Preview NAB Cup Rd 1 - Collingwood vs Essendon vs Bulldogs - 15/2/13 @6:45pm

[Quicky]

So it's one week out from our first hit-out for the season. The irony of playing Essendon straight up has not escaped me and adds an extra pinch of spice to what may have otherwise been an uneventful preseason game. We have seen our first glimpse of the players in action at thismornings intra-club match with the usual players standing out but also encouraging signs from Macaffer and Didak and the new faces of Broomhead, Martin, Young and Lynch. A few questions:

• Who are you most interested in seeing play?
• What do you want to see trialled this year?
• What are the trial rules for the NAB cup season?

 

[TradeDraft]

Can Hardly Wait to Next Friday and get back to Going to the Footy

Looking at Forward seeing the New Players in Black and White

 

[JOELY]

I think we're going to be rotating a lot of players through the NAB games. We did a similar thing last year and most fit players made an appearance.

 

[Avatar]

Obviously looking forward to seeing all the new recruits, young and old.

Most excited to see dids and krak though, excited from today's reports on their form and believe we need at least one of them to have a very good year including finals to be a real chance. Both fit and firing early will fill me with joy.

 

[Quicky]

Obviously looking forward to seeing all the new recruits, young and old.

Most excited to see dids and krak though, excited from today's reports on their form and believe we need at least one of them to have a very good year including finals to be a real chance. Both fit and firing early will fill me with joy.

Yeah really looking forward to seeing a fit Dids. I thought a half limp Dids went alright last year tbh, though most disagree.

The crumbing power of Krakatoa is going to be a sight for saw eyes.

I'm very keen to see how Broomhandle goes going off his encouraging intra-club game and LeCafeteria has always been a favourite of mine. We miss his relentless forward tackling.

I'm also keen to see Youngs first bomb to a pack in front of Big Q-Tip! He could break the ground in half let alone the poor bastards in front of him

 

[Avatar]

Young really needs a nickname (or three) before he'll fit in.

I think I've read at least 5 for caff alone tonight.

 

[Quicky]

Young really needs a nickname (or three) before he'll fit in.

I think I've read at least 5 for caff alone tonight.

The Boot?

I think i've been responsible for a couple of LeCafe's tonight. I'm guessing the other culprit was Old Spice. Such an awesomely adaptable name!

 

[eddiebankbalance]

Yeah look, I' in Perth, 3 hrs behind Melb, any know if this is on Foxtel or shown live in local pubs?

 

[Avatar]

The Boot?

I think i've been responsible for a couple of LeCafe's tonight. I'm guessing the other culprit was Old Spice. Such an awesomely adaptable name!

That can work, for now at least.
Dermie II could be an option. Hawks -> Swans -> Magpies. Or is that a little harsh?

 

[juzzo]

Yeah look, I' in Perth, 3 hrs behind Melb, any know if this is on Foxtel or shown live in local pubs?

Will be live on Fox Footy.

 

[Cory]

Well firstly I can't wait to see how the Q-Stick goes, I'll be going next week so it'll be my first time seeing him live.But secondly I want to see how Russell and Young go also and what they add to the team.

 

[Ed D]

Do we play games 1 and 3? Meaning we can make a lot of changes between games?

 

[juzzo]

Do we play games 1 and 3? Meaning we can make a lot of changes between games?

2 & 3

 

[Ed D]

Ahh ok, what are the squad sizes like this year? They've brought in the 20 rotations per quarter didn't they? Or is that just the full games? Normally there is an article by the AFL posted on this sort of thing.

 

[juzzo]

Ahh ok, what are the squad sizes like this year? They've brought in the 20 rotations per quarter didn't they? Or is that just the full games? Normally there is an article by the AFL posted on this sort of thing.

You mean this? http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-02-02/interchange-cap-set-at-20
No cap for 1st round. 6 on the bench(with 2 subs iirc). We should still be able to make changes between games though.

 

[Avatar]

Quarter by quarter analysis of player GPS data and game statistics for 2011 and 2012 illustrate some of the trends associated with reducing player speed due to fatigue. When player speed is at its lowest in the second halves of games and last quarters, the game opens up, with attacking statistics (effective kicks, long kicks, contested marks, running bounces and scoring) more prevalent, and defensive statistics such as tackles and congestion less prevalent. It therefore follows that a restriction on interchange use would be likely to positively influence congestion throughout the game and attacking statistics. This relationship will be further examined.

Hmmm maybe it's the old noggin not functioning at 100% atm but the bolded doesn't seem to fit with what they said prior. I am assuming by positively influence congestion they mean reduce congestion (which in itself is a very subjective statement) and if so does anyone else think this doesn't make sense?

 

[juzzo]

Analysis shows that slowing down the play reduces congestion.
Slowing down the play is achieved by fatiguing the players.
Fatiguing the players is achieved by restricting the interchange.
Makes sense to me.

 

[Tbone McGraw]

Personally just hoping for no major injuries especially against those big bodies at Essendon.

