Footy in 2011 Vs. Footy in 2009

[Junction Oval]

The figures and strategies tell a story, but "it's the cattle" that you need to implement them.

We have good cattle on the backline and good strategy in place, hence the good past results. Due to poor cattle/kicking skills, delivery into the forward line has been deficient and the performance of the cattle has deteriorated to date, this year.

The game has speeded up so much, scoring will become more frequent, especially for sides with good kicking/delivery skills. Top teams now need both defensive and offensive skills (as the Pies have), not just one of them.

[dragit]

We now have only 1 more point scored against us than Hawthorn, who are second to the pies...

[Johnny Member]

We now have only 1 more point scored against us than Hawthorn, who are second to the pies...

I know - it's interesting isn't it.


I created this thread a while back, expecting that the inability to score was our problem. But I was surprised to see that scoring wasn't really the issue.
I was also surprised to see that even when we seemed invincible in 2009, we monstered teams defensively - but were merely 4th on 'Ave Goals For'.

And we dropped to 10th last year! And still made the Grand Final.

The one thing that led us to that level of success during those years, was clearly our ability to stop the opposition kicking goals.


This year, we sit 12th for 'Ave. Goals For' with 12.3 (last year we averaged 12.5!).

However since the Collingwood loss in R11, we've averaged 14 goals per match and only 60 points against!!

Those sorts of figures over the course of the year would have us sitting just outside the top 4 in the 'Ave. Goals Scored' stat, and have us comfortably clear of Collingwood in the 'Points Against' stat.


So in summary, we're producing numbers that I believe make us a genuine Premiership threat. We've found that balance between ultra tight defence and the ability to score ourselves.

The problem is, that West Coast aside, we haven't done the job on anyone fair dinkum.

[InkerSaint]

The problem is, that West Coast aside, we haven't done the job on anyone fair dinkum.

I was wondering when somebody would get to that.

As they say, you can only beat the teams you play.

We'll get our real test (again) in two and a half weeks.

Perfect timing really. We'll get to gauge our form and see what's working, with enough time to tweak what isn't, before the real business begins.

[bigcarl]

The problem is, that West Coast aside, we haven't done the job on anyone fair dinkum.

Yet.

Collingwood at Etihad is coming up soon.

[Thinline]

Freo win over there was a good in the context of where the teams were at.

Need to shake up the Pies. Even if we get close and expose a chink of some kind. That'll do.

But first and foremost get this week done and banked. Sat night is making me unusually nervous.

[Griggsy]

The problem is, that West Coast aside, we haven't done the job on anyone fair dinkum.

I was wondering when somebody would get to that.

As they say, you can only beat the teams you play.

We'll get our real test (again) in two and a half weeks.

Perfect timing really. We'll get to gauge our form and see what's working, with enough time to tweak what isn't, before the real business begins.

I do agree, however a couple of those wins were against teams that were seen as being in great form. A lot of opposition fans gave us no chance, then said they had an off game. Some how I don't think we are that lucky for it to happen that many times.

[saintdooley]

so you have just realised other teams have worked us out and we are not as good as 2009.
well done.

[SainterK]

Freo win over there was a good in the context of where the teams were at.

Need to shake up the Pies. Even if we get close and expose a chink of some kind. That'll do.

But first and foremost get this week done and banked. Sat night is making me unusually nervous.

Stop it please, you're making me nervous!

Surely we'll be fine.

Freo here will be big in the context of where the teams are at, they could well have nearly a full compliment of players back by next week, including Sandipants.

Might be a good week for Gardi to return while Ben has a rest.

[saintspremiers]

Freo win over there was a good in the context of where the teams were at.

Need to shake up the Pies. Even if we get close and expose a chink of some kind. That'll do.

But first and foremost get this week done and banked. Sat night is making me unusually nervous.

Nervous about what?

That it may be close?

Surely not!!!

[spert]

How many goals have we had kicked against us in the last 5 matches -wouldn't be many I reckon. The old saying always holds true- you wont win a flag with a poor defence, but the big problem that will let us down, and has in the last few years is the forward line going missing in grand finals..fix that and we're on our way!

[Junction Oval]

That's what I said before - good defence may have been the key in past years, but with the speed of rebound and good delivery, we need to be good both defensively and offensively.

[Johnny Member]

so you have just realised other teams have worked us out and we are not as good as 2009.
well done.

I don't think it's as simple as that at all, smart arse.

[dcstkfc]

How many goals have we had kicked against us in the last 5 matches -wouldn't be many I reckon. The old saying always holds true- you wont win a flag with a poor defence, but the big problem that will let us down, and has in the last few years is the forward line going missing in grand finals..fix that and we're on our way!

Since the Dogs in Round 12- we've had 52 goals kicked against us in 6 games.

That's less than 9 per game.

You're going to win most games of footy like that.

You only need to score one more point than the opposition, we as Saints fans should know that better than anyone.

[Stephen Theodore]

Offence for the fans.
Defence for the flag.

Yep, I agree.

In golf it's:

Drive for show
Putt for dough.

[dcstkfc]

Offence for the fans.
Defence for the flag.

Yep, I agree.

In golf it's:

Drive for show
Putt for dough.

The one in footy terms that is trotted out a fair bit is:

Offence sells memberships.
Defence wins premierships.