The anatomy of a comeback

[PerthBoy86]

With the Lion's coming back from 39 yesterday, thought it might be interesting to discuss big comebacks in AFL footy specifically. How they happen, how teams do it, try to stop it, and is it a viable 'strategy' if you like.

I think most of the reasons are clear.

* big change in form in games. One team starts playing a lot better and/or the other one worse. Could be many reasons for that.

* big change in strategy/tactics. From handballing in the 1970 gf to Bulldogs flooding in the early 00s.

* inaccuracy. Again related to that.

* obviously injuries etc. A bit of luck changing in general.

* Endurance. This is a big one, and I think the Lions are just super fit, so can run out games better.

* saving your energy. Im not suggested some teams do this, but maybe they do, but going a bit easy early and going hard late might be a good strategy. After you get a feel for how the other team plays you can counter that.

Now to Brisbane as an example. If you cast your mind to last season Sydney did a similar thing where they'd start slow and claw their way back. They were often criticised for this and duly found out. Brisbane seem similar, but I get the feeling this is different. Sydney relied more on their cream to carry them, had a more one dimensional style. Brisbane are more well rounded imo, and when they get moving theyre an unstoppable force. Like a mac truck slow to get going but when they do...to be sure, they'll come unstuck at times, but atm they have the psychological edge over the oppo. Like the Pies in 23, no team can feel safe unless they're 50 up in the 4th quarter. The Eagles of 2006 were also known as comeback kings, so it seems many flag sides are known for coming back.

The question, I think, is are Brisbane too reliant on playing 2 blinding quarters and coasting the rest? Can they maintain that intensity for 4? Because if they can, they would've won by 60+ yesterday. Like I said with the Pies, and I have no proof so it's speculation, I think its partly deliberate/tactical. They won't say that, but that's what I sense. I'm sure they don't plan to give up 20-30-40 point leads, but if they feel they can save their best for last they might prefer to do it that way. If they do want to start better, it'll be interesting to see how they address that.

Share your thoughts about this. It also might be interesting to talk about great comebacks and what changed the game.

 

[craffles]

Greatest comeback of all time is your mum.

 

[rugmop]

With the Lion's coming back from 39 yesterday, thought it might be interesting to discuss big comebacks in AFL footy specifically. How they happen, how teams do it, try to stop it, and is it a viable 'strategy' if you like.

I think most of the reasons are clear.

* big change in form in games. One team starts playing a lot better and/or the other one worse. Could be many reasons for that.

* big change in strategy/tactics. From handballing in the 1970 gf to Bulldogs flooding in the early 00s.

* inaccuracy. Again related to that.

* obviously injuries etc. A bit of luck changing in general.

* Endurance. This is a big one, and I think the Lions are just super fit, so can run out games better.

* saving your energy. Im not suggested some teams do this, but maybe they do, but going a bit easy early and going hard late might be a good strategy. After you get a feel for how the other team plays you can counter that.

Now to Brisbane as an example. If you cast your mind to last season Sydney did a similar thing where they'd start slow and claw their way back. They were often criticised for this and duly found out. Brisbane seem similar, but I get the feeling this is different. Sydney relied more on their cream to carry them, had a more one dimensional style. Brisbane are more well rounded imo, and when they get moving theyre an unstoppable force. Like a mac truck slow to get going but when they do...to be sure, they'll come unstuck at times, but atm they have the psychological edge over the oppo. Like the Pies in 23, no team can feel safe unless they're 50 up in the 4th quarter. The Eagles of 2006 were also known as comeback kings, so it seems many flag sides are known for coming back.

The question, I think, is are Brisbane too reliant on playing 2 blinding quarters and coasting the rest? Can they maintain that intensity for 4? Because if they can, they would've won by 60+ yesterday. Like I said with the Pies, and I have no proof so it's speculation, I think its partly deliberate/tactical. They won't say that, but that's what I sense. I'm sure they don't plan to give up 20-30-40 point leads, but if they feel they can save their best for last they might prefer to do it that way. If they do want to start better, it'll be interesting to see how they address that.

Share your thoughts about this. It also might be interesting to talk about great comebacks and what changed the game.

You write extremely well.

 

[Nunez]

With the Lion's coming back from 39 yesterday, thought it might be interesting to discuss big comebacks in AFL footy specifically. How they happen, how teams do it, try to stop it, and is it a viable 'strategy' if you like.

I think most of the reasons are clear.

* big change in form in games. One team starts playing a lot better and/or the other one worse. Could be many reasons for that.

* big change in strategy/tactics. From handballing in the 1970 gf to Bulldogs flooding in the early 00s.

* inaccuracy. Again related to that.

* obviously injuries etc. A bit of luck changing in general.

* Endurance. This is a big one, and I think the Lions are just super fit, so can run out games better.

* saving your energy. Im not suggested some teams do this, but maybe they do, but going a bit easy early and going hard late might be a good strategy. After you get a feel for how the other team plays you can counter that.

Now to Brisbane as an example. If you cast your mind to last season Sydney did a similar thing where they'd start slow and claw their way back. They were often criticised for this and duly found out. Brisbane seem similar, but I get the feeling this is different. Sydney relied more on their cream to carry them, had a more one dimensional style. Brisbane are more well rounded imo, and when they get moving theyre an unstoppable force. Like a mac truck slow to get going but when they do...to be sure, they'll come unstuck at times, but atm they have the psychological edge over the oppo. Like the Pies in 23, no team can feel safe unless they're 50 up in the 4th quarter. The Eagles of 2006 were also known as comeback kings, so it seems many flag sides are known for coming back.

The question, I think, is are Brisbane too reliant on playing 2 blinding quarters and coasting the rest? Can they maintain that intensity for 4? Because if they can, they would've won by 60+ yesterday. Like I said with the Pies, and I have no proof so it's speculation, I think its partly deliberate/tactical. They won't say that, but that's what I sense. I'm sure they don't plan to give up 20-30-40 point leads, but if they feel they can save their best for last they might prefer to do it that way. If they do want to start better, it'll be interesting to see how they address that.

Share your thoughts about this. It also might be interesting to talk about great comebacks and what changed the game.

If we were late in the season and Brisbane were doing this, I'd be concerned we'll get found out in a final.

Like the Mac truck, we are slow to get moving (early in the season) but our mechanics (high performance team) built this truck to peak when getting onto the highway (second half of the season and finals). They probably had us slightly off last year, but made tweaks and clearly we are running out games a lot better to start the year, but without being near our best. We most certainly have better football in us, and once we get there...