Defence wins finals not midfields

[CURLY]

Swans best midfield in the AFL and have been belted twice in Grand Finals.

Their defence is poor and they’ve been exposed as a result. Lyon has built our defence over the last two seasons and once the transition through our half backs to attack improves our game will stack up in big games.

It also helps to have a gun key tall forward like Max King to unsettle the opposition defence. Sydney’s talls offer little threat to a defence.

[WellardSaint]

I agree with you here...
Boris has our defence working well.
I look at our domination of Injectors, and our 2 awesome comebacks vs Swans and Cats, as very positive signs that the coaches are on the right track.
I predict we finish top 8 next year- a favourable draw, fewer 5 day breaks, and we could end up 6th.

2026 top 4
2027/2028 maybe in GF.

Wilkie and Sincs will be close to retiring about then abd they are crucial to our game

[Big Max]

Agree that defense is important in finals.

But quality midfielders are absolutely necessary, and at least equally important, if not more important.

Yesterday Brisbane had a make-shift ruckman, but quality mids in Lauchie Neale, a dual Brownlow medalist, Ashcroft, an absolute gun young mid, and supported by Dunckley (tough, plays like Jack Steel) and McCluggage.

If we compare St Kilda to Brisbane, Saints defense is probably equal to Brisbane, but may be weakened with the loss of Battle.

Our ruck, Rowan Marshall, is about equal to Fort at the center bounce, but better around the ground.

Brisbane's midfield is a long way in front of StKilda. We simply don't have a Neale or Ashcroft. They were voted the top 2 in the Norm Smith.

That's why we need to recruit quality mids.

[samoht]

Of course it's important to have quality defenders.

But you need an attacking mind-set to win games and finals.

A free scoring, hard-running team that keeps asking questions will beat a team that's defensively-minded, all things being equal.

Ideally, I think you need a couple of tough inside midfielders getting the ball out to a multitude of attacking, running players and playmakers ... the more the merrier, you cant have enough of them.

Lightning attack, awe and surprise ... Tora, Tora. Tora!
That's what gets it done, IMHO.

[Jacks Back]

Swans just kept bombing it long into the 50 (like we often do) instead of lowering the eyes (which we have been doing later in the year). How many intercept marks did the Lions have?

[The_Dud]

Sad thread

[B.M]

Team that has players play well on GF day win GFs

Neale
Ashcroft
McLuggage
Dunkley

Convincingly beat Sydney’s mids

[CURLY]

Sad thread

Yeah he’d look good kicking it into Amarty and McDonsld.

Would be sad for you each morning looking up Supercoach

[CURLY]

Team that has players play well on GF day win GFs

Neale
Ashcroft
McLuggage
Dunkley

Convincingly beat Sydney’s mids

Yep Brisbane won the ball in the back half allowing Brisbane so much time on the turn around.

[SinCitySainter]

Brisbane's midfield absolutely rogered the Swans. That combined with when they had the ball the Swans blazing away without looking up was where the game was lost. The Swans ball movement was atrocious all game constantly just bombing the ball into the forward 50 and missing targets. Amartya and McDonald aren't the greatest forwards but even Plugger would have struggled with that sort of delivery. The game highlighted to me that it is the midfield that is most important.

[The_Dud]

Brisbane flogged Sydney in the midfield, that’s where they won the game, and when your midfield is dominating it flows on to your forward and back lines.

It was pretty obvious to everyone yesterday (well most apparently )

What a sad thread. Maybe stick to crying about various conspiracies Curly

[CURLY]

As The Dud understands nothing about football other than stats in the number I forgive his ignorance.

Sydney’s midfield were behind the 8 ball as their defence couldn’t win the ball back.

Brisbane on the other hand won the ball in the back half and rebounded through the middle. The beneficiary’s being the Brisbane mids.

[The_Dud]

As The Dud understands nothing about football other than stats in the number I forgive his ignorance.

Sydney’s midfield were behind the 8 ball as their defence couldn’t win the ball back.

Brisbane on the other hand won the ball in the back half and rebounded through the middle. The beneficiary’s being the Brisbane mids.

And how would they win the ball in the back half, did Sydney’s ‘best midfield’ just decide to kick it straight to Brisbane players?

The Brisbane mids were dominating, giving Sydney no time or space through the middle, while in contrast Brisbane moved with speed a precision through the corridor.

The pressure from the Brisbane mids caused the turnovers all over the ground.

Like I said, stick to crying, leave the real football talk to the grown ups

[samoht]

Let's cut to the chase - it's Lyon's game plan and defensive mindset that wins finals and grand finals. And Max King will win us the GF, Our midfielders can sit it out.

[CURLY]

As The Dud understands nothing about football other than stats in the number I forgive his ignorance.

Sydney’s midfield were behind the 8 ball as their defence couldn’t win the ball back.

Brisbane on the other hand won the ball in the back half and rebounded through the middle. The beneficiary’s being the Brisbane mids.

And how would they win the ball in the back half, did Sydney’s ‘best midfield’ just decide to kick it straight to Brisbane players?

The Brisbane mids were dominating, giving Sydney no time or space through the middle, while in contrast Brisbane moved with speed a precision through the corridor.

The pressure from the Brisbane mids caused the turnovers all over the ground.

Like I said, stick to crying, leave the real football talk to the grown ups

The Brisbane defence was so well set up Sydney had no options allowing the ball to be cut off and rebounded. The Brisbane mids had great supply and clean ball such was Brisbanes back half dominance.

