If you're a regular reader/watcher of my game analysis posts then you'll be well aware of the teams like Sydney, Gold Coast and Brisbane creating length through the center of the ground for to move the ball through the corridor whole getting your forwards deep inside forward 50 at the same time.
Leading up to the Sydney/Gold Coast game I posted about how both teams both want to this mid50 length from contest, who would be able to do it the best and will the dimensions of Norwood allow it to happen?
In the end the deciding factor was pressure and tackling.
Over 45 games so far this year, 15 have had a +10 tackle differential with 8 of those having a +20 tackle diff.
Only 1 of those 8 games has had a +30 or more tackle differential and it was this very game, where Sydney were +45 in tackles with an almost 2:1 tackle ratio (97-52).
Post-game the Swans' players said this was a focus which I presume was based on the ground dimensions (narrowest ground in the AFL) = less ground to cover per defender = more congestion = high pressure/tackle which also helped the Swans limit the Suns to 0 contested marks for the entire game.
On top of that the Suns had 13/14 lowest rated players on the ground v Sydney having 7/8 highest rated and to get back to the tackle factor, Gold Coast had 19 players with 3 or less tackles for the game v Sydney with 7/8 highest tacklers for the game.
Cox thoroughly outcoached Dimma in this game.
This video is sorted into 2 parts:
- The first 12mins looks at both teams creating m50 length from center bounce clearance, general play stoppage and kick outs
- The last 3 mins looks at Rowell losing Heeney, Sydney Forward Press Defense and Grundy Ruck Run
