Midfield is still more of a problem than the forward line...

[Clay Davis]

Quality over quantity. But yeah, our forward line is a hell of a lot weaker than our midfield. 14.3/14.10 suggests that yet again we are just not converting our opportunities. Midfield still needs to lift and get first hands on the ball.

Don't know where you pulled that stat from? We are 6th worst in the comp for marks inside 50 and inside 50's.

From the OP:

More marks inside 50 for us today. More shots on goal.

From the stats:

http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/16931/Default.aspx#fixtureid=7708&tab=Stats

 

[believe_it]

Tonight we often got our hands on the ball first in the middle of the pack, but we couldn't feed it out. Gold Coast seemed to get hold of the ball on the outside of the pack and run away with it. Frustratingly they always seemed to have the next receiver waiting for the handpass, always one step ahead of their man. We got no clean ball around the packs.

This is spot on. Most of the top midfields of the last few years seem to be drilled in this manner. They appear to move in a group and run the ball out in formation .
However Freo has always had a very random nature to the way we get the ball out. One meter handballs to flat-footed players playing hot potato then occasionally somebody breaking free.

 

[wehavethepassion]

This is spot on. Most of the top midfields of the last few years seem to be drilled in this manner. They appear to move in a group and run the ball out in formation .
However Freo has always had a very random nature to the way we get the ball out. One meter handballs to flat-footed players playing hot potato then occasionally somebody breaking free.

Spot on. Lyon mentioned in his presser that up to Suns game we hadn't conceded a goal from a stopage.

V suns we conceded 9!!

 

[Clay Davis]

Also, while we had more 'scores', six of those were rushed behind versus one rushed behind to Gold Coast. That means we only had one more scoring shot than them.

Despite having 11 more inside 50s, we only really yielded one more shot at goal. If anyone thinks the forward line isn't the problem they're kidding themselves.

 

[KePLOW]

There's a bit of hysterics going on here. I understand why, if I had been made to watch us almost lose to the Suns live I'd have been far too busy throwing things at the tele than to register any of the positives to come out of the game! Luckily then I had the pleasure of watching the reply knowing full well we had the 4 points...

I personally ain't too worried about our midfield. We did manage to match it with Carlton after all last week.

I honestly dun understand the Barlow disappointment - he was very good last night. Extracted the ball well and generally hit his targets. I know we all desperately want him to rediscover what ever that spark of his was that made him one of the best players in the AFL for a short time - but in the interim he's doing more than just fine. Let's not set the bar too high for him just yet, eh?

Mundy was really flat though. Looks so classy every time the ball's in his hands. A lot less so if he's a yard or two off the action. I'm hoping he was just underdone... if not then I'm sure that Lyon can iron out any laconic tendencies in his game over time to bring him up to the top bracket of elite midfielders.

Ballas work ethic was fantastic. I for one really like him in the midfield... but having said this now that Mellington's out for a chunk of the year I'm tending to agree with many that he might have a greater impact back in the forward line.

The best thing of all was that while under siege our game-plan kept us in the contest and unlike last week (or last year!!?!) this time we found a way to win. Yes that was an uninspiring effort from the boys and I would have expected much better. But four points is four points - job done, let's move on to bigger and better things.

 

[Ysaye]

There's a bit of hysterics going on here. I understand why, if I had been made to watch us almost lose to the Suns live I'd have been far too busy throwing things at the tele than to register any of the positives to come out of the game! Luckily then I had the pleasure of watching the reply knowing full well we had the 4 points...

I personally ain't too worried about our midfield. We did manage to match it with Carlton after all last week.

I honestly dun understand the Barlow disappointment - he was very good last night. Extracted the ball well and generally hit his targets. I know we all desperately want him to rediscover what ever that spark of his was that made him one of the best players in the AFL for a short time - but in the interim he's doing more than just fine. Let's not set the bar too high for him just yet, eh?

Mundy was really flat though. Looks so classy every time the ball's in his hands. A lot less so if he's a yard or two off the action. I'm hoping he was just underdone... if not then I'm sure that Lyon can iron out any laconic tendencies in his game over time to bring him up to the top bracket of elite midfielders.

Ballas work ethic was fantastic. I for one really like him in the midfield... but having said this now that Mellington's out for a chunk of the year I'm tending to agree with many that he might have a greater impact back in the forward line.

The best thing of all was that while under siege our game-plan kept us in the contest and unlike last week (or last year!!?!) this time we found a way to win. Yes that was an uninspiring effort from the boys and I would have expected much better. But four points is four points - job done, let's move on to bigger and better things.

