spert wrote: ↑Wed 22 May 2024 6:27pm
Killa wrote: ↑Wed 22 May 2024 3:56pm
With all due respect, Battle at his height can get away with playing a CHB (nominally)
But it is another matter playing as a key forward at that size where you have an opponent focused on spoiling (at least)
And Owen is 191cm, so smaller again
In regards Ratts and defence, during the season in Queensland, he had Wilkie, Howard, Carlisle as keys and Clark and Coffield on the flanks along with Long
A well set defence but unfortunately all of Ryder, Long and Carlisle were unavailable against Richmond after we beat WB in the first final
When we beat Richmond during the season both Carlisle and Long were in the Brownlow votes
And it was Ratts who challenged Steele to evolve from a run with performer
What makes a good coach, I don't know, I played under some di$kheads, and also some good guys as coach, but winning games is probably the major indicator, then going on to winning a premiership. I really don't see Lyon in 2024 being any better than Ratten or Richo, possibly worse than Ratten. This is not how we should be going right now- playing a terrible band of team football, with the more experienced players showing little leadership. An American basketball coach told me over in the USA years back, how his players needed to enjoy the game, but motivation of his teams was as important as anything for him as coach.
This analysis from Oh When BF might surprise a few…
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Yep. Listen to Andy Brayshaw talk about how he wouldn't be the player he is today if Ross Lyon hadn't taught him how to play AFL. Ross instills the right kind of discipline, mindset and understanding of the game. Nearly all the young guys he had at the Dockers in his last 2 years have succeeded and they all pay credit to him when interviewed. Whether or not he stays with this group beyond the next 2 years, he's the right guy to ingrain the right habits and standards for elite performance, just as Paul Roos did at Melbourne.
The other stat (probably already mentioned) that was interesting was:
2021 (Ratten) – avg 75 points per game
2022 (Ratten) – avg 77 points per game
2023 (Lyon) – avg 77 points per game
2024 (Lyon) – avg 72 points per game to date (was 77 points per game after round 8)
We have not meaningfully changed our scoring since Lyon took over. Ratten was no better offensively, despite having a midfield in 2021 with a fit AA Steele, Ryder, Crouch, plus Jones and Billings playing at a higher level. It's all perception.
We have meaningfully improved our defence though. Ratten couldn't coach defence at the Blues or Saints.
Until our midfield improves, we will struggle to score heavily. Crouch and Clark fit will help but the real improvement comes via the young guys learning and continually hitting the draft.