It’s been two nights since the Pies notched their first win of the 2019 campaign against a fellow premiership fancy, but the implications of how they ran away 44-point winners could have a telling impact in the coming weeks.
Much has been made of whether Alex Rance’s absence was to blame for the Tigers disappointing showing, overshadowing another fascinating talking point to emerge from Thursday night’s contest.
But before we get to that, just in case you’ve spent the last nine days without power, internet connection or any Australian newspaper, last Thursday the country was suddenly thrown into abject disarray as five-time All Australian defender Alex Rance tragically succumbed to a knee injury in the battle-hardened trenches at the MCG’s Punt Road end.
It is without a doubt the single biggest tragedy mankind has laid its eyes on since a rather large ship ran into an iceberg on a frosty night back in 1912.
If you need to take a moment to process the news, please do. Word on the street is that offices around the country were understaffed last Monday morning, as thousands of workers took a long weekend to ease themselves into this new reality.
(Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos/Getty Images)
My view on the matter is quite simple. While I’m not disputing Rance’s importance to the Tigers’ set-up, the manner in which the Pies played on Thursday night would have nullified his impact regardless.
Same goes for Bachar Houli.
The Tigers’ defence has a heavy reliance on zone defending. Their ideal scenario being to block up the space inside their defensive 50 to force their opponents to kick the ball long down the line.
The decision to go down the line to a three vs three or even four vs four contest is a mini-win for the Tigers, as this is the most effective situation for Rance to intercept and launch a counter attack from halfback.
Even in his absence, the Tigers strength of defending as a group was demonstrated on the rare occasions when the Magpies midfield was forced to go down the line.
The likes of Dylan Grimes and Nick Vlastuin would compete in the same pack, with both able to either enforce a spoil to take the ball out of play, or intercept and launch an attack.
But Buckley came prepared.
Collingwood’s modus operandi was to deprive the Richmond back line of a chance to work as a unit through zone defence.
As soon as the Pies were able to clear their defensive 50, they were more than happy to be patient.
Chipping the ball meticulously across halfback, changing the angles to cut into the midfield or switching to the fat side of the ground to shift the Tigers defence.
The stats paint an incredible story. Collingwood winning the mark count by a remarkable 78-174, and of the 174 marks they took on the night, only 15 were contested.
Tom Langdon, Jack Crisp, Jordan Roughead and Jeremy Howe finished the night with a whopping 50 marks between them, almost three quarters of the Tigers total count.
However, Collingwood’s game-plan wasn’t purely designed to counter the Tigers defence.
They were able to execute this style of play that was a far cry from the centre corridor running machine which propelled them into last year’s grand final, because Buckley now has the key personnel to implement it.
The returning Darcy Moore has barely put a foot wrong in the first two games, and added with the shrewd acquisition of Jordan Roughead, the duo give the Magpies the sort of defensive height that was so desperately needed to match the Eagles’ talls in their grand final loss.
Not only that, but the Pies midfield boasts an array of gut-running wingmen.
Much is said and written about the Pies midfield brigade but the outside run of Steele Sidebottom, Chris Mayne and Tom Phillips is just as crucial as the class of say Scott Pendlebury, Dayne Beams and Adam Treloar.
Without the hard work of these outside midfielders to find space on the wing and switch from one side of the ground to the other, the back line would be pressed in and constantly under pressure without an easy outlet.
Even ruckman Brodie Grundy was able to assist in the transition, finding space on the wing in a manner which his opposite number Toby Nankervis just couldn’t emulate.
(AAP Image/Tracey Nearmy)
On the other side of the coin, this was the type of game plan which rendered the Tigers small- to medium-sized brigade relatively useless.
Richmond’s trademark throughout the last 24 months has been its manic pressure.
A ruthless ability to swarm forward with quick handball chains, grubber kicks and a level of intensity which saw the opposition under intense pressure.
But this style of play relies on one fundamental element which the Tigers were missing on Thursday night: tackling.
