With our season over, disappointingly, we will now have to turn our attention to 2024. In the immortal words of Arnold Schwarzenegger (and general Douglas McArthur), 'we will be back'!
It is now time to digest what we've achieved and where we've failed.
[1] Considering that we were 15th not that long ago, with some of the worst losses we've endured in recent times, getting to 3rd was an amazing achievement. Teams feared us (at last!) and they needed to.
[2] Michael Voss has lost his Preliminary Final. I'm sorry we couldn't do it for him, but we have done things in the last couple of months that looked impossible halfway through the season.
[3] We turned the worst forward line in the competition into one that didn't just have 2 towers.
[4] We haven't really played that well for some time, but we still kept on winning. That wasn't a fluke: that has hard work and belief.
I'll have more to say when I get over the loss.
Started at a funeral, ended at a party.
Clearly a season of contrasting halves. The club will be perfectly aware that they cannot rest or stand still or think the job is done. 17 other teams will strive to evolve and improve, and we must do the same, in what is essentially an AFL arms race.
Some fantastic efforts in that second half of the season, and surely some luck as well - but the latter is necessary for any team that goes all the way.
I was happy that most of the usual injury suspects managed to stay on the park, happy that we got the media off of our case for a change, happy with the performance of many individuals, concerned with the form of a couple.
Definitely a successful season, but now that expectations have been raised, the pressure is on and the fun really starts.
Well done to all at the CFC.
Started at a funeral, ended at a party.
Clearly a season of contrasting halves. The club will be perfectly aware that they cannot rest or stand still or think the job is done. 17 other teams will strive to evolve and improve, and we must do the same, in what is essentially an AFL arms race.
Some fantastic efforts in that second half of the season, and surely some luck as well - but the latter is necessary for any team that goes all the way.
I was happy that most of the usual injury suspects managed to stay on the park, happy that we got the media off of our case for a change, happy with the performance of many individuals, concerned with the form of a couple.
Definitely a successful season, but now that expectations have been raised, the pressure is on and the fun really starts.
Well done to all at the CFC.
Spot on Pauly, Ill just add and say that as Fly said in his presser the other night, building up to a GF appearance takes 2 years. Year one is complete, based on the elements you describe above and the drive the players will get from the disappointing end to this year, next year just has to be top 4 and a GF appearance. If you had have told me earlier this year we would have finished the year in a PF 17 points away from a GF I would have laughed, yet here we are.
I am sad for the missed opportunity but happy with the season recovery. If I had some say in how the board at the club operates I would demand Cook calls Voss into the office. I would have him ask what do you need from the board, coaching staff, medics, players, recruiting etc. You have the club in your hands. You tell us what you want and need for the next 2 seasons and I will see you get it.
Your job is to review all the players efforts and performances. We will review everything else and strive to be more unified at every level of the club and get the long term sustained results other clubs have achieved. We can’t expect a good result next season based on this season. We need to eliminate losses that repeat for 2, 3 or 4 games in a row. That is not a result of a true successful club. This is the foundation we have created. Now we build on it to be better. Not just next season, but every season to come. That is when multiple flags happen. Take a rest for ow, but the plan for the future is ready to begin soon. “If you fail to plan, you actually plan to fail”. Start on the new plan and get to work.
Cerra and Acres are two examples of players I thought were good at best, but lazy too often in the past. The roll up the sleeves and do the hard work was not in their DNA, rather than look fancy when they feel like it and let other players do the real work. I apologise for any original comments about my expectations with these players when they played for other clubs. They have leadership written all over their paperwork now. Sure they have quiet moments but they have got us out of trouble more often than not. Just like Saad. Find us a couple of fast by foot, ball carriers one in the middle of the ground and one more rebounding defender and a couple of potential small forwards with evasive abilities and we are well on the way to being a super threat. A special-k type ruck might be a good future project if there is something in the system or available to mature in the next few seasons. They take time to develop. So a junior project is a perfect start for the future.
