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TACTIC THAT \u2018DISARMED\u2019 CONTENDER… AND WHY IT CAN STILL GET EVEN BETTER<\/p>\n
Few predicted Steven King would lift Melbourne up the ladder in his first season at the helm after two disastrous seasons ended the Simon Goodwin era.<\/p>\n
But in what is fast looming as the story of the season, the electrifying Demons are looking not just guaranteed to appear in September, but after putting Hawthorn to the sword with a scintillating first half in Launceston, are a puncher\u2019s chance of a shock top-four berth and precious double chance.<\/p>\n
Speaking on Fox Footy\u2019s First Crack, former great David King wasn\u2019t shy in labelling the stunning display the coaching performance of the season<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m blown away by the job that Steven King is doing at Melbourne, and I think we have to recognise what I think\u2019s been the best coaching tactically for one given game that I\u2019ve seen for the year,\u201d King said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat he was able to do, Steven King \u2026 I can\u2019t recall seeing a tactic or a manner in which you can take the game off Hawthorn like they did yesterday.\u201d<\/p>\n
Central to the master plan was their ability to remove the Hawks\u2019 impressive clearance game from the equation fuelled by Jai Newcombe\u2019s dominant month \u2014 a tactic that centred on Max Gawn\u2019s influence in the ruck against the outmatched Lloyd Meek.<\/p>\n
\u201cComing into the game, the biggest potential threat the Hawks posed was at clearance \u2026 Max Gawn knocked the ball away from Newcombe and Day. He spiked the ball out of clearance all day,\u201d King said.<\/p>\n
‘We want to play like that everywhere’ | 05:29<\/p>\n
He took it out of the clearance area, and it meant that if Hawthorn were going to get them, they had to get them with different players. It took away the trump card straightaway. <\/p>\n
\u201cAnd it didn\u2019t just happen once or twice \u2014 it happened every opportunity Max had with his body positioning.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt disarmed Newcombe in particular. Prior to coming into this game, his impact was unbelievable \u2013 number one midfielder at starting scoring from stoppages. That\u2019s in front of (Nick) Daicos, and in front of (Marcus) Bontempelli, so this is the rare air that we\u2019re talking about. <\/p>\n
\u201cAgainst Melbourne? Zero (scoring chains started from clearances). Didn\u2019t have one. <\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t recall coaching that disarmed the opposition guns as quickly as Steven King\u2019s done with Max Gawn.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 2021 premiership captain is set to again be at the centre of Melbourne\u2019s run towards an unlikely second premiership for the decade \u2013 a dream King believes is well within reach.<\/p>\n
What happens if Max just goes crazy for a month in September? What happens if he does this for the back half of the year?\u201d King asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s never been managed like this before, with Max Heath being in there for blocks of the season. He\u2019ll be as fresh as fresh in the back half of the year, and we know he just loves ground time, he loves being the man. <\/p>\n
\u201cI just think this is outstanding coaching, Let\u2019s recognise what Steven King\u2019s doing, and as he gets more and more tools going forward and these younger players gather and feel like they belong at the level, it can only get better. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s exciting times.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2018AREA OF VULNERABILITY\u2019: CHINK IN FREO\u2019S ARMOUR THAT CONTENDERS CAN EXPOSE<\/p>\n
Fremantle\u2019s club record 14-match winning streak came screeching to a halt at the hands of a Jake Stringer-inspired GWS in Canberra on Saturday.<\/p>\n
The Dockers remain a game clear on top ahead of a blockbuster Thursday night clash with Sydney, but with finals on the horizon, David King believes the Giants, and Stringer\u2019s seven-goal haul, exposed a weakness in the ladder-leaders\u2019 much-vaunted defence.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is an area of vulnerability, isn\u2019t there,\u201d King said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe saw it with Jack Gunston a few weeks ago \u2013 he\u2019s a difficult match up, Stringer was a little bit the same. I think this will be something that is looked at by all teams in the top six.\u201d<\/p>\n