Despite having 164 more disposals, the Magpies doubled the Tigers tackle count, which read 33-60, with eight Richmond players failing to lay a single tackle on the night.
By keeping the ball off the ground, the Tigers’ fleet of medium-sized half backs and half forwards were forced onto the back foot.
For players like Daniel Rioli, Dan Butler, Jack Graham, Mav Weller and Jason Castagna to have an impact, they needed to change the dynamic of the game to a fast-paced handball fest.
And naturally, the amount of time spent shifting between either side of the ground as the Pies raffled the ball across half back paid its toll.
The Tigers’ defenders were isolated inside their defensive 50, caught in one-on-one contests and unable to defend as a unit – a recipe for disaster when trying to nullify the strength of Jordan De Goey or the height of Mason Cox.
Perhaps Thursday’s game might have been an early Christmas gift to the rest of the competition.
Buckley’s game plan forced the Tigers to defend man-to-man, deprived them of the football, and rendered their small-medium sized brigade ineffective.
It was truly an all-of-the-above approach.
What impact this will have on the Tigers opponents is yet to be seen.
But with GWS, Port Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne to come, all of whom possess the ability to replicate Collingwood’s game plan, we won’t have to wait long for the answer.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
This was coaching at it's very best. We've seen a lot of the Run And Gun approach as part of 6 6 6. The way the Magpies went about it was meticlous. Very impressive
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
There was a lot made of Simpson's apprenticeship under Clarkson where the development of and emphasis on first-class kicking skills was paramount. This led to the Eagle's game plan being so successful But it ignores one thing. You have to have the players. Jetta for all his perceived sloth, is a brilliant kick. Along with Hurn, McGovern,who is getting better and better, Sheppard and Barrass, the backline is becoming elite I also particularly like the way clutch kicks for goal are goals. The Eagles three and four years ago lost games because of inaccuracy. Not lately. The forwards are getting better too. Also, and I have banged on about it on the Roar before, they're scoring in the last five minutes of the quarter. Leon Cameron lamented just that in his interview. They don't make a big deal about the fitness levels but when nearly half the team ran PBs in the 2km, hats off to the training team Last year their training taper must have been fierce because they ran opponents off their feet in the last 8-10 minutes of every quarter, or so it seemed, and won games at the death, Thanks Jeremy, too bad, Port. Will the Saturday game with the Pies show the same endurance factor that led to three wins last year against them? The Pies ran a lot last week but it was mostly sprints. Eagles have two days less recovery and despite Duck's reiteration last night, backed up by Scott, that players would rather be playing than training, neither of them have any experience with east-west four to five hour flights and the ramifications for soft tissue issues.
ScottyH
Roar Rookie
I think perhaps the masterstroke and blueprint for the rest of the competition was made in Round 9 2018. Not by Nathan Buckley but by Adam Simpson.
RT
Roar Rookie
Completely agree. It was widely predicted that Richmond would have the most to lose from the 6-6-6 and so far that seems true, though they are not playing well regardless. I am not suggesting they can’t adjust but it will take time and it will also take time to settle on their best 22.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
The media still haven’t forgiven Neil Balme for the porkies with Dusty injury leading up to the preliminary.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
It was an unusual tactic for the Pies Doc. I can’t recall us playing keepings off to that extent ever. Will be really interesting how Buckley approaches the Eagles because here’s another side you don’t want to bomb it long into your forward line. Moore has been good but will get his biggest test against Darling. Howe will be back up I’d say. Did Roughead ever play on JK at the Dogs?
Fat Toad
Roar Rookie
Hi PC, thanks for your analysis. I have mentioned it elsewhere, but I think part of the Tigers problems come from the 6,6,6 set up. Last year and earlier the Tigers were able to set up their defence from the bounce and just continue it on. The big challenge for all teams this year will be their set up defence after a goal versus their in game defence. It is easy to suggest that the Tigers were missing the frenetic defence of previous years, but for a lot of the game they were not in a position to tackle as the ball had either been marked or already moved on.
