Post Game Passion: AFL 2019 Rd 13: Carlton vs. Western Bulldogs

[jeza]

Agreed, Dow's go is to be the man in the middle sweeper, he needs to get in between Cripps/Setterfield and whoever we have working outside the stoppage. Dow to receive then burst and dish off to whoever we have passing to break open the stoppage. We need him using those first 3 to 5 steps to buy the outside runners time and space to use the ball better. At the moment we have SPS and Fisher being the sweeper roles, and handing off to Dow and others, I think that is back to front because Dow was never a great ball user!

We rotate a completely new set of mids through the midfield at every centre bounce.

I don't think we're in a position to do that. If I were coach I'd pick our best 3 mids and have them go with Kreuzer for 85%+ of the centre bounces. They can push into other positions afterwards.

Kreuzer / Cripps / Curnow / Dow.

If that's our best then let them do the centre bounces from now on.

We've had SOS, Cunningham, SPS, Fisher, Setterfield, etc. all rotating through regularly. Doesn't make sense to me.

[jeza]

Judd's disposal was A ok until injury hit....and it was always better than Paddy's - which has become laughably bad sadly.

Agree - though Judd's was never top notch.

Dow is playing like he needs a rest in the 2s to get his mojo back.

[laj]

Agree - though Judd's was never top notch.

Dow is playing like he needs a rest in the 2s to get his mojo back.

I'd like them in the 2s just to have a break from playing seniors. So many young blokes are bearing the brunt in the midfield long before their time. Takes a toll after a while.

Like to see Harry have more of a run on the ball too. Just for now staying up forward with the best defender on him is stifling him. More of a run on the ball allows him to just run around and get his hands on it. Can only help him.

[Jack Burton]

Harry needs to seriously improve his ruck work before he gets more time on ball. Hopefully that will develop nicely over the next 12 months (I'm sure he's doing plenty at training because we need him to be able to play that role)

[laj]

Harry needs to seriously improve his ruck work before he gets more time on ball. Hopefully that will develop nicely over the next 12 months (I'm sure he's doing plenty at training because we need him to be able to play that role)

6-7 min a qtr will help. You can win clearances to a losing ruck. What we lose in the ruck will more than balance by increasing his confidence.

[Jack Burton]

You may be right, depends on what is most important right now, player development or winning games

[WASurfer]

Jeza....would you not have Walsh in that list of our 3 best mids? He's streets ahead of Dow.

[kruddler]

I'd like them in the 2s just to have a break from playing seniors. So many young blokes are bearing the brunt in the midfield long before their time. Takes a toll after a while.

The problem with this logic is that the VFL games can actually be more taxing on the kids.
Its a more physical brand of football in the VFL as they are less talented than the AFL, so the ball ends up on the ground a lot more leading to more contests.
The grounds are generally smaller as well, meaning players are less likely to be out in space.
The grounds generally have worse conditions too. Be that the playing surface, or the gale force winds that some experience.
All leading to more contests.

The kids, could potentially spend more time actually in the midfield in the 2's as their relative ability means they might be the #1 midfielder in the VFL team, but #6 in the AFL side.


So....all of this 'resting' in the 2's could actually be more taxing on them.

[DJC]

The problem with this logic is that the VFL games can actually be more taxing on the kids.
Its a more physical brand of football in the VFL as they are less talented than the AFL, so the ball ends up on the ground a lot more leading to more contests.
The grounds are generally smaller as well, meaning players are less likely to be out in space.
The grounds generally have worse conditions too. Be that the playing surface, or the gale force winds that some experience.
All leading to more contests.

The kids, could potentially spend more time actually in the midfield in the 2's as their relative ability means they might be the #1 midfielder in the VFL team, but #6 in the AFL side.


So....all of this 'resting' in the 2's could actually be more taxing on them.

Another argument about "resting players in the 2s" comes from Mick Malthouse.  He is adamant that playing in the 2s negatively affects a player's performance and, accordingly, he was reluctant to let usual first 22 players spend time in the 2s.  That was why he recalled players, even if their form in the 2s didn't justify promotion.

If Russell decides that a youngster needs a break, he should have a break and not play in the NBs.

[jeza]

Jeza....would you not have Walsh in that list of our 3 best mids? He's streets ahead of Dow.

I would for sure - but only coming off the wing.