02-18-2018, 12:50 AM
I was very disappointed in last night's game. We really lacked a few things and they really hurt us. We really had a go, but sometimes you need more than endeavor.
[1] Skills:
The Lions had much better ball control than we did. They didn't fumble as much. Their kicks hit targets, whether the kicker was open or under pressure. There handballs hit the mark, especially over more than a metre or so. When they had a shot on goal, they kicked them from just about any angle. We could not kick a goal from 10 metres out directly in front. The 2 boomerang kicks from the pocket were really magical, but it was the bread and butter shots that went straight over the goal umpire's head that hurt the most.
Our skills were ordinary at best and the number of times we fumbled the ball basically gave up any advantage of positioning that we may have had. We missed the target even over short distances far too often, and when we kicked the ball out of defence, we went to the wrong option almost every time. One against 3 rarely works to out advantage.
[2] Game Style:
We played a zone based game with a lot of Pagan's Paddock. When we got the break, it looked pretty good. Right up until we turned it over. The Lions were trying to do something similar. Early in the game our defensive play was so good that it made it impossible for the Lions to score. So far, so good.
However, we were caught out in Pagan's Paddock style later in the game as we tried so hard to attack. We would turn the ball over and that was all she wrote.
Our style of game was not that bad, everything considered, but it didn't work well when our skills fell away. Far too often we kicked the ball directly to a Brisbane defender. Whereupon the ball came straight back. Our style would fit better if we got more centre breaks and could hit targets.
The other thing is note is that we go wide by choice and go slow too often. The girls are lacking faith in their own disposal at the moment and are taking their time and looking for less risky options. That doesn't work when you can't keep control of the ball.
[3] Coaching:
Granted that we were lacking our #1 coach, but Brisbane clearly won the coaching battle last night. Their positioning was better than ours, they showed about as much endeavor and they were that bit stronger and faster as well. The also used some tactical techniques that we did not adjust to well: they shepherded more effectively than us, but they also shepherded at considerably greater distances than we did. How legal some of that was is another issue, but being shepherded out 20 m off the ball was not unusual. The biggest win for them was their zone, which simply got the ball every time we tried to clear it from defence.
[4] Recruiting:
As was recognized earlier in this thread, there are few 'elite' athletes in this competition. We have one, Brianna Davey. We lacked her ability, her strength, her reading of the play and the depth of her kicking last night.
Be that as it may, we REALLY need more elite talent, especially in the midfield.
In the last draft and trading period we put a lot into recruiting Nicola Stevens and Tayla Harris. Harris was a brilliant selections, as she really gives us something up forward. Stevens, a key defender and B&F winner at Collingwood last year, has not played in defence, nor has she really shone this year. She was very quiet yesterday.
Again, so far, so good.
Where were lack is in the midfield. Last year we had a solid midfield, lead by Lauren Arnell, and a winning ruck combination. This year, our midfield has been strong and honest, but has lacked pace and rarely gets a centre break. As a result, it has been impossible for our forwards to get decent opportunities.
Last year Alison Downie and Breann Moody did very well in the ruck. Downie had the extra height and ruck skill, Moody has the leap and the aggression. This year Downie has been down; not holding her marks and not getting the taps. Moody has been patchy and is very fumbly.
Last night Downie played in defence on Brisbane's giant and held her well, but provided no drive for us at all. Moody had opportunities, but consistently misses the target.
Our present mids are lead by solid players in Sarah and Jess Hosking, both of whom are not elite in pace or disposal. Shae Audley tackles like her life depends on it, but doesn't get huge numbers herself. It is here where we REALLY need improvement, and some new, elite talent. I expected us to recruit mids for this year, but we did otherwise.
Last year we got plenty of Arnell and Maddie Keryk. They have one game between them this year and Arnell went possessionless in that game.
It appears that time and injuries are catching up with Arnell and Downie. Their replacements are not yet at our club. And we need them, as they provide a LOT of leadership.
[1] Skills:
The Lions had much better ball control than we did. They didn't fumble as much. Their kicks hit targets, whether the kicker was open or under pressure. There handballs hit the mark, especially over more than a metre or so. When they had a shot on goal, they kicked them from just about any angle. We could not kick a goal from 10 metres out directly in front. The 2 boomerang kicks from the pocket were really magical, but it was the bread and butter shots that went straight over the goal umpire's head that hurt the most.
Our skills were ordinary at best and the number of times we fumbled the ball basically gave up any advantage of positioning that we may have had. We missed the target even over short distances far too often, and when we kicked the ball out of defence, we went to the wrong option almost every time. One against 3 rarely works to out advantage.
[2] Game Style:
We played a zone based game with a lot of Pagan's Paddock. When we got the break, it looked pretty good. Right up until we turned it over. The Lions were trying to do something similar. Early in the game our defensive play was so good that it made it impossible for the Lions to score. So far, so good.
However, we were caught out in Pagan's Paddock style later in the game as we tried so hard to attack. We would turn the ball over and that was all she wrote.
Our style of game was not that bad, everything considered, but it didn't work well when our skills fell away. Far too often we kicked the ball directly to a Brisbane defender. Whereupon the ball came straight back. Our style would fit better if we got more centre breaks and could hit targets.
The other thing is note is that we go wide by choice and go slow too often. The girls are lacking faith in their own disposal at the moment and are taking their time and looking for less risky options. That doesn't work when you can't keep control of the ball.
[3] Coaching:
Granted that we were lacking our #1 coach, but Brisbane clearly won the coaching battle last night. Their positioning was better than ours, they showed about as much endeavor and they were that bit stronger and faster as well. The also used some tactical techniques that we did not adjust to well: they shepherded more effectively than us, but they also shepherded at considerably greater distances than we did. How legal some of that was is another issue, but being shepherded out 20 m off the ball was not unusual. The biggest win for them was their zone, which simply got the ball every time we tried to clear it from defence.
[4] Recruiting:
As was recognized earlier in this thread, there are few 'elite' athletes in this competition. We have one, Brianna Davey. We lacked her ability, her strength, her reading of the play and the depth of her kicking last night.
Be that as it may, we REALLY need more elite talent, especially in the midfield.
In the last draft and trading period we put a lot into recruiting Nicola Stevens and Tayla Harris. Harris was a brilliant selections, as she really gives us something up forward. Stevens, a key defender and B&F winner at Collingwood last year, has not played in defence, nor has she really shone this year. She was very quiet yesterday.
Again, so far, so good.
Where were lack is in the midfield. Last year we had a solid midfield, lead by Lauren Arnell, and a winning ruck combination. This year, our midfield has been strong and honest, but has lacked pace and rarely gets a centre break. As a result, it has been impossible for our forwards to get decent opportunities.
Last year Alison Downie and Breann Moody did very well in the ruck. Downie had the extra height and ruck skill, Moody has the leap and the aggression. This year Downie has been down; not holding her marks and not getting the taps. Moody has been patchy and is very fumbly.
Last night Downie played in defence on Brisbane's giant and held her well, but provided no drive for us at all. Moody had opportunities, but consistently misses the target.
Our present mids are lead by solid players in Sarah and Jess Hosking, both of whom are not elite in pace or disposal. Shae Audley tackles like her life depends on it, but doesn't get huge numbers herself. It is here where we REALLY need improvement, and some new, elite talent. I expected us to recruit mids for this year, but we did otherwise.
Last year we got plenty of Arnell and Maddie Keryk. They have one game between them this year and Arnell went possessionless in that game.
It appears that time and injuries are catching up with Arnell and Downie. Their replacements are not yet at our club. And we need them, as they provide a LOT of leadership.
Live Long and Prosper!