Analysis Ricks Analysis (The Shinboner Blog)

[Rick18]

G'day Rick, do you think Kallan Dawson can play a role in the back seven, or is purely depth at this stage ?

Depth to start I think - behind McKay/Logue/Corr for those key position roles.

But when it comes to Saturday, I'm very interested to see team selection. Looks like Darling will probably be fit, which means West Coast's forward line will have him, Allen, and the second ruck (either Jamieson or Williams, both 200+ cm). If Logue takes Allen, are you asking Corr (assuming he's ready to go) to play tall on the ruck ... but then Bonar on Darling has me a little concerned.

Corr on Darling sounds better, but Bonar on the ruck is a bit iffy. Maybe Dawson's a chance on Saturday so the match ups are better.

 

[Rick18]

Post up for the West Coast win (as I laugh at my most recent post above this talking about matchups): Round 1, 2023 v West Coast: Plans and communication

From start to finish I was struck by how everyone, as silly as it sounds, knew what they were supposed to be doing. So there's a lot about that, along with the theory behind the ruck setup after Xerri's injury and the compound benefits North got from it.

All the individual fun stuff (Sheezel, LDU, Powell, etc) will come in a separate post on Tuesday morning.

 

[Istanbul Roo]

Thanks Rick, great stuff!

 

[Colby Cheer Squad]

Excellent read as always. You mention a number of little things contributing to the Weagles eating into the 34 point deficit and on watching the replay, I noted how it coincided with the subbing off of one of their rucks for a rebounding player in Petrucelle, who didn't impact the game at all but wasn't a liability like their ruck was. It points to the almost hypothetical in hindsight conclusion (if such a thing is possible) that the gamble to go in with one ruck instead of two was the better choice for those conditions.

 

[sutcliffe's hotel]

Post up for the West Coast win (as I laugh at my most recent post above this talking about matchups): Round 1, 2023 v West Coast: Plans and communication

From start to finish I was struck by how everyone, as silly as it sounds, knew what they were supposed to be doing. So there's a lot about that, along with the theory behind the ruck setup after Xerri's injury and the compound benefits North got from it.

All the individual fun stuff (Sheezel, LDU, Powell, etc) will come in a separate post on Tuesday morning.

Excellent, as always. Thanks Rick.

Especially loved reading how Cunners & Comben conferenced and corrected.

 

[Rick18]

Excellent read as always. You mention a number of little things contributing to the Weagles eating into the 34 point deficit and on watching the replay, I noted how it coincided with the subbing off of one of their rucks for a rebounding player in Petrucelle, who didn't impact the game at all but wasn't a liability like their ruck was. It points to the almost hypothetical in hindsight conclusion (if such a thing is possible) that the gamble to go in with one ruck instead of two was the better choice for those conditions.

Yes agreed, I should have mentioned that as well. I think it was also a tick for how the Comben-Greenwood strategy worked to nullify the West Coast rucks, because obviously the Eagles don't make that sub if they feel like they've got an edge at stoppages.

 

[blackshadow]

Great read thank you!

 

[Rick18]

As promised, an extra player post talking about four individuals: North Melbourne Player Focus: Round 1 v West Coast

Wanted to talk about Sheezel (because of course), LDU (now that he's entering the next stage of his career), Ziebell (with what he did down back), and Powell (highlighting a couple of plays he wouldn't have been able to make up until now).

 

[Makeshift Park]

As promised, an extra player post talking about four individuals: North Melbourne Player Focus: Round 1 v West Coast

Wanted to talk about Sheezel (because of course), LDU (now that he's entering the next stage of his career), Ziebell (with what he did down back), and Powell (highlighting a couple of plays he wouldn't have been able to make up until now).

Nice work as always.

Can I ask you to elaborate on this line?

If I’m looking at it correctly, I’d expect bulk reshuffling across the Goater/Bergman positions as the right mix is looked for.

What do you mean by bulk reshuffling? The only available upgrade I can think of is TT.

But it sounds like you're expecting a more considerable reorganisation of personnel?

I felt like Goater and Bergman's ball use was quite effective compared to what we're used to from the defensive half.

Could it not just be an acknowledgement that there's still heaps of room for improvement? (not surprising, given there's about 1.1 AFL games' prior experience between Sheezel, Goater and Bergman)

 

[Liam Boy]

As promised, an extra player post talking about four individuals: North Melbourne Player Focus: Round 1 v West Coast

Wanted to talk about Sheezel (because of course), LDU (now that he's entering the next stage of his career), Ziebell (with what he did down back), and Powell (highlighting a couple of plays he wouldn't have been able to make up until now).

The bit about Jack Ziebell's shoulder angels made me laugh, too real

 

[Rick18]

Nice work as always.

Can I ask you to elaborate on this line?



What do you mean by bulk reshuffling? The only available upgrade I can think of is TT.

But it sounds like you're expecting a more considerable reorganisation of personnel?

I felt like Goater and Bergman's ball use was quite effective compared to what we're used to from the defensive half.

Could it not just be an acknowledgement that there's still heaps of room for improvement? (not surprising, given there's about 1.1 AFL games' prior experience between Sheezel, Goater and Bergman)

Just off the top of my head, I think we'll see all these types of looks at some stage this season (injury permitting obvs):

• Hall in for Goater or Bergman
• Games where it's just McKay/Logue followed by a bunch of mid-sizers and smalls
• Perez will get a shot at some stage too
• While Ziebs was good against West Coast, unsure at this stage how long he'll hold up for
• Shifts in mindset between games; sometimes more attacking, sometimes more defensive, corridor v boundary depending on situations
• The natural improvement like you said forcing changes elsewhere; i.e. by the end of the year I'd actually be hoping Ziebell and Hall are fit but clearly not best 22
• If Sheezel goes forward again that opens up another rotation across half back

I think by design it'll be in a state of flux unless the coaches hit on something they immediately think is too good to tinker with. Give one look a chance until they see something they want to change, onto the next, and so on.