Sydney’s defence in the other hand was a mess barely getting clean ball let alone a turnover mark.

[samoht]

As The Dud understands nothing about football other than stats in the number I forgive his ignorance.

Sydney’s midfield were behind the 8 ball as their defence couldn’t win the ball back.

Brisbane on the other hand won the ball in the back half and rebounded through the middle. The beneficiary’s being the Brisbane mids.

And how would they win the ball in the back half, did Sydney’s ‘best midfield’ just decide to kick it straight to Brisbane players?

The Brisbane mids were dominating, giving Sydney no time or space through the middle, while in contrast Brisbane moved with speed a precision through the corridor.

The pressure from the Brisbane mids caused the turnovers all over the ground.

Like I said, stick to crying, leave the real football talk to the grown ups

The Brisbane defence was so well set up Sydney had no options allowing the ball to be cut off and rebounded. The Brisbane mids had great supply and clean ball such was Brisbanes back half dominance.

Sydney’s defence in the other hand was a mess barely getting clean ball let alone a turnover mark.

There is truth in that, Curly ... Zorko was inpenetrable and used the ball brilliantly. Andrews, etc...
What does Sydney have in comparison ... McCartin? Blakey wasn't too bad, I suppose.

[bobmurray]

Let's cut to the chase - it's Lyon's game plan and defensive mindset that wins finals and grand finals. And Max King will win us the GF, Our midfielders can sit it out.

So far, history says Lyon's game plan doesn't win Grand Finals. Patience needed whilst we wait for him to correct that stat.

[Otiman]

Defense isn't just what happens inside your defensive 50.

Just like midfielders no longer play in the midfield.

I think we have it wrong splitting our coaches along forward/mid/back lines on the ground. The attacking coach should be responsible for the attacking HBF and the defensive coach responsibile for the defensive forward.

[Scollop]

Swans best midfield in the AFL and have been belted twice in Grand Finals.

Their defence is poor and they’ve been exposed as a result. Lyon has built our defence over the last two seasons and once the transition through our half backs to attack improves our game will stack up in big games.

It also helps to have a gun key tall forward like Max King to unsettle the opposition defence. Sydney’s talls offer little threat to a defence.

What game were you watching? Was Lester, Harris, Payne or Zorko or Wilmot in the running for the Norm Smith?

You should change your name to CLICHE

You're full of cliches and generalisations

[CURLY]

Swans best midfield in the AFL and have been belted twice in Grand Finals.

Their defence is poor and they’ve been exposed as a result. Lyon has built our defence over the last two seasons and once the transition through our half backs to attack improves our game will stack up in big games.

It also helps to have a gun key tall forward like Max King to unsettle the opposition defence. Sydney’s talls offer little threat to a defence.

What game were you watching? Was Lester, Harris, Payne or Zorko or Wilmot in the running for the Norm Smith?

You should change your name to CLICHE

You're full of cliches and generalisations

Defence is a team effort. I’m sure those that know appreciate the dominance of the defence.

[The_Dud]

Swans best midfield in the AFL and have been belted twice in Grand Finals.

Their defence is poor and they’ve been exposed as a result. Lyon has built our defence over the last two seasons and once the transition through our half backs to attack improves our game will stack up in big games.

It also helps to have a gun key tall forward like Max King to unsettle the opposition defence. Sydney’s talls offer little threat to a defence.

What game were you watching? Was Lester, Harris, Payne or Zorko or Wilmot in the running for the Norm Smith?

You should change your name to CLICHE

You're full of cliches and generalisations

Defence is a team effort. I’m sure those that know appreciate the dominance of the defence.

LOL

So a team effort… including the dominant midfield

I know it’s hard to keep track of all your bullcrap Curly, but at least try stay on point for one whole thread

[CURLY]

Swans best midfield in the AFL and have been belted twice in Grand Finals.

Their defence is poor and they’ve been exposed as a result. Lyon has built our defence over the last two seasons and once the transition through our half backs to attack improves our game will stack up in big games.

It also helps to have a gun key tall forward like Max King to unsettle the opposition defence. Sydney’s talls offer little threat to a defence.

What game were you watching? Was Lester, Harris, Payne or Zorko or Wilmot in the running for the Norm Smith?

You should change your name to CLICHE

You're full of cliches and generalisations

Defence is a team effort. I’m sure those that know appreciate the dominance of the defence.

LOL

So a team effort… including the dominant midfield

I know it’s hard to keep track of all your bullcrap Curly, but at least try stay on point for one whole thread

Eg the backline is a team with in the team. The best defences work as a team blocking switching over in transition taking space cutting off angles.

Just stick to checking the app for disposal stats and yelling out kick it long.

You’re a long way off the pace Dud

[The_Dud]

You’re taking a bigger L in this thread than the Swans did yesterday

[CURLY]

You’re taking a bigger L in this thread than the Swans did yesterday

Your opinion on football is putrid at best. Actually laughable.

Old SuperCoach player

[The_Dud]

“The defence is crap!” cries Curly! “Who cares if they only conceded 20 more points across the year than Brisbane and have AA key back Nick Blakey!”



Brisbane had 80 more touches AND STILL 20 more tackles. That’s called a dominant midfield.

2 thirds of their score came from centre bounce or front half turnovers… but no, Curly says it all came from rebound 50…

Oh dear…