Nick Stevens of Carlton is pressured by Brent Prismall (L) & Cale Hooker (R) of Essendon during the AFL Round 13 match between the Essendon Bombers and the Carlton Blues at the MCG. Slattery Images
You might not have felt it, but there was a definite shift in the AFL this week. It might have been a minor one, but it was unquestionably there: the beginning of the end for what is known as the outside player. The omission of Nick Stevens rammed it home.
Stevens had, of course, put in a performance well below par in the Blues’ loss to Essendon last Friday night. He had been exposed by the attack on the ball by his younger Essendon opponents.
It was probably the worst game Stevens had played for the club. Essendon supporters walked away chuckling in satisfaction at the superior hardness of their player. Carlton fans trudged away questioning Stevens’ future role in the side.
Evidently, so did Carlton coach Brett Ratten.
Stevens, along with another player who could be considered an outside player in Heath Scotland, felt the cold steel of the selectors’ axe and will spend his Sunday running around Coburg City Oval with affiliate Northern Bullants.
Stevens and Scotland are, of course, not the first such outsiders to find themselves exactly that with their coaches.
St Kilda dropped Jason Gram earlier this season, while Joel Bowden may find himself standing Scotland or Stevens on Sunday for Coburg.
It highlights a change in the thinking of coaches; a change brought about by the way the game has changed over the past two seasons.
Just a few seasons ago, flooding was the buzzword. It created an arena outside players could thrive in, as teams churned through possessions in a way to break the flood.
But the game has changed now.
Collingwood was perhaps the first to really show the benefits. The Magpies had to produce something special to defeat a gang busting Geelong back in Round 9 last year. They duly did.
They harassed, mauled and corralled the Cats, pulling off a remarkable 86-point win. While Collingwood struggled to consistently replicate that performance for the remainder of the year, an 85-49 tackle count in the Magpies’ favour spoke volumes.
AFL football has developed since that May night. Tackling has become a real focus for sides, and frontal pressure – such as that put on by the likes of Cyril Rioli – has become the latest catch phrase.
But the shift has exposed the likes of Stevens and co. Given time and space, they use the ball skilfully and decisively.
And therein lies the problem. The league’s space players are no longer getting that. They are being closed down and harassed into mistakes.
Then, when expected to put on the same pressure their opponents afforded them, they are found further wanting.
Back in the VFL, Stevens, Scotland and Bowden must do more than regain their knack for racking up possession.
They must also realise that the way that footy is played nowadays is no place for the one-dimensional outside player.
They must adapt, or fall by the wayside.
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