“There are two layers of excitement,” Bolton said. “One, I am extremely grateful and appreciative of the position I hold, and two, I get to do this with a bunch of young kids and some older players such as ‘Murph’ (Marc Murphy), ‘Simmo’ (Kade Simpson) and ‘Kreuze’ (Matthew Kreuzer).

“Fundamentally, we have a lot of players in their first-to-third years and some 200-plus gamers. If the first-to-third year players listen carefully to the stories and experiences of not only our coaches, but our leaders, they can fast track their development.”

Fast-tracking at Carlton used to be a euphemism for whatever quick fix dreamt up to get this once-mighty team back to former glories.

That was never going to happen on Bolton’s watch. This “reset” has only been two seasons in the making, but the coach has solidified its foundations.

“Year one was all about unity ... it was important that our members and supporters, the families of the players and our staff felt connected,” he said.

“Year two was about sticking to the road map, and not deviating. We wanted to be defined by pressure; to be hard to play against. We think we have achieved some of those steps.

“We think we can add some offensive layers in year three, even though we won’t sacrifice the non-negotiables.”

*********

He wants his players better connected with staff and supporters. As a result, a different group of players have lunch with staff members each week. He has also invited some staff members to get a closer on-ground look at preseason sessions.

It is all about engagement, which extends to the club’s members and supporters.

“We know footy clubs take people on an emotional rollercoaster and that’s what is so great about our game,” he said.

“Our members and supporters can see we have stuck to a plan, and we haven’t deviated. We’ve gone to three drafts; we’ve invested in the kids; we’re harder to play against now; and we’re growing sequentially year by year.”

Like the look of our coaching line up but who is the head of data analytics?

I am a big fan of Bolton et al. but from the outside we look to be behind modern trends in coaching driven by statistical outcomes and data. And this possibly crosses over with recruiting.

For example Champion Data (CD) are highlighting that the role of big's is diminishing in footy, it is all about forward pressure to keep the ball in. Not sure we recruited many that hit this profile.

CD rated Jack Higgins as the player with stats for the modern game that are better than have ever been seen. And he has fallen to the Tigers and is perfect for their game plan. We recruited 2 ruck men, some teams aren't even playing a ruck man

Like the look of our coaching line up but who is the head of data analytics?

I am a big fan of Bolton et al. but from the outside we look to be behind modern trends in coaching driven by statistical outcomes and data. And this possibly crosses over with recruiting.

For example Champion Data (CD) are highlighting that the role of big's is diminishing in footy, it is all about forward pressure to keep the ball in. Not sure we recruited many that hit this profile.

CD rated Jack Higgins as the player with stats for the modern game that are better than have ever been seen. And he has fallen to the Tigers and is perfect for their game plan. We recruited 2 ruck men, some teams aren't even playing a ruck man

Like the look of our coaching line up but who is the head of data analytics?

I am a big fan of Bolton et al. but from the outside we look to be behind modern trends in coaching driven by statistical outcomes and data. And this possibly crosses over with recruiting.

For example Champion Data (CD) are highlighting that the role of big's is diminishing in footy, it is all about forward pressure to keep the ball in. Not sure we recruited many that hit this profile.

CD rated Jack Higgins as the player with stats for the modern game that are better than have ever been seen. And he has fallen to the Tigers and is perfect for their game plan. We recruited 2 ruck men, some teams aren't even playing a ruck man

I hate the rolling maul/pressure style. Hope Bolts opens it up with more run and goals.

Yep I think we should be trying to emulate the Hawthorn model not Richmond's.
The Hawks of 2012-15 would have beaten Richmond easily.

Yep I think we should be trying to emulate the Hawthorn model not Richmond's.
The Hawks of 2012-15 would have beaten Richmond easily.

Dunno, maybe, but I seem to remember Richmond being the only team that could consistently beat the Hawks back then.

Yep I think we should be trying to emulate the Hawthorn model not Richmond's.
The Hawks of 2012-15 would have beaten Richmond easily.

I'm not suggesting we copy Richmond or the Western Bulldogs game plan, but learn what has changed in the game to allow them to get across the line and pinch flag's.

Neither of those sides, nor Hawthorn for that matter relied on a marque ruckman. All used a cheap and cheerful, fill ins or recycled ruckman supplemented with key forwards on the ball. Richmond also had the Dusty factor, and having the best player in the comp. usually takes you a long way.

Hawthorn seemed to rely on star mid's, of which they had plenty, high level left footers so they could attack from either side, fast ball movement and deadly finishers inside 50.

The key change to the game since the Hawks is the measurement of time in forward half. So the metric has moved from, how much you have the ball to how long the ball is in your scoring zone, regardless of who has it.

The best example of an old school forward line is the GWS Giants who looked terrible with Stevie J (and I was a fan), Paton and Cameron. Once the ball was turned over it came flying out and put too much pressure on their mid's and this allowed the fast movement of the ball to their opponents scoring zone.

This concept of time in forward half, means you need different skills in your group. You need two way players who are defensive minded first but can kick a goal. You also have to think about how the ball enters the scoring zone, so you have prospects of keeping it there.

Just saying, data analytics is critical in understanding what is going on.

CB

Moshe that's all you got from Coach B's insightful post?

You're about as useful as titts on a bull and way less entertaining.