While captain Alex Pearce has put together an All-Australian-calibre season, the Dockers struggled to contain the Giants\u2019 mid-sized forwards, with Stringer and Toby Greene (three goals) proving influential.<\/p>\n
GWS beat Freo in massive upset! | 03:20<\/p>\n
For King, other clubs at the pointy end \u2014 including Dean Cox\u2019s Swans \u2014 will be watching closely the torrid afternoon at the office endured by Brennan Cox and Luke Ryan to contain the damage.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe deepest role, if it\u2019s not a Pearce match-up, you get Cox or you get Ryan, and there\u2019s an incredible appetite to cash in against those guys, particularly if you can take Pearce away from the support role and just isolate,\u201d King said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think this is something that Fremantle will need to go to work on, and find a way that is a happy medium for both Pearce and those other two, because it doesn\u2019t work unless Pearce is full back.\u201d<\/p>\n
A win over the Swans would leave the Dockers two games and percentage clear atop the ladder, and all but a shoe-in for at least a double chance.<\/p>\n
A loss, however, would see the Swans match them on 56 points, while opening the door for Hawthorn (42), Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne (40 each) to continue to close the hefty gap.<\/p>\n
Should Freo rest their young stars? | 02:22<\/p>\n
\u2018UNBELIEVABLE\u2019 TRAIT IN EMERGING MIDFIELD… AND WHAT NEALE SHOULD THINK SEEING IT<\/p>\n
Ross Lyon\u2019s St Kilda side still has a lot to prove in the back half of the 2026 season, but what two-time North Melbourne premiership player David King is seeing in their midfield is worth keeping tabs on.<\/p>\n
The on-ball brigade at Moorabbin is quickly building around the likes of Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Darcy Wilson, Max Hall and Hugo Garcia; all of whom are still under the age of 25.<\/p>\n
Speaking on Fox Footy\u2019s First Crack Preview, King highlighted one of the top traits that the quartet are utilising right now that is holding them in very good stead.<\/p>\n
\u201cA deeper view on the inside-to-out game; so taking the game form congestion, to an uncontested possession with five metres of space,\u201d King explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese guys do it better than most: Wilson is 15th in the AFL at the moment \u2014 he\u2019s taking the ball from inside-to-out almost every second opportunity, which is unbelievable.<\/p>\n
\u201cMax Hall I\u2019m in love with, he just makes decisions at the right place at the right time. He hunts the footy … (and) good things happen.<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2018Nas\u2019 is the same and inside the top 30. Garcia is a player I\u2019m fast falling in love with … I love the mindset (that) I\u2019m going to take it on. These guys right now are going to challenge anyone, and I\u2019m in a hurry to see them in 30 games time.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf Lachie (Neale\u2019s) watching this, you have to say: \u2018I want to be a part of this\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n
While Collingwood are considered the front-runners for the services of unrestricted free agent Neale, Lyon and Saints GM Lenny Hayes met with the 33-year-old superstar last week in a sign they\u2019re clearly interested in welcoming him for the twilight years of his career.<\/p>\n
Surprisingly, only Fremantle are more likely to score from clearances over the last six weeks \u2014 despite the Saints\u2019 stoppage profile rating as mid-tier for most of the year.<\/p>\n
Lachie Neale on his future | 02:07<\/p>\n
OMINOUS NEW WEAPON MAKING PREMIERS EVEN SCARIER<\/p>\n
It\u2019s official: Brisbane are roaring again.<\/p>\n
After a mid-season slump led to debate over whether the two-time reigning premiers\u2019 era had at last ended, the Lions have roared back into form, with a dominant first quarter setting up a 22-point win over Geelong at their GMHBA Stadium fortress and a return to the top four.<\/p>\n
Remarkably, the performance showed signs that the Lions are adding further strings to their bow even now, with former great Brad Johnson pointing out a newfound aggression through the corridor unlike how Chris Fagan\u2019s team have operated for much of their period of success.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom a Brisbane Lions point of view, you go \u2018okay, what is starting to just work a little bit differently?\u2019 And it is a little bit of the way they\u2019re using the corridor again, especially out of defensive 50,\u201d Johnson said on Fox Footy\u2019s First Crack. <\/p>\n
