pies 2016 List Analysis: Gary Buckenara

[jg22]

Really liked his assessment of our kicking skills:

"Collingwood have too many guys who have what we call “slow kicks”. They can kick it ok but it has too much height on it and gives the opposition a chance to cut them off. More players who really punch the ball when they kick it so it gets there fast are important for the Pies."

This, to me, is the prime reason the Hawks have become a power. They traded deliberately to find players with elite disposal skills and have the nous to move the ball either laterally or longitudinally to avoid opposition cluster defences. Port showed them up in the 2014 PF with even quicker ball movement and by Luke Hodge's direct opponent the target of most forward thrusts and removing his zoning off moves. Richmond beat them this year by using multiple players on the mark against key ball movers (Birchall, Mitchell, Burgoyne).

Until we can move the ball with the authority and precision of Hawthorn, I fear we will move no higher than 6-8.

[Pies4shaw]

Well, if we finish 6th to 8th, we won't have to worry about it for much longer, because we'll have a new coach addressing the issues.

The Club has done a tremendous job reworking the list since 2012. It is full of talent and will only become more so. We can't allow that to be squandered. Pendlebury, Swan and Cloke have a couple more years at the top, at most. We must make hay while their Suns shine. It doesn't matter what else we bring in - history will show that those guys were irreplaceable.

[Tannin]