I would like us to keep TDK as a part time ruck that can swing forward as a target or be an extra tall defender. That damaging utility that is hard to find. He just needs to keep working on getting bigger and stronger and keeping his feet. He is one that has the tools but chooses when to do what needs to be done. When he is hot, he looks like the real deal. Maybe it is a maturity thing. Maybe Voss can teach him how to be consistent.
One of the most remarkable efforts from a Carlton side to turn a season around.
Even our wins in early games were lacklustre.
It wasn't until the switch was flicked and we charged home that we started to meet pre-season expectations.
Here's the concern though...
The nature of that recovery and the finshing position has left many supporters with a bit of a warm fuzzy feeling about the future.
There's a sense of satisfaction that we've done so well, and that's eased the hurt to some extent.
The media are telling us we should be happy how well we finished, and it's all positive for next year...not a lot needs to change.
How are the players feeling?
Naturally there will be a level of hurt and disappointment, but given the run, the injuries and exhuastion at the end, has the loss bit hard, or do they perhaps (even subconsciously) share the supporter feelings that we've done very well from the position we were at mid year?
They're entitled to believe that but, it's left us in a somewhat different position to a side that has been badly burnt and shamed in a finals campaign.
That's a side that looks for redemption.
We have nothing to redeem.
We've lost, but we've been solid.
We can't know the level of hurt internally, but there is one thing that we need to see, a much better and full on effort from the start of season 2024.
How are the players feeling?
Naturally there will be a level of hurt and disappointment, but given the run, the injuries and exhuastion at the end, has the loss bit hard, or do they perhaps (even subconsciously) share the supporter feelings that we've done very well from the position we were at mid year?
They're entitled to believe that but, it's left us in a somewhat different position to a side that has been badly burnt and shamed in a finals campaign.
That's a side that looks for redemption.
We have nothing to redeem.
We've lost, but we've been solid.
We can't know the level of hurt internally, but there is one thing that we need to see, a much better and full on effort from the start of season 2024.
@Lods there won't be any warm and fuzzy feelings amongst the playing group, that's a fan perspective.
I've been involved with state level sport and even won some state titles over the years, I know you've had a long involvement with athletics, have you every known top level sportspeople or teams to be satisfied with going close?
In my experience falling at the last hurdle just makes people who are already driven and capable to get to the highest levels, even more driven! The most important thing is to learn from the failure and sharpen your focus on the things that are needed.
I noted a couple of things;
- Despite playing in big games, we still panicked in the finals, we need to address that ability to remain calm, cold and focussed on the biggest stages.
- At the pointy end of the season revenge is a dish best served cold, when you get there act like you've been there before and you belong there! That mindset is every bit as important as any other visualisation routine.
- We must never drop our heads, and it is everybody's responsibility to lift those around them, even the fans. Never point the finger. Those moments last Saturday when we(fans) went quiet as a crowd impacts the team, that silence is a virtual finger point. When the going gets tough we need to get louder not shrink into silent dread. The Filth do that better than any other supporter base, aren't we up to it? Remember the theme "Stronger Tougher", it means something, stick fat with your team, lift them with your voice!
- I suspect it was no accident McKay and Cripps stood up, I believe they both study some psychology on the side, they know how to set themselves into the right mindset. Think of the improvement in McKay after the events of the 1st final, that 1st final game could well break uniformed players, remember Nick Riewoldt was never the same after cooking it on the biggest stage, but instead McKay rose to the occasion.
- Be prepared to play your part, to let others succeed and to let them help you to succeed, you can't do it all yourself.
@Lods there won't be any warm and fuzzy feelings amongst the playing group, that's a fan perspective.
I've been involved with state level sport and even won some state titles over the years, I know you've had a long involvement with athletics, have you every known top level sportspeople or teams to be satisfied with going close?
In my experience falling at the last hurdle just makes people who are already driven and capable to get to the highest levels, even more driven! The most important thing is to learn from the failure and sharpen your focus on the things that are needed.
What you say is generally true.
I'm sure our players are hurting...
Is the hurt as much as at the end of last season when we missed the finals?
We missed out last year, but I suspect we thought it would just roll over and we were 2023 finalists for sure, which may have contributed to the sluggish start.
