Mickstar wrote:
MPH78 wrote:
When was the last time we presented something to the oppo coaches box that they weren’t expecting?
Our reluctance to change anything material when not playing well and plan a is not working is a major frustration.
I reckon removing Cincotta from his tagging role at half time took Port by surprise . Couldn't believe there luck . That one sure shook "em up .
Port created the issue and we didn't adapt. They took Butters out of the midfield and we left Cincotta in there. Cincotta stayed in for a number of centre bounces picking up whoever was in there (Rozee, Drew). I don't think we've got the midfield structure right. Cerra has been slow to find his form but he still had 7 clearances, 14 contested possessions and an equal team high 3 centre clearances against the Dogs. He's hardly seen the midfield since. He attended a couple of centre bounces in the 2nd quarter when we were firing and that was it.
Against Port we were being spanked in the middle. When Port kicked to an 8 point leads late in the last quarter, we'd lost the last 5 centre clearances. We lined up with Cripps, Hewitt and Walsh. The same set up that had been beaten comprehensively.
We need to change things up. If we're going to play Cerra at half back, I'd like to see him and Saad go into the midfield rotation from half back. We need more dynamic movement and Saad supplies that. When we win clearance, we're usually coming out sideways. When the oppo win it, they run around our blokes and are squaring up to the leading options.
It's not a throat cutting exercise yet but we need to get it right soon. Harry back will make a big difference. TDK is coming along leaps and bounds as a centre clearance weapon. Martin and Acres will toughen us up and William's class will be a strength. Maybe move Walsh out to the wing or the high half forward role he dominated last year if he's sore.
Cottrell plays a role well at half forward but he's not a 4 quarter wingman.
Get back to pressure football. I'm over seeing players dropping off their opponent to free up Cripps. If he can't beat his man, move him out of the middle. Look at Ports first goal on the weekend. Hewitt drops of Wines at a half forward stoppage to wrestle Drew, in an effort to free up Cripps. Wines waltzes off unattended, wins the clearance, gets a couple of handball receives and hits up a forward for an easy goal.
Everyone has an opponent and they should be accountable for them.