Testing the goal square early

[saint patrick]

Heard Robert Shaw and Finey discussing the grand final on SEN this week and Shaw made the point that in a grand final that he felt that it was worthwhile[as Sheedy used to swear by ] being aggressive to the point of reckless very early in a Grand final and simply bashing the ball forward fast and long and possibly cashing in due to the nerves of defenders early.

Not rocket science but after watching footy for many decades believe that Hawtorn set up many of its grand final wins with this mindset and cavellier approach..kicking long and direct..especially early and getting the early momentum.

Struck a chord with me...go long and test the goal square early..a goal or two to Kosi and Roo[or Milney off the pack] in the first 5 minutes could set the stage for a beautiful upset..at the least in the eyes of the punters ..not me

Would rather this all guns blazing approach to a defensive ,tempo style start...mind you the Geelong game was definately the former.

Don't die wondering boys

[Solar]

agree

this is actually how we play when we are on. We come out, hit the game hard, move it forward quickly and build the score up. Then sit back in the second quarter and bring it home in the second half.

Early goals are huge for us, IMO we are the fitter side and could run it out if it's close. We can also control the game if it's dry and their game plan relies on teams playing on to pressure them.

[Baldock Rules]

That first forward thrust can set up the mindset for the whole day.Trying to overuse the ball when nerves are at their peak can be fatal.Get it forward quickly and anything can happen.