I guess what I'm alluding to is levels of disappointment.
If you've given your absolute best, even exceeded, expectations, and just run into a superior opponent at the end you can walk away with a positive feeling, even in defeat.
You're confident that with a bit of improvement you can take the next step.
There's disappointment there, but at the end of the game you group together and make a commitment to go that next step, next season.
Contrast that with a side who has fallen short of expectations, maybe even embarrassed themselves. This is a side that feels that they've been beaten by an inferior side.
They leave the field shattered at what might have been.
Knowing that at their best they should have won.
Think a side like Melbourne, and the 'dead' bodies all over the field at the end of their last game.
Where's the greater hurt?
Where is the need for redemption?
Where is the motivation for improvement greatest?
Now it may be that history repeats, and a side like Melbourne has run its race, and we're just at the starting gates.
The danger for us is believing that we'll be there for sure next year, because that's when it can come undone.
And that's a challenge for the coaching staff in the off-season.
The danger for us is believing that we'll be there for sure next year, because that's when it can come undone.
And that's a challenge for the coaching staff in the off-season.
I think there are bigger short term worries for our club, worries exposed by recent history.
- The first is what the AFL do to the draft and trade in the lead-in to Tasmania, we feel secure as a list at the moment, but that can change in a heartbeat!
- The second, is what rules and regulations the AFL "touch up" between now and the start of the 2024 season. What changes are likely, who will they benefit, and how smoothly they will be implemented. It's almost a certainty the Scott brothers will complain their way into some changes that benefit Dad's Army and CheatsFC. I've heard rumours about possible ruck rule changes, born out of the scarcity of ultra mobile rucks some clubs are experiencing. And with the changes in tackling and focus on head high contact you just never know what might come about, but the weird about face of the finals exposed in a lack of free kicks seems to suggest the status quo.
Hands down, the biggest influence on the fate of any club is the AFL, it's procedures and policies, but I have faith that Cook will be across any changes.
A couple of years overdue but finally got there.
It's amazing what a healthy list does to a team.
Expectations met " We don't want to make up the numbers - we want to impact" and did exactly that.
I actually think this list is more than good enough to win a flag - a couple of additions to the squad will help. Zac Williams is a classy player and his foot skills will be a welcome return.
Bit more class in the forward half.
Top two next year lads.
We can be confident that we can take on all comers now.
Thats my takeaway. Bring the effort we can beat anyone.
Our teams issues has been as much above the shoulders as it has been ability. Now they can believe we belong that's the anyone anywhere any time catalyst.
i am rapt we played finals and won a couple of games but what concerns me is our game plan /style for me it is no good . There is no other team that kicks ball straight to opposition so many times through out a game ,so what happens turnover opponents easy goals . But we played finals yes and we won but how lucky were we with syd /melb in inaccuracies . Need to IMPROVE transition footy from defence to forward line for 24
Apart from the obvious on-field performance improvement, I think the desire of Cook et al to make CFC a 'good club' is well on the way. It's one thing to get your act together on the field, but it has been said many times that success is born out of a stable, supportive and forward-thinking administration (which we haven't had for 25+ years).
'Stronger Together' is the best way to sum that all up. Kudos to those who are working to make this happen.
i am rapt we played finals and won a couple of games but what concerns me is our game plan /style for me it is no good . There is no other team that kicks ball straight to opposition so many times through out a game ,so what happens turnover opponents easy goals . But we played finals yes and we won but how lucky were we with syd /melb in inaccuracies . Need to IMPROVE transition footy from defence to forward line for 24
I don't think thats the game plan. I think thats what you call errant and rushed ball use. No one goes out there intending to hit an opponent with each and every kick.
For me, it comes down to game management. We were 5 goals up, conceded 2 in the second quarter, and instead of recognising a momentum swing had occurred, we continued taking the game on and playing fast, which led to quick kicks up the line, and long bombing.
That was the mistake. At some point you need to kill the momentum game, by playing kick mark football and that arrests the momentum. Instead we seemed to have gone into scoring mode which is anathema to maintaining a lead, and also exposes you to a red hot opponent who is currently on the ascendency scoring against you almost seemingly at will.
