Hardwick is the best halftime coach in the competition (HeraldSun)

[one-eyed]

Pure Footy: David King and Daniel Hoyne lift lid on AFL trends, stats after Round 21

Damien Hardwick is the best halftime coach in the competition, thanks largely to an ‘amazing’ performance from an unlikely saviour.

HeraldSun
August 11, 2021

Don’t panic.

That’s the mantra that has made Damien Hardwick “the best halftime coach in the competition” according to North Melbourne champion David King and Champion Data analyst Daniel Hoyne.

Speaking on Pure Footy, the analysis show exclusive each Tuesday to heraldsun.com.au, Hoyne said Hardwick showed a typical calmness after Richmond kicked just two goals in the first half against North Melbourne.

“His ability to be able to assess what’s happening in game, get to halftime, have the 15 minutes with the coaching group and the players — ‘Let’s work out what’s happening and spin the magnets around a little bit’.

“It took me back to halftime in the Grand Final last year where they were three goals down ... he comes out after halftime, there was no panic, (saying) ‘We needed that 15 minutes just to reassess, we’ve changed a few things up, our game is in good shape’.”

Hardwick’s key move on Saturday was to counter North Melbourne’s uncontested marking game by shifting his new Mr Fixit Liam Baker to half-forward.

Baker responded by producing one of the best individual halves of the season.

“He’s been used in a lot of different areas this year,” Hoyne said.

“His first half on the weekend he played 100 per cent midfield, didn’t go in the forward half.”

In the second half he played 75 per cent as a forward, reducing the impact of the Kangaroos’ attacking defenders and hurting them the other way.

“Fifteen disposals for a half as a forward is enormous, eight of those going on the scoreboard, two goals, two score assists — it was just another case of Dimma being able to sit back, relax, (thinking) I’ve got faith in this group, spin the magnets — we’ll be OK.”

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/purefooty/pure-footy-david-king-and-daniel-hoyne-lift-lid-on-afl-trends-stats-after-round-21/news-story/b51c1e39bb9b203d2fd25dec0cb23c4e

[yandb]

A brilliant coach would make those moves during the first quarter when the trends were first obvious not wait for half time.

[Tiger Khosh]

Ah yes where can we find one of those brilliant coaches and can they win us 3 out of 4 premierships?

[Francois Jackson]

HAHA

thats actually the bit i loved the most about Dimma, and our club during our flag years when we came from the clouds after HT, with our fitness on another level.