Yarran is struggling - still - so that idea is slowly going up in smoke.

Which Yarran have you been watching??

Synners, without a steady stream of information from more informed people, you've gone from insightful and cryptic poster, to glorified BF loon. Cut the crap and articulate your issue with the Ratten game plan. There's a game plan, and you're well within your rights to label it weak or otherwise, but it's there.

What are your issues without beyond your belief that it's all about "kick it to Judd/Fev". I for one think it's about controlling possession and taking the avenues to score when they present themselves. We defend the corridor, and we err on the side of not using it in possession. Our forward press is more conservative than what it used to be but also more intelligent in terms of who runs forward. When things slow, we are patient with the ball, look to lull the opposition and transition it quickly with a switch or run to open the game up for scoring options. When things are out of hand we slow it down until we are composed and structured to have another dip.

The biggest problem is that a lot of our boys are not used to that style, and we play some very attractive football when we're prepared to pick up the tempo and go more direct with our kicking. Having said that, we need to refine our ability to control possession and combine it with that more free-flowing style; tempo football.

As for forward structures, we honour a lot of other leads now away from Fev & Betts, and it's encouraging to see the ball spread around as there are some pretty decent kicks for goal in the team. This started to become the case last season, and should be in full swing come round 1. I think we'll average around 90 points, perhaps more. The most important thing now is that without Fev ripping long leads, we have players offering short, intelligent leads to our bloke in possession when they're pushed wide. Without a big target (which if we need, will come in the form of Waite or one of ruckmen), we're prepared to eek out quality set shots through short passing.

So what am I seeing? The odd thing I don't like, but generally patience and creative ball movement being instilled into the playing group, and that can only be a good thing.

Your turn.

Synners, without a steady stream of information from more informed people, you've gone from insightful and cryptic poster, to glorified BF loon. Cut the crap and articulate your issue with the Ratten game plan. There's a game plan, and you're well within your rights to label it weak or otherwise, but it's there.

What are your issues without beyond your belief that it's all about "kick it to Judd/Fev". I for one think it's about controlling possession and taking the avenues to score when they present themselves. We defend the corridor, and we err on the side of not using it in possession. Our forward press is more conservative than what it used to be but also more intelligent in terms of who runs forward. When things slow, we are patient with the ball, look to lull the opposition and transition it quickly with a switch or run to open the game up for scoring options. When things are out of hand we slow it down until we are composed and structured to have another dip.

The biggest problem is that a lot of our boys are not used to that style, and we play some very attractive football when we're prepared to pick up the tempo and go more direct with our kicking. Having said that, we need to refine our ability to control possession and combine it with that more free-flowing style; tempo football.

As for forward structures, we honour a lot of other leads now away from Fev & Betts, and it's encouraging to see the ball spread around as there are some pretty decent kicks for goal in the team. This started to become the case last season, and should be in full swing come round 1. I think we'll average around 90 points, perhaps more. The most important thing now is that without Fev ripping long leads, we have players offering short, intelligent leads to our bloke in possession when they're pushed wide. Without a big target (which if we need, will come in the form of Waite or one of ruckmen), we're prepared to eek out quality set shots through short passing.

So what am I seeing? The odd thing I don't like, but generally patience and creative ball movement being instilled into the playing group, and that can only be a good thing.

Your turn.

If that's what we're trying to do, I'm not sure I fully agree with it because by slowing things down when we get possession it lets the opposition zone up making it doubly difficult to work the ball through to our forward area.
Shouldn't we be trying to catch the opposition out of position with quick transfers of play from defense through to our forwards?

Control of possession in an attacking mindset (which in a game without an off-side rule is what should be aiming for) is about taking the opportunities when they present themselves, while being conservative with the numbers you send forward of the play. Counter-attack when it's there; construct when it's not. It's actually an aggressive game style when you think about it, just more patient than the play of a team like Essendon*, for example.

Bear in mind when I say slowing things down, I'm not talking about controlling the clock ala the signal with the sherrin: I'm talking about taking a little extra time in passing the ball around to draw the opposition and open avenues to goal.

I just think sides are better drilled these days in defending space and if we're giving them time to set up instead of pressuring them with quick movement it's going to make it very difficult to get through and score.
I think that applying pressure with quick forward momentum takes the opposition out of their comfort zone and brings mistakes and creates our momentum.

Absolutely, but there's a time to attack and a time to attack intelligently.

If there's the opportunity for the break, take it; if not, be a little more patient. No one's saying put the breaks on automatically.

Really good post aramari. Thank you, I enjoyed reading that immensely.

If that's what we're trying to do, I'm not sure I fully agree with it because by slowing things down when we get possession it lets the opposition zone up making it doubly difficult to work the ball through to our forward area.
Shouldn't we be trying to catch the opposition out of position with quick transfers of play from defense through to our forwards?

They were missing their entire midfield in that game and had players go off.

for the relief of pre-season tension ... ..















take out your .................
























copy of the 99 Prelim

Synners, without a steady stream of information from more informed people, you've gone from insightful and cryptic poster, to glorified BF loon. Cut the crap and articulate your issue with the Ratten game plan. There's a game plan, and you're well within your rights to label it weak or otherwise, but it's there.

What are your issues without beyond your belief that it's all about "kick it to Judd/Fev". I for one think it's about controlling possession and taking the avenues to score when they present themselves. We defend the corridor, and we err on the side of not using it in possession. Our forward press is more conservative than what it used to be but also more intelligent in terms of who runs forward. When things slow, we are patient with the ball, look to lull the opposition and transition it quickly with a switch or run to open the game up for scoring options. When things are out of hand we slow it down until we are composed and structured to have another dip.

The biggest problem is that a lot of our boys are not used to that style, and we play some very attractive football when we're prepared to pick up the tempo and go more direct with our kicking. Having said that, we need to refine our ability to control possession and combine it with that more free-flowing style; tempo football.

As for forward structures, we honour a lot of other leads now away from Fev & Betts, and it's encouraging to see the ball spread around as there are some pretty decent kicks for goal in the team. This started to become the case last season, and should be in full swing come round 1. I think we'll average around 90 points, perhaps more. The most important thing now is that without Fev ripping long leads, we have players offering short, intelligent leads to our bloke in possession when they're pushed wide. Without a big target (which if we need, will come in the form of Waite or one of ruckmen), we're prepared to eek out quality set shots through short passing.

So what am I seeing? The odd thing I don't like, but generally patience and creative ball movement being instilled into the playing group, and that can only be a good thing.

Your turn.

I've got to say Jimmae, that with the Doc and Blue Vain and a few others that I'm really enjoying your posts It would actually be nice if we could have a civil talking tactics thread. I realise that wouldn't be everyones cup of tea, but I think it would be interesting nonetheless without all the we don't have a gameplan stuff.