Quality beats quantity when it comes to going forward in finalsBy Peter Ryan
afl.com.au
10:00am AEST Tuesday, September 10, 2013THREE of the four winning teams in week one of the finals conceded more inside 50s than their opposition.
Collingwood, Geelong and Richmond supporters are all entitled to ask: how does that happen?
Carlton got the upper hand on Richmond with accurate kicking and better positioning in defence.
The Blues took 16 marks in the defensive 50 on Sunday, above their season average of 13.4.
Few were more memorable than Lachie Henderson's mark with the flight in the dying minutes.
Most, however, were not that heroic.
They were a result of reading opposition cues, closing down space or players positioning themselves in a way that played the percentages.
Carlton also had Marc Murphy pushing back as an outlet when transferring the ball from its defensive 50. He got on the 45-degree angle repeatedly to take the ball away.
The Blues were able to absorb early pressure and then ran harder in the second half when the Tigers' pressure dropped away.
In the finals, the midfield battle will often be split between two good sides.
How the ball is used going forward will be critical in the next three weeks.
Everyone will give effort. Whoever can use the footy best will win.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-09-10/butchers-need-not-apply
