The Scout Report | Round 23 v GWS
Written by Dan Williams
GWS Giants
Tale of So Far:
GWS are currently in the Finals hunt and a win here will see them finalise their spot in the 8. With a record of 10 wins and 10 losses.
A season of up and downs from them they find them somehow on the precipice of making the 8 and a shot of going deep if they can get it together.
They have got their big guns back, and some adjustments around the contest have seen them gain a bit of traction in the pointy end of the year.
For Carlton, it’s the end of an Era, as they say, goodbye to the legend of Blue Hearts Eddie Betts, and presumably David Teague. A Year that has been uber inconsistent, with the brilliance often shrouded by more barmy calls.
It seems fitting that Carlton end the year against GWS a side they have recruited many players from, and make some weird calls at the selection table
The Backline
GWS have a modern-day backline, with Stein and Taylor expected to occupy the Tall positions. Around them, they have a mix of great users like Haynes and the young draftee Ash and can play lockdown roles and aggressive roles seemingly with ease.
At the start of the year, this was a real weakness for them, as they were often undersized and lacked any penetration or rotation with the ball. When you add players like Whitfield who can be deployed, it makes for a transitional nightmare for the opposition. The readjustment of putting users down back that allow quicker ball movement has seen them become a far more effective side and they will ask a lot of questions of the oppositions forward line, if you don’t pressure them, they can do damage from deep very quickly.
The Backline – Defence / Transition
When the ball hits the deck or is turned over inside their defensive half. The Defensive unit look to spread play, and the midfield come back to offer outlet balls, primary their better ball users come through the corridor and Himmelberg will roam around the wing.
They attempt to hit Haynes on the switch after mixing It with short handballs and a quick run by hands. This opens up the ground and allows Haynes to be found in space and to direct traffic with his elite kick.
Their weakness has been when they are pressured, resulting in multiple re-entries which then leaves the back-line exposed. It is not uncommon for them to deploy Himmelberg or in the case of this game Briggs as an extra across half-back to allow another tall target as an exit from here.
The Backline – Personnel
General Defenders
Connor Idun – Tackles = 2, Pressure Acts = 7.6, Ground Ball Gets = 2.5, Disposals Eff = 84.3%
The Good :
Good Ball User
Strong Aerially
Tough to The Ball
Penetrating Kick
How To Beat:
Very strong at locking down the opposition, but also taking the game on himself. Can be exposed out of position by his intent to look for the ball, a smart player can use this to their advantage and find space for the incoming kick. Under pressure he can get snatchy and look to clear his lines, so applying pressure is a must on Connor.
Likely Matchup: Corey Durdin
Projected Winner: Corey Durdin - 58%
Lachlan Ash – Tackles = 2.8, Pressure Acts = 12, Ground Ball Gets = 3.2, Disposals Eff = 77.8%
The Good :
Good Ball User
Line Breaker
Strong Pressure
How To Beat:
Looks to take the game on in the Whitfield mould, looking to get the ball out in front and allow the forward to square him up is the best chance of success with him, if the ball gets loose he will use it well and look to spread quickly
Likely Matchup: Zac Fisher
Projected Winner: Lachlan Ash - 51%
Isaac Cumming – Tackles = 2.5, Pressure Acts = 9.1, Ground Ball Gets = 4.1, Disposals Eff = 81.4%
The Good :
Exceptional Hands In Traffic
Penetrating Kick
Decent turn of Pace
Ability to Find Holes In Oppos Forward Pressure
How To Beat:
Have to stick close to him, his disposal eff. Dramatically falls when tackle pressure comes. Likes to find an outlet in the switch so keeping the ball off his strong side reduces his efficiency dramatically.
Nick Haynes – Tackles = 0.7, Pressure Acts = 6.1, Ground Ball Gets = 3.2, Disposals Eff = 76.2%
The Good :
Intercept Specialist
Strong Spoiler 1 on 1
Good On The Deck
Does the 1% Well
How To Beat:
The dangerman down back, Looks to get isolated and peel off his man and intercept, important that the body blocks that run. If he gets loose he is almost unbeatable one on one, it is important to create the contest and make him accountable
Likely Matchup: Mitch McGovern
Projected Winner: Nick Haynes - 67%
Tall Defenders
Sam Taylor – 1 on 1 Win % = 71.4%, Spoils = 7.3, Intercept Marks = 3.1, Metres Gained = 200.2, Disposal Efficiency = 77.3%
The Good :
Reads Ball in Flight Exceptionally
Strong Body Positon
Tough One on One and The Deck
Elite Aerially
Barometer for Tempo Of Transition
How To Beat:
Have to stop him from being able to peel off and get a run on, Having a bigger body and getting him wedged into a 1 on 1 is your best method for this highly athletic backman, on Form the best FB in the comp at the moment
Likely Matchup: Levi Casboult
Projected Winner: Sam Taylor – 77%
Jake Stein – 1 on 1 Win % = 67.7%, Spoils = 4.7, Intercept Marks = 1.3, Metres Gained = 39.3, Disposal Efficiency = 76.9%
The Good :
Strong Contested Player
Strong Body Use
Reads The Ball Well
Great Defensive Positioning
How To Beat:
Still learning his trade, but isolated is where you can expose him, keeping him deep in the goal square and one on one can expose his inexperience and this is the area where Carlton can Exploit Him
Likely Matchup: Charlie Curnow
Projected Winner: Charlie Curnow – 59%
The Midfield
GWS midfield looks to effectively play in close and commit the opposition to stop them dominating at the fall of the ball. They look to move the ball sharply and precisely onto the outside and hit up Whitfield or Kelly out wide and drive the ball into 50.
