Thanks to the HI crew for consistently great material on our club. If anything, yesterday’s loss highlighted our deficiencies, which have been evident throughout the season:
- Lack of speed and pressure in our forward line when the ball hits the ground, has repeatedly seen the ball pinged out of our forward line and put our defence under real pressure. With the loss of Wingard and likely departure of Brockman, this is a part of the ground that needs to be rectified. The development of Butler and a trade (Kai Lohman?) is a real priority.
- A partner for Mitch Lewis is so important. in the 15 games he played, we were 6-9, with competitive losses against StKilda, Richmond, GWS and Bulldogs. Perhaps we already have that player on our list with Denver and it would be great to see him have a big pre-season as he brings real energy to our forward line. While Ryan had a tough day, he’s shown enough to deserve a contract and it would be interesting to see what he could do with an AFL pre-season
- While he’s had a good month, this issues in playing Finn have been highlighted in the past two weeks, in that he is totally one dimensional. If the tag is either not working or is required to be removed, then Finn has nothing to offer. Are we better getting games into someone like Mackenzie? I think the answer is yes.
- There’s a lack of speed, when we don’t have Bramble / Jiath in the team, with the only real line breakers being Weddle and Impey. Developing CJ into a winger – he has the perfect athletic profile for that role - must be a priority over summer. While Josh Ward's finish to the season has been below his best, he's never played wing before this season and had enough good games to give us confidence he'll make it as an Andrew Gaff type
- While it’s been good to see Amon show that he can play a defensive role, his delivery in the front two thirds of the ground is where he’s more damaging. Let’s see him played in that role with a rotation among CJ and Ward in season 2024
- Big Ned needs help and playing Kosi forward for ¾ of the game isn’t the answer, nor is Meek as the sub. He’s still raw, but perhaps Ramsden needs to get more senior opportunity next year as he has the attributes to play that forward / ruck role
- Our kicking inside 50 was terrible and even when we had periods of the game where we had control, we were repeatedly let down by poor entries. This has to be a big focus of the 2024 pre-season.
Will be fascinating to see what we do trade and draft wise, but there's an opportunity to bring in some more high-end talent, albeit offset by the likely loss of Brocky.
Yes, that's true Mick. He went from Rising Star nominee to Box Hill player very quickly. One thing that's become a worry this season is Jarman Impey's tendency to turn the ball over. It's perhaps something to watch, but Mitchell does have leg speed and skill and does shape as a similar player.
1. Last week of the school year - With the end of season individual reviews done, it looked as though the players were like the students in their last week of the year knowing that with the report written what was there to be gained. It was a bit of an issue if the group is to progress to the next level of professionalism.
2. Selection reflected the previous point - Playing Scrimshaw forward, along with Ryan who hadn't played for the previous two rounds as well as losing weight, meant that our forward 50 was going to lack even more cohesion than the previous 6-8 weeks. Along with Meek as the sub, made another query as to what was the aim of the game.
With Freo playing Hambling allowing them to throw Cox forward also reflected a similar attitude towards to the game as well as indicating that they didn't have to play their top level defenders in their back half.
With departure of Brockman meaning that he wasn't being selected, the other inference that could be drawn that Greene is unlikely to be offered another contract.
(Further to this, when the F50 had Sicily & Hardwick playing forward with Scrimshaw, supporters may have had to check which was we were kicking.)
3. Playing a future competitor - If one believes in finals' windows, then Freo is likely to be a side that will be one of the competitors for a spot, albeit a year or two ahead of us, but there will be some overlap.
Leaving aside the relative experience, the major difference was the genuine leg speed that Freo had compared to us, particularly through the midfield transition and on turnover.
4. Clean centre clearances - Whilst the stats had us winning the centre clearances, to the eye, it appeared that when we had the chance to go forward, there were a number of times that we either slipped or fumbled the clearance in the next link in the chain. Will Day looked to be playing on ice skating rink at times in the centre square.
Observations:
* "Speed kills" - The ball can be moved quickly either by clean foot skills or leg speed, as it stands, we rely mainly on the former rather than the latter. Without Seamus off half back, the lack of genuine leg speed is an area that stood out in this game, particularly with the spread from midfield contests.
* Turnovers at the start and the end (as well as in between) - the first quarter indicated that it was going to be a long day given it took 8 minutes to kick the first goal which was preceded by a number of turnovers e.g. Morrison & Impey being the early culprits. Similarly, in the last quarter, Will Day's last two kicks going forward were both inexplicable direct turnovers to Freo players - one I50 and the other at the back of the centre square.
