Re: RD 4: Carlton VS Melbourne
Reply #86 –
Crash, what is Touhy doing wrong?
He started the year very well, just like he finished last year. But getting injured against North was a disaster for him. He has struggled since then to get any flow into his game and any confidence into himself.
It is not all of his fault: the lack of work ethic in the whole team at the moment as meant that the ball is coming down quickly to his opponent, instead of giving him some time to compete. As a result he is losing one on ones in the air, which he didn't do last year. He is also losing one on ones on the ground, as his confidence is low. Being out 'strengthed' and out maneuvered by Dustin Martin last week was a perfect example. Last year that wouldn't have happened.
Zac plays best when HE is attacking the ball.
I'd be tempted to give him a week or 2 at the Baby Blues. That may not be possible, as the guys who could replace him are not quite there yet. Scotland, maybe? I'd prefer Docherty, but he is honestly a couple of weeks off as yet.
The point would be to get him into the middle of the ground, around the ball. Get him attacking the pill and have guys worrying about him, instead of him worrying about quicker guys. Also, if he manages to squish a few dangerous little guys in the middle of the ground and have them worrying about his ability to out mark them would also make a difference. With a bit more of his mojo back, we can place him on a wing in the seniors and get his self belief back up. In no time he'll be back to his best, winning the one on ones again.
In the long term, I'd like our coaching staff to have him work on his body work. There isn't any good reason to have guys like Martin out muscle him at any time, let alone crucial ones. The other thing I would do is work on his sprints: his first couple of meters. He is reacting a little slowly at the moment: he isn't really slow. Having him pick up the ball that little quicker won't hurt him at all.
Good stuff, CRASH... answered my questions re Zackery as well.