A.F.L. Thread II

[vic_orthdox]

Yeah, a lot of players not behind Leppa, and when you're not a winning team I'm not sure how it can ever be turned around.

 

[Spikey]

should make chris lynn coach

 

[Redbacks]

I've been thinking this for a few weeks now - does anyone think Hinkley is getting a free ride? He may be coming under some pressure now in Adelaide, but honestly he's closing in on a year and a half of just utter **** performances from a team that was a kick away from a Grand Final in 2014. And I get that he's lost Ryder and Monfries due to Essendope saga but still...

Like if you're going to get all the plaudits during 2013 and 2014 (and those two years were spent by the AFL media lauding how great Hinkley is for turning around Primus' shitfest of a coaching run) you have to cop it when you're playing a game plan that looks mediocre, and your team's skills have fallen away completely.

The talk around Adelaide has been about how important Phil Walsh was as the tactician whilst Hinkley is the great man manager/head coach. After Walsh left to go to the Crows and Voss came in the Power haven't been the same side structurally.

 

[Jono]

North's premiership odds are ****ing tempting at 9-0

 

[Burgey]

Anyone think AFL is going through a bit of a defensive phase atm? Admittedly I haven't watched as many games this year as the last couple as I've been bloody busy with other things in life, but from what I've seen there appears to be a bit of a trend where defence is winning out over attack this season a bit more than in the past. Still love it, mind you.

 

[vic_orthdox]

Anyone think AFL is going through a bit of a defensive phase atm? Admittedly I haven't watched as many games this year as the last couple as I've been bloody busy with other things in life, but from what I've seen there appears to be a bit of a trend where defence is winning out over attack this season a bit more than in the past. Still love it, mind you.

All scoring indicators are up this year, more teams scoring over 100 points per game than the past few seasons.

There has been a bit of a reversion to the mean as the season has gone on, but it's still been better to watch in general than the past few seasons.

 

[morgieb]

Anyone think AFL is going through a bit of a defensive phase atm? Admittedly I haven't watched as many games this year as the last couple as I've been bloody busy with other things in life, but from what I've seen there appears to be a bit of a trend where defence is winning out over attack this season a bit more than in the past. Still love it, mind you.

As Jack points out, the game if anything is more attacking this year. Witness Freo's season as an example. Last week was a bit different, admittedly.

I think part of it is that defence is a lot easier to teach to a level that will win matches than attack. So gameplan wise most sides try to defend (though Lyon/Malthouse style defences are on their way out I suspect) rather than attack. Especially the weaker ones, as it gives them a chance to be more competitive.

 

[Spikey]

last year was a lot tougher to watch. the stricter out of bounds rule is a godsend

 

[Burgey]

Cheers. As I said, haven't seen a lot of games yet, hoping to change that over the next month or so.

 

[Jono]

Anyone think AFL is going through a bit of a defensive phase atm? Admittedly I haven't watched as many games this year as the last couple as I've been bloody busy with other things in life, but from what I've seen there appears to be a bit of a trend where defence is winning out over attack this season a bit more than in the past. Still love it, mind you.

Think you've maybe watched the few defensive games unfortunately. One of the highest scoring years in the last 10-15 years so far I believe?

 

[morgieb]

Think you've maybe watched the few defensive games unfortunately. One of the highest scoring years in the last 10-15 years so far I believe?

The average score this year is 92 points per team, which is pretty much the average of the last 20 years. Last two years were around 86, for reference (which is lower than any year after about 1970 IIRC)

 

[Jono]

Surely this year not only romps 2014 and 2015, but 2005-2006 as well?

 

[morgieb]

Surely this year not only romps 2014 and 2015, but 2005-2006 as well?

2005 was actually very high scoring despite Sydney winning (we were the 3rd lowest scoring side in the H&A season), the average was 95 PPT. 2006 was 92 PPT.

 

[Burgey]

The sound of a bubble bursting.

Show yourself, Murphy.

 

[superkingdave]

I doubt you would find many North fans who are at all surprised at dropping this game. I actually had us down to lose by a bit more. Certain playesr aren't pulling their weight at the moment, but still 12 games to go and the 9 straight has put us in a great position for top 4.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Such an awful performance from us yesterday. Port have nothing and we let them run the game from HB and kept turning it over in midfield. Dire.

 

[Jono]

eat **** Spikey

 

[Spikey]

the ****ing nerve of dcye to like that post. i'm ****ing furious right now

 

[Redbacks]

Sydney flag favourites all of a sudden! If Buddy stays fit they would have to be a chance of finishing top 2 so I guess they deserve to be rated so highly.

 

[Jono]

That's a big time win by the Blues. Would have been a great win anyway but losing two men early makes it incredible.