View Full Version : Do we have enough inside type players??????
desipura
11 Feb 2002, 09:32
INSIDE PLAYERS= Players who get the hard ball in heavy traffic and feed it out.
OUTSIDE PLAYERS= Also known as receivers. Players with pace & skill who deliver the ball with accuracy to the forwards. (Craig Bradley was a classical example).
I personally do not think we currently have enough inside type players in the mould of the Johnsons at Essendon for example.
Sure we have Westy, Hahn & Libba who is towards the end of his career. But who else???
Perhaps they are grooming Smith to be that type of player, similar to Mark Ricciuto at Adelaide.
We potentially could have a few more on our list, but as yet they have not be given the opportuntiy to play senior footy.
This is why I believe Shane Birss will be given every opportunity to prove himself this year.
From what I have seen of this kid, he is a very tough in and under player with good skills and pace.
A couple of games last year for Werribee he copped a few hip & shoulders and got up straight away as if nothing had happened!
He also is not afraid to dish some out as well!
On the other hand, we have an abundance of OUTSIDE players, Rusca, Murph, Garlick, Smith, Johnno, Gilbee, Eagle, Guido, Brown, McMahon, Dimma, Robbins & Alvey.
I just hope Westy does not cop any injuries during the season!
PS Some people have made mention that Birss should have been given a game in the seniors last year, I tend to agree.
IMHO, I believe he will replace Romero in our side.
dogboy23
11 Feb 2002, 09:57
Originally posted by desipura
INSIDE PLAYERS= Players who get the hard ball in heavy traffic and feed it out.
OUTSIDE PLAYERS= Also known as receivers. Players with pace & skill who deliver the ball with accuracy to the forwards. (Craig Bradley was a classical example).
I personally do not think we currently have enough inside type players in the mould of the Johnsons at Essendon for example.
Sure we have Westy, Hahn & Libba who is towards the end of his career. But who else???
Perhaps they are grooming Smith to be that type of player, similar to Mark Ricciuto at Adelaide.
We potentially could have a few more on our list, but as yet they have not be given the opportuntiy to play senior footy.
This is why I believe Shane Birss will be given every opportunity to prove himself this year.
From what I have seen of this kid, he is a very tough in and under player with good skills and pace.
A couple of games last year for Werribee he copped a few hip & shoulders and got up straight away as if nothing had happened!
He also is not afraid to dish some out as well!
On the other hand, we have an abundance of OUTSIDE players, Rusca, Murph, Garlick, Smith, Johnno, Gilbee, Eagle, Guido, Brown, McMahon, Dimma, Robbins & Alvey.
I just hope Westy does not cop any injuries during the season!
PS Some people have made mention that Birss should have been given a game in the seniors last year, I tend to agree.
IMHO, I believe he will replace Romero in our side. Your right about Birss he was recruited as an in and under type player and represented Victoria in that capacity.We are short in that area which makes it all the more important that we maintained libbas spot on the list.Dimma and Robbins although runners are capable of generating some of there own possesions.Picken is pretty strong over the ball and will help in that regard hopefully and we have others who are not hopeless in this area.I tend to think the labelling of players as being inside and outside players is a bit overated.Sure you need players to get the ball out but there is no reason why all the players cant contribute a little in that area.Remember Westy who is probably the second best at it in the league started out as an outside player.Realistically if you have a good set of hands and are prepared to put your body on the line you should be capable of doing this type of job.The greatest worry for me is that we dont have an explosive type in and under player (ala Johnson as you pointed out) who can knock a player over and charge off with the ball.Hahn is a chance to fill this sort of position and is one of the hardest hitting players in the league(this from a player that my brother worked with).My main point is that theres nothing to say that someone like Murphy who is slight and basically a runner now wont be able to be an in and under type when there older.It is a concern though.
The Doctor
11 Feb 2002, 10:17
Romero was a great hard ball getter and will be missed in that regard. However I think Robbins would be the guy to fill that void this year. He was almost suicidal at times last year tearing into packs. He also has explosive speed off the mark to get away from congested areas. Add to that his experience in midfield tagging. I've also recently jabbered on enough about the merits of Gilbee in the midfield who is another option. Dimma, Alvey and Brown are pretty good heavy traffic men.
desipura
11 Feb 2002, 10:24
not having an explosive in & under player.
It now makes more sense why Smithy will be playing onball!
And you are spot on about Westy staring off as an outside player, he started his career playing as a forward pocket!
There is no reason why some players cannot become inside players as you say.
Murphy may eventually become one, although he would have to build up his strength somewhat.
Also agree that Robbo, Picken & Hahn could become that type of player. Im just concerened about the latter two's disposal.
