06-18-2021, 07:09 AM
(06-18-2021, 01:48 AM)PaulP link Wrote:Assuming that article has it right, the problem lies somewhere on the line connecting coaching instructions / structures and players adjusting / playing to those instructions.
If you look at the first graph, Teague has made adjustments from 2020 to 2021, as the number of 1v1's has come down, but only barely. That slight reduction doesn't seem to make any real difference if you compare W/L, percentage etc., so it's either a token measure that doesn't go far enough, or else there are real personnel / structural issues that require a genuine overhaul of our entire defensive system and mindset.
I think it's the latter Paul.
Every time I watch our games on TV, the expert comments blokes have a picnic on our poor defensive set ups, players ball-watching, poor positioning (or players badly out of position), not recognising opposition players' strengths (ie allowing left footers to get on their left), ad nauseum. Bolts had a more defensive gameplan but those same problems were still evident.
It's my belief that our players have never learned how to play AFL team defence and, consequently, we rely on individual efforts and winning one on one contests. Imagine how good Weiters would be if he was in Richmond's backline with five blokes who know how to play team defence.
I'm not sure that it's something that coaches can fix, although they should be able to address the basics. I can't help but think that our defence would more effective if we had beaten Brisbane to Luke Hodge. Daisy may have played a similar role, but not with the same impact and effectiveness.
Anyway, I hope Teague reads the article and takes some action to fix the problems.
“Why don’t you knock it off with them negative waves? Why don’t you dig how beautiful it is out here? Why don’t you say something righteous and hopeful for a change?” Oddball