Its time to admit it - we have the yips! | PUNT ROAD END | Richmond Tigers Forum
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Its time to admit it - we have the yips!

bricci

bricci

Tiger Rookie
May 7, 2004
320
480
I am pretty sure that most 'rusted on' Tiger's supporters 'knew' when Stringer kicked that goal from yet another centre clearance lost that we were headed for yet another instalment of Tragic close losses.
After a bit of research, discovered that in the 6.5 seasons starting with 2017 we are 5-14-4 in games decided by 6 points or less (2017 0-3-0, 2018 2-1-0, 2019 1-0-0, 2020 1-0-1, 2021, 1-3-1. 2022 0-5-1, 2023 0-2-1.
In fact it has been a little over 2 years since we won a match by a goal or less (v Giants 15th May 2021).
Since that match we are 0-9-3 in games decided by under a goal.
Even in the years 2017 - 2020 (inclusive) we are 4-4-1 - nothing to write home about.
Only 9 matches decided by 6 points or less between 2017 -2020 (4 seasons). There has been 14 since 2021 (almost 2.5 seasons).

So we are getting involved in a lot more close matches but losing (or drawing) nearly all of them.

The best theory that I can come up with is that centre clearances are becoming more and more important and despite acknowledging that and trading accordingly we are roughly 18th in this stat and definitely 18th in effectiveness from centre clearance. We seem to either kick very wide or straight down the oppo's throat on the rare occasions that we do get a centre clearance.

There is also a reasonable level of panic involved as well - basically 'close match yips'.
 
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bricci said:
I am pretty sure that most 'rusted on' Tiger's supporters 'knew' when Stringer kicked that goal from yet another centre clearance lost that we were headed for yet another instalment of Tragic close losses.
After a bit of research, discovered that in the 6.5 seasons starting with 2017 we are 5-14-4 in games decided by 6 points or less (2017 0-3-0, 2018 2-1-0, 2019 1-0-0, 2020 1-0-1, 2021, 1-3-1. 2022 0-5-1, 2023 0-2-1.
In fact it has been a little over 2 years since we won a match by a goal or less (v Giants 15th May 2021).
Since that match we are 0-9-3 in games decided by under a goal.
Even in the years 2017 - 2020 (inclusive) we are 4-4-1 - nothing to write home about.
Only 9 matches decided by 6 points or less between 2017 -2020 (4 seasons). There has been 14 since 2021 (almost 2.5 seasons).
So we are getting involved in a lot more close matches but losing (or drawing) nearly all of them.

The best theory that I can come up with is that centre clearances are becoming more and more important and despite acknowledging that and trading accordingly we are roughly 18th in this stat and definitely 18th in effectiveness from centre clearance. We seem to either kick very wide or straight down the oppo's throat on the rare occasions that we do get a centre clearance.

There is also a reasonable level of panic involved as well - basically 'close match yips'.
Click to expand...
This is why we kill ourselves as this chaos game causes errors for us. Too many 1%ers going anywhere all for hope.
Jack's terrible soccer kick to Redman proved it.
 
bricci said:
I am pretty sure that most 'rusted on' Tiger's supporters 'knew' when Stringer kicked that goal from yet another centre clearance lost that we were headed for yet another instalment of Tragic close losses.
After a bit of research, discovered that in the 6.5 seasons starting with 2017 we are 5-14-4 in games decided by 6 points or less (2017 0-3-0, 2018 2-1-0, 2019 1-0-0, 2020 1-0-1, 2021, 1-3-1. 2022 0-5-1, 2023 0-2-1.
In fact it has been a little over 2 years since we won a match by a goal or less (v Giants 15th May 2021).
Since that match we are 0-9-3 in games decided by under a goal.
Even in the years 2017 - 2020 (inclusive) we are 4-4-1 - nothing to write home about.
Only 9 matches decided by 6 points or less between 2017 -2020 (4 seasons). There has been 14 since 2021 (almost 2.5 seasons).

So we are getting involved in a lot more close matches but losing (or drawing) nearly all of them.

The best theory that I can come up with is that centre clearances are becoming more and more important and despite acknowledging that and trading accordingly we are roughly 18th in this stat and definitely 18th in effectiveness from centre clearance. We seem to either kick very wide or straight down the oppo's throat on the rare occasions that we do get a centre clearance.

There is also a reasonable level of panic involved as well - basically 'close match yips'.
Click to expand...
Kick very wide yes. Or straight down oppo’s throat yes.
Never seen a ball rebound so often and so easily as it did tonight, was horrid
 
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My theory is that we have never been a team under Hardwick that puts teams away, so we always leave the door open.

The stat that I reckon tells the story is out of the 13 close losses / draws - how many games were we in control mid way through the last qtr (like tonight’s against the bumbers) but we seem to ease of mentally and give back a the momentum to the opposition to run over us.

It is a mental thing I am convinced and it has something to do with half the squad having a medal or two or three in their back pocket.

