HOW does one measure good ball movement?
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Delving into the finer details, there are a number of ways to assess it. Marks are a pretty good indicator of a team hitting its straps.
If a team is taking lots of marks, it generally means they're finding teammates with efficient kicking. This is especially obvious if a team is clunking a few inside 50.
Hamilton Kangaroos did just that in their triumph over Port Fairy this past Saturday. Efficiency inside 50 and fast ball movement were the standout features.
The Kangaroos were clinical enough to put them to the sword and that quality when entering their forward 50, if they can keep it up, could be the difference if Gerard FitzGerald's side is to play finals in 2021.
We understand that our style of play continues to need work.
- Gerard FitzGerald
If teams want to play fast, free-flowing footy, the new man on the mark rule is only going to aid their cause.
We've seen the elite game revert to a more 1990s-style product as key forwards are once again kicking big bags of goals. Defences have less time - albeit a few seconds - to structure up and leading forwards have that split second longer to gain separation from an opponent.
For teams like Hamilton Kangaroos - who are blessed with tall timber in the form of Lachie Waddell, Hugh Douglas and Levi Dare - this could be massively beneficial.
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Only time will tell if we see this replicated at Hampden and Warrnambool and District league level. It's too hard to judge thus far as the sample size - they're only two weeks in - is too small.
Regardless, it's something coaches and fans can look out for in the coming weeks.
FitzGerald, who joined Hamilton Kangaroos at the end of 2019 after stints with said ball movement had been a focal point during pre-season.
"It's been a major focus for us, as it would have been for most clubs. We're not talking about anything revolutionary," he said. "There are some specific things I've wanted to see. "We're beginning to get some continuity with our training, with our game sense training, and hopefully as time passes we'll see that replicated on game day."
FitzGerald expected his side to get more regularity at training now the Hampden league season was underway.
"We understand that our style of play continues to need work," he said.
"It'll need refinement at times and we'll implement that work at training."
But back to the original question. How does one measure good ball movement? It's going to be subjective as coaches and teams will always have a different philosophy on best practice.
One could argue its the style which allows a team to win the most games. Either way, Hamilton Kangaroos are certainly one to keep an eye on.
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