Substitute Strategy 2015

[bulldogtragic]

I was in the vast minority last year who thought our sub strategy was not best. So moving forward to 2015 we don't have Gia or really anyone else of his ilk we could replicate the theory with. Matt Boyd seems the closest in age and I don't think he's the sort to run a sub strategy around. Our age profile is again fairly young and fairly inexperienced. So we are back to looking at everything fresh again.

Subs of KPPs who aren't returning from injury don't seem common, to generalise others seem to inject fresh legs and pace with their subs. Is this something we should conform with, or with the likelihood of kids being very sore, should we look at putting in a bigger body like a Stevens?

Or horses for courses?

[jeemak]

Re: Substitute Strategy 2015

The Sub strategy of the last one and a half seasons was purely designed to develop players and get them off the ground if they weren't doing what they needed to be doing. Gia was a good substitute because he could immediately come on to the ground and influence the game. Fair enough you didn't agree with it, but in my view it wasn't really an issue for us because of the stage of development we were in.

All that aside, if I was to speculate I wouldn't think our current coach will take the same tact when it comes to managing the sub. As the last coach wasn't necessarily match day result oriented and he's since been replaced, we'll see a different perspective from the current coach because he needs to show he is capable of coaching a more competitive team, on top of being different from the last guy.

As we have a number of small to medium sized forwards and midfielders coming through the ranks this year, my prediction is that these are the types that will fill the sub role, with it being an extension of the interchange bench as another layer of competition across the playing group.

I like the idea of using the sub as a strategic position, but only when the team is one capable of being in the contest up to its armpits in the final quarter of most games. We're not there yet.

[boydogs]

Re: Substitute Strategy 2015

I think we will be a lot more boring and normal with the sub this year. Gia was a bit of a special case in needing the same to slow down to contribute and being able to have an influence straight away. Expect a lot of Wallis, Stevens, Hrovat, Hunter subs

[Hotdog60]

Re: Substitute Strategy 2015

If the sub stays and I hope it doesn't. Would there be a need for the specialist sub, a player that is versatile enough to play multiple positions. A swing man as such if you wanted a key player as the sub or the 195 midfielder that has good skills to play the 3 major parts of the ground.
A Bonts type might be the future although it would suck for the player unless his tank isn't the best but is very skilful.
That type only falls down if he goes on very early in the game.

[GVGjr]

Re: Substitute Strategy 2015

I was in the vast minority last year who thought our sub strategy was not best. So moving forward to 2015 we don't have Gia or really anyone else of his ilk we could replicate the theory with. Matt Boyd seems the closest in age and I don't think he's the sort to run a sub strategy around. Our age profile is again fairly young and fairly inexperienced. So we are back to looking at everything fresh again.

Subs of KPPs who aren't returning from injury don't seem common, to generalise others seem to inject fresh legs and pace with their subs. Is this something we should conform with, or with the likelihood of kids being very sore, should we look at putting in a bigger body like a Stevens?

Or horses for courses?

I didn't think our use of the sub was an issue in the slightest in fact the output by Giansiracusa was productive and despite missing a few games he still kicked a few goals for us.

The bonus of using the sub the way we did last year was that it also provided more game time for the younger players and hopefully that will benefit them this season.

I don't think there is an obvious choice for a role albeit Matthew Boyd could be a candidate in the 2nd half of the season.

It doesn't work well with taller KP players so I think it will be spread amongst the mids or flankers. The likes of Darley, Johannisen, Biggs, Hunter, Hamling and Honeychurch might take their turn as subs. As a bit of speculation Jarrad Grant is the sort of impact player that might be considered.

The new coach will spread it around as he tries to put his best side on the ground so who gets to be the sub each week won't be a huge issue for him.

[F'scary]

Re: Substitute Strategy 2015

The sub usually doesn't play in the VFL game, so there is a risk to young players' development if they are being slotted in as the regular sub. That said, I would like to see the sub used to give inexperienced players a taste. Perhaps we could see Honeychurch and any of our 6 draftees who are showing signs of readiness to progress to the seniors being given sub roles but I would rotate it, no more than 1 sub game in a row.

Of the more senior players, I don't think we will be able to afford having the likes of Stevens, Boyd, JJ or Hrovat as subs. Maybe Dickson and Grant (if he is proving to be too mercurial to merit a full game) could offer enough positional flexibility to earn the sub spot if they can't force their way into the first 21 picked.