I can’t see us winning another game before the bye tbh - we will come out and I can see another close loss or two coming up because we are not that bad but we don’t want it enough anymore
 
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bricci said:
I am pretty sure that most 'rusted on' Tiger's supporters 'knew' when Stringer kicked that goal from yet another centre clearance lost that we were headed for yet another instalment of Tragic close losses.
After a bit of research, discovered that in the 6.5 seasons starting with 2017 we are 5-14-4 in games decided by 6 points or less (2017 0-3-0, 2018 2-1-0, 2019 1-0-0, 2020 1-0-1, 2021, 1-3-1. 2022 0-5-1, 2023 0-2-1.
In fact it has been a little over 2 years since we won a match by a goal or less (v Giants 15th May 2021).
Since that match we are 0-9-3 in games decided by under a goal.
Even in the years 2017 - 2020 (inclusive) we are 4-4-1 - nothing to write home about.
Only 9 matches decided by 6 points or less between 2017 -2020 (4 seasons). There has been 14 since 2021 (almost 2.5 seasons).

So we are getting involved in a lot more close matches but losing (or drawing) nearly all of them.

The best theory that I can come up with is that centre clearances are becoming more and more important and despite acknowledging that and trading accordingly we are roughly 18th in this stat and definitely 18th in effectiveness from centre clearance. We seem to either kick very wide or straight down the oppo's throat on the rare occasions that we do get a centre clearance.

There is also a reasonable level of panic involved as well - basically 'close match yips'.
Click to expand...
Where's the David Mundy goals??
We have lost close games under Hardwick for 10+ yrs.
*smile* it we won 3 flags.
What's Essendons excuse?.
 
We concede goals straight from ball ups like its a under 12's game.
Last week Brun kicked 1 and then tonight Fat guts kicked 1.
 
Our process in these scenarios does not work. We need to do something completely different!
A chest mark in the goal square. String 5m clear on his own. Taranto only just getting a fist on the inside 50.

Our center square setup stunk for years. 6,6,6 left no where to hide. The game has changed, we haven’t.
Taranto and hopper come in.., same results. It ain’t the cattle, it’s the structure!
 
craig said:
We dont have the yips.

We have no composure
Click to expand...
Now where are we going to find a forward with a proven record of composure under pressure?
Clues: last week's game,:cupgold :cupgold :cupgold , Number 17, First quarter Dusty assist.

Yet another game where he might well have steadied the ship in a crisis.
 
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achillesjones said:
Now where are we going to find a forward with a proven record of composure under pressure?
Clues: last week's game,:cupgold :cupgold :cupgold , Number 17, First quarter Dusty assist.

Yet another game where he might well have steadied the ship in a crisis.
Click to expand...
Yep great points achilles!

Moju actually mightve been enough tonight up forward we had no one at the fall of the footy.
 
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Here's a leap in logic. This streak of misery in close games loosely follows Daniel's move to the backline.
But hey we've got yet another sweeper who gets 20+ possessions a week. That's all that counts.
 
achillesjones said:
You're getting warm. Keep trying. Good work.
Click to expand...
I know you mean Danny mate, but even Moju mightve been enough spark.

Geez even though he wasnt travelling great the forward line has zero pressure without him.

Danny might as well stay back now seasons rooted plus hes been so dominant and so damaging for the Tigers in that role.

Tonight was the night to make the move I agree.
 
Not sure why we are losing all the close ones , but the reason why we are in so many of them is we just don’t have the skills to put teams away
 
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The bigger question for me is what do we do now to go forward again. We still have a core of very good experienced footballers, especially down back plus Martin & Bolton as mids/forward.

Granted we have some older players just about done (although Cotchin was ok again last night especially in using the ball), but that’ll play out through second half of the season.

In the short term, I’d do the following:

- provide structure forward of the ball. Don’t care who it is, but play another tall alongside Jack in the forward line - Bauer probably deserves first crack at it. Primary focus is to get to contests and not get out marked.
- Ryan to be first ruck and supported by Nank (who must lift or be dropped).
- Pickett back to a wing.
- Drop McIntosh and put Short on his wing.
- Ross to play as a midfielder
- Cumberland recalled and persevered with. Clear instructions is just to get to contests and compete.
- Go more to a longer, contested footy type game plan until such time as we have players who can kick and hit targets. Across the board at the moment, we don’t.
- Retire Tarrant to get extra MSD pick and find best two available key tall forwards. I hope there’s some options out there.

Long term for 2024, we need a new strength and conditioning manager and hit the season running from a fitness point of view. Aggressively at trade (Aside from Bolton, I’d listen to offers) and see if anything is available in free agency as well as draft talent with foot skills, not just athleticism. Go back to the mantra if you can’t kick, you can’t play.

This season has been a mess from the start. The player we could least afford to lose was Lynch and our forward structure has deteriorated accordingly. Hopper out is also a massive blow - suspect he’ll be excellent long term. Gibcus also.

Anyway, we’re a mature and well resourced club these days - lots of decisions to be made and time to get to work.
 
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