They have some good stoppers in the middle of the park and players like De Boer are a nightmare for the opposition ball users, who can stop the opposition but also be able to rack up possessions himself and then looking to move the ball on himself in tight
The Midfield – Ball Movement Patterns
The ball movement chart shows the method that GWS utilise, they look to spread the game almost evenly, looking for short sharp movement and when it works it's potent. Their ability to move the ball at pace and short allows all lines to move in sync, meaning that in the event of a turnover they can be in a position to stem the flow of a transition.
They favour the corridor and play quite narrow, with Kelly and Whitfield often out wide this allows them to really force the opposition out wide and kick long into their defence. This has its benefits at it allows Haynes and co to have more flight on the ball thus allowing an easier intercept
The Midfield – Personnel
Harry Perryman – Disposals = 22.3, Disposals Eff % = 74 %, Score Involvements = 3.5, Marks = 5.4, Goals = 0.4, Clearances = 0.2, Ground Balls = 5.3, Tackles = 2.4
The Good :
2 Way Runner
High IQ
Strong on Both Sides Kicking
Penetrating Kick
How To Beat:
A versatile player who will rotate on the wing and down back. Struggles against raw pace, and the ability to keep up with the pace. Forcing him to focus more on his defensive duties by taking him away from the corridor is key to slowing down the Giants movement which puts pressure down back
Likely Matchup: Lochie O’Brien
Projected Winner: Harry Perryman - 60%
Callan Ward – Disposals = 22.7, Disposals Eff % = 75.8 %, Score Involvements = 4.7, Marks = 4, Goals = 0.6, Clearances = 4, Ground Balls = 6, Tackles = 2.9
The Good :
Clean Hands In Close
Strong Around The Ball
High IQ
Strong Defensively
How To Beat:
A veteran of the side now, who is a barometer of their work inside. Looking to take his handball away are the keys to winning this one, he likes to offload and let it be spread from the contest. Imperative you stop this and force him to kick for territory
Likely Matchup: Patrick Cripps
Projected Winner: Patrick Cripps - 61%
Lachie Whitfield – Disposals = 24.9, Disposals Eff % = 75.4 %, Score Involvements = 4.6, Marks = 6.9, Goals = 0.2, Clearances = 1.6, Ground Balls = 3.9, Tackles = 2.3
The Good :
Elite Engine
Strong Ball User
2 Way Runner
Creative Player
How To Beat:
Deadly with the ball in space. But the ability to move him via pressure is key, they focus on getting his hands on the ball and freeing him up, A elite engine against him and sticking close forces him to rush his disposal and this is the weakness in Withfields Game
Likely Matchup: Lachie Whitfield
Projected Winner: Lachie Whitfield - 61%
Jacob Hopper – Disposals = 26.8, Disposals Eff % = 67.4 %, Score Involvements = 5.2, Marks = 3.2, Goals = 0.5, Clearances = 6.5, Ground Balls = 9, Tackles = 3.3
The Good :
Strong in the clearance
Elite on the ground ball
Constant Pressure Player
Great in Traffic
How To Beat:
In this complete contest players, one weakness is being dragged away from the contest, it's about getting in first and making him focus on his defensive duties, applying constant pressure and looking to breakaway is the method to unlocking Hopper
Likely Matchup: Matt Kennedy
Projected Winner: Jacob Hopper - 54%
Tim Taranto – Disposals = 26.8, Disposals Eff % = 64.5 %, Score Involvements = 5.4, Marks = 5, Goals = 0.6, Clearances = 3.9, Ground Balls = 7, Tackles = 5.5
The Good :
Bull in the midfield
Pressure Player
Sets up play and gets it outside
Ability To Kick Goals
Elite when the ball is on the deck
Strong handball
How To Beat:
On his day up there with the best in the league, Tim has very little deficiencies, but his kicking under pressure is an issue, it's about sticking close to him and forcing him to look for the inside handball under pressure or kick for territory, if you can approach from his strong side it is invariably a turnover.
Kieran Briggs – Hit Out Win % = 35.3%, Hit Outs To Advantage = 25.4.%, Clearances = 3.8, Marks = 1.8
The Good :
Very Strong
Makes a Contest on The Deck
Strong In Stoppages
Slides Behind The Ball
How To Beat:
Old School Strong Ruckman, Who looks to impact physically. His weakness though is his mobility, good athletic ruckman can get the jump on him around the ground and create a one out due to his lack of roaming
The Forward Line
GWS look to drop deep with their Half Forward Flanks, Which Creates an outnumber in the midfield area, but also causes a zone to either commit to following Greene & Kelly, and leave space in behind, but also gives them the ability to isolate Hogan And Himmelberg.
