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Mick Cowan's avatar

What was learnt:

1. Quality over quantity is a risky way to run a forward line – Whilst some business models may work based on quality over quantity, when it comes to inside 50s, there is merit in preferring quantity over quality. As Mitchell observed in the pre-season documentary, post the Cats practice match, 40 inside 50s isn’t going to win many games across the season, so in one respect, the fact that we were able to have quality inside 50’s kicking 11.3 from set shots allowed us to post a defendable score against the Saints who have only scored more than 80 points since Round 5.

2. Midfield lacked cohesion and clean hands – With Worpel’s return, the midfield mix was again re-jigged which meant that the clear benefit of Meek’s dominance wasn’t maximized around the clearances. As per his return earlier in the year, Worpel wasn’t clean around the contest, so it may be a pattern that could indicate if he misses 3+ games, he may not be an automatic return. Similarly, Mackenzie’s desire to seek the “perfect” over the “practical” meant we lost momentum when he didn’t take the first option when he had the ball. From a practical perspective, it was highlighted in the 3rd quarter when Meek punched the ball from the centre bounce clear of the congestion, however it wasn’t clear if the mids were aware of this tactic.

3. Jiath played with fire and was burnt twice – As is his want, Jiath twice played Russian roulette and lost on both occasions. The first was in the 3rd quarter when he went 3rd (or 4th) man up in a marking contest, leaving Owen crumbing the pack and goaling, after he failed to kill the contest. Similarly, in the last quarter, when NWM hit Sharman up 20 metres from goal, Jiath had looked to defend the goal line in case NWM took the shot from the boundary line himself. In both scenarios, a defender is obliged to defend their opponent, unless they are sure they can win or at least halve the contest. In a close game, these decisions are vital.

4. Sometimes can you be too smart for yourself? – In subbing Mitchell for Ramsden, it seemed that the coach was looking to use Mitchell as a defensive forward to limit the offensive work of NWM and/or Sinclair. Not having played this role at Box Hill in recent times or ever, it didn’t have the impact that had been hoped for in making the change. Lyon moved NWM into the middle and Seamus couldn’t provide an option in the forward half. It also meant that Nash had to do the ruck work in the later part of the game; something that Ramsden had been effective in the first half, along with his contested marking. Interesting that it wasn’t Impey moved forward to play this role, which was one he played earlier in his career.

5. The wingers hitting the scoreboard – For possibly the first time, both Morrison and D’Ambrosio (from around 50 metres with the stand rule) kicked goals in the same game and each was important in a low scoring game. When you consider Newcombe’s goal as well, the midfield contribution to the scoreboard was significant.

Observations:

• If Meek could take the marks he gets his hands to, then he would be in the discussion as one of the elite ruck men in the competition.

• Macdonald is having a relatively quiet run over the past month.

• Nash’s clearance work in the last quarter whilst not pretty and possibly measured ineffective, was important to give us territory in these early contests.

• With the return of Hardwick to the back 6, Impey has been released to provide run and carry from the back half.

• Barrass looks to have strengthened his connection with the other backs and his ability to take the big forward has been important.

• Moore looked to become a little goal focused in the last quarter, kicking 1.3 when a couple of his behinds, he could’ve set up a teammate, something Watson did with Nash who then found D’Ambrosio.

• Again, we were caught out in stoppages deep in the back line conceding two goals (Hall x2) – this has been a quiet watch over the season.

• 0 disposals quarters – Jiath (3rd quarter)

• Tackle count by quarter – 10/24; 15/19; 11/22; 13/17

• I50 count by quarter – 10/13; 8/12; 11/12; 13/16

• TOG % - Bottom 5 (leaving out subs): Mackenzie 59% Watson 67% Worpel 71% Nash 74% Jiath 75%. (Battle Hardwick 92% highest.)

• Kicking efficiency (DE): Battle 100% (91), Morrison 90% (89), Sicily 89% (75), Barrass 88% (92), Jiath 85% (89) Ramsden 88% (83), Jiath 86% (87).

Nash 27% (47), Worpel 28% (43), Chol 50% (43), Mackenzie 57% (64), Meek 57% (65)

– as per earlier point, it is worth noting 4 midfield roles being in the lowest kicking efficiency doesn’t assist with the ball movement, notwithstanding Meek, Nash & Worpel are predominantly inside the contests.

Starting 4: (CBA/CC)

1st Qrt: Newcombe (24/3) Nash (17/1) Ward (15/0)

2nd Qrt: Newcombe Ward Worpel (15/0)

3rd Qrt: Newcombe Nash Ward

4th Qrt: Newcombe Nash Worpel

Meek 24/1 Mackenzie 8/0 Chol 3/1 Watson 1/0 Moore 1/1

(Morrison 0/1)

The return of Worpel meant Mackenzie lost CBAs down from 17 last week which possibly indicates the pecking order as well as impact on the contest. It is interesting that both Watson and Moore who have the burst of speed from the contest only shared 2 CBAs, given that the mids weren’t generally clean in the clearances as mentioned earlier.

Issue for the week:

To qualify for the finals, this game is one of four (others being Crows, Pies & Lions) that are going determine whether we make the Top 8. Historically, 14 wins with a reasonable percentage would ensure that you are playing in September, however this year, given the gap between the Top 9 and Bottom 9 teams, it is becoming conceivable that 15 games may be needed to ensure your September spot. With Fremantle and Crows being our immediate competitors for a finals’ spot, this game has even more significance. If we were to drop a match outside of this group, then we probably don’t deserve to be there.

(Note: The Swans have done us huge favour, so we need to cement this advantage as Freo has a similar run home to ours in terms of opponents.)

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Gary Bice's avatar

Would say a desperate move to take Ramsden off who was going well and the more game time he gets the better he will come on I would say he wanted Seamus on to curb their main ball winner may have helped a bit but back fired

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