 

[Rick18]

Righto, post's up for the Fremantle win, with a few moving parts in this: Round 2, 2023 v Fremantle: Symbolism

• Couldn't help but compare this game to the corresponding match last year
• Then there were three elements to the win
• A defence set higher up the field
• Midfield dominance and how, although a clearance count didn't directly translate into scores, it helped hugely in the next phase of the game
• The ball use coming out of the back half and how it helped North reset
• And a bit on the last few minutes

 

[Gasometer]

Righto, post's up for the Fremantle win, with a few moving parts in this: Round 2, 2023 v Fremantle: Symbolism

• Couldn't help but compare this game to the corresponding match last year
• Then there were three elements to the win
• A defence set higher up the field
• Midfield dominance and how, although a clearance count didn't directly translate into scores, it helped hugely in the next phase of the game
• The ball use coming out of the back half and how it helped North reset
• And a bit on the last few minutes

I wrote in our Group Chat half way through the second quarter “can you believe we are watching the same team as last year?”

 

[Jimmy's Hot Dogs]

I wrote in our Group Chat half way through the second quarter “can you believe we are watching the same team as last year?”

How are Nobes and Luffy going?








Joking Gaso- that’s what was bouncing around in our group as well.

 

[krakouers]

Well deserved shout out too:

Six Points: Bevo has a month to save himself, and the rule tweak needed to prevent another 'Sirengate'

In September 2015, Ross Lyon, Brad Scott and Alastair Clarkson coached their sides to preliminary final berths. Nearly eight years on, all three have…

www.theroar.com.au

3. Once a good coach, always a good coach​

If you’re looking for an account of just what he’s changed about their game plan, Ricky Mangidis’ excellent deep dive is well worth a read. .

 

[koshari]

I wrote in our Group Chat half way through the second quarter “can you believe we are watching the same team as last year?”

Not same team.

 

[Gasometer]

Not same team.

Oh go on. Do tell…

 

[Rick18]

Post up for the Hawthorn game: Round 3, 2023 v Hawthorn: Caught Out - The Shinboner

This is absolutely a new record for how much I talk about the opposing team in one of these, but I think it's important. Hawthorn played a completely different way to every other game under Mitchell, and that dictated how everything went. The game basically became a case study in how an unexpected (at least for one team) switch of style influences a defence.

 

[Jasemon]

Post up for the Hawthorn game: Round 3, 2023 v Hawthorn: Caught Out - The Shinboner

This is absolutely a new record for how much I talk about the opposing team in one of these, but I think it's important. Hawthorn played a completely different way to every other game under Mitchell, and that dictated how everything went. The game basically became a case study in how an unexpected (at least for one team) switch of style influences a defence.

Why have I only just discovered this thread!!? Fantastic analysis Rick. Suddenly I feel so much better with the world

Also just imagine a media landscape that focussed on this type of analysis of the game instead of the toxic hyperbole that has saturated our sport.
One could only dream.

Again, keep it coming Rick, you're a marvel.

 

[Twinkletoes]

Post up for the Hawthorn game: Round 3, 2023 v Hawthorn: Caught Out - The Shinboner

This is absolutely a new record for how much I talk about the opposing team in one of these, but I think it's important. Hawthorn played a completely different way to every other game under Mitchell, and that dictated how everything went. The game basically became a case study in how an unexpected (at least for one team) switch of style influences a defence.

Great work as always Rick18

“Chasing tail” summed our day up perfectly.

 

[sutcliffe's hotel]

Post up for the Hawthorn game: Round 3, 2023 v Hawthorn: Caught Out - The Shinboner

This is absolutely a new record for how much I talk about the opposing team in one of these, but I think it's important. Hawthorn played a completely different way to every other game under Mitchell, and that dictated how everything went. The game basically became a case study in how an unexpected (at least for one team) switch of style influences a defence.

Sustenance for the Ardent soul. Thanks, Rick.

Missed the game because I was working. Read the autopsy thread & started to wonder when the funeral will be.

Read your analysis & now I am wiser, happier and fully engaged in this journey to #5.

 

[Colby Cheer Squad]

Post up for the Hawthorn game: Round 3, 2023 v Hawthorn: Caught Out - The Shinboner

This is absolutely a new record for how much I talk about the opposing team in one of these, but I think it's important. Hawthorn played a completely different way to every other game under Mitchell, and that dictated how everything went. The game basically became a case study in how an unexpected (at least for one team) switch of style influences a defence.

Great work, Rick. In a sense, the game was like Sam Mitchell pulling a Laidley on Clarko - a "shock-and-awe" tactical change that works for one game. I believe we did that 2 or 3 times versing Hawthorn in that era.

 

[Kangaroos4eva]

You got me and a few others on the 'lack of effort' comments.

Shock and awe tactics and tired young mids when momentum needed to be maintained.

 

[Horace]

Post up for the Hawthorn game: Round 3, 2023 v Hawthorn: Caught Out - The Shinboner

This is absolutely a new record for how much I talk about the opposing team in one of these, but I think it's important. Hawthorn played a completely different way to every other game under Mitchell, and that dictated how everything went. The game basically became a case study in how an unexpected (at least for one team) switch of style influences a defence.

I feel much better now. Thanks Rick.

 

[Passmore]

Rick18 have you had a read if this?