View Full Version : Motlop versus Pickett
Toots Hibbert
2 Jul 2006, 12:39
Leaving aside the minor consideration that Pickett is having a good year at the Dees while Motlop has not done much at Port, how did their performances stack up yesterday? Both players would have been aiming to impress for different reasons.
Pickett IMO looked set to tear the game apart in the first quarter but did not have a major impact after that.
Motlop showed good endeavour and performed well throughout the game whenever the ball came forward with any method by Port.
Motlop 11 kicks, 4 handballs, 10 marks, 0 goals, 1 behind
Pickett 8 kicks, 5 handballs, 7 marks, 0 goals, 0 behinds
I think overall Motlop was the more influential player. If (and it's a big if), that form was carried forward then we've done OK out of the swap.
I think a lot on here are forgetting all the cries for Pickett to be dropped when he first came over. It took him a while to adjust to our game.
Motlop's first "few" games for Port > Pickett's first few games for Port.
Now I'll repeat for Motlop what I used to say for Pickett, give him a chance to settle.
Too many on here are not doing that and have not done that since before he came over. At times it almost seems as if some people are wishing for him to fail.
Troy Wingate
2 Jul 2006, 13:53
I think if Motlop had the physical intimidation that Byron has, he'd be an absolute superstar. He's got superb skills (when he chooses to use them correctly) so if he had the brutal strength of Byron, he'd prolly be our best player.
*PAF, i have said the same thing. At the same time, the question must be asked.
Why is it that people take so long to adapt to our team, and can walk into another team, and become a star straight away (Pickett)
...
Why is it that people take so long to adapt to our team, and can walk into another team, and become a star straight away (Pickett)
Whilst not applicable to all players we have traded for, that is a fair question to ask as a lot have.
When Pickett came to Port he seemed more interested in the bump than playing a normal role, at Melbourne that does not seem to have been the case.
If I had to choose whose performance yesterday I would have, it would be Motlops
If I had to choose whose season, obviously Picketts.
If had to choose, right here, right now, who I would rather have, let’s just I’m happy with Ports current choices ....
blackdiamond
2 Jul 2006, 17:29
I think if Motlop had the physical intimidation that Byron has, he'd be an absolute superstar. He's got superb skills (when he chooses to use them correctly) so if he had the brutal strength of Byron, he'd prolly be our best player.
Would be great but given Motlop's shoulder problems its not likely that we will see it, at least not in the short term.
Toots Hibbert
2 Jul 2006, 18:21
Just a few thoughts.
As far as Motlop having the physical presence of Pickett:- Pickett is a rare breed in being a player who has a killer instinct and the technique to deliver tremendous bumps. Motlop, even if physically sound is unlikely to become that sort of player simply by the law of averages. Personally I think when he's playing well the physical side of his game is more than adequate. He chases hard and tackles well and his ability to take a pack mark is very good for his size.
On Pickett and his bumps:- I'm not sure whether it's true that he is dishing out less bumps at Melbourne. According to some posts on the Melbourne board I read before the game he has ironed out a few opponents this year.
As far as players adapting to our side goes:- I think Byron took a couple of months to find form and Motlop has struggled this year as we know. However players such as Hardwick, Bishop, Wakelin, Montgomery and Walsh slotted straight into the side. Shattock has not but that's an issue of talent IMO. Cochrane slotted into the side also and produced at his optimum level straight away, below par though that was.
blackdiamond
2 Jul 2006, 18:51
As far as players adapting to our side goes:- I think Byron took a couple of months to find form and Motlop has struggled this year as we know. However players such as Hardwick, Bishop, Wakelin, Montgomery and Walsh slotted straight into the side. Shattock has not but that's an issue of talent IMO. Cochrane slotted into the side also and produced at his optimum level straight away, below par though that was.
Probably fair to say that its a lot easier to slot straight into a side when playing in the backline as all of those players above would have.
Trying to read the play from the forward line as Pickett and Motlop would need to do is always a harder job.
dreamkillers
2 Jul 2006, 18:53
As far as players adapting to our side goes:- I think Byron took a couple of months to find form and Motlop has struggled this year as we know. Both had conditioning/fitness and 'head' issues during their pre-seasons. Even though Byron is playing well now at the beginning of the year he was well and truly 'out of condition' when up here for NAB Cup game in late Feb. He was on ABC radio today and agreed he had a slow start to the year.
