2018 season game plan

[dukedog]

Just reading a few articles and watching the training vision. Maybe some inside knowledge. What are your thoughts on our structure and Game plan for 2018 season.

From visual side. I think we will be looking at high congestion around the ball. Then using quick ball clearance and kicking to big marking targets. I believe this suits our team makeup. What are your thoughts?

[GVGjr]

I'm not sure what approach we will take this year and of course there is a bit of speculation we will go tall in the forward line

Can't wait to see what Bevo has in mind.

[jeemak]

I don't think the manic high intensity around the football game we played in 2016 is one this playing group is likely to replicate ever again. Mainly because our talent has matured and the list has changed in composition, but also because it's hard to go backwards.

Sure, there will need to be a certain standard maintained around the footy to keep us competitive at the pointy end, however, I don't think playing lists can go back to the way they used to play because the game doesn't allow it, and players get bored.

If we can stay healthy, and players take the opportunity to nail the preseason like we hope they should I can see a game plan evolving around improved skill level by foot, and a more coherent tall marking structure (rather than the crazy ball stuff that benefited us in 2016, but hurt us last year).

An additional four weeks of preseason will mean our skills should return to a more appropriate standard, and greater fitness means we shouldn't fatigue and lose the physical and mental capabilities we clearly lacked this year when using the football.

[bornadog]

According to The Bont (refer thread on audio), we won't be changing too many things at all. But then again, players and coaches don't give away too much.

[Bulldog Joe]

Our 2018 list demands the use of tall targets.

We simply have too many talls to thrive on a lock in and scramble approach.

If our talls hold their marks we will be very hard to beat, but if not we will get smashed in rebound footy.

We should have more high scoring games.

[Go_Dogs]

More height up front will change the dynamic and allow us to pump the ball deep with less concern about being hurt on the rebound, particularly if we have some pace and good runners who can work forward to be at the drop of the ball, too.

I wouldn't be surprised to see a change in our kick:handball ratio - we've got height and capable aerial players all over the field so why not use that advantage and kick the ball more, as opposed to try and run and gun with handball when there are a number of sides who are quicker across the park with their wheels.

[josie]

Presuming we have a taller forward line, who are the forward line crumbers that are going to 1) benefit from ground balls, 2) harass and tackle like mad men and 3) (oh footy lord, pretty please......) kick straight? Clay if he is in 2016 shape, however I fear he may have lost quite a bit of pace with his knee injuries, Honey however he would need to kick straight for a change, Dahl - ok with snaps, not good with set shots, Crozier perhaps? Wallis methinks is too slow too. Mix of lots of different midfielders resting is most likely as we do not have an Eddie Betts (more's the pity). Will be fascinating to see what Bevo does for sure.

And where does this leave Dickson who is apparently over his groin injuries and is putting in a good preseason? Will he play on the wing or will he be one of those crumbing forward line players?

[SonofScray]

According to The Bont (refer thread on audio), we won't be changing too many things at all. But then again, players and coaches don't give away too much.

I reckon there was a tell in the way he responded to that question. Pause, change in tone and a little fumble on how he answered. Taking it as significant changes. That and the number of closed sessions.

[Eastdog]

Our 2018 list demands the use of tall targets.

We simply have too many talls to thrive on a lock in and scramble approach.

If our talls hold their marks we will be very hard to beat, but if not we will get smashed in rebound footy.

We should have more high scoring games.

That will be nice for a change. Let's hope it comes off.

[GVGjr]

I reckon there was a tell in the way he responded to that question. Pause, change in tone and a little fumble on how he answered. Taking it as significant changes. That and the number of closed sessions.

Same here, I don't think we are tinkering around the edges with subtle changes. We won it in 2016 with an aggressive backline and we just out rotated team with midfielders. Teams adjusted to that the next year.
Richmond won it in 2017 with productive small forwards and a very direct approach and teams will again look copy that.

I'm expecting something very different.

[dukedog]

Same here, I don't think we are tinkering around the edges with subtle changes. We won it in 2016 with an aggressive backline and we just out rotated team with midfielders. Teams adjusted to that the next year.
Richmond won it in 2017 with productive small forwards and a very direct approach and teams will again look copy that.

I'm expecting something very different.

I think your right. I can't see teams trying to emulate other teams. Because you can copy. But at the end of the day. I U can't beat them at their own game. Your playing with fire. Using your team's own strengths is key imo.

[always right]

Whatever our mix of talls up forward, I think a fit combination of smalls including Dickson, Dahlhaus and Dale will be critical. Dahlhaus must play forward.