Post Game Passion: AFL 2019 Rd 15: Carlton vs. Freo

[Thryleon]

First game I've been to for a few years. 5 minutes into the 2nd quarter I thought we were looking at an 80 point loss. Half way through the last I thought here we go again giving away 5 goal headstarts to go down by a kick or two AGAIN. If every player had the heart of Kreuzer I think we'd be almost unbeatable. I lose count of the times he puts in 2nd and 3rd efforts

Its happening.

I watched Matt Kennedy put pressure on 4 blokes in a row, who were simply handballing around him at half back yesterday.  He isnt lightening, and he didnt give up even though he had no hope of catching any of them until they kicked it a bit longer down the line.

We are starting to hunt in packs again which is a good thing.



Regarding our slow starts, its becoming clearer what is happening to me.  We are setting up to win the game on our terms initially.  When that isn't working, in game we are making the appropriate changes to switch to negate the opposition and counter punch instead.


What that says about our opposition analysis you can work out for yourself.

I actually think it may be the by product of having youngsters.  They are having to think their way through how to play on your opponent.  The main difference between an experience player and an inexperienced player is simply how quickly they can adjust to playing on a different opponent, and how automatic it is to be able to transition from one game style to another.  Not all players play the same way.  Some can handball on both hands.  Some are better at agility.  Some are able to accelerate quickly.  Some are bigger bodied.  Some are smaller bodied and nimble.  Some can kick on both sides.  Some can sell candy, but universally speaking, the one thing that is true, is that a newbie has seen this match up once or twice.  An experienced player might only be seeing a newbie for the first or second time, but they quickly work out how to negate this player because they have played on someone similar in the past and already have a feel for what someone is going to do.  The newbies are not able to as easily, which means we might have to shuffle them around the ground a little until they get a favourable match up rather than be able to win a match up using experience.


Finally, the old Defenders make good coaches role seems to come back to the forefront.  Guys like Teague forge a playing career on the ability to read the play.  This is the attribute that seems most important to make a good senior coach.  Teague was never that good a footballer, but I think he was the type that made the most of his attributes.