Noddy, I played in teams (not just footy) where the team was stifled by the lack of freedom to play the game as it presented. A game plan is a beautiful thing until the first clearance at the first center bounce. Then it becomes a race to see which team adapts to how the game is unfolding.
The reason why the Hawks, in their time, the Cats in their time, the Pies in their time and yes even the eagles, even though you put down their leaders, succeeded was because they had players who were allowed to recognise what was happening on the field, and adapt the game plan to suit.
If the coach is relying on the runner to get feedback, feed back to him, receive feedback and instructions from him (the coach) and then relay that to players on the ground, the team has no hope of keeping up with an on ground led team.
The good coaches recognise this and relinquish control during the playing time of each quarter, the bad coaches don't.