* When Amon was playing on a clever forward (Walters), he lack of defensive awareness was an issue. For a small period in the 2nd quarter, after Walters goal, he went back to the wing to reset the back half.
* Another small progression with Reeves in actually making a contribution to the centre square clearances.
* Tracking Finn - Ryan (tag), Serong (tag), Schulz (team balance with Hardwick forward) - whilst versatile, I'm not sure playing "whack a mole" with a lockdown player is the strategic move, but it did reflect the selection quandary for the day.
* Midfield handball/kick ratio - there is a need for this imbalance to be rectified over the pre-season.
Dumb decisions/coach killers - for the first game I can recall there wasn't an obvious act to full into this category which may be a growth indicator or reflect the lack of intensity in the game.
(To all who make a contribution, it is always interesting to read the range of perspectives that supporters have of the games, which does make you think about your own.)
Really love your contributions Mick and as you say reading others' views does challenge your own. Have also loved your training and likely selection insights from track watching, which has given me a great deal of credibility in our family. Overall, I think it's been a positive season, obviously there's plenty more to do and gaps that needs filled, but despite some drubbings, it feels like a year of progress. So important to get our trade / draft decisions right over the next few months.
As Rob McCarthy indicated that the second part of the season was going to be better than the first did come to fruition. Reflecting on the first 6 games, it did look to be an optimistic prognostication, however the overall development is sound in terms of game plan, with the need to enhance the personnel to become both more consistent and competitive.
Hmmm, Henry and Frederick gave Morrison and Ward a "bath" on the wings? Morrison/Ward combined v Henry/Frederick: 2 more possessions, 1 less mark, 1 less tackle, 1 less pressure act, higher disposal efficiency (Henry 86%, Ward 84%, Morrison 70%, Frederick 63%), 1 more score involvement, 2 more goal assists, 1 less inside 50. Looks pretty even!
Thanks to the HI crew for consistently great material on our club. If anything, yesterday’s loss highlighted our deficiencies, which have been evident throughout the season:
- Lack of speed and pressure in our forward line when the ball hits the ground, has repeatedly seen the ball pinged out of our forward line and put our defence under real pressure. With the loss of Wingard and likely departure of Brockman, this is a part of the ground that needs to be rectified. The development of Butler and a trade (Kai Lohman?) is a real priority.
- A partner for Mitch Lewis is so important. in the 15 games he played, we were 6-9, with competitive losses against StKilda, Richmond, GWS and Bulldogs. Perhaps we already have that player on our list with Denver and it would be great to see him have a big pre-season as he brings real energy to our forward line. While Ryan had a tough day, he’s shown enough to deserve a contract and it would be interesting to see what he could do with an AFL pre-season
- While he’s had a good month, this issues in playing Finn have been highlighted in the past two weeks, in that he is totally one dimensional. If the tag is either not working or is required to be removed, then Finn has nothing to offer. Are we better getting games into someone like Mackenzie? I think the answer is yes.
- There’s a lack of speed, when we don’t have Bramble / Jiath in the team, with the only real line breakers being Weddle and Impey. Developing CJ into a winger – he has the perfect athletic profile for that role - must be a priority over summer. While Josh Ward's finish to the season has been below his best, he's never played wing before this season and had enough good games to give us confidence he'll make it as an Andrew Gaff type
- While it’s been good to see Amon show that he can play a defensive role, his delivery in the front two thirds of the ground is where he’s more damaging. Let’s see him played in that role with a rotation among CJ and Ward in season 2024
- Big Ned needs help and playing Kosi forward for ¾ of the game isn’t the answer, nor is Meek as the sub. He’s still raw, but perhaps Ramsden needs to get more senior opportunity next year as he has the attributes to play that forward / ruck role
- Our kicking inside 50 was terrible and even when we had periods of the game where we had control, we were repeatedly let down by poor entries. This has to be a big focus of the 2024 pre-season.
Will be fascinating to see what we do trade and draft wise, but there's an opportunity to bring in some more high-end talent, albeit offset by the likely loss of Brocky.
Mitchell is the other leg speed option who has "disappeared" in the last few games, particularly as he won't play for BH in their finals' campaign.
Yes, that's true Mick. He went from Rising Star nominee to Box Hill player very quickly. One thing that's become a worry this season is Jarman Impey's tendency to turn the ball over. It's perhaps something to watch, but Mitchell does have leg speed and skill and does shape as a similar player.
