damienjr

Of course not, but it appears that the usual suspects are only capable of making negative comments on how we play. There is little balance. Typically, there is no recognition of how well the opposition plays against us or how much pressure the opposition bring to the game. Hawthorn came out strong in the third term, with an impressive pressure rating. Yes, we might have been a little rattled for a short period of time, but to our credit, we were able to reset and finish strong. It happens in every game. Obviously you know this as you are the big picture guy.

Yeah I agree. You watch next week if we lose to Port. There are a number of posters just waiting to let it rip saying I told you so.

I was only playing with you.

Spoken like a real MAGA supporter with big words. Where were you on Jan 6?

"Dire situation" Really? We are the second highest scoring team in the comp. Something must be working.

My god our forward setup this year has been a nightmare for opposing backs. We no longer rely on key forwards to kick our goals like last year. We are averaging 10 goal kickers per game, #1 in the comp. There are so many options. Having Max and/or Brodie in the goal square is a dream, envied by the competition. Then we have JVR ,inside 50, providing a contest, Petty playing a defensive role and Fritsch, arguably the best the midsize forward in the game, providing another target. I haven't even mentioned our small forwards, Kozzie, Chandler, Nibbler and Spargo. So many scoring options. No wonder we are the second highest scoring team this season and you think Choco is the only reason for this and that nothing has changed. Boy, I think you need to look at the modern game through a different lens.

You are right but there have been times where the two ruckmen have provided options on both wings.

Where do I start.... We are moving the ball quicker and forward, which is reflected in our increased metres gained numbers. We are rated #2. We are using the corridor more than in previous years mainly due to the number of elite kickers we now have in the team. Ranked #1 for disposal efficiency. We are more direct in our forward inside 50s. Not just kicking into the pocket. We are rated #1 for accuracy and goals inside 50. Last year we were in the bottom 4. We're running more players through the midfield, particularly at centre bounces. Trac and Clarry are being rested more than in previous years, particularly during the third quarter, in order to be ready for the fourth quarter. The gameplan has been modified with the recruitment of Grundy. There are more options with our kick-ins now with Max on one wing and Brodie on the other. We have become less predictable. There seems to be a shift in our stoppage clearance strategy. We were ranked #8 last season and are ranked last this season. Clarry who is having great season, was ranked #1 last year for SC but is ranked #35 this year. So something has changed. I believe that there is now a greater importance on post clearance. A lot of teams are now bringing extra numbers to the stoppages allowing us to take advantage of the resulting mismatch elsewhere. These are just a few of the changes we've made to our game plan. There are undoubtedly many more that we have not noticed. We're doing a lot of things right. We must be if we are sitting on top of the ladder. If you claim to be a big picture guy, you must agree with this.

Gee mate each week its all doom and gloom with you. The last time I checked, we are on top of the ladder, and that's with Goody doing a lot of experimenting including modifying the gameplan. We have had some impressive wins this season, and it can be argued that our two losses can be attributed to extenuating circumstances. I shudder to think what you would have been like if you were a Geelong fan after round three.

Didn't we win? Didn't the Suns beat Geelong?

I remember reading this when it came out. It's an interesting observation, and it got me thinking about how, with the emergence of KC, our forward line setup can be a real point of difference from the rest of the competition. We can have four strongly contested and aerobically elite smalls in KC, Nibbler, Spargo and Kossie at the feet of only two talls in JVR and Max / BG. It certainly would make our forward line unpredictable.

goodwindees' intel correct again.

Now the next important one to be signed is Kade Chandler.

Guys, I'm trying to get my head around our stoppage clearances. We have arguably the two best ruckmen in the game as well as arguably the best midfield yet we are ranked last in stoppage clearance. I feel this is more of a tactical play rather than a flaw with the gameplan. Goody, in my opinion, is more concerned with how we set up post clearance and is comfortable with allowing the opposition to bring extra numbers to the stoppages. Although Clarry, Trac, Viney, and Sparrow are having fantastic seasons and are contested beasts, their stoppage clearance rankings are significantly lower this season. Clarry was ranked #1 last year and is currently ranked #32 this year. I have also noticed with interest that in the Tigers' premiership years of '20 and '21 they were also ranked last and second last in this metric. What is your take on this?

Goody mentioned in his presser that he is playing.

Good question. Kick-ins, I believe, do not count towards a player's disposal total. When the player plays-on from the goal square, this is included. May does this frequently with good effect. I don't think Goody trusts anyone else as much as May for this role.

May is ranked 1 in the AFL for Effective Metres Gained for Tall defenders and 12th overall behind Nic Daicos, Luke Ryan (Fre) other medium defenders. Not bad for a guy that is struggling.

Go to the AFL website / Matches / Match Videos

This man has had one of the most impressive starts to a career that I can recall. He is so composed under pressure, and his kicking is superb. He won't get any media attention because he's just doing team things. In terms of effectiveness, he is already not far behind Hayden Young. He's game has been fast-tracked by having some some brilliant mentors next to him.

And of course Lord Flashheart.

Run

Also TMac provided options all game but it wasn't his night to be on the receiving end. Next week could be.

The AFL website will have it up under Videos by tomorrow.

That wouldn't make much difference.

We did after the '21 Prelim.