You could argue that AFL as an entity has learnt a lot from basketball already.
But as a netball coach, I can see some parallels between the game of queens and footy. There are in effect 3 'zones' - the F50, the D50 and the bit in the middle. Carlton should try to treat football like netball.

As I could see it:
Fev (as FF) is the Goal Shooter, stationed primarily in the square, but not allowed outside the F50
The others named in the forward line allowed in the F50 only so that at least 3 players are in there at all times
Lance (at CHF - WHERE HE SHOULD BE) as the Goal Attack. He can go up to the D50 line, but not into the D50, and can be in the forward goalsquare with Fev.
The other HF players can be treated as Wing Attacks - Same as Lance, but not allowed in the goalsquare.
The midfielders and ruckmen (as Centre) can roam all over the field, but aren't allowed in the goalsquare.
The HBF players should be treated like Wing Defense players, the CHB Goal Defense and the Full Back like the Goal Keeper and the BPs the opposite of the Forward Pockets.

Actually - there should be an arc between the behind posts instead of the goalsquare of this set up becomes official (which, knowing the current rules committee, will probably happen in 2008, given the 'contact' free kicks paid at the moment. Seriously, some of them wouldn't even be paid in netball). But at the moment, I think Pagan should bite the bullet and look at implementing a game plan using positions from a completely different sport.

The way we're playing, I think you might have hit on something there.

You're definitely not the first person to say that we're clogging up our F50, and playing with a team structure like you describe might just work.

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And so while others miserably pledge themselves to the pursuit of ambition and brief power, I will be stretched out in the shade, singing.

Interesting post Steve. Certainly food for thought in any case. An added bonus (if/when the rules committee implement it) would be less flooding than what's going on now.

The biggest problem I see with this setup is that players rarely stay in the position they're nominated to play...but that can be fixed with netball-esque bibs.

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Cer 'ch 'n alluog Blues

Such an idea would be very good for junior football, where 30 players seem to be all chasing the ball at the same time

Steve, I enjoyed your contribution.

I play mixed netball every week and I must say, I draw much parallels b/w Netball and Football. I find that if we have the 3 KPs right in netball (aka GA/GS, Centre and GK), then we are much more competitive and gives us a chance to really win the game. The spine is strong, the team is strong.

Having said that, Steve, you are netball coach, are there any strategies in netball that you can take across to footy?

Steve Benson, you're the finest poster this site has seen. Totally agree. Very balanced and well thought out.

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Congratulations CK95

Which Steve Benson was it?

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"The ability to speak doesn't make you intelligent." Qui-Gon Jinn 15-05-2005

"there’s more chance of me becoming the full forward for the [Western Bulldogs] than there is of any change in the Labor Party." Julia Gillard 18-05-2010

Well.........

you sound like a fine upstanding citizen Ess Bee.........
and for that reason i welcome you to our family............!

all the very best..........!

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#DonTheStash

Having three girls I have spent many a Saturday morning watching netball and its the most frustrating game you can watch.

They have no desire to win and accept losing as being part of the game most of the young girls might as well not be there they are not interested.
The coaches and managers just use the occassion to natter and chat and on the odd occassion they yell out " your bunching girls spread out and watch your passes"

They grade players at the beginning of the season and thats where they stay . A kid gets put in a position in under 7 or fun net and still plays in the same position when they are 40 . The game the administrators the coaches and who ever are involved are very good at organising the canteen roster and the game roster but have not got a bloody clue on how to get these kids performing and playing properly and it is any wonder the Kiwis belt us all the time .

And the worst part about it you cant bloody well speak up and say anything as you are a male in a female domain

To compare netball to AFL -I would say no

To compare a netball side to Carlton at the moment -I would say yes

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If you allow the Government to change the Laws in an emergency
They will create an Emergency to change the Laws

SydneyBlue, I don't think Steve is comparing netball with AFL at all, just stating that in his opinion that there are some positional tactics that could be transferred from one to the other, and may indeed help us, especially when it comes to clogging the F50 and getting in each others' way.

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And so while others miserably pledge themselves to the pursuit of ambition and brief power, I will be stretched out in the shade, singing.

There used to be a game just like this in Bendigo called "Modifed Footy" that we used to play in grade 3 and 4. The idea was that you were split into 3 zones, but every 1/4 you would rotate so that every kid got a chance to kick a goal. Used to be an interschool competition on a Wednesday night.

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"The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter" - Winston Churchill.

It may be a good thing for carlton to go back to junior basics, they seem to have forgotten them, something that should never happen, without the foundation of basics, how can you expect to play professional football?