nb: I typed this out so please do not cut and paste elsewhere..
Coach's Report - Terry Wallace
RFC Annual Report 2008
When reviewing the 2008 season, where the team just missed out on playing finals football, there is a wide variety of emotions that come into play. But rather than an emotional viewpoint, I would rather analyse where the team is at, and what we need to do to take the next key step forward...
Internally, we did not see ourselves as the 16th team in 2007. A horror run with injuries simply did not allow us to have our best players on the park throughout that year. Therefore, all our planning was around playmg finals football in 2008. As it worked out, a couple of our earlier games in the season we 'gifted' to our opposition, and that cost us in the end.
I could not have asked for more in the run home than to win eight of our last 11 games. This shows the group that they have the potential and ability to be an extremely competitive team. The next step, however, is to achieve that type of result over the course of the full 22 home-and-away rounds because, regardless of our strong finish to the '08 season, the fact is we did not qualify for the finals.
This is a ruthless competition and teams that make the final eight will fight 'to the death' to preserve their spot in the upper echelon the following year. History, however, shows that each season there is some significant change at the top end of the AFL ladder.
In 2008, both St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs rose to the challenge, coming from 9th and 13th respectively to make the top four. It is up to our group to have the hardness and self-belief that, in 2009, it is our turn to displace some of those other clubs, who have been up around the mark for some time.
When analysing how this is to be done, we need to look back at the '08 season and draw from our improvements, as well as develop some other areas that have been of concern.
1. TURNOVERS
Early in the season, we lost games because we simply gave the ball back to the opposition far too easily. I recall criticism that we were not having a real go in matches, but that couldn't have been further from the truth. In early-season games, where we won the majority of stoppages and contested possessions, we still found ourselves half a dozen goals down before half-time, simply because we repeatedly turned the ball over. This had nothing to do with personnel or kicking ability - it was more due to the fact that we, at times, tried to be 'too cute' with our execution and paid a hefty price. But after putting some procedures in place, we achieved a far more effective result. The turnovers diminished, and this positively impacted on our ability to win games. We have had a major identification of what works for us and what doesn't, and we need to ensure that this remains in place leading into the 2009 season.
2. CONTESTED POSSESSION
One of the most pleasing factors of the '08 season was the fact that we were the second best contested possession team in the competition - only two behind Geelong in this area. Contested football has always been a key component in winning big games, and if we can maintain this as a strength next year, it will be a driving force in our finals bid. Even though we were strong with regards to the contested game, we still relied too heavily on a couple of players, who were ranked almost the best in the competition in this area. Other players, particularly in the midfield, need to provide us with a more even spread of contributors. When key players are being heavily pressured with tags, it is imperative that you have this even contribution from others.
3. PERCENTAGE COUNTS
If we are to make serious inroads next season, we need to get our percentage to rise to more than 100. Our aim, in fact, is to work towards a percentage of 110-plus, which would result in us being a far more competitive unit. To achieve this, we need to keep opposition scores under control. With a good, young, developing backline, if we can apply more pressure up the ground, we believe that this is certainly achievable. Two goals less per game from the opposition would have us at the required percentage rate.
4. STABILITY WITHIN THE TEAM STRUCTURE
Over my first, three years as the Club's coach, we had a lot of variation in our on-field line-up. We witnessed several senior players coming to the end of the line and announcing their retirements. To add to this, our young players were, immature and inexperienced. Subsequently, it was difficult for them, in the first couple of years, to hold down regular positions in the team. In 2008, especially during the second half of the year, we became a lot more stable with our team selection, as the young players started to mature. This stability enables the group to consistently work on game structures and have confidence that each player in the line-up knows exactly what is expected from him. When the team consistently changes shape, this is difficult to achieve. In 2009, we should be able to achieve stability within the team from the outset.
In summary, the Club finished the '08 season on a strong, positive note, but it is the responsibility of everyone involved to push forward and ensure we take the next step. The off-season has seen some huge changes to the football division, and I would like to take the opportunity to thank those who have departed the Club during the past few months - the likes of Greg Miller (Director of Football), Paul Armstrong (Football Operations Manager) and Warren Kofoed (Strength & Conditioning Coach) - for all their hard work and fine efforts to help the Club rise back up the AFL ladder.
Time never stands still, and we have worked extremely hard to bolster the football division over the off-season, with some top-quality, new members of staff. I can assure all Tiger members that with 2009 fast approaching, the players are very excited and energetic about the opportunities and challenges ahead.