[G-Mo77]

Re: Substitute Strategy 2015

I actually didn't mind the Gia as sub, perfect role for an older guy. It would have been better had we had a more competitive team. You're not alone though BT. Going back when this awful rule started I don't think we've utilised it very well. This season we have a lot of smaller forward types so I'm guessing they'll see the most time as sub. I guess that is one advantage of grabbing the same type of player in every draft position. Although as jeemak pointed out using it as a strategy at this stage seems pretty futile, it'll just the 22nd man.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Substitute Strategy 2015

I actually didn't mind the Gia as sub, perfect role for an older guy. It would have been better had we had a more competitive team. You're not alone though BT. Going back when this awful rule started I don't think we've utilised it very well. This season we have a lot of smaller forward types so I'm guessing they'll see the most time as sub. I guess that is one advantage of grabbing the same type of player in every draft position. Although as jeemak pointed out using it as a strategy at this stage seems pretty futile, it'll just the 22nd man.

I was hoping Gillon would axe the sub and return to 22. I'm hoping it will be gone soon enough, and pretty much agree with the post all round.

[GVGjr]

Re: Substitute Strategy 2015

I was hoping Gillon would axe the sub and return to 22. I'm hoping it will be gone soon enough, and pretty much agree with the post all round.

I think it will go if a cap is put on the interchange numbers. I get the logic behind the sub because an early injury does give a huge advantage to the other team as they can still rotate 4 players on an off against 3 but if the cap is in place it might not still matter.

[Axe Man]

Re: Substitute Strategy 2015

I think it will go if a cap is put on the interchange numbers. I get the logic behind the sub because an early injury does give a huge advantage to the other team as they can still rotate 4 players on an off against 3 but if the cap is in place it might not still matter.

There already is an interchange cap - 120. Do you mean if the cap is lowered?

[G-Mo77]

Re: Substitute Strategy 2015

I think it will go if a cap is put on the interchange numbers. I get the logic behind the sub because an early injury does give a huge advantage to the other team as they can still rotate 4 players on an off against 3 but if the cap is in place it might not still matter.

Injuries have been apart of footy for years, if someone gets injured you're disadvantaged even with the sub rule. I've never known the logic behind the decisions of this rule, interchange cap, cut the bench down to 3 with a sub? It doesn't make sense. It would have been better had they left it at 4 man interchange with a sub.

[boydogs]

Re: Substitute Strategy 2015

Injuries have been apart of footy for years, if someone gets injured you're disadvantaged even with the sub rule. I've never known the logic behind the decisions of this rule, interchange cap, cut the bench down to 3 with a sub? It doesn't make sense. It would have been better had they left it at 4 man interchange with a sub.

Aside from reducing the impact of early injuries, I think it was to slow the game down to reduce collision injuries and congestion

[Bornadog]

Re: Substitute Strategy 2015

Injuries have been apart of footy for years, if someone gets injured you're disadvantaged even with the sub rule. I've never known the logic behind the decisions of this rule, interchange cap, cut the bench down to 3 with a sub? It doesn't make sense. It would have been better had they left it at 4 man interchange with a sub.

Couldn't agree more.

Aside from reducing teh impact of early injuries, I think it was to slow the game down to reduce collision injuries and congestion

Another BS excuse used by the AFL to tinker with the game and upset supporters. What a joke slow the game down, yet they have introduced so many rules to keep the game flowing and actually make it faster.

[jeemak]

Re: Substitute Strategy 2015

Couldn't agree more.



Another BS excuse used by the AFL to tinker with the game and upset supporters. What a joke slow the game down, yet they have introduced so many rules to keep the game flowing and actually make it faster.

Immediate kick-ins, early play-on calls and deliberate out of bounds are the ones areas that spring to mind. The AFL is a silly organisation.

[Bulldog Joe]

Re: Substitute Strategy 2015

Another BS excuse used by the AFL to tinker with the game and upset supporters. What a joke slow the game down, yet they have introduced so many rules to keep the game flowing and actually make it faster.

I really believe they are trying to overcome some of the defensive developments and looking for the game to open up rather than slow it done. The speed up with the kick-ins and other factors are all designed to increase fatigue. The Interchange cap and sub rule is also to add to the fatigue.

That fatigue then reduces the defensive capacities, opening up more scoring opportunites.

More scoring late in games can be exciting and they want excitement at the end of games.