I used to love the switch Nichols used to make in the 70's at 3/4 time when we were struggling on a given day (it happened back then too):
Swan CHF and have shots from 60 yards, Walls FF and lead up because you're too tall to spoil from behind and the midfield just attack attack attck...and we'd win every time.
Anyone remember those days?????? How could you not.
Is the backline, the forwardline or the midfield the problem?
Well in 3 games we struggled this year it was in the midfield, and we lost 2 of them.
It's not that the midfield didn't have talent or opportunity, it was that the opposition circled/surrounded the outside players instead of getting sucked into the contest and they stifled our outside run. Simple solution to fix a simple temporary problem.
I say sort out the tactics in the midfield and the rest will look after itself. Our rucks give 'em plenty of opportunity.
The rest is fine imo, but if it aint working in the backline (if too tall) or forward line (too short), as shit does happen, then we have to mix it up. I'm sure Ratts said that was his intention this year, but he really hasn't. Maybe he's saving it for finals.
I love the idea of Hendo at CHF and Waite at FF with Hammer/ Kreuzer in the FP. I know Hendo is going great guns at CHB, but those who think he aint a CHF are wrong imo and he has proven his value there plenty of times (for a 20yo). I also agree with Roos that Kreuzer can play CHF. I don't know where people get the idea Kreuzer can't play CHF, because I don't recall him playing that spot. I've seen him deep in the full forwardline but not playing a true CHF role. Anyone else remember that?
I like Waite as a lead up FF, and I like him at CHB too, so if and when needed Ratts should mix it up.
Swap Waite and Hendo.
There's some really good ideas above, which just goes to show we do have plenty of options, and I must say I was salivating when I read that Gibbs was doing a lot of goal kicking practise during the preseason...what a luxury him at HF when Yarran comes back in....and allow the Amigos to have a spell in the guts.
I'd also like to see Tuohy thrown into the guts along with Robbo to match the aggression the opposition throws at us...and why not just for midfield bounce don't we throw in a bigger body to maul the ball where we want it to go with the likes of Kreuzer, Duigan, Russell (if he's up to it)...I miss Carrazzo in the guts...got a big body that we need in there..and I think Scotto and Ellard show a bit for the hard ball when in the guts too.
We need to learn a few more midfield tactics and rotate briefly through the midfield other options like Betts, Garlett, Walker to combat the stuff we are learning about the opposition at this early stage of the season.
We'll work it out our new tactics and that's all I think is needed. Saints didn't thrash us, the MC allowed the them to stifle our stars...not all the players fault nor having anything to do with their deficiencies as to why we lost against the Bumbers and Aints.
The most important positional change I'd like to see is Ratts in the coaches box more than he spends at ground level. Let the line coaches have their one on ones with players coming off the field: they're responsible for the players in certain parts of the ground. Ratts needs to watch the whole game and make decisions on what he can see, not what he doesn't see.
Login
Register
FAQ
