Confident that Graham will be back soon. Important to the way we play. high possession mids aren't what we're about.
It's a bit weird that 'possession' has become a dirty word around here. Sure, I know all about our 'pressure' game and it's what you do with the ball when you have it - like transferring to team-mates by hand and foot - ending with a converted goal, as distinct from behinds.
But hello, Poort beat us in all three last match except we were more efficient but they had a lot more shots/scores (28/17).
Other teams, like PA and even the Saints, have learnt to play our way, with high pressure. Even including a very lowly-ranked and young Freo side where new coach Logmuir just vanquished his master recently by out-pressuring and possessing the skunks, same for Dawks too.
As some teams have balanced up the pressure factor and speedy, attacking footy, of course possession is vital. That's Buckley, Clarkson et al's GP to beat us now: control the ball; use marking and precise kicking; convert to a leading score; flood and block to hold for a win. Geelong does this better than anyone now with heaps of defensive/offensive running by their pack of big, mobile mids.
Ever seen anyone score goals without the ball?
As all things are more equalised as above, now the other factors have become more vital: ball control and skilled disposal/use/efficiency. Really, any half-decent footballer can lay a tackle if they can just run and work out in a gym.
Get the ball; then use it optimally. You will struggle to beat the best teams in 2020 season ceding a heap of possession with shorter Qs. 2017 is 3 years ago too.