Agree with that Kaplow. do think Ballantyne is really a better player down forward though.

 

[prattsta]

We're certainly lacking some class/polish through the midfield at the moment because of injuries. However, we've matched every midfield - other than St Kilda - in the key stats for the season so far.

Hill - Mundy - Fyfe
Sandilands - Barlow - Crowley

Injuries and conditioning is the biggest issue with that group. Mundy isn't fit. Fyfe isn't playing. Hill was injured on Saturday. Sandilands isn't playing. Barlow hasn't quite got that first step back - he may not - and is still adjusting. Crowley is fit/healthy and performing well.

Depth wise I don't think it's ever looked as good. Pearce, Mzungu, Ballantyne, Pavlich, Broughton, Morabito and Neale have all shown something.

It's our structure up forward that is the problem. A lot of those problems stem from how we're playing defense. Playing a loose man back, relying on midfielders flooding back, pushing the forwards up the ground etc. It's having a flow on effect up forward.

 

[Lach72]

We're certainly lacking some class/polish through the midfield at the moment because of injuries. However, we've matched every midfield - other than St Kilda - in the key stats for the season so far.

Hill - Mundy - Fyfe
Sandilands - Barlow - Crowley

Injuries and conditioning is the biggest issue with that group. Mundy isn't fit. Fyfe isn't playing. Hill was injured on Saturday. Sandilands isn't playing. Barlow hasn't quite got that first step back - he may not - and is still adjusting. Crowley is fit/healthy and performing well.

Depth wise I don't think it's ever looked as good. Pearce, Mzungu, Ballantyne, Pavlich, Broughton, Morabito and Neale have all shown something.

It's our structure up forward that is the problem. A lot of those problems stem from how we're playing defense. Playing a loose man back, relying on midfielders flooding back, pushing the forwards up the ground etc. It's having a flow on effect up forward.

It seems to me Lyon doesn't yet have confidence in the mids, that we are not controlling the center well enough to take the spare man out?

 

[Lach72]

Having said that, I'd like us to play with at least a permanent 4 four man forward line, with one playing quite deep.

If Pav or Clarke hover around the goal square they must be supervised. Couple that with a nippy small and we have a chnce to break even at least with a quick kick into out forward line.

It drags player out of the congestion creating space for them and the attacking mids to run into.

 

[Kickett Punches Read]

It seems to me Lyon doesn't yet have confidence in the mids, that we are not controlling the center well enough to take the spare man out?

I agree with this... im not sure he rates the talent coming through.

what was most concerning for me about the midfield, was the fact that the suns seemed to have so many more numbers around the contest, their appitite for the contest seemed far greater than ours, and this resulted in 9 goals from stoppages

 

[Paracleet]

I agree with this... im not sure he rates the talent coming through.

what was most concerning for me about the midfield, was the fact that the suns seemed to have so many more numbers around the contest, their appitite for the contest seemed far greater than ours, and this resulted in 9 goals from stoppages

It's swings and round-abouts though KPR. Yes the Suns often got more players up to both the defensive side of stoppages and also running forward of them but these players either couldn't track back or weren't running hard enough defensively. Hence allot of their turnovers, and the cleanances they didn't win, lead to goals/shots/inside 50's.
For mine the Suns seem to practicing a high risk / reward gameplan that could prove deadly when their midfield matures but for all their great clearance work and run forward they don't work hard enough the other way to prevent the opposition getting scoring opportunities.

 

[Lach72]

It's swings and round-abouts though KPR. Yes the Suns often got more players up to both the defensive side of stoppages and also running forward of them but these players either couldn't track back or weren't running hard enough defensively. Hence allot of their turnovers, and the cleanances they didn't win, lead to goals/shots/inside 50's.
For mine the Suns seem to practicing a high risk / reward gameplan that could prove deadly when their midfield matures but for all their great clearance work and run forward they don't work hard enough the other way to prevent the opposition getting scoring opportunities.

Given the maturity of their squad and the injuries they got mid game, I doubt they actually can for any length of time without blowing up completely

 

[prattsta]

It seems to me Lyon doesn't yet have confidence in the mids, that we are not controlling the center well enough to take the spare man out?

There is probably some merit in that.

Then again, if Duffield, Ibbotson and Johnson could defend 1-on-1 it would make it easier for the midfield. We're pushing our forwards high; which leaves the opposition with an extra player through the middle of the ground.

 

[Lach72]

There is probably some merit in that.

Then again, if Duffield, Ibbotson and Johnson could defend 1-on-1 it would make it easier for the midfield. We're pushing our forwards high; which leaves the opposition with an extra player through the middle of the ground.

