Grand clash of titans
Habits the foundation for success
GEELONG has played at an incredible level in the past two weeks of the finals.
Finals can be tough to win; Collingwood and Brisbane are high-quality teams and are hard to play against. The Cats were able to dominate from early on and play the game according to their style.
Their starts have been brutal and efficient. It’s been a from-the-first-bounce mentality. They are quick at outnumbering at the contest, hunting and pressuring, putting bodies on the line and taking first options to create rapid attack.
I have often said teams develop finals behaviours and actions through seasons and previous finals campaigns. They become a club’s finals culture, how a team is analysed, described and evaluated.
These revolve around: INTENSITY and attack on the ball, ability to win contest areas;
COMPOSURE and efficiency with the ball in hand; BALANCING ball movement, when to control when to go quickly;
DEFENDING inside 50s of all types; and,
FOLLOWING individual roles inside team structures.
Geelong has built steadily in these areas over two years and is reaping the rewards.
Rarely won through individual efforts and acts of brilliance, big finals are the by-product of what has been the cornerstone of all successful societies, teams and groups for centuries — teamwork.
This is the very essence of why Richmond has been challenging to compete against since 2017.
They play for one another, possess a drive to support their teammates and a reluctance to let each other down.
This combination is rare to find and is immensely powerful and fulfilling.
The joy and satisfaction of giving to others far outweighs the receiving of tangible rewards.
BEWARE THE PRESSURE
THE Tigers play their best when they create early defensive positioning behind the ball. Defenders and midfielders push up the ground to clog space and close exit options for their opposition. Delay and confusion build pressure on their opponents and create turnovers.
For four years no club has scored more from turnovers than Richmond. It is a proven brand and suited to highpressure finals.
Continued excellence over some time has built a team that:
MAKES very early attacking decisions;
HAS firm belief and composure under extreme pressure; and,
BUILDS momentum quickly when it senses an advantage over its opponent.
The Tigers go into games expecting to win and calm in the knowledge their method is understood by all and is at its heart — total team.
HIGH FIVE FOR WIN
BEATING the reigning champions is going to be difficult but very possible if
Geelong can adjust and win in five key areas:
1. GAIN possession of the contest through the middle of the ground. The Tigers push forward quickly when they sense a teammate is going to win the ball. Their knock-ons and surge ball are difficult to defend. However, beat them at these contest areas and they open up defensively as they are often out of play and unable to get back and support. Outnumbering and intensity are key for Geelong.
2. MAKE their defenders play one-on-one and compete first rather than assume best position and take away attacking space. The Cats’ forwards need to be always on the contest line and stay in play to create long contests. It will allow them to pressure and create delay to keep the ball in their forward 50. If Richmond defenders are intercepting and launching offence, they can be challenging to contain.
3. ADJUST quickly to Kane Lambert and Dustin Martin’s positioning through the midfield and forward 50. Lambert’s ability to play as an extra midfielder from the forward line creates much of their attacking momentum. He consistently helps them move the ball from stoppages and turnovers. Martin’s freedom to push forward from the midfield provides the Tigers with another marking option. His craft at taking his opponents’ line to the ball and owning space is incredible.
The Cats need to hunt Lambert through the midfield and create even number contests and win the ball at the source. Their defenders need to adjust quickly to ensure Martin has the right match-up to compete overhead.
4. BOTH teams are excellent defensively and prey on teams who try to maintain possession with a kick-andmark game. The pressure, elite defensive positioning and forecast rain will create a “down the line and long kick to marking contests” spectacle.
Geelong will need to compete aerially, engage Toby Nankervis when he positions behind the ball and outnumber with method and incredible ferocity at ground ball situations. Done well it will restrict Richmond defenders’ ability to position proactively and create forward momentum that is difficult to stop. The Cats are highly efficient inside 50 when the ball is moving quickly.
5. THE Gabba is very much a centre bounce arena rewarding clear wins and quick entries. The connection between ruckman and midfielders, coupled with hardness and craft, will have a massive bearing on the result. Both teams possess dangerous centre bounce combinations, and it will be a fascinating battle. Powerful midfielders on the move and taking clean possession could determine the result of the game. Both clubs have displayed a positive, calm, realistic and focused mindset throughout this week.
COOL IN THE FURNACE
GEELONG and Richmond are mature, developed and well prepared.
The Tigers know what is required, they have overcome a high injury toll and an unexpected first week finals
loss has injected much-needed game ti time in into key returning players.
Geelong is a different group to the previous three to four years. They are harder at the contest and can adapt to changing scenarios in games.
Young players have been developed and are flourishing with opportunity and great mentoring from assistant and development coaches.
An injury-free and settled line-up have been critical in team connection and chemistry.
Two outstanding teams have a rare opportunity to create brilliant memories and win a premiership for their clubs.
Well-matched, they play in a manner that is suited to finals football.
A good start doing the basics well and maintaining composure to find options with the ball will be pivotal in the outcome.