Posted: 1 Week, 2 Days ago
Clearances
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#304781 |
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I thought the game on the weekend was a cracker. I was extremely proud of the boys effort to get so close to the flag favourites on Saints turf with two days less break. But...
We got smashed at the stoppages. We just weren't able to take advantage of 211's massiveness. It seemed to me like he had no-one to tap to, so many of his taps were scooped up by a loose saint who in turn used the ball very well to put us under pressure. I reckon that's why they had more possessions, and therefore 5 more inside 50s and therfore 5 more scoring shots.
Top 5 clearances
Saints
Hayes 6
Dal Santo 6
Armitage 5
Jones 3
Montagna 3
Freo
Barlow 3
Mundy 3
Pav 2
Hill 2
McPhee 2
It is my theory that if we had've won a few more clearances, we would've beaten the leagues leading side on their own soil, and firmed as flag favourites.
My question is, why did we get so beaten in this area? Was it
i. Young midfielders, Hill, Michael Brownlow and Morabeauto need a few more of these matches to get the experience and therefore we'll win the flag next year.
ii. They are simply the best side in the comp and we can't expect to win those games until next year when we win our first flag.
iii. Midfield coaches Barry Mitchell and Todd Curley need to pull their fingers out and put some better "structures" and game plans into effect so that we can win the flag this year.
Your thoughts please...
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Posted: 1 Week, 2 Days ago
Re:Clearances
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#304789 |
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there was a bit of holding going on around the stoppages, and the saints are very adept at putting their bigger bodies in the way to stop the run of our clearance machines (hasleby and barlow mostly). once they managed to turn it into a wrestling match, they started to gain a bit of an upper hand. i think if we had 1 more prolific ball-getter in the mix (palmer) things would have been about even.
don't forget that the saints are brilliant at clearances, and their midfield is still at full strength (whereas we have palmer to came back and crowley does not look to be back to full fitness).
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Posted: 1 Week, 2 Days ago
Re:Clearances
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#304794 |
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I have watched the game a few times and have paid very close attention to exactly this point as i believe once we start winning the clearances we will be close to best side going around.
I notice the blocking off the ball that occurs. They do it perfectly to open up Dal Santo but in particular Hayes. Crowley would be very close to him but then a block is set and frees up Hayes if even for 1 yard.
However it is the ability of the Saints to "predict" where the ball will get tapped to make use of that 1 yard space. This is something that simply comes with time and Sandilands and Fremantle will only get better with more game time together.
Plus Saints Geelong their midfield are mature bodies, slightly more physical and hence can bulldoze their way a bit. Similar to Pav but you cant expect Morabito, Barlow to do this. Haselby is one who can start using his frame for clearances.
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