binman

I've been curious about losing ground ball gets too. I said on the pod that the numbers are so anomalous (eg our cp and pressure numbers have been strong) that there must be an explanation. Your explanation makes sense, and us supported by the fact our post clearance possession numbers, one of the most important stats for coaches, have been strong.

We'll have to agree to disagree as I think the change in method is quite radical.

He did say that, but I suspect we will lose inside 50s, or just break even, most weeks with the change to our method (though I predict come finals we will start winning i50s ahain as transition footy is not as effective in big pressure games). As Binmans PA noted, we are setting our defence deep, and almost inviting inside 50s - as opposed to say Port, whose d presses up high and works to prevent the oppo going inside their 50 (leaving space and out the back goal opportunities inside 50 if their last defensive line is broken - eg fritters first goal against them). That model only works because we are so brilliant at zoning and absorbing pressure. When we do win it back we then have space ahead of us to utilise on transition, which we have been terrific at taking advantage of with handball chains and short hits on the 45. The crows were just about the best at moving the ball fast from the back half, last year, but we've gone past them, as evidenced by this data (note: the season number is our average against scores, not the crows average. The match against is how many points the crows scored last night from their back half). Points from defensive half For Against Match Season Match Season * 42 29.8 22 22.6

It was the same all night. No comment about that obvious missed free, Rivers being shoved in the back, maxy getting shoved in the back, any number of dropping the ball we weren't paid, or the stupid insufficient attempt free against koz. And no comment about Walker blatantly staging for a over the shoulder free. If we had lost that game, it would have been be hard to argue the umpires were not a major reason why.

That was a shocker. He was clearly trying to actually kick the ball forward and collect it, something he dies often - usually successfully. The whole idea of umpires being directed by the AFL to favor a team is ridiculous. But if you are the conspiratorial type, last night was smoking gun standard grist for the mill. Big SA club, needing a win in front of a sold out home crowd at the start of the AFL's annual cash grab from the SA government. And right from the get go - Kozzy getting his head taken off dead in front and no free - it was as if the free fix was in.

The Kolt could come in for Koz.

The umpiring was woeful.

Spot on. The win of a professional unit.

His problem is he's got form. Fair enough if he doesn't get the benefit of the doubt. Needs to cut that stuff out.

Some gold there. All sounds very familiar. Swap out goody for nicks and dees players for the crows mentioned and you could be reading any 2019 prematch thread on Demonland. For example: Butts (read any number of dees players) - Can't wait to watch his inability to hit a target within 30m in the D50 then hold up the play and bomb it down the line, yay. Hopefully the players throw nicks (read goody's) gameplan in the bin.

Sorry, can you say again please.

Compelling argument by Johnson. Not.

Covid has the jack

Superstar? I mean, Laird is a really good player and has had a terrific career. But a Superstar? Next, Crouch will be an A grader.

Danger game for sure. A five day break is crazy. Hard to get up physically and mentally. I'd be happy with a low quality, scrappy 7 point win that has fans bagging us for not being able to demolish a team in struggle town.

I did too (pick them to rise), but not because of their list as much as the fact that nicks had implemented a game plan and system that reflect what successful teams have put in place - fast effective transition from the back half. And they appeared to be super fit. Together this made them offensively strong - they scored more points than any other team last year which is pretty remarkable given they didn't make the 8. My query was their defensive system, but i assumed nicks was sorting offence first before sorting the defensive system. And perhaps that's what they have been focusing on as they have really slowed their ball movement (of course that could be a result of opposition coaches implementing tactics to negate their strengths - or a bit of both). They may come good. But they don’t look as fit as last year and i don't agree their group of younger players are that talented. We have a more talented group of 22 and unders. And I'd add that they relied a lot on Walker last year, and he looks like a crock thus far, and Fogerty is one dimensional and like Walker zero help in terms of contributing to all team defence. Two plodders. Thilthorpe looks a player, but he'll be lucky to play this season with the time frame for his knee injury still 4-5 months.

Apparently training in Melbourne, so can't see him coming in. But who knows? Goody might still be in his experimental phase.

Disco only a week away helps with our flexibility down back.

This. I think it's safe to assume that most of time koz flys for a low chance mark inside 50 it is under instruction. Play tall and bring the ball to ground.

Total gun. Believe the hype. I still think we're a real chance of getting him. West Coast is a disaster zone. I honestly can't see them making finals for at least 5 years. Their list is terrible. Just one example - paying gaff 800k a year to play in the WAFL. They need a rebuild just to get to the stage they can do a rebuild. Will Reid a Melbourne boy, really want to spend 6 or 7 years playing in a rubbish team in Perth?

It is literal points I assume. That's to say we average 125 points per 100 clearnces, so 1.25 points per clearance.

A strangely beautiful and poetic image.

Those fans could live for a thousand years and still not see another flag.

We did not watch the same game.

Nah, that's not how I saw it. Or what the numbers say, the most significant of which being points from defensive half: Points from defensive half For Against Match Season Match Season * 32 26.8 19 22.8 We played our new back half game and beat port at their own game, who ironically tried to beat us with our 2021-23 straight line, forward half, territory game.