I don't think thats the game plan. I think thats what you call errant and rushed ball use. No one goes out there intending to hit an opponent with each and every kick.
For me, it comes down to game management. We were 5 goals up, conceded 2 in the second quarter, and instead of recognising a momentum swing had occurred, we continued taking the game on and playing fast, which led to quick kicks up the line, and long bombing.
That was the mistake. At some point you need to kill the momentum game, by playing kick mark football and that arrests the momentum. Instead we seemed to have gone into scoring mode which is anathema to maintaining a lead, and also exposes you to a red hot opponent who is currently on the ascendency scoring against you almost seemingly at will.
I'm not sure that slowing the tempo would have done much more than delay the inevitable Thry. I think that we had too many banged up players and too many who weren't able to play at their best for whatever reason. They were trying to counter Brisbane but too many just couldn't match their opponents on the day. The fact that it wasn't a blow out is a tribute to some very hard working players but I think that cloning Sam Walsh is probably the only way we could win.
Game plans always get a tweak or two but I wouldn't like to see ours change that much. A bit more polish on the execution wouldn't go astray.
just hope winning those 2 finals game doesn't cover the cracks ,we were very LUCKY this time .To take next step need to add pace speed into the team and somehow work on transition footy over summer . I DONT want to see long bombs in 24 .
That last part would be a very Carlton thing. Happened to sides in the past, Namely Geelong in 2006 and Richmond in 2016. Soon woke them up the next year.
just hope winning those 2 finals game doesn't cover the cracks ,we were very LUCKY this time .To take next step need to add pace speed into the team and somehow work on transition footy over summer . I DONT want to see long bombs in 24 .
We were moving the ball beautifully during the earlier part of our run but as the run extended over the weeks the effort took it's toll. We kept winning but were able to move the ball like we were earlier in the run. When that happens, you run yourself out of options, hence it's down the line, bomb forward etc. We were brilliant defensively for many more weeks and that got us over the line in cliffhangers but weren't transitioning as we should. Also what helped is that we became a very mentally tough side, extremely hard to break. Even against Brisbane, where a 40+ loss should happened, we found a way of keeping it to 16pt and give ourselves a very small sniff with 8 minutes or so left.
We were moving the ball beautifully during the earlier part of our run but as the run extended over the weeks the effort took it's toll. We kept winning but were able to move the ball like we were earlier in the run.
Fans talk like this is all down to us, but the reality is the opposition learn and change tactics so you have to continually evolve or die.
Anyone who thinks there is a formula for winning is fooling themselves, become predictable and the opposition will cut you down.
We were moving the ball beautifully during the earlier part of our run but as the run extended over the weeks the effort took it's toll. We kept winning but were able to move the ball like we were earlier in the run. When that happens, you run yourself out of options, hence it's down the line, bomb forward etc. We were brilliant defensively for many more weeks and that got us over the line in cliffhangers but weren't transitioning as we should. Also what helped is that we became a very mentally tough side, extremely hard to break. Even against Brisbane, where a 40+ loss should happened, we found a way of keeping it to 16pt and give ourselves a very small sniff with 8 minutes or so left.
The defensive effort can't be faulted and you're right, nine wins out of the last ten, some by small margins, yet only really confirmed for finals in the second last round. We really had a lot to do, but we did it! No team wins pretty all the time. The long bombs are a part of fatigue and being a bit unsteady with ball movement, but yeah, the defence was something we never gave into. The long bombs are also to some extent I find, damage minimisation in case we do or will lose the ball in any case. With deliberate out of bounds being much stricter now and umpires being hot on holding the ball, sometimes the panic kicks long are in fact, the best option to go to. They can create space and with more ground-ball players around, can result in scores as the ball moves forward more. Even on turnover, territory is gained and the players are behind the ball, making it difficult for the opposition to score, as was the case in the second half of the year. Sometimes, it simply could be worse.
Edit: More speed to run and move the ball in chains, while keeping possession, yes on that.
A couple of years overdue but finally got there.