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Nor the Pies against the Cats,just saying Line by line the Pies seem to be better, until we come to the Eagles' backs and forwards. You might hope that Mayne will do what Hayne did to McGovern.You might hope that Still,it's only round 3 and losses either way have context. What I thought was interesting as a comparison t between the GWS/Eagles and Pies/Tigers games is that the Eagles were +10 in disposals but won by 52. Collingwood were +164 and won by 44 GWS were inefficient,true but you will win no games at all with 52 points on your tally nor will Richmond with 66
Vel
Roar Rookie
A good analysis, but with respect, Buckley's plan was precisely what West Coast used last year in round 9 when they dismantled the red-hot, top-of-the-table (with a percentage of 149) reigning premiers by 47 points. By using a precise kick-and-mark style, the Eagles rendered ineffective Richmond's manic pressure game. And that was done with a fit Alex Rance on the field. Next week is shaping as a massive game. With the two extra days' break I'm tempted to tip Collingwood, but West Coast found some form in the second half against the Giants, so it could be another belter between the two clubs.
Pinidu Chandrasekera
Roar Rookie
Pies won't stick with this approach over the long term, it was a smash and grab tactic designed for the tigers which paid off. Feel as though Dimma's media game will get a solid workout over the coming weeks. Expect the porkies to be out in force as he handles Riewoldt's injury, Grimes' suspension and the media pressure which will go up another notch
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Weren’t too precise against the lions doc!
Eddie from Elwood
Roar Rookie
Great work, however we have seen this before, Adelaide Crows circa '17, and Hawks before that, not trying belittle what the Pies did, they were all class, however it's a tried and true approach to the high press game plan. I also think Dimma told a little porkie when he said he knew the possession game was coming, I'm pretty sure the Tigers box had raised eyebrows. Kudos to Buck's and the crew.
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Wishful thinking. The Eagles are fast and precise. Moore isn't strong enough for Jack. Kennedy is deceptively fast over the ground and Roughead won't keep up . Hutchings will wear DeGoey like a wetsuit and kick a goal or two himself Eagles by 4 or 5 goals
Eddie from Elwood
Roar Rookie
100%
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Moore gets Darling. Roughead gets Kennedy. Greenwood will tag Yeo and we will play keepings off the others. Pies by 30+
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
If having two less days to recover and a flight to Melbourne ahead of the game counts for anything, the Pies should be ahead but because it’s early days, pre-season fitness should count for quite a bit. It’s not till later in the year that there’s a cumulative effect. Dawson isn’t Grundy of course but Vardy and Hickey stayed tall till the siren. You wouldn’t want Petrucelle or Ryan near the ball and Gaff and Cripps will take some minding. Shuey and Sheed are both getting along nicely. Who do you play on Allen?Darling? Kennedy? And Peter,what did you think of Jetta’s kicking? Again, a challenge for West Coast but one I think we can overcome. 2 or 3 goals
Pinidu Chandrasekera
Roar Rookie
Fair point, although I don't think the Tigers will reach the heights of 2017 given their current form and injury concerns. Also I can't see the Pies adopting this game plan on a regular basis, I feel it might just have been deployed to beat the Tigers - won't be surprised if Bucks returns to the free-flowing centre corridor run and carry next Saturday
Cat
Roar Guru
Not trying to take anything away from Greenwood's tagging job but Dusty seems off anyway. There were a few balls he got and he was 5 meters clear of his opponent and he still just stopped and propped. Absolutely refused to run and take the game on. I won't be surprised to find out in a few weeks that he has been nursing some sort of foot/leg/lower body issue.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
When you think about it, the Tigers had a few important players out. Rance, Caddy, Houli and Jack had one arm most of the game.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
I think we can knock off the Eagles next week. It's never revenge for a flag but would be a handy win. Roughead has been a great pick up so far and with Dunn now out for the year, full back is his to keep in his current form. Scharenberg to return mid year too though it seems poor Ben Reid might be done.