02-26-2022, 02:56 AM
(02-26-2022, 02:33 AM)LP link Wrote:I think in several of those instances the footage shows we had an open F50 target that was missed, so the perspective that it was some how to plan might be a bit of gilding.The odd occasion we went to the 'open F50 target' it got picked off.
In one case I saw, we had three or four players setup coming in from the right forward pocket and we kicked it straight over their heads to the left of the goal square to the advantage of three defenders, but luckily for us they spilt the mark and we forced a stoppage!
Defenders plug a hole in space with the intention of going back to the hot spot as soon as the ball is kicked. Its a cat and mouse game.
I used to use this tactic as a HF lining up in a zone after a behind. Everytime the FB was looking for a spot to kick to, i'd sag back created space in front of me to encourage him to kick it there. I'd watch his eyes and the moment he'd lock on to his target and shape up to kick it there i'd already be running to that spot ready for a nice intercept and shot on goal.
We don't give the 'loose' defenders enough credit these days. They force players to kick it to the exact spot they want them too and know its going there ahead of time, even before we do. Thats why we used to concede so many goals under teague, we were predictable and got hurt on the rebound. Our kicking skills and/or marking options, were simply not good enough to do that under Teague and Bolton.
Go back to the Ratten days and we had Fevola as the target and the likes of Murphy, Houlihan, Gibbs etc delivering it forward. It could work then as the talent was there.
Going back to the Vossy/Malthouse way, it basically takes the opposition out of it. It doesn't matter if you are playing St. Kilda, North Melbourne, or Richmond or Melbourne. Getting a 50-50 ball from a stoppage in the pocket is basically a given. From there you back Cripps and co to win it and get you a shot.
However, going to the hotspot will yield different results depending on the opposition you are playing. You can win a game by going to the hotspot often, but you can always lose a game by going there often.
You can never lose a game by going to a 50-50 contest in the pocket. You always gain some territory.
There was method to the madness of Mick Malthouse. Hopefully our players, supporters and head honchos at the club can respect Vossy enough to let him do it.