\u201cTheir aggression is starting to really come into play. They\u2019re starting to really use the ball well in that facet of the game, and off the back of it they are scoring as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lions continue assault with 4th-straight | 03:28<\/p>\n
The Lions\u2019 26 points scored from defensive 50 was their second-most for the season, with the Cats, not for the first time in recent seasons against the Lions, unable to stem the tide, and half-forwards Zac Bailey (20 disposals, three goals) and Cam Rayner (24 disposals, one goal) among the stars to take full toll.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s exciting ball that they\u2019re playing,\u201d Johnson added.<\/p>\n
A Brisbane team already the competition benchmark finding new ways to improve is a chilling prospect for the rest of this season\u2019s premiership contenders.<\/p>\n
A season which seemed to be stuck in gear barely a month ago is now humming along ominously ahead of a September where the prospect of a third premiership in succession is looming larger than ever.<\/p>\n
FOX FOOTY COMMENTATORS FOR ROUND 18 FIXTURE (All times AEST)<\/p>\n
FREMANTLE vs. SYDNEY SWANS<\/p>\n
Thursday July 9, 8:10pm at Optus Stadium<\/p>\n
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 7pm on Channel 504, hosted by Sarah Jones, Jason Dunstall, Michael Voss and Leigh Montagna, with commentary from Matt Hill, Adam Papalia, David King, Jack Riewoldt, Will Schofield and Jon Ralph.<\/p>\n
COLLINGWOOD vs. NORTH MELBOURNE<\/p>\n
Friday July 10, 7:40pm at Marvel Stadium<\/p>\n
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 6:30pm on Channel 504 hosted by Kath Loughnan, Jonathan Brown and Tom Hawkins, with commentary from Anthony Hudson, Dwayne Russell, Jason Dunstall, Brad Johnson, Eddie Betts and Jon Ralph.<\/p>\n
ST KILDA vs. PORT ADELAIDE<\/p>\n
Saturday July 11, 1:15pm at Marvel Stadium<\/p>\n
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 12:30pm on Channel 504 with commentary from Leigh Montagna, Gerard Healy, Brad Johnson and Ben Dixon.<\/p>\n
GWS GIANTS vs. GEELONG CATS<\/p>\n
Saturday July 11, 4:15pm at ENGIE Stadium<\/p>\n
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 4pm on Channel 504 with commentary from Dwayne Russell, Jason Dunstall, Jonathan Brown, Alastair Lynch and Jay Clark.<\/p>\n
CARLTON vs. HAWTHORN<\/p>\n
Saturday July 11, 7:35pm at the MCG<\/p>\n
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 7:15pm on Channel 504, hosted by Kath Loughnan, David King, Jack Riewoldt and Jay Clark, with commentary from Anthony Hudson, Jack Riewoldt, David King and Nick Dal Santo.<\/p>\n
ADELAIDE CROWS vs. GOLD COAST SUNS<\/p>\n
Saturday July 11, 8:10pm at Adelaide Oval<\/p>\n
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 8pm on Channel 503, with commentary from Adam Papalia, Mark Ricciuto, Ken Hinkley and Shaun Burgoyne.<\/p>\n
WESTERN BULLDOGS vs. WEST COAST EAGLES<\/p>\n
Sunday July 12, 1:10pm at Marvel Stadium<\/p>\n
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 12:30pm on Channel 504, with commentary from Dwayne Russell, Kelli Underwood, Brad Johnson, Cameron Mooney, Ruby Schleicher and Jon Ralph.<\/p>\n
MELBOURNE vs. RICHMOND<\/p>\n
Sunday July 12, 3:15pm at the MCG<\/p>\n
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 3pm on Channel 503, with commentary from Corbin Middlemas, Matt Hill, Nathan Buckley, Tom Hawkins, Ben Dixon and Jon Ralph.<\/p>\n
BRISBANE LIONS vs. ESSENDON<\/p>\n
Sunday July 12, 4:40pm at the Gabba<\/p>\n
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 4:30pm on Channel 504, with commentary from Anthony Hudson, Jess Webster, Gerard Healy, Nick Dal Santo, Alastair Lynch and Jon Ralph.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Few predicted Steven King would lift Melbourne up the ladder in his first season, but his biggest tactical…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":787787,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[560],"tags":[638,64,63,55,639,85],"class_list":["post-787786","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-afl","tag-afl","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-australian-football-league","tag-australianfootballleague","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/787786","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=787786"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/787786\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/787787"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=787786"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=787786"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=787786"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}