It's amazing what a healthy list does to a team.
Expectations met " We don't want to make up the numbers - we want to impact" and did exactly that.
I actually think this list is more than good enough to win a flag - a couple of additions to the squad will help. Zac Williams is a classy player and his foot skills will be a welcome return.
Bit more class in the forward half.
Top two next year lads.
A second key defender to partner with Weitering. I think Young will stay in '24, reckon he'll be better next year than this one. I reckon we've lost to the premiers in waiting tomorrow in any case.
The danger for us is believing that we'll be there for sure next year, because that's when it can come undone.
And that's a challenge for the coaching staff in the off-season.
Amen to that !!
Getting to a PF sounds nice on paper but we have to view that realistically, we finished 3rd or 4th which is just not good enough.
Even being beaten in a GF is not good enough either, 'second is the first of the losers".
Whatever happened this year gets celebrated but only for a very short time, we still have a ton of work to do to get close to winning a premiership.
Added to that, sometimes luck does go your way but more often than not, it goes well against you when you least want it to (injuries, close losses, bad umpiring decisions etc). We have to build an inpenetrable wall around us that the others cannot get through plus enables us to absorb the things outside of our control !!
Yes, we have a good nucleus of players but don't for one moment be lulled into the false belief that its a finished product either. Just look at the Pies who won the flag yesterday, they brought in 4-5 important pieces to their jigsaw puzzle last year because they lost a PF by 1-point. If it's good enough for them to make some hard calls, then it sure as hell is for us too. Therefore, delistings, trades & FA acquisitions will be crucial this time around.
The really really good clubs are ruthless in their pursuit of success, especially in professional sport.
We cannot be complacent, we cannot just expect success, its all about the the hard work and the building of a very strong platform.
Roll the sleeves up, we have even more work to do this time around, the gap at the pointy end may be small but it's a way more intense bridge to cross.
The climb to the top of the mountain starts all over again when we hit trade week.
Amen to that !!
Getting to a PF sounds nice on paper but we have to view that realistically, we finished 3rd or 4th which is just not good enough.
Even being beaten in a GF is not good enough either, 'second is the first of the losers".
Whatever happened this year gets celebrated but only for a very short time, we still have a ton of work to do to get close to winning a premiership.
Added to that, sometimes luck does go your way but more often than not, it goes well against you when you least want it to (injuries, close losses, bad umpiring decisions etc). We have to build an inpenetrable wall around us that the others cannot get through plus enables us to absorb the things outside of our control !!
Yes, we have a good nucleus of players but don't for one moment be lulled into the false belief that its a finished product either. Just look at the Pies who won the flag yesterday, they brought in 4-5 important pieces to their jigsaw puzzle last year because they lost a PF by 1-point. If it's good enough for them to make some hard calls, then it sure as hell is for us too. Therefore, delistings, trades & FA acquisitions will be crucial this time around.
The really really good clubs are ruthless in their pursuit of success, especially in professional sport.
We cannot be complacent, we cannot just expect success, its all about the the hard work and the building of a very strong platform.
Roll the sleeves up, we have even more work to do this time around, the gap at the pointy end may be small but it's a way more intense bridge to cross.
The climb to the top of the mountain starts all over again when we hit trade week.
Yes, most definitely!
Our season came down to what happen mid-season. Come good in a big way but was too much. When you have 6 of your best out and flog Collingwood as we did you can only think about what might have been.
I think we can take great heart from the fact that we could have beaten either of those sides on the MCG yesterday. For the first time in probably 20 years, we can tackle the start of the season knowing (and not wondering) that our football is good enough to go all the way.
The next piece in the puzzle is do it consistently, not just week-in, week-out, but quarter by quarter every week. Consistency is built above the shoulders, not in the gym. Time to train the mindset to believe that we are the best, and stop doubting.
I think we can take great heart from the fact that we could have beaten either of those sides on the MCG yesterday. For the first time in probably 20 years, we can tackle the start of the season knowing (and not wondering) that our football is good enough to go all the way.