Is something going on there?

 

[Ed D]

You mean this? http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-02-02/interchange-cap-set-at-20
No cap for 1st round. 6 on the bench(with 2 subs iirc). We should still be able to make changes between games though.

Thanks, that's what I was thinking about. So 24 players in each game with no rotation limitations, and I'm guessing the club can make a couple of changes between games too. Should be good to see a few of the guys running around!

As for the interchange cap, I've never bought into what the AFL has said about it, and their stance has changed over the years. First it was about injuries, then it changed to seeing the best players playing each week, now it's congestion.

 

[mattys123]

A few questions:

• Who are you most interested in seeing play?
• What do you want to see trialled this year?
• What are the trial rules for the NAB cup season?

Broomhead and the mature aged VFL recruits are the players I really want to see play, they are the players who will add depth to our midfield rotation this year I believe.

I want to see our ball movement improve, both in speed an accuracy. Last year we had trouble moving the ball quickly (and getting killed in the other direction) against the best teams, so I'm hoping the introduction of the likes of Russell, Young, Lynch and co will improve our ball movement and make us a more dangerous side going forward.

All I could find on rule changes;

4.2.2 Other NAB Cup changes
 Nine point super goal
 Boundary & Goal Umpires allowed to pay holding and high contact frees
 Deliberate OOB for any kick or handball OOB without being touched by another player
 Umpire coaches permitted to communicate with on-field umpires
All approved rule/interpretation changes for the 2013 Premiership Season will be trialled in the 2013 NAB Cup in addition to the NAB Cup only trial rules stated above.

And of course the above mentioned interchange cap.

 

[Scodog10]

I know its a little off topic from the OP, but there are two key things I'd like to see from us throughout the entire NAB cup and a few smaller things that I'll be pleased if I see in patches with an eye toward the season. The two KPI's that I'm desperate to see are.

• increased defensive pressure through the midfield

• increased accountability in defense

The two go hand in hand, but we were exposed badly in these two areas in most of our losses last year (can't particularly comment on the Prelim because I was at Oktoberfest at the time). Losing Ball crippled our defensive pressure and while I don't believe we need a tagger a greater emphasis on two way running in 2013 is a must.

Also at times our defense was too offensively minded with O'Brien and Shaw being the main culprits. IMO Shaw's at his best when he has a balance of both (the best I've ever seen him play was a lock down role on Brad Johnson where Johnson didn't touch it and Shaw had 30) O'Brien just needs to get better one on one period. We got smashed when those two are more offense than defense and it's coupled with the zoning off of Maxwell, the constant injuries to Brown, Reid, Keeffe, Johnson and Tarrant and the inexperience of Williams.....

As for the other things I'd like to see.

• sharper ball movement

• increased output from our role players

Both of these areas we need to improve on, but I believe we can go a long way still even if the improvements are slight so as long as I see this in patches next week and throughout the NAB cup I'll be pleased.

Transitioning from defense to offense seemed a weakness in 2012, basically we just didn't turn enough R50's into quick I50's, this resulted in Cloke being double teamed far too often and considering we go to him so often it needed to be better. The additions of Lynch and Young will help in this area, but there are still tweaks to be made.

IMO we had three role players have career best seasons in 2012 in Fasolo, Goldsack and Blair (apologies if I missed anyone) I'd like to see that number reach 5-6 in 2013. I'd probably be looking at the likes of Toovey having the sort of season he did in 2011, Brown, Macaffer, Krakouer having a 2011 type season and Didak regaining some magic (not a 2010 type season, but a 15-20 ppg and 20-25 goal season would be fantastic). Plus further improvement and impact from the likes of Seedsman, Elliott, Williams and Sinclair. We all know what to expect from our stars, but if the blokes I mentioned above are showing signs of improvement on 2012 I'll be chuffed.

As for the newbies I'm most look forward to Broomhead, Martin, and Frost showing that they could be the next wave of depth and role players for 2013 and 2014.

I know this is a lot to ask for in a month long series of practice matches, however outside of the first two KPI's I'm just after signs/ glimpses of the rest. Oh and no injuries please!!!

 

[Bay Pie]

Better defence from opposition kick ins and something more positive from our own kick ins.

That and some glimpses of some the new players, both experienced and draftees along with Dids, Krak and LeCatheter

 

[Cory]

2 & 3

Great, means I don't have to go to the game early! .

 

[76woodenspooners]

Personally, I'm hoping to see ...

1. A solid kick-in strategy ... at both ends.
2. More forward line pressure.
3. Better crumbing from our small forwards.
4. What Witts is capable of.
5. A standout performance from one or two of our new recruits.
6. A big stepup performance from one or two of our 2012 fringe players.
7. No injuries.
8. Caff playing again.

 

[Maggie5]

I'll be there level 2 Section 38, taking the grand-kids.
Looking forward to:
Lynch, Young and Russell (old brigade)
the President (Kennedy) and Clean Sweep (Broomhead), and of course
The Caff
Changes in game plan