Agree Stuart particularly Impey's first quarter was haphazard - I wonder if he was trying to get some drive into the team which was lacklustre.
Thanks guys very nice effort and appreciate all the great content
Not a good showing by the team
Surprising that Freo has the same age and experience profile as the Hawks
We lacked cohesion and we proved yet again you cannot win without forwards
Would love to see us pick up some forward talent..Duursma in the draft and/or Georgiades via trade
What was learnt (TBH not much new):
1. Last week of the school year - With the end of season individual reviews done, it looked as though the players were like the students in their last week of the year knowing that with the report written what was there to be gained. It was a bit of an issue if the group is to progress to the next level of professionalism.
2. Selection reflected the previous point - Playing Scrimshaw forward, along with Ryan who hadn't played for the previous two rounds as well as losing weight, meant that our forward 50 was going to lack even more cohesion than the previous 6-8 weeks. Along with Meek as the sub, made another query as to what was the aim of the game.
With Freo playing Hambling allowing them to throw Cox forward also reflected a similar attitude towards to the game as well as indicating that they didn't have to play their top level defenders in their back half.
With departure of Brockman meaning that he wasn't being selected, the other inference that could be drawn that Greene is unlikely to be offered another contract.
(Further to this, when the F50 had Sicily & Hardwick playing forward with Scrimshaw, supporters may have had to check which was we were kicking.)
3. Playing a future competitor - If one believes in finals' windows, then Freo is likely to be a side that will be one of the competitors for a spot, albeit a year or two ahead of us, but there will be some overlap.
Leaving aside the relative experience, the major difference was the genuine leg speed that Freo had compared to us, particularly through the midfield transition and on turnover.
4. Clean centre clearances - Whilst the stats had us winning the centre clearances, to the eye, it appeared that when we had the chance to go forward, there were a number of times that we either slipped or fumbled the clearance in the next link in the chain. Will Day looked to be playing on ice skating rink at times in the centre square.
Observations:
* "Speed kills" - The ball can be moved quickly either by clean foot skills or leg speed, as it stands, we rely mainly on the former rather than the latter. Without Seamus off half back, the lack of genuine leg speed is an area that stood out in this game, particularly with the spread from midfield contests.
* Turnovers at the start and the end (as well as in between) - the first quarter indicated that it was going to be a long day given it took 8 minutes to kick the first goal which was preceded by a number of turnovers e.g. Morrison & Impey being the early culprits. Similarly, in the last quarter, Will Day's last two kicks going forward were both inexplicable direct turnovers to Freo players - one I50 and the other at the back of the centre square.
* When Amon was playing on a clever forward (Walters), he lack of defensive awareness was an issue. For a small period in the 2nd quarter, after Walters goal, he went back to the wing to reset the back half.
* Another small progression with Reeves in actually making a contribution to the centre square clearances.
* Tracking Finn - Ryan (tag), Serong (tag), Schulz (team balance with Hardwick forward) - whilst versatile, I'm not sure playing "whack a mole" with a lockdown player is the strategic move, but it did reflect the selection quandary for the day.
* Midfield handball/kick ratio - there is a need for this imbalance to be rectified over the pre-season.
Dumb decisions/coach killers - for the first game I can recall there wasn't an obvious act to full into this category which may be a growth indicator or reflect the lack of intensity in the game.
(To all who make a contribution, it is always interesting to read the range of perspectives that supporters have of the games, which does make you think about your own.)
Really love your contributions Mick and as you say reading others' views does challenge your own. Have also loved your training and likely selection insights from track watching, which has given me a great deal of credibility in our family. Overall, I think it's been a positive season, obviously there's plenty more to do and gaps that needs filled, but despite some drubbings, it feels like a year of progress. So important to get our trade / draft decisions right over the next few months.
Again concur Stuart.
As Rob McCarthy indicated that the second part of the season was going to be better than the first did come to fruition. Reflecting on the first 6 games, it did look to be an optimistic prognostication, however the overall development is sound in terms of game plan, with the need to enhance the personnel to become both more consistent and competitive.
Hmmm, Henry and Frederick gave Morrison and Ward a "bath" on the wings? Morrison/Ward combined v Henry/Frederick: 2 more possessions, 1 less mark, 1 less tackle, 1 less pressure act, higher disposal efficiency (Henry 86%, Ward 84%, Morrison 70%, Frederick 63%), 1 more score involvement, 2 more goal assists, 1 less inside 50. Looks pretty even!