Last 5 weeks

[Leo.J]

http://stats.rleague.com/afl/teams/allteams/last20.html

Interesting that on a 5 week form ladder we are 3rd.

2nd in points against.

The other thing that I find baffling is that despite having a scoreless quarter against 2 clubs in West Coast and Nth Melb we still won.

I'm not sure our lack of scoring is an issue, while it's not very attractive, it seems to be more important that you limit the opposition.

We'll see how crucial Gwilt going down will be, our back 6 has been settled for a few weeks now, lets hope its not too unsettling, and we can get through the next few weeks and grow more in confidence.

3 winnable - yet dangerous if respect is not paid - games coming up.

Then the Filth to see where we are really at...

Bring it on.

[gringo]

I think the shut down is a game plan feature that is in the tinkering stage. We attack all out then go into a holding pattern where we try limiting for extended periods. Collingwood are trying something similar at times this season. It is a modern take on tempo footy and if you can limit scoring during an extended attack period from the opposition you let them run themselves out of puff then attack again. It is a response to the limited rotations where the last quarter becomes vitally important to still have run in your legs.

[Richter]

Imagine if we can go 5-2 for the rest of the season - which is not a stretch IMO. Then we'd have gone the 2nd 2/3 of the season 12-3..... Hmmmm.

Re the 2 scoreless quarters I see them both very differently.... against North we were too scared to dare to win, and thus pretty lucky to hold on.... against the Eagles we were monstered in the ruck, leading to consecutive Eagles clearances and hit-outs to advantage.... once in our own 50 the Eagles press cut out our running options, whilst their big men guarded the lines for the get-out kick.

[Devilhead]

let them run themselves out of puff then attack again. It is a response to the limited rotations where the last quarter becomes vitally important to still have run in your legs.

Mirrored my thoughts at 3 quarter time

The Eagles had worked themselves so hard during the 2nd and 3rd quarters that by 3 quarter time they were spent - watching the last quarter again you could see they had nothing left to give enabling us to step up a gear and get back on top.

With another 7 games to go before the finals we are slowly bringing ourselves to peak fitness - all part of 2011's grandmaster plan

[Cro]

You could definitely see the change in mindset in the 2nd quarter, players looking to kick backwards and side ways. WHile first quarter we ran into space and played on as much as possible.
3rd quarter shows we still haven't quite got there.

[Leo.J]

http://stats.rleague.com/afl/teams/allteams/last20.html

We're getting back up there...

We need a big scalp.

None bigger than the Filth.

[Junction Oval]

Gringo commented :

I think the shut down is a game plan feature that is in the tinkering stage. We attack all out then go into a holding pattern where we try limiting for extended periods. It is a modern take on tempo footy and if you can limit scoring during an extended attack period from the opposition you let them run themselves out of puff then attack again. It is a response to the limited rotations where the last quarter becomes vitally important to still have run in your legs.

What a good observation Gringo, I think that you are right on the mark.
Like other Posters, I have noticed that we "suddenly" change approach (tactics) and start kicking backwards, sideways etc. I never realised that it is most likely a broader "tactic" than simply slowing things down - now I am not so frustrated. If a planned tactic, it worked brilliantly against West Coast, they were stuffed in the last quarter - we learn something new every day on this site

[matrix]

whats gets my goat ( ) is the fans from all teams that start carrying on like a pratt when their team starts kicking it sideways and start yelling the obvious bomb it long bulls***.

they have no idea
its 2011
not 1979 anymore

[Junction Oval]

Just acknowledging that everyone may not be as not as smart as you Matrix

[Leo.J]

http://stats.rleague.com/afl/teams/allteams/last20.html

Interesting, we have the lowest against over the past 5 weeks.

The Pies have had some harder games, but if you average out the teams played ladder positions, it's pretty close.

We're going to learn alot about the Saints and the Pies this friday night.

