02-02-2018, 11:32 PM
I took my daughter to yesterday's game and got there just before the gates opened. As a result, we got good seats on the wing, where we used to sit for so many years. There were a few differences. Last year there were a lot more neutral supporters. This time the crowd was not as 'friendly', there was a lot more real partisan supporters. Probably about 54% women in the crowd.
Things were much better organized this year. There was a lot learnt from last year, although a bit of paint on the seats would not have been astray.
Our ground has aged, alas.
[1] Skills:
A number of posters have commented about the skill, or lack thereof, in the game. To be honest, I was not surprised, but I was a little disappointed. The skill level shows where the game is at, at this point. In 3 – 5 years, the skill level will be MUCH better.
At the moment, a code jumper with athleticism can make the transition pretty easily. That will not be the case in 2022.
In the 1st quarter the skills were probably effected somewhat y nervousness and the perceived pressure. By the 2nd quarter, the skill level probably reached its peak for the game. Later in the game the intense pressure and fatigue caught up with the players and there were a lot of fumbles.
However:
(a) I was very disappointed in our handball. Over 50% did not hit the target and almost all of them bounced before getting there. That was probably the worst aspect of the game for me, as we continually broke down when we had the advantage.
Tayla Harris was one of the worst offenders. Not one of her handballs ended up to our advantage.
(b) Being a forward in this game is hard work, as the kicks are often not to advantage. Darcy Vescio was an example: each time she lead the ball gave her less than 50% chance of getting the ball. The really good teams with the best midfields give their forwards much better service than ours had.
[2] Game plan:
I don’t think our game plan is going to win us a premiership this year.
Thank may sound a bit harsh after a single game in which we have won. But it looked very similar to last year’s and Collingwood’s coaching staff were ready with counters for our better players.
(a) Our forward line was always outnumbered. Often there were 5 Magpies for 3 Carlton forwards and, particularly Darcy Vescio, had no room to use her magic. (She is also probably underdone after her knee injury, but that is another tale.) Darcy would tap the ball past 2 girls, to be intercepted by a 3rd.
(b) Collingwood broke across the ground and tried to change direction with free players. Not once did we wake up to that move, which allowed the Pies to move the ball out of our defence a lot quicker than it should have. We did not such thing, relying on our greater aerial ability to win the ball.
© The Pies appeared to have specific plans for our better players. They did not work totally, but they did shut down a considerable portion of our drive. They had a plan of playing multiple players around Darcy Vescio. They didn’t allow Breanna Davey any room at all. They often double teamed Tayla Harris. They managed to keep Lauren Arnell totally out of the game. We did not appear to have the same specific plans, although our defence was excellent at strangling their forward moves.
[3] List:
(a) Mids:
After last year’s season I wanted us to get more mids. Especially with a bit of strength and speed. Last night showed that we had not addressed that at all. Our mids did an excellent defensive job (our midfield laid a huge number of tackles), but not once did we get a clear break from the centre. In fact, Collingwood probably won the centre clearances. The Hosking girls were strong and hard, but they didn’t break out of the centre.
(b) Small Forwards:
We were also deficient in small forwards last year, although a couple showed glimpses. It was similar last night. Georgie Gee showed some excellent pace and made crucial tackles that gave us the ball in the forward line, but she couldn’t kick 40 m and didn’t get a goal.
© Rucks:
Our rucks are a good unit. Alison Downie was beaten last night by a bigger, stronger girl, but she is a class act and has more variety in her play. She isn’t getting any younger though.
Breann Moody, on the other hand, came on about half way through each quarter and dominated. He aggressive, face on attack on the ball allowed her to win maybe 90% of the taps she contested (she didn’t try for a few in the last quarter that surprised me). She knocks the ball exclusively forward, where Downie directs her taps better. Shierlaw and Gillespie-Jones also did some ruck work and it did give us options.
(d) Tall Forwards:
Tayla Harris was a revelation. We did not use her all that well and her handballs were terrible, but her ability to shatter a pack, which allowed 3 marks within 15 m of goal other than just hers, was excellent. He kicking was generally very good, all except a true shank from 15 m, when she didn’t kick through the ball.
It took pressure off Darcy Vescio, as well.
It was hard to see a forward structure, as we did not move the ball down quickly or efficiently.
