Running is one thing but kicking the ball long gets the ball inside 50 faster than running ever does, and thats what its all about... getting it in there quickly and keeping it there as long as you can, score or create the stoppage
its the combination of both that make the difference
get it in the back half and run and break lines, this causes the defence to move up and attack the ball carrier which creates an overlap downfield and loose players, unfortunately this is where we break down... once the lines are broken you need to kick it long inside 50 before the defenders can get back behind the ball, so the guys that are running also need to be long penetrating kicks...
this is why deldio and newman should be half back... attack inside 50 and get the ball in quickly
they dont all need to be fats and skillfull but a compliment of fast and skilled and hard and tuff in the team goes a long way
so the hard tuff defensive guys, stop their opponent, win the footy and dish off to the deledios and newmans, then they protect them by shepharding and blocking chasers which allows them time to assess the situation downfield and deliver
if everyone plays their role in the team set up it works, we have the players we just dont work together
1. Carriers/Deliverers
lids, newman, bowden, white and even tambling all can play the run and deliver long (if they dont have to think about and are protected and given time to deliver long) if its a plan and they are well drilled they could all do it, their role is to get it in quick and long to either of the 2 designated target areas, once they deliver they keep running fwd in case they recieve the ball from a handball from the mark or from the resulting contest
2. Stoppers/Protectors
polo, tuck, hislop, moore, mcguane, rance - all can play the defender, protector roles, they must allow the carriers to be released and protect them from chasers by blocking and shepharding, they also must be able to react quickly in case of a turn over
the fwd line only needs 2 focal targets working in tandem to spread the defence (not 6 lead up fwds all doing their own thing like we have now, no wonder we get isolated and the ball gets turned over), each target player should have a designated protector/blocker/crumber that shodows them, everyone knows where the ball is going and everyone knows what their role is.
the target fwds make the leads to the designated spots not wherever they feel is easiest to get a cheap posession (seperate areas one deep and one towards 50 but all close to the corridor) this could be hughes, richo, riewoldt, morton, schulz - they go to the right spot and if they dont mark they bring it to ground and make a contest, their shadow or crumber should be following them to assist at the contest and chase, tackle and keep the ball inside 50, we keep 1 tall deep and close to goal this could be putt, vickery, simmonds or a ruckman - all shadowed by a crumber
turn overs can kill you yes but whats worse is if you turn it over to a player that is isolated and outnumbered and this results in the ball coming back at you and you are all out of position. If you play to the team rules even if you turn it over you should have someone close by to assist in holding the ball up or creating a contest at the turn over area.
if our group of individuals starting playing like a hungry team and everyone had a designated role and stopped worrying about how good their stats were or how good they played i think we would be very competative.
if players cant, wont or dont follow the team plan then they dont play
a player that has a clear plan, concise instructions and is one moving part of a well drilled and well oiled machine will perform better under pressure and more consistently than someone that has to think too much about doing everything, then its about developing replacement parts in case one breaks down, same system played at coburb so someone else can step in to play the part.
simple but effective but i guarantee it would work