[perfectionist]

Richmond, Port, University and Fitzroy haven't performed too well, although the last two perhaps better than expected.

[Leo.J]

Brisbane Bears are doing ok.

[InkerSaint]

Gringo commented :

I think the shut down is a game plan feature that is in the tinkering stage. We attack all out then go into a holding pattern where we try limiting for extended periods. It is a modern take on tempo footy and if you can limit scoring during an extended attack period from the opposition you let them run themselves out of puff then attack again. It is a response to the limited rotations where the last quarter becomes vitally important to still have run in your legs.

What a good observation Gringo, I think that you are right on the mark.
Like other Posters, I have noticed that we "suddenly" change approach (tactics) and start kicking backwards, sideways etc. I never realised that it is most likely a broader "tactic" than simply slowing things down - now I am not so frustrated. If a planned tactic, it worked brilliantly against West Coast, they were stuffed in the last quarter - we learn something new every day on this site

Dermott Brereton pointed out something similar on the Sunday Footy Show where against Fremantle we had 7 or so defenders manning up in the fourth quarter, they tried to bomb it into attack and every single one of our players outran their opponent.

We may not be quite where we need to be, and Friday's game will tell us just how far off the pace we are, but we will likely have another six weeks before we are any chance to meet Collingwood when it counts.

Anything is possible.

[gringo]

Interesting game not sure what to expect, I would take a loss under 4 goals and still have hope for the finals I guess.

[stinger]

Interesting game not sure what to expect, I would take a loss under 4 goals and still have hope for the finals I guess.

a win would be nice...shake the filth's confidence for a start.....give them a few doubts....

[Rosco]

id take a win now and go out in week 2 rather than a loss here and go out in week 3.

[Davo027]

Leo.J wrote

The other thing that I find baffling is that despite having a scoreless quarter against 2 clubs in West Coast and Nth Melb we still won.

Interestingly anough the last time we had 2 scoreless quarters against 2 different clubs was in 1966....I think one was the prelim final?
Cheers and Go Saints!!

[thejiggingsaint]

History/records are for reading in the off season! The idea is to MAKE history this week and beat the Ragpies

[Davo027]

Agree Jiggling , we'll do our best !!
Happy Jiggling

[bergholt]

a win would be nice...shake the filth's confidence for a start.....give them a few doubts....

agreed. the pies' mental state is pretty obviously their biggest asset at this point. they've got some good players, but the fact that they always know they can win means they never break from their plan or give up.

for the sake of the rest of the comp, we've just got to hope they have some bad luck in the next eight weeks, to shake their faith in the plan. doesn't look likely at this point though.

[Johnny Member]

We'll see how crucial Gwilt going down will be, our back 6 has been settled for a few weeks now, lets hope its not too unsettling, and we can get through the next few weeks and grow more in confidence.

Yeah, that 6 goal quarter against Freo was concerning. I reckon losing defenders is Lyon's greatest fear.

[Enrico_Misso]

An 11 game ladder (half a season) would show us equal second.

Coll on top with one loss.
Then us, Geel, Haw, Carl and WCE all with 2 losses.

[Leo.J]

http://stats.rleague.com/afl/teams/allteams/last20.html

Still #1 defensive side.

And top 4 over the past 5 weeks.

Despite having the toughest draw out of the the top 4 on this list (this is estimated by averaging the ladder position of the teams that these clubs have played).

Only the Blues and the Bombers have had a tougher draw out of the top 8 on this list.

[dragit]

http://stats.rleague.com/afl/teams/allteams/last20.html

Still #1 defensive side.

And top 4 over the past 5 weeks.

Despite having the toughest draw out of the the top 4 on this list (this is estimated by averaging the ladder position of the teams that these clubs have played).

Only the Blues and the Bombers have had a tougher draw out of the top 8 on this list.

Interestingly, the Brisbane Bears are just above us in the past 20 game ladder with 13 wins
Poor old University, lost the last 20 though