Goodie i'd show the men's team the vison of the incident Goldy did her hammy. Inspirational. Was caught out the back and with her desperate chase and final lunge at the freo player. Saved a sure goal as if the Freo player had been able to collect that ball would have run inti an open goal. We might well have lost the game, and perhaps a shot at flag if not for her desperation. Fantastic stuff.

The critical mistake was giving up that goal in the lad5 30 seconds of the 3rd. We had done super well to hold freo off and keep the lead a 3 goals. That mistake got it back to two goals and gave freo momentum coming into the last.

Huge. Would have been tough after that to have a must win game next week

Total peanut. I have enjoyed the aflw commentary. Until this week. That free to Scott is exactly why the rule was introduced. Pinned arms and using weight to lever the held plsyer into the ground. Scott should have kicked that goal

I was referencing the lack of info about the cast v hawks game. But your right its generally ok i guess

The color stuff has improved (eg interviews with players, puff pieces) and have their place but but i'm more interested in the communication about football related stuff like: reliable info about injury (eg accurate window of return date), training updates (particulalry in the context of fans not being able to attend training), analysis of upcoming games and opponents (eg Carlton do a weekly bit on the game and the opponent ) accurate info about game times etc, selection information tactical stuff (where possible of course)

Must have missed those posts. Perhaps you can provide some examples.

Please ask about comms

100% spot on.

Or assuming he has got a lot bigger since being drafted: The Meek inherits the girth

If he becomes another ruckman Gawn makes a laughing stock of then I'm hoping the headline will read: The Meek inherits the mirth

I hope they kick goals, but each to their own

Well that's taken the shine of the Binman Super Saturday Sporting extravaganza!!!! Now i'm back to being depressed

I can't believe it. Got my tickets and pumped for this game. Then just realized I have a family commitment that can't be changed at exactly the same time as the game starts. So won't even be able to watch the game live. So have to reframe the day and console myself with the inaugural: Binman Super Saturday Sporting extravaganza!!!! The day will involve: A lead in on the Friday night, watching a bit of footy, watching the Moonee Valley races, featuring the Group 1 William Reid Stakes and doing my form for the following day, which includes the Golden Slipper - always a great race to watch Saturday morning, finalising my selections and then watching the early races Complete media and all external communication blackout from 1:41pm (i'll listen to the build up) - note: of course i'll also avoid Demonland but i don't need to read it to know what will be in the game day thread Family commitment Watch the dees game 'as live' from about 4:30 Celebrating a win Then from 6:45 watching the dees women's team also beat Freo, but this in real time - and secure a finals berth Counting my money from the races Watching the replay of the dees men's team win against Freo

You can forward the ticket to anyone else with a ticketed account

Or just a convenient story you have told your wife: I have no idea what happened sweetheart, but we have to sit on opposite sides of the G! Bloodie technology

Could be advanced Artificial Intelligence at work?

I better end up in the Posford i tells ya!!!!