Following the mid-year break, I thought it timely to again provide the Club’s members and supporters with a football department update.

The second quarter of this season saw significant improvement in a number of areas. This has been highlighted in several key statistical indicators, as well as the fact that we have won three of our past four games.

It is clear that the playing group is becoming more comfortable with Damien Hardwick’s game plan and team rules, and they are executing this much more efficiently.

We have played every player that we selected in last year’s National Draft and we’re well on track to achieving our stated goal of a cumulative 500 games from our players, aged 22 or under, in the 2010-11 seasons.  Currently, this group has already played around 150 games between them in 2010. Successful sides have a large group of experienced players that sit within a four-year age band, so this was an important part of our planning for the future.

Statistically, the team has shown significant improvement in a number of our Key Performance Indicator areas . . .

Defensively, when comparing Rounds 1-6 against Rounds 7-12, we went from 16th to 8th in stopping the opposition’s first possession inside 50.  In the same time, we reduced the number of opposition marks inside our defensive 50 by 37.

Our midfield numbers have also improved, in a comparison of the first six rounds of the season with Rounds 7-12. Midfield score disposal efficiency rose from 16th in the competition to 10th.  The midfield score differential (i.e. the difference between the score kicked by our midfield compared to the opposition) climbed from 16th to 6th.

The forward line moved from 16th, for score per entry into the forward 50, to 5th. Our forwards were the best tackling offence in the AFL for Rounds 7-12, whereas we were ranked 15th for Rounds 1-6.

From an individual perspective, we had several standouts throughout the first half of the year . . .

Jack Riewoldt has attracted plenty of media attention, and for good reason. At the half-way point of the season, he’s leading the league’s goalkicking, with 48 goals, and he’s played some top-class football, which has thrilled Tiger fans. 
We mustn’t, however, underestimate the contribution of our captain, Chris Newman, who, along with Brett Deledio, has been in terrific form across the half-back line.  This pair has given us plenty of quality rebound out of defence.

In the midfield, Trent Cotchin, Dustin Martin and “Renaissance Man”, Shane Tuck, have dominated the clearances (about 175 between them).  They have provided considerable drive for the team with their strong inside work and have done extremely well in filling the gap created by gun midfielder, Nathan Foley, who has managed just a couple of games due to injury.

Martin has had a major impact in his debut season of AFL football and he figures prominently in most of the Club’s key player statistical categories to the midway mark of the year.

Ben Nason is another of our first-year players to really shine, with his capacity to run and carry, as well as kick goals (12 so far this season).  He’s played every game and, having been taken at pick 71 in last year’s Draft, is a big tick for our Recruiting Manager, Francis Jackson, and his team.

Although it’s certainly been good to see such talented individual performances at the Club throughout the first half of the year, there is no doubt that the key factor behind the team’s improvement has been the adherence to, and execution of, Damien’s game plan.

Damien has been very measured with the way he’s gone about his business in his debut season of senior coaching, which is a real credit to him.  When we were losing games by big margins early in the season, he never, at any stage, lost sight of the bigger picture.  He was totally focused and positive and, as a result, the morale within the group remained really high throughout, despite the losses.  Then, over the past few weeks, as pleased as he’s been with the three wins, he has continued to preach the same messages to the playing group.  It’s that consistency, which has struck a chord with the players . . . they know exactly where they stand and what is required of them.

While we have been pleased with the team’s progress over the past few weeks, we fully realise that we still have a long way to go.  With so many young, inexperienced players in the line-up, we have to expect some form fluctuation during the second half of this season.

Last week, the football department held a two-day mid-season review and forum.  The whole department reviewed its performance and the direction we have chosen to take.  We then discussed, and dissected, the changes that have occurred in AFL football over the past five years, and the potential new trends in the game.  This included statistical analysis, impact of potential rule changes on coaching, recruiting and strength and conditioning, as well as off-field development issues.

Finally, while it has been mentioned previously that we are well placed to make an impact in the AFL’s trade market later this year, it needs to be emphasized that we will be taking a long-term view to the development and management of our list.  Barring something extraordinary cropping up, we will be maintaining our early draft selections.