The next piece in the puzzle is do it consistently, not just week-in, week-out, but quarter by quarter every week. Consistency is built above the shoulders, not in the gym. Time to train the mindset to believe that we are the best, and stop doubting.
Agree, but a couple of tweaks to the list will be vital too. We need more speed and the ability to get around the back of opposition defences. Some also advocate another tall defender.
Unfinished business ;)
https://www.carltonfc.com.au/video/1446121/access-michael-voss-final-2023-team-meeting?videoId=1446121&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1696318627001
Unfinished business ;)
https://www.carltonfc.com.au/video/1446121/access-michael-voss-final-2023-team-meeting?videoId=1446121&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1696318627001
Snap ... in the Vossy thread :)
The danger for us is believing that we'll be there for sure next year, because that's when it can come undone.
And that's a challenge for the coaching staff in the off-season.
No, that's the challenge for the ENTIRE Carlton Football Club, from the President down to the boot studder. EVERYONE to a person (Board, Management, Admin, Coaches, Players, Support Staff) has a great responsibility to ensure the club performs better and takes the next step. Even us supporters have to do our bit.
STRONGER TOGETHER.
our coaching staff need to watch lions game because all our losses were in similar manner opposition score from our turnover and quick ball movement .so how do we change this for 24 season ,how do we play different in 24 .It starts with no more long bombs especially fro defense.
our coaching staff need to watch lions game because all our losses were in similar manner opposition score from our turnover and quick ball movement .so how do we change this for 24 season ,how do we play different in 24 .It starts with no more long bombs especially fro defense.
You tend to bomb long when you have a lot of tall timber, smaller forward setups tend to have the ball run into them more.
Lose a tall and we might play bit smarter given the extra talls are a get out of jail kick for players who dont have the vision or lower their eyes enough when taking the ball deep I50.
You tend to bomb long when you have a lot of tall timber, smaller forward setups tend to have the ball run into them more.
Lose a tall and we might play bit smarter given the extra talls are a get out of jail kick for players who dont have the vision or lower their eyes enough when taking the ball deep I50.
When you've got two of the best contested marking forwards in the competition, long bombs into the forward 50 must be part of the armoury. Most of our goals this season came from long bombs inside 50 but that doesn't mean that we abandon other avenues to goal. Our gameplan relies on our strengths and should only change if our strengths change. Our ability to hit up players like Owies, Martin and Cottrell in space inside 50 was outstanding and we set a new world record for goals kicked from centre clearances. We haven't quite nailed the opportunist/crumbing small forward or the forward with blistering pace.
We were ranked first for contested marks in 2023 ... but that includes intercepts and clunking long kicks down the line.
When you've got two of the best contested marking forwards in the competition, long bombs into the forward 50 must be part of the armoury. Most of our goals this season came from long bombs inside 50 but that doesn't mean that we abandon other avenues to goal. Our gameplan relies on our strengths and should only change if our strengths change. Our ability to hit up players like Owies, Martin and Cottrell in space inside 50 was outstanding and we set a new world record for goals kicked from centre clearances. We haven't quite nailed the opportunist/crumbing small forward or the forward with blistering pace.
We were ranked first for contested marks in 2023 ... but that includes intercepts and clunking long kicks down the line.
No doubt you play with what you have and construct a game plan around it.....Hardwick and the Tigers are evidence of that when they won their premierships as are Collingwood with their non traditional setup. Our talls will always be our weapon down forward but we need more from our smalls when that isnt working.
No doubt you play with what you have and construct a game plan around it.....Hardwick and the Tigers are evidence of that when they won their premierships as are Collingwood with their non traditional setup. Our talls will always be our weapon down forward but we need more form our smalls when that isnt working.
Another buzz word these days is connection or connectivity and often its implied that this refers to connection between lines (ie Def - Mids - Fwds). I often see a lack of connectivity between our fwds (ie talls - smalls). I feel lie they need to work on their structures and patterns as sometimes it looks bit haphazard. Thats what I reckon for what its worth.
my point is how many long bombs go into our F50 only to be marked by opposition .You know why this happens because every one knows how we play. eg 2 v 1 and we still kick to charlie . Going forward in 24 need to lower eyes find best option i hope
Another buzz word these days is connection or connectivity and often its implied that this refers to connection between lines (ie Def - Mids - Fwds). I often see a lack of connectivity between our fwds (ie talls - smalls). I feel lie they need to work on their structures and patterns as sometimes it looks bit haphazard. Thats what I reckon for what its worth.
