Re: Why So Different??
Reply #100 –
That is incorrect.
The point of going around the boundary line was IF you can't make a precision kick, you'll get it to a 50-50 contest in which the defender will most likely knock it over the boundary line, then you start again with a throw in, but further into your territory.
In short, it was about territory and suited our lack of kicking skills to go around the boundary. If we turned it over there it was less likely to hurt us!
That may be the theory but Blind Freddy could see that it didn't work in practice. Opposition players knew exactly where the ball was going and were able to spoil or intercept. Rather than throw ins, the ball often went straight back down the corridor, giving our defenders no chance.
Given the opportunity, Malthouse would have persevered with his outdated, ineffective gameplan regardless of the playing list and the evolution of the game.
The answer to the question 'why so different?' is blindingly obvious; Malthouse and his archaic approach to coaching is gone!