The game plan has been remarkably similar throughout the Hinkley era; kick it long towards Dixon (or the next biggest forward) and then try to lock the ball in the opponent's 50. Works well against low-middle teams but has been resoundingly picked apart by the better sides, especially those with the confidence to play quick accurate passes through defence to bust open the press and then isolate Port defenders 1-on-1. This is pronounced in finals because you tend to face the better teams, with more adaptable game plans. Add to that the 'finals are scary' mentality that seems to cripple us when under pressure and I've felt we've needed a change for a while.
I'm not sure about the whole idea of succession, have believed that the board needed to make a change seasons ago and that it has either been gutless or happy to accept vanilla.
I'm hoping that Carr can bring in some fresh ideas and make the most of what I believe is a pretty good young list. I'm already looking forward to '26 more than '25.
Be nice to kick to a forward market target , otherwise what are the alternatives ?
Chaos ball or a open paddock , give JHF or Rozee the goal square and clear everyone out.
Still remember how dangerous they were with Schultz at the Top of the 50 & Gray , Monfries & Wingard running amok.
Skill execution/delivery has been a issue going inside F 50 , could be a combo of pressure or the forwards presenting in the wrong spots as well.
Lord was taking himself up (understandably) on the News last night so be interesting if they do go him , Finlayson , Georgiades & Lukosius altogether.
Missed SPP's forward defensive pressure last season.
Butters , Horne-Francis & Rozee are as good as most mids going around so if Sweet can give them first look the majority of times it will be extremely interesting.
1 on 1 defence is a big problem in the modern game that a lot of teams don't seem to be able to deal with , this idea of guarding space and zones instead of a direct player still baffles me , I am old but surely a defenders first prior should be to nullify his direct opponents influence on a contest and game.
This trend of running off their direct opponent and trying to impact a contest 20-30 metres away (and continually failing and being left in no man's land) is so annoying and frustrating to watch.
I guess that's the modern game though.