However players such as Hardwick, Bishop, Wakelin, Montgomery and Walsh slotted straight into the side. Most of the 'experienced' players we have traded for have slotted straight into the team. The one's that haven't weren't/aren't regular first 22 players but have added a little depth.
Shattock has not but that's an issue of talent IMO. He was never going to be in our first 22 and I really don't see him getting games unless he really does the almost impossible and step up in class.
Cochrane slotted into the side also and produced at his optimum level straight away, below par though that was. Glad you said his optimum level.........he did play some good roles in his time at the club but we had better options by 2004.
Toots Hibbert
3 Jul 2006, 13:06
Here's some more on Motlop from Fridays Advertiser
Choco to test Motlop's resilience against Dees
30jun06
http://www.theadvertiser.news.com.au/footy/story_page/0,8747,19633689%255E21545,00.html
PORT Adelaide's treasured recruit, Daniel Motlop, is to make a timely return to AFL football tomorrow when the Power confronts the player it conceded for the lively forward - its Norm Smith Medal-winning hero Byron Pickett, now at Melbourne.
But while Pickett, who was described as "unemployable" by Port coach Mark Williams, is a reformed match-winner, Motlop is at a crossroads.
The 24-year-old former Kangaroo does have a shoulder injury. It is said to require surgery. But the Power hopes Motlop will replicate the strong will experienced defender Michael Wilson displayed in the rush to the 2004 grand final when he carried two bashed shoulders to premiership glory.
"Some players can; some players can't," said Port coach Mark Williams after he recalled Motlop and pacy midfielder Peter Burgoyne (hamstring) for the cursed trip to the MCG where the Power has a 0-5 win-loss record against the Demons.
"What we need to know now is whether Daniel can manage the injury or not."
Motlop, traded by the Kangaroos to Port on the draft picks Melbourne conceded for Pickett, injured a shoulder against St Kilda in round four, when he was impressive not only as an opportunist goalkicker but in setting up goals for his team-mates.
"We kept playing him," said Williams, "but he could not get a kick."
Motlop had averaged 12 possessions and had kicked 3.7 in the season's first four premiership matches. After the injury, he averaged just four touches and kicked only a behind, forcing his demotion to North Adelaide in the SANFL.
"He has his confidence back," said Williams. "Now we'll see how he goes in the AFL."
Motlop last night described his shoulder injury as a "slight problem" that is giving him fewer problems after matches so that he can train more often.
"I'm playing alright footy (in the SANFL); I hope I can carry that into the AFL," said Motlop, who does not rule out surgery to correct the injury.
"Maybe - at the end of the year I might get it. We'll see how it goes in the next few weeks."
pafc4life
3 Jul 2006, 18:18
Mots had a super game IMO.
melbournemartin
3 Jul 2006, 18:34
Motlop was impressive but, when it comes down to it, he played as a FF for nearly all the game and kicked 0.1
It was a bad forward structure which Williams later admitted to basically, saying that he should have played another tall, but atleast Motlop did try and he was playing on Carroll who is taller, stronger and in supurb form.
As for Pickett's game, he did some good things early on and was one of our best in the first quarter...he just ran through packs. He didn't do that much for the rest of the game (even though he accidentally set up Davey's remarkable soccer goal)
Motlop probably had the better game but if his job was to play as FF, as I'd assume it was, he failed with only 0.1
pafc4life
3 Jul 2006, 19:39
Motlop was impressive but, when it comes down to it, he played as a FF for nearly all the game and kicked 0.1
It was a bad forward structure which Williams later admitted to basically, saying that he should have played another tall, but atleast Motlop did try and he was playing on Carroll who is taller, stronger and in supurb form.
As for Pickett's game, he did some good things early on and was one of our best in the first quarter...he just ran through packs. He didn't do that much for the rest of the game (even though he accidentally set up Davey's remarkable soccer goal)
Motlop probably had the better game but if his job was to play as FF, as I'd assume it was, he failed with only 0.1
from tv it looked like Dan was playing more of a CHF type role. could be wrong.
My 2 eyes rarely if ever saw Motlop in goal scoring range, it seemed his possies were leading up at half forward playing the roaming flanker so i severely doubt he was ever stationary at FF. Was impressive,provided a target and didnt make a mistake and will only become more valuable as team structure becomes consistent and predictable.
Thats his best role.
Play him in a pocket and you will get him trying to kick the GOTY, but get him fit and tell him to lead up the wings and he will get you 15 possies 10 marks 2 goals a game.
A good player.
Toots Hibbert
6 Jul 2006, 10:26
Sensible. :thumbsu: