Steve Hocking

[DavidSSS]

Just thought I would add in a bit of a comment on the state of the game some years ago, it is from a book I am currently reading:

The play of the era was still kick and mark, but the handballs were slicker and less often done when a player was cornered. Short passes and handballs were now employed to break the lines or switch the angle of attack. ****'s mosquito fleet had devised a clever strategy for attacking, by leaving spaces in their forward half for their forwards to drop into. **** had unpicked this strategy, with their backmen anticipating the **** moves and covering for each other.

I have removed the dates and team names are replaced with ****.

Sounds familiar doesn't it?

When do you think this was?

I think the more things change the more they stay the same. Gaining territory, possession and control, and finding space, have been the issues for a long time.

The stupid rule changes have had minimal impact, let's hope they don't double down and wreck the game. What would be even better is if they could wind back some of the sillier rule changes. What really gets on my nerves is the constant moves to limit player positions on the ground - this is Australian Rules Football, one of its key features, and something which distinguishes it from just about every other football code, is the 360 degree nature of the game which comes from no off side and very little restriction on where players can be at any point in time.

DS

 

[DavidSSS]

Is that from The Coach?

Haha, interesting you think it was the 1970s, nope not the 1970s.

DS

 

[AngryAnt]

Mention of the mosquito fleet puts me in mind of Weightman, Wiley, and Rowlings

 

[TigerMasochist]

Mention of the mosquito fleet puts me in mind of Weightman, Wiley, and Rowlings

Or Carlscum's mosquito fleet.

 

[AngryAnt]

Or Carlscum's mosquito fleet.

Yes...

 

[CarnTheTiges]

See Steve Hocking in reality is interested in Steve Hocking, A bone head footballer who somehow wormed his way to a job way above his capabilities.

He wants Gillions job, thats all that matters to HIM

Sounds very like Demetriou.

 

[Berwick boy]

Jeez I hate that smug looking pr1ck.

 

[DavidSSS]

Mention of the mosquito fleet puts me in mind of Weightman, Wiley, and Rowlings

Nope.

Or Carlscum's mosquito fleet.

Nope.

Here's the full quote, written well after the event but clearly picking up on reporting at the time:

The play of the era was still kick and mark, but the handballs were slicker and less often done when a player was cornered. Short passes and handballs were now employed to break the lines or switch the angle of attack. Essendon's mosquito fleet of 1923 and '24 had devised a clever strategy for attacking, by leaving spaces in their forward half for their forwards to drop into. In 1926 Melbourne had unpicked this strategy, with their backmen anticipating the Essendon moves and covering for each other.

It's from the Grand Finals book and the article is by Rob Pascoe.

One other interesting titbit from the same chapter is about the rules. I knew they had this but wasn't sure of the timing. Those who know a bit of footy history will know that the 1930s were an era of high marking and of high scores, average scores for the H&A games in the mid 30s to the 40s were in the high 80s and low 90s. Full forwards were kicking bags of goals, Bob Pratt kicking 150 in a year, with a shorter season than Peter Hudson had to kick his 150. Well, from 1924 to 1939 they had a last touch out of bounds, free kick to the opposition, rule. So play was more down the corridor. Just don't mention this to Hocking, he will want it back and I think it is a terrible idea.

The more things change . . .

DS

 

[tommystigers]

See Steve Hocking in reality is interested in Steve Hocking, A bone head footballer who somehow wormed his way to a job way above his capabilities.

He wants Gillions job, thats all that matters to HIM

Geez Catman. Can you imagine if they gave him the reins?
Corruption, cover-ups, and crookedry from the usual boys club replaced by complete ineptitude and farce on an epic Benny Hill scale.

Makes me dry heave.

 

[artball]

Brereton got stuck into him a bit ..

 

[bigwow]

SHocking suffered a split testicle in the 1989 Grand Final, perhaps he's still feeling the effects.

 

[Willo]

SHocking suffered a split testicle in the 1989 Grand Final, perhaps he's still feeling the effects.

He’s had residual concussion ever since

 

[Tigers of Old]

This *smile* would be laughing his arse off this morning.

 

[eZyT]

*smile*

all aboard the anti-geelong train.

anyone know where you can buy custom printed toilet paper?

 

[Harry]

This *smile* would be laughing his arse off this morning.

Yep he must be thinking mission accomplished. I've made them crash and burn. How good am I?

 

[Baloo]

Yep he must be thinking mission accomplished. I've made them crash and burn. How good am I?

Half the job is done, the rest is up to Scott

 

[zippadeee]

Yep he must be thinking mission accomplished. I've made them crash and burn. How good am I?

He had a party last night with Scotty and all the boys down at that shithole.

 

[zippadeee]

This *smile* would be laughing his arse off this morning.

He has finally bent us over.
He has tried everything
6-6-6
The kicking in from full back
The man on the man
The umpiring against us.
Its finally caught up with us

 

[Mr Brightside]

I’m confused, apparently SHocking has only just been appointed Geelongs CEO, thought he allready was ?

 

[DragaTheCro]

I’m confused, apparently SHovking has only just been appointed Geelongs CEO, thought he allready was ?

Good riddance! Hopefully we can get our game back to what it was after he goes.