And then you see the slo-mo replay and the likes of Owies and Martin are setting blocks for Charlie or Harry.
There's no doubt that we waste some of our forward 50 entries but a lot of our forward 50 work in the second half of the season was superb. No other team won eleven of their last thirteen games!
Our mid season slump makes it hard to compare team rankings but, for what it's worth, we were seventh for Inside 50s. Brisbane, Melbourne and GWS had more and Collingwood had around one less per game. However, Collingwood managed around 1.5 goals more per game with a cobbled together forward line at the end. Collingwood regularly bomb the ball into their forward 50 and have confidence that if Cox, McStay, Cameron, Mihocek, Elliott, DeGoey, Johnson or Hill don't clunk it, a crumber will do the job. Brisbane does much the same. We don't quite have the marking power and our medium and small forwards aren't as dangerous, but that's a work in progress.
One area where we did improve was the depth of the of our forward 50 long bombs. Earlier in the season, many of our long kicks inside 50 were landing around 40m out. An intercept mark or spoil usually resulted in a rebound that we found hard to defend. Later in the season, our long kicks inside 50 were landing 10-20m from goal and that made it easier for crumbers to get a shot at goal, or for our forwards to lock the ball in or force an outlet kick to a contest.
There's certainly work to do but kicking long bombs to Harry, Charlie and the King has to be one of our main avenues to goal. Kicking long bombs to Acres works quite well too :)
The issue isn't where it's going its how it's put there. Charlie often has to sit under it, ditto Harry. We need to drop it a little shorter and bring them up to the ball. Rather than sit it on their head. Gives them no chance.
The issue isn't where it's going its how it's put there. Charlie often has to sit under it, ditto Harry. We need to drop it a little shorter and bring them up to the ball. Rather than sit it on their head. Gives them no chance.
This is something i've been critical of for a while.
We always bomb it ON people, rather than just in front of them.
If we can't get a run and jump at it, then it helps the opposition.
No problem kicking it long quickly to one on one and back in our guns to win the contest.
The problem is kicking it long to smalls when they are outnumbered in a zone.
Martin was excellent generally speaking after his return, but can't stay on the park long enough. Motlop is promising, but still inconsistent, had two disappointing finals matches. McGovern can be an excellent option to move down forward still.
Some more consistent players around the two talls, with more speed around there, we'll be a real contender next year or the year after, whenever it occurs. We were generally fine with ball movement and whatnot earlier in our long winning streak.
No problem kicking it long quickly to one on one and back in our guns to win the contest.
The problem is kicking it long to smalls when they are outnumbered in a zone.
Harry's concussion against Sydney might lend weight to my point. He had 3 players converge on him because of a hospital kick.
Harry's concussion against Sydney might lend weight to my point. He had 3 players converge on him because of a hospital kick.
That was a perfectly weighted kick to Harry’s advantage. He had a metre on his opponent and would have clunked the mark if McCartin hadn’t backed into him.
Harry’s forward momentum and McCartin’s movement backwards and upwards caused the top of his head to smash into Harry’s jaw.
Nine times out of ten Harry clunks that mark and leaves McCartin nursing a bruised back.
McCartin was an extra at the contest, no other players were within two metres.
Nine times out of ten Harry clunks that mark and leaves McCartin nursing a bruised back.
McCartin was an extra at the contest, no other players were within two metres.
Harry is not that aggressive, he is an angry but fair player, and opposition know it's safe to step into his way.
He needs a touch more mongrel, somebody needs to get him sorted out that AFL is not fair, and in contests like that it's either going to be him or one of them that cops a impact especially in finals! Go and watch some footage of Jack Riewoldt or Jeremy Cameron and work out why they get such clean runs, you'll see event after event of them cleaning up opponents that take the space in front of them. They cause opponents to hesitate, and that fraction of a second is enough!
