Should we change our game plan?

[Stripes]

I think the biggest thing that has gone wrong is that we have been found out.

Opposition sides watched how we went to pieces in the Elimination Final when Carlton switched to a more man-on-man/accountable style and have used this blueprint themselves. Many teams have changed their game plan to become more contested and congested around stoppages so our greatest strength from last year has been nullified.

Throw in injuries and diminishing confidence and you have our problems in a nutshell.

Its now time to re-evaluate our game plan and then re-evaluate the players that can play the new game plan. If we intend on going down the frantic attack/play on style of a Geelong, Port or Gold Coast then we need to change our set ups and bring in quicker players. If we decide to go down the path of mos other clubs and become a more contested team using the 'rolling maul' set up with plenty of numbers around stoppages and players sitting just off the contest waiting to intercept the quick clearing kick like a Collingwood, Fremantle, Sydney and Melbourne then we need to change our team quickly. We can't have one way/uncontested players. We need players that will go harder for longer not players waiting off the contests for the uncontested ball.

These changes need to be made now imo.

[YellowandBlackBlood]

Combination of 1 and 2. 1 when we have the ball and 2 when we don't.

[Stripes]

I would love to see some immediate changes including manning a good contested mark up against the opposition player/s who are guarding the quick outlet kick 20m from stoppages such as Petterd, Griffiths or Dusty. Too many times against teams such as Collingwood and Melbourne did we turn the ball directly over to an awaiting player who then set up the counter attack.

The other idea, which would probably be a more short term option until other sides figured out the strategy, is to direct any quick clearing kicks towards the center of the ground. Most teams are directed to kick the ball down the line and close to the boundary in these sort of circumstances due to the risk of turning it over in the corridor and therefor set up their defense to combat the percentage ball. If we had a strong contested mark/player or players 20m off the stoppage but in the center area this may catch the opposition off guard and open up the F50 for us. Its a high risk ploy though.

Very few players and midfields are able to break away from stoppages any longer due to the extra 'wall' of defense teams are setting up to block the outside players and quick kicks forward. Oppositions are banking on setting up their offense from intercept marks now where they can quickly catch the opposition off guard and where they have time and space. If we can man up these players with strong contested marks/ball winners we would go a long way in breaking the deadlock brought about by over congestion.

If we can get the ball in Dusty's or Griffiths hands and direct them to switch play immediately across the ground to break up the play we could get the space we require to get the ball into our forwards. The biggest thing we need to do is to shepherd, block and create space for each other because at the moment we are getting the ball but turning it over almost immediately through tackles and fumbled pressure. This is what happened on Saturday - perceived pressure created 3 or 4 goals for them.

Anyway - sadly we have to change quickly and change our team as a result. Players who can't compete and win the contested ball on the ground or in the air need to be swapped for those who can. Those players who have a passion for the contest and endurance for a long fight must be given preference.

[cub]

Have options and be able to mix it up when required, manemanemane "that's that robot noise the iPhones make FYI"

[Diocletian]

Need to be able to play 1-on-1 when the situation dictates and handle it when the opposition revert to it. One of the reasons we get killed in so many 1-on-1 contests is because we never utilise it ourselves and we clearly never practice it. Part of Hardwick's "zone defence and hold the structure at all costs" gameplan (If they're not drilled in it by now, they never will be).  As I've said time and time again, 1-on-1 footy is a fundamental and every team should at least have it as it's default setting.

[Tigeritis™©®]

Finals are usually 1on 1 & man on man. Especially after the first week.

If your great at this then you can play on all you want and score heavily because you break teams.

[Judge Roughneck]

Ugly rugby

+

Kick long

[Chuck17]

Nah it going well thanks anyway for the suggestion

[Hellenic Tiger]

Nah it going well thanks anyway for the suggestion

Agree its not about results. We are better than last year. Dimma said so.

[(•))(©™]

Regardless what you do, the list has been groomed to adhere to the ONE game plan

Neglectfully, the coaching staff has overlooked the development of one on one, tactical offensive and defensive skill.

This will take 18 months to achieve.

No contingency plan.
Must be a terrible accountant.

[torch]

Exactly!

1.Hardwick will never change his game plan.
2.Re-read number 1.

We are going to be horrible until 2016!

[(•))(©™]

As a player I remember hardwick as coming across as a shitman who thought he was a bad ass tough guy.

At worst I had hoped perhaps somehow he would add a faux hardness to the list, just as he had done during his charmed existence as a dud player.

In the ensuing years, 4 in total, I sit here in amazement at the wisdom contained in an old saying;

If it looks like a turd and smells like a turd,
It's probably a turd.

[Hard Roar Tiger]

Nah it going well thanks anyway for the suggestion

Agreed, besides it shows up the same, predictable gameplan of a number who contribute to this forum 

[Go Richo 12]

Every team has a game plan that the opposition knows about. The trouble with ours is that we don't have the skill or personnel to execute it nor the ability to negate the oppositions game plan.

[Jackstar is back!!!]

What game plan