He's the main issue.
Ibbotson and Johnson aren't too bad.

The loose man helps cover Duffield's deficiencies.

If I was coaching opposition teams, he's have a lot of ball raining on his head

 

[apuchar]

Midfield lacks a bit of class and depth of class against the good midfield's in the comp. Hopefully, some of the new guys can step up and we get guys like Fyfe, Morabito and Lower back in soon.

 

[Kickett Punches Read]

Midfield lacks a bit of class and depth of class against the good midfield's in the comp. Hopefully, some of the new guys can step up and we get guys like Fyfe, Morabito and Lower back in soon.

fyfe's season is over according to lyon

morabito is a way from playing yet

lower will be a good inclusion when he gets over his quad

 

[apuchar]

fyfe's season is over according to lyon

morabito is a way from playing yet

lower will be a good inclusion when he gets over his quad

Thanks for the info KPR. Even if it is a little depressing.
Big chance for some of the new boys to get some game time.

 

[Kickett Punches Read]

Thanks for the info KPR. Even if it is a little depressing.
Big chance for some of the new boys to get some game time.

no worries, i should clarify though, the morabito comment is personal opinion not something that ross said.... fyfe and lower comments were made in the after match conference on the weekend

 

[strobe00]

which is why we need goddard than cloke

How is Goddard going to help our leg speed?

He's not quick.

Great kick, and very smart. But not quick.

 

[strobe00]

Also, while we had more 'scores', six of those were rushed behind versus one rushed behind to Gold Coast. That means we only had one more scoring shot than them.

Despite having 11 more inside 50s, we only really yielded one more shot at goal. If anyone thinks the forward line isn't the problem they're kidding themselves.

The forward line is definitely an issue, but our work in the midfield was the real problem today. Against a bunch of kids, with their midfield guns out (and Swallow injured) our mids just about broke even. I think if anything, GC's midfield was better on the day.

Pav was put into the midfield to help win more of the clearances. It seemed to help, so he was there quite a bit. Took away from our forward structure, certainly. But Mundy, Barlow, Crowley and the other fellas rotating through the midfield weren't really doing the job today.

He's the main issue.

Ibbotson and Johnson aren't too bad.

The loose man helps cover Duffield's deficiencies.

If I was coaching opposition teams, he's have a lot of ball raining on his head

Agree with this. Don't remember seeing MJ lose many (if any contests) all day, and saw him win quite a few. Ibbo is generally a good one-on-one defender. Rioli will make most defenders look stupid. However, Duffield is absolutely a weak one on one defender. He also can not win contested ball. His use of the ball by foot is very handy, but he's a definite weakness that smart teams will eventually look to exploit.

Will be interesting to see how Forster develops.


Our game plan seems to rely quite a bit on fast breaking and counter attacking. Still don't understand why we can't leave (for example) Clarke on his own at CHF when the ball is in our defence, to provide a target in the forward 50 when we break back. Heaps of times we had no one to kick to on the break.

 

[malpaso]

I think it's an issue with our player's backing each other in when we go forward, we are too slow to react and when we do, not enough actually push hard and to creative space.

It is probably due to our propensity to turn it over so our players are hanging back that extra bit in case this occurs. Every weekend other teams are scoring on big surges forward often gambling that their teammate is going to win the one on one.

 

[apuchar]

I think it's an issue with our player's backing each other in when we go forward, we are too slow to react and when we do, not enough actually push hard and to creative space.

It is probably due to our propensity to turn it over so our players are hanging back that extra bit in case this occurs. Every weekend other teams are scoring on big surges forward often gambling that their teammate is going to win the one on one.

yep. It's a long run back after one of our many turnovers.

 

[malpaso]

Quite interesting to watch the Eagles games and how many times they blindly handball to a spot during stoppages knowing that there should be a teammate positioned there, sure enough there is and off they go. Kerr and Priddis did it on numerous occasions.

Our spread around stoppages is too condensed, ball comes out and off go the opposition. GC ripped us on it.

 

[Nickos66]

So does this mean the Pav will win our B&F again this year by default?

 

[apuchar]

Quite interesting to watch the Eagles games and how many times they blindly handball to a spot during stoppages knowing that there should be a teammate positioned there, sure enough there is and off they go. Kerr and Priddis did it on numerous occasions.

Our spread around stoppages is too condensed, ball comes out and off go the opposition. GC ripped us on it.

Without being awful, i thought we looked like amateurs around the stoppages. Probably because a lot of our midfield have been manufactured e.g Mundy, Ballantyne, Broughton, Crowley is really a defensive midfielder, Pearce, Duffield and Mzungu.