Over all, our defence is excellent. Our rucks are one of the best combos in the game. We have a forward option or 2. But the weaknesses from 2017 are still there. We really need top class midfielders if we are to make real progress.
Things were much better organized this year. There was a lot learnt from last year, although a bit of paint on the seats would not have been astray.
Our ground has aged, alas.
[1] Skills:
A number of posters have commented about the skill, or lack thereof, in the game. To be honest, I was not surprised, but I was a little disappointed. The skill level shows where the game is at, at this point. In 3 – 5 years, the skill level will be MUCH better.
At the moment, a code jumper with athleticism can make the transition pretty easily. That will not be the case in 2022.
In the 1st quarter the skills were probably effected somewhat y nervousness and the perceived pressure. By the 2nd quarter, the skill level probably reached its peak for the game. Later in the game the intense pressure and fatigue caught up with the players and there were a lot of fumbles.
However:
(a) I was very disappointed in our handball. Over 50% did not hit the target and almost all of them bounced before getting there. That was probably the worst aspect of the game for me, as we continually broke down when we had the advantage.
Tayla Harris was one of the worst offenders. Not one of her handballs ended up to our advantage.
(b) Being a forward in this game is hard work, as the kicks are often not to advantage. Darcy Vescio was an example: each time she lead the ball gave her less than 50% chance of getting the ball. The really good teams with the best midfields give their forwards much better service than ours had.
[2] Game plan:
I don’t think our game plan is going to win us a premiership this year.
Thank may sound a bit harsh after a single game in which we have won. But it looked very similar to last year’s and Collingwood’s coaching staff were ready with counters for our better players.
(a) Our forward line was always outnumbered. Often there were 5 Magpies for 3 Carlton forwards and, particularly Darcy Vescio, had no room to use her magic. (She is also probably underdone after her knee injury, but that is another tale.) Darcy would tap the ball past 2 girls, to be intercepted by a 3rd.
(b) Collingwood broke across the ground and tried to change direction with free players. Not once did we wake up to that move, which allowed the Pies to move the ball out of our defence a lot quicker than it should have. We did not such thing, relying on our greater aerial ability to win the ball.
© The Pies appeared to have specific plans for our better players. They did not work totally, but they did shut down a considerable portion of our drive. They had a plan of playing multiple players around Darcy Vescio. They didn’t allow Breanna Davey any room at all. They often double teamed Tayla Harris. They managed to keep Lauren Arnell totally out of the game. We did not appear to have the same specific plans, although our defence was excellent at strangling their forward moves.
[3] List:
(a) Mids:
After last year’s season I wanted us to get more mids. Especially with a bit of strength and speed. Last night showed that we had not addressed that at all. Our mids did an excellent defensive job (our midfield laid a huge number of tackles), but not once did we get a clear break from the centre. In fact, Collingwood probably won the centre clearances. The Hosking girls were strong and hard, but they didn’t break out of the centre.
(b) Small Forwards:
We were also deficient in small forwards last year, although a couple showed glimpses. It was similar last night. Georgie Gee showed some excellent pace and made crucial tackles that gave us the ball in the forward line, but she couldn’t kick 40 m and didn’t get a goal.
© Rucks:
Our rucks are a good unit. Alison Downie was beaten last night by a bigger, stronger girl, but she is a class act and has more variety in her play. She isn’t getting any younger though.
Breann Moody, on the other hand, came on about half way through each quarter and dominated. He aggressive, face on attack on the ball allowed her to win maybe 90% of the taps she contested (she didn’t try for a few in the last quarter that surprised me). She knocks the ball exclusively forward, where Downie directs her taps better. Shierlaw and Gillespie-Jones also did some ruck work and it did give us options.
(d) Tall Forwards:
Tayla Harris was a revelation. We did not use her all that well and her handballs were terrible, but her ability to shatter a pack, which allowed 3 marks within 15 m of goal other than just hers, was excellent. He kicking was generally very good, all except a true shank from 15 m, when she didn’t kick through the ball.
It took pressure off Darcy Vescio, as well.
It was hard to see a forward structure, as we did not move the ball down quickly or efficiently.
Over all, our defence is excellent. Our rucks are one of the best combos in the game. We have a forward option or 2. But the weaknesses from 2017 are still there. We really need top class midfielders if we are to make real progress.
Live Long and Prosper!