AN IMPORTANT part of planning for a game of football is understanding opposing teams' playing patterns, more commonly referred to as their game plan. At the Saints, we referred to it as "brand".
A team's brand is what they stand for — simply, how you would be described.
The process of planning normally goes like this: a scout attends an opponent's game or training and reports back with a detailed and descriptive outline of all playing aspects. They would outline ball movement, speed, skill, directness, patterns of play, kick/handball ratio, long-kick/short-kick ratio, tagging players, inside players, outside players, go-to players, accountability, morale, courage, persistence, aggression, intimidatory opportunities, leadership and so on.
In essence it is a detailed account of what a team will be up against in a match. The coaching staff then decides how much to alter its playing style to combat or nullify the opponent's strengths.
In most cases, the teams that doubt the ability of their playing group apply the most strategy and tactics, because they do not believe they can get the result without negating a more highly skilled team's strengths.
Most teams now have a strong emphasis on getting players behind the ball, which helps defensively and provides a great launching pad for counter-attack on the turnover. This demands elite fitness or else the whole strategy caves in. Most teams have similar foundations, but there are always little adjustments that differentiate them. Let's take a snapshot of unique features and subtleties of some of the teams.
ADELAIDE
The Crows have a heavy focus on athleticism, fitness and tireless running (referred to as "gut-run") from every player. Forwards allow opponents space when they have the ball deep and "press" towards them to force a kick to a contest. They handball at congested situations until they are able to get the ball to a free-running player (usually designated). They run, carry and draw opponents towards them, then handball to the next running option. They dissect defences with handball.BRISBANE LIONS
The Lions' style is very transparent. They are hard at the football and opponent. They love to keep the ball alive and will knock on, tap on and kick the ball off the ground to keep the ball moving towards goal. Players know to run on to the ball, which creates great representation at a contest and plenty of options for distribution.COLLINGWOOD
The Collingwood plan focuses on its midfield accountability. Players are designated specific roles against opposition game-breakers (usually midfielders). When confronted with a flood, they are very patient, entering their forward 50 and working hard on blocking for players to lead into space. Playing wide rather than in the corridor is the preferred style.FREMANTLE
Giant ruckman Aaron Sandilands plays the centre square and races forward, dictating to the opposition by creating a dangerous scoring option. The opposing ruckman then has a decision to make. The Dockers set up with four forwards and seven defenders, with two forwards coming up high and designated wingmen dropping back into defence, usually a Michael Johnson type. Far more direct these days.ST KILDA
Historically the Saints play on quickly, use the corridor and kick long rather than short when able. Ross Lyon seems to have introduced subtle changes, working more from a defensive base with counterpunch strikes and a heavy focus on structures and ruckmen at clearances. There seem to be more tagging roles and greater emphasis on accountability, maintaining possession and hitting the lead-up players.SYDNEY
Dour, resolute and sustained running is the Swans' trademark. They are a very one-on-one focused team, heavy on accountability and making space for key forwards (Barry Hall in particular). Attacking moves come from defence, driven by Tadhg Kennelly and Leo Barry. Forwards such as Ryan O'Keefe, Amon Buchanan and Adam Schneider drag opponents up to the contest (usually a clearance) and lose them on forward thrust. Sydney is very specific and disciplined at clearances and rates very highly with forward pressure. Paul Roos rarely rotates midfielders in the forward line, using the bench instead to keep them fresh.WEST COAST
The Eagles run brilliantly and relentlessly and possess amazing fitness. They are very accountable, like to have a free player in their defensive zone and play the corridor. The midfield will work both ends of the ground and ruckman Dean Cox is the usual exit option. When the ball goes into their defensive 50 he immediately runs to the opposite side of the ground, anticipating an Eagles exit. There is, of course, a heavy reliance on midfield brilliance and their ability to score.WESTERN BULLDOGS
The Dogs have lightning foot-speed and are very athletic. Their plan calls for getting the ball to a spare player in their defensive 50, with a specific exit strategy of running and carrying, using exquisite foot skills to maintain possession. They have lots of leading options and move the ball quicker than most teams. Their excellent kicking skills allow them to maintain possession for the length of the ground.These are some of the different traits teams have displayed over the past few years and it will be interesting to see if there are changes this year. Personnel have a lot to do with the formation of a team's brand. As teams develop in experience, fitness and strength, they adjust the way they move the ball and their tactics relate to the opposition. We are entering a phase of counter-attack football that stems from teams having a defensive foundation to their brand. Accountability makes it even more difficult for sides to break free. Turnovers are inevitable and it is in this phase that teams work doubly hard to create scoring opportunities. Conversely, minimising opposition scoring chances is vital.
One final word on game styles or brand — if you cannot play as a team and be disciplined, all the best made plans will come unstuck.
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