Overall I thought Harry was pretty good in the Prelim, his aerobic capacity stood out, he was able to get separation from the KPDs just too far from goal to be damaging.
If anything we lacked a strategy to make space for Harry and Charlie within range of goal, which is why I assert we missed Owies who I think offers the team a smarter big picture focus.
Have a look at Harry's highlights:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpuNLz4DWpk
Not so many balls kicked on his head and a few opponents feel the impact of his 105kg
Have a look at Harry's highlights:
Not so many balls kicked on his head and a few opponents feel the impact of his 105kg
From my perspective it's no accident that the bulk of Harry's highlights come when we do not kick it on his head and he is allowed to lead onto the pill, he is almost unstoppable in that scenario.
It just makes the Prelim situation even more bizarre, we did not need Motlop and Martin flying against Harry and Charlie, instead we needed them to be front and square, or doing some of the very nice work we saw from Durdin, Cunningham or Owies to create little blocks for Charlie and Harry to get some space.
Another thing that stands out with Harry is that equivalently sized defenders can't run with him, Charlie has the defenders done aerobically, Harry is just too quick off the mark.
Exactly.
Kids on his head are not highlights........unless its for the opposition.
just hope winning those 2 finals game doesn't cover the cracks ,we were very LUCKY this time .To take next step need to add pace speed into the team and somehow work on transition footy over summer . I DONT want to see long bombs in 24 .
There is nothing LUCKY about what we achieved either this year or winning two finals.
It's been mentioned that we were left with too much to do too late. That's spot on. Tiredness played its part much later, but our fight cannot be faulted. We went for more shorter passes and with success quite well generally speaking, but it can't be maintained all game. The way we long bomb, as mentioned, is also correct. More 40-45m kicks or in front of the players would be the better option, as well as more consistency and danger from our smaller forwards, with all due respect to them. In saying the part about the bombs, Newman, Docherty and Saad have big kicks on them. That's not a particular concern on my behalf really. Just some more from the smaller forwards, in particular, in positions to crumb from Curnow and Harry (the former goes alright in that department).
Another buzz word these days is connection or connectivity and often its implied that this refers to connection between lines (ie Def - Mids - Fwds). I often see a lack of connectivity between our fwds (ie talls - smalls). I feel lie they need to work on their structures and patterns as sometimes it looks bit haphazard. Thats what I reckon for what its worth.
Martin, Motlop and Owies are the types who want the ball to come to them, appear to be more your flankers, not your opportune roving types off the pack. They're okay at it, but it's not their main craft. Fogarty is excellent at pressure, but not on the scoreboard. One, or two players who wait for the ball to spill and get there first, rather than be a small-medium marking type, is what we need.
Harry is not that aggressive, he is an angry but fair player, and opposition know it's safe to step into his way.
He needs a touch more mongrel, somebody needs to get him sorted out that AFL is not fair, and in contests like that it's either going to be him or one of them that cops a impact especially in finals! Go and watch some footage of Jack Riewoldt or Jeremy Cameron and work out why they get such clean runs, you'll see event after event of them cleaning up opponents that take the space in front of them. They cause opponents to hesitate, and that fraction of a second is enough!
Overall I thought Harry was pretty good in the Prelim, his aerobic capacity stood out, he was able to get separation from the KPDs just too far from goal to be damaging.
If anything we lacked a strategy to make space for Harry and Charlie within range of goal, which is why I assert we missed Owies who I think offers the team a smarter big picture focus.
Agree.
H needs to learn that he can retire with 400 career goals or 800, if he wants the latter he needs to impose himself on the gnats that impede his run and space.
Does he want it ?
Agree.
H needs to learn that he can retire with 400 career goals or 800, if he wants the latter he needs to impose himself on the gnats that impede his run and space.
Does he want it ?
It's the million dollar question!
The answer is the brutal difference between a Lockett and a Ditchburn, it could be the difference between Sticks and Harry.
AFL is a brutal industry, you need to brutally push the limits to make it to the top of the tree.