Himmelberg is often the target off CHF and is charged with creating a contested Mark situation which allows Greene to almost snake off the pack. A real dangerous side, and it is often seen that Himmelberg and Lloyd will run to Half Forward creating a lane for Greene to run into unmanned as the two forward cross paths. This allows Greene to penetrate the zone and come in off the flank and look to either score himself or look to set up an easy goal assist in the forward 50.
The Forward Line – The Personal
Josh Kelly – Disposals = 26 , Goals = 0.8 , Score Involvements = 6, Tackles = 5.6,
The Good :
Elite Ball User
Looks to Link The Midfield And The Forward Line Together
Tackle & Pressure Threat
Evasive Skills
How To Beat:
Dancing feet and quick thinking, Kelly is a supreme player. But if he is contained closely can be found going ball hunting. You mustn’t let him get the clean ball and stick tight to him, this will cause him to drop deeper and deeper and take him away from the danger zone
Likely Matchup: Nic Newman
Projected Winner: Josh Kelly- 57%
Harry Himmelberg – Disposals = 13, Goals = 1.5, Score Involvements = 5.8, Tackles = 1.7,
The Good :
Athletic And Mobile
Strong Aerially
Good Kick Routine
Looks To Bring His Team In Around Him
How To Beat:
Very quick to the ball and strong. It is about bringing the ball to the deck and taking away his height. Kemp should match up well on him, as he's got a good vertical leap but also the pace to match it with Himmelberg
Likely Matchup: Brodie Kemp
Projected Winner: Brodie Kemp- 51%
Toby Greene – Disposals = 17.4 , Goals =2.6, Score Involvements = 8.3, Tackles = 2.1
The Good :
Elite Game-Breaking Ability
Strong On The Deck
High Flying
Great Pressure
How To Beat:
Toby Greene is the most complete forward there is in today's game. Strong in all facets. But if he is kept in a contest he looks to play the man, not the game. It's about forcing him to go ball hunting and being tough on him at the fall of the ball
Daniel Lloyd – Disposals = 13.5 , Goals = 1.3, Score Involvements = 4.2, Tackles = 3
The Good :
Strong Team First Mentality
Strong In Tackle
Good Awareness
Strong On The Ground
How To Beat:
Looks to be team first as a forward and keep the game going, its imperative that you watch him at the fall of the ball and push him out wide, his effectiveness dies more on the outside than around in front
Likely Matchup: Liam Stocker
Projected Winner: Liam Stocker - 54%
Jesse Hogan – Disposals = 13.6 , Goals = 2.1, Score Involvements = 5.6, Tackles = 0.9
The Good :
Strong Marking
Natural Finisher
Strong Leading Ability
Strong One On One
How To Beat:
Elite player and strong around the ground and inside 50, but if you can your hands in the contest and bring it to the ground his effectiveness is taken away. Jacob should have more than enough to keep him quiet
Matt De Boer – Disposals = 14 , Goals = 0.3, Score Involvements = 3.1, Tackles = 4.3
The Good :
Elite Pressure
Ability To Impact Others And Impact Himself
Strong In Tackle
Exceptional Engine
How To Beat:
The Multi Ruiner himself, often in recent weeks deployed on a marauding half back, the way to beat this guy is to get one-twos happening via hand, and making him chase multiple people.
Likely Matchup: Adam Saad
Projected Winner: Adam Saad - 51%
The Pine
Tanner Bruhn
The Good :
Strong Tackler
Good Goal Sense
Ability To Create Chains
Where Will He Be: Will be across half-forward and thrown onto the ball for his ability to find space
Xavier O'Halloran
The Good :
Good Inside Player
Clean Hands
Good Engine
Where Will He Be: Will Play Across The Midfield & Pinch hit down the back
Adam Kennedy
The Good :
Good rebounder
Elite By Foot
Great Vision
Strong Interceptor
Where Will He Be: Prodominatly down the back, but will float into the midfield on the wing
Zach Sproule The Good :
Strong In The Air
Good Engine
Good One On One Player
Where Will He Be: Will play 3rd forward or in the key positions
Summary
GWS love to move the ball quickly and through the middle and down the wing. They utilise short sharp ball movement to keep their defence compact and to resist turnovers
Strong in and around the contest they look to control the ball from the middle and then play it down the wings and look for the early entries. Multiple players play parts in various phases, and it’s a high maintenance game style on the midfielders as they play large parts in both ends of the ground.
A side that can score in clusters, and tackle hard. The ability to put pressure on this side is paramount, as they have shown this year that when the pressure comes, they start to slow the ball movement down and invite pressure, particularly in the middle of the ground taking the short option away and leaving the kick long allows a turnover and opens them up to a corridor transition.
PRESSURE PRESSURE MIDFIELD PRESSURE is the secret to success in this one
