Morgan - responding to one point - the system shouldn't be whole field or game wide. It doesn't have to be a universal construct anf fiendishly difficult to implement. Look at Hawthorn. They break it down to the contest, and then the player at the contest, and the players position in relation to that contest, dictate how they will play. So for example, there is a contest at ground level so the closest 1-2 Hawks go into the scrum, and the next 2 position themselves outside/behind 2-5 metres, and then the next across moves to 10 m, and down the ground, the next line moves into position to lead to the space that second or third clear player will kick to. He marks and moves it quickly on, or there is a contest, ball comes to ground, rinse and repeat. It's the epitome of basic building blocks. Sure there are other situations, but their plan is pretty simple, and very effective. No matter where you are, you can know you your role in that situation.
It's the same plan they have brought to every game I have seen against them at Subi. As Clarkson said on many occasions previously, when players went out with injury - we have a structure, and the player who steps in takes up that role, and responds according to the play. This has happened even when that player has played bugger all games in the senior side.
Show me anything in that plan, or a plan of similar simplicity, that couldn't be implemented in 18 months that wouldn't be manifesting by now? Instead we have 3 blokes spoiling, or contesting the ground ball, and no-one down or outside. They are doing this because this is what is expected. Because you are coached out of this by the time you hit under 15's. There are no simple, easily replicated systems or structures forming around the ground that I can see.
There is no evidence of even the basis of a system other than get as many people as possible as close to the contest as possible, and work it out through weight of numbers. This is not a system. By now, even with young and new players, we should be beginning to see some elements of a recognisable pattern emerging. There is none. We don't even have an effective kick out play, and the one that does work for us occasionally revolves around Luke Ryan - one player, and a first year at that.
If Roly is playing a long game, then it is epic.
It feels like a cop out to me to suggest that coaching is too hard for us to grasp. The best teachers you can ever have are those with the ability to make the complex simple by breaking it down. Clarkson would be one of those. Luke Beveridge probably another. Roly, it would appear, would not be.
