Macca

Is it? There have been many references on this site in the last few days that we are playing like we did during the Neeld era Release the shackles to do what? Bomb it long again just to rack up the metres gained? A teams offense is a complex arrangement these days. We were good at the previous offensive game plan (which, to be fair, was quite basic, but often successful) Yet we look all at sea with the current one But isn't that to be somewhat expected? Do you want an instant, dynamic, new offense with a group of players who only know the old ways? I'm not ruling out the messaging being a factor but the players need to start thinking for themselves in a decisive manner By the way, strangely enough, I said the exact same thing here during the Neeld era So the game is in the hands of the players ... they are given their instructions but can they execute those instructions?

Pertaining to the new game plan ... We had a number of track watchers who commented on our ball movement at pre-season training Notably, @Ghostwriter @waynewussell @picket fence @DeeSpencer and a few others Without wishing to put any of the aforementioned on the spot, their comments referenced offense strategies that was up to modern day practices But transferring training drills to game day is easier said than done It takes practice and lots of it, a deep trust and lots of gut-running for your teammates. As well as a complete buy-in of course. Teamwork and playing as a team and lots more And yes, it's true that we haven't seen much evidence but we've been up against well drilled teams who's offensive strategies were well practised The new offense requires a lot of sprint running to position. And creating separation Previously we just bombed it long and followed that up with the forward press and zone defence The difference between both styles is stark

I'm looking for the Exit haha But my evaluation on the teams performance is to not leave anything out (no one-sided arguments like the Pollies) It's like when we kicked poorly for goal in the SF against Carlton in 2023. Who's fault is that? The Coach? No, that's on the players especially if they don't practice their goalkicking enough. You want to be very good, do the extra training off your own bat @frankie_d mentioned that the lack of an well appointed CEO could be a contributing factor? I don't doubt that for a minute As Frankie said, a good CEO drives the ship and drives the standards

It's fair to say we're a bit of a mess but we can't lay all the blame on the coach I reckon an interim coach would have the same issues to deal with And a newly appointed coach (on contract) would need clean air ... so trade out those players who don't want to buy-in before the new coach sits in the chair (Think Blight when he went to Adelaide) That's if we even appoint a new coach, of course

You are right, especially about the buy-in Oliver going off the rails, Viney with his wasteful disposal and Petracca wanting to play at a 'Big' club just about sums things up What are the other players thinking? Stuff like that can create resentment and a backlash We need to look further than the coach ... to my way of thinking, I reckon we're a fragmented club The lack of onfield teamwork & the lack of selfless acts is quite apparent Some of the players look like they don't want to be out there

What's that? To bomb it long to the pockets? Our stars aren't stars anymore because they continually waste their disposals

It's not working, that's why we haven't seen it. Bit we are going away from those long bombs so that's a good indicator So we are trying to change and I believe it's a player buy-in issue, not the coaching Our older mids are see ball, get ball and bang it long, types. Change them and we can make a new game plan work Oliver for instance is just accumulating disposals like the 3rd Crouch brother Doesn't set up goals and doesn't make his teammates better players. Nor does he bring his teammates into the game And he is getting A Grade, Elite money Petracca, Viney and even Gawn are similar to Oliver (right now) We need a newer team to win our next flag So to put the blame on the coach only is quite ridiculous The players aren't playing their part So don't let them off the hook

Do people here remember what happened when we replaced Neeld with Craig We still lost and we still got smashed with that boundary hugging football nonsense. Craig went with Neeld's plan So if we replace Goodwin what game plan would an interim coach employ? The old plan where we go back to bombing it long to the pockets? Or continue on with Plan B which the sacked coach was trying to implement? Plan C? How is that going to work mid season? We may as well see it out until at least the end of the season. And in my view, that is how the Board will see it

The new game plan is a work in progress Previously, our game often eventuated with a long bomb to the pocket So I'd say we are now trying to move the ball in similar ways as the better teams Quick ball movement, corridor use, leg speed to complement, crisp delivery by hand or by footy, 45° diagonal kicks cross-crossing the ball forward. Lowering the eyes and so much more But here's the thing, I'm not part of the inner sanctum so there's probably a lot in there that isn't transparent The fact that the above isn't happening yet doesn't mean that the endeavour and goal isn't there to make it work What complicates things is the turmoil in the off season and the constant references to Petracca, Oliver & Kozzie perhaps wanting out What would all the other players make of all that? I'd say it slows down the buy-in to the new game plan So if people here reckon there are problems at the club, the above is probably the reason My view only ... if a player acts like a Prima-Donna they immediately become commodities only and we'd be better off with those types on the trade table No sentiment, it's all about the team

The Hawks are a very confident group and that can advance a new game plan

Agreed Folk here need to think back to just last year where we tried Plan B but had to resort back to Plan A when the players just couldn't adapt. So it is no easy task So just last year we were still bombing the ball to either pocket as our default game plan So now, we're having another go at Plan B because we have to But again, changing a game plan in such a vastly different way will see indifferent results

Ha ha! The folk here need to be patient We're trying to enact a game plan that is a long way from where we were at, previously And it's no surprise that the older players are slow to change As previously stated, if we can somehow get Oliver, Viney & Petracca to change their ways, we're a chance (big ask) But we might be better off with a (somewhat) rebuilt list and that's going to take some time? How long? I reckon half way through next year could see a turning point

The players aren't adapting, that's the issue

@beelzebub A replacement coach would still have the same issues implementing a new game plan A new voice right now might actually make matters worse and confuse the players

Not when there's hope involved I'm predicting a year of indifferent performances and finals next yesr

So 2 years to get the new game plan into full swing Enjoy the journey, Bub

How long is Goodwin's contract?

We are in the midst of embracing a new game plan and it's going to take some time If the Board want to back Goodwin in they could extend his contract and back the bloke in As a show of good faith

It's sad that you couldn't even enjoy the 2021 flag As for your views on Goodwin, you've probably told us 1000 times We heard you the first time

Give it a rest You are like a broken record Your view is simplistic and your hatred of Goodwin is weird

And it took Mitchell quite a deal of time before his game plan clicked into gear Did it take him 50 games? We had to change and if we look at the 4 midfield draftees that we've brought in over the last 2 off-seasons, maybe the plan started earlier than we thought And of course, we are therefore a work in progress so stability at the top is all-important Trade out those who don't want to be part of it ... and give the coach a good go at it If it goes completely pear-shaped re-evaluate at seasons end

The players can't adapt to a new system and that's the fault of the coach? Maybe we need to identify the players who can't change and reduce their roles and/or trade To just blame the coach is too simplistic. There are complexities at play when adopting a completely new type of offense What we need to do is be patient and watch & wait Right now, I reckon the Board sacking the coach is the furthest thing from their collective minds The Board would know that the coach and the FD are trying to change and they'll also know that Rome wasn't built in a day

We are going to see some player movement over summer but we here were talking about having a successful season with the result being that are top players wanting to stay! That's gone out the window as even winning as much as 8 games looks like a bit of a stretch (although who knows, things can change)

So go to the draft where the kids go where they are picked to go to It's a longer wait but we've got JT

An argument could be put forward that the issues with the new game style is a player issue, not a coaching issue