Captain Sensible
11 Feb 2002, 14:04
The tragic thing about this is that Jimmy Plunkett is at Carlton. He would have been perfect for the job.
dogboy23
11 Feb 2002, 14:26
Originally posted by localyokel
The tragic thing about this is that Jimmy Plunkett is at Carlton. He would have been perfect for the job. Please dont remind us.At the time it was thought that we had to many of his type of player at the club.When you think about it weve lost Wynd who was a great hard ball getter,Romero who was one of the best at it,Powell certainly no squib and Plunkett.Thats 4 hard ball getters we have either lost through injury and old age or our silly trtades and delistings.What hurts the most is that we got nothing for Plunkett.:( Just goes to show though that theres plaenty out there if we look hard enough.Whats this Boyd guy like.He was a good TAC player who was unlucky not to get drafted the first time I heard.:confused:
IMO, i still don't believe that Plunkett was a huge loss.
And i don't think he's done a lot to prove me wrong yet.
The_Flying_Egg
12 Feb 2002, 01:52
Originally posted by PC28
IMO, i still don't believe that Plunkett was a huge loss.
And i don't think he's done a lot to prove me wrong yet.
I agree. He's doing alright, but he's no champion
I don't think Matty Robbins is really an in and under player. I think he's more of a runner. I think our best hope would be Mitch Hahn finding consistency, because at times he can be very good, while at other times shocking. If he starts playing well he could occasionally be put in the midfield, which is what we recruited him for
Having Powell back would come in handy right now. He's as tough as nails
Originally posted by The_Flying_Egg
Having Powell back would come in handy right now. He's as tough as nails
He was hard all right, one of the hardest I've seen. He also was as slow as Barry Round and about as good a kick.
Purely rumour, but I understand the main reason Powell is no longer with the 'Scray is Powell and Wallace couldn't agree on what was the right amount of alcohol intake for a league footballer.
I'll never forget that goal against Adelaide (2 point win @ The 'G)
Powelly was a legend.
I don't think Dimma will ever be an in and under player through fear that he'll pop his shoulder AGAIN
I think in all honesty we'll be as good as we were in 97 & 98. We again have a running side, and will play some very attractive football, but that said, we are still one in and under player short, Libba can't do it all.
Is this player a Rusca perhaps? I like the looks of this guy
dogboy23
12 Feb 2002, 09:38
Originally posted by jim440
He was hard all right, one of the hardest I've seen. He also was as slow as Barry Round and about as good a kick.
Purely rumour, but I understand the main reason Powell is no longer with the 'Scray is Powell and Wallace couldn't agree on what was the right amount of alcohol intake for a league footballer. Heard the same rumour.;) If its true then I worry for some of the players currently in the side who I saw drinking before a practice match on thursday night.:rolleyes: Did anyone see the reserves game against Geelong in 98 I think when Libba made his comback from his knee?In that game Steven Powell knocked himself out going for the ball and tried to get up and stumbled straight to the ground.He then got up and played on absolutely one of the hardest bastards ive seen.;)
The Doctor
12 Feb 2002, 10:56
Originally posted by PC28
I'll never forget that goal against Adelaide (2 point win @ The 'G)
Powelly was a legend.
I don't think Dimma will ever be an in and under player through fear that he'll pop his shoulder AGAIN
I think in all honesty we'll be as good as we were in 97 & 98. We again have a running side, and will play some very attractive football, but that said, we are still one in and under player short, Libba can't do it all.
Is this player a Rusca perhaps? I like the looks of this guy
You do wear your proud bulldog heart on your sleeve PC. It's great to see or in this case read :rolleyes: . I think realistically it will be a year of meshing a fairly new list together. The new recruits the young guys coming through etc. I'd love to see the aggressive Bulldogs back in town, running hard but being accountable a bit more. I'm tipping a 6-7th finish.
sigscotty
12 Feb 2002, 20:58
Agree with PC, Plunkett no loss.
On Powell... I had heard that the doggies knew about his ostitis pubis problems(whether this means the early signs were there already i don't know) and thus were happy to let him go a bit easier than they would have otherwise.
Inside players: I think we are ok in this regard EXCEPT in one area...the explosive inside type. ie the Voss, or McCleod type that can get it inside and run with it away from the pack. Hahn has been mentioned as a possibilty in this area and i reckon that is spot on. Murphy as DB says will quite probably be in that ilk too.
And a prediction: 3rd to 5th.
Bulldog1954
12 Feb 2002, 22:58
I think we are short of these hard, in and under players. We have no problems in the running department, but to often it seems Libber, and particularly Westy have to do far more then their share of the workload. I always thought Adam Contessa deserved a bit more of a crack at senior football, as he was as tough as they come and was good at feeding the Johnsons, Smiths and Browns.
regarding Robbins I don't think he is an inside type player. He may be courageous but he is more of a runner then a go in and get it himself. And as for Rusca, isn't he a pacy wingman, rather then an in and under player.
And I heard the same as you Sig, that we knew about his osteitis pubis problems. But it still irks me, as Eagleton has in my opinion a flop. Even just Monty for him is to much
dogboy23
13 Feb 2002, 08:59
Originally posted by Bulldog1954
I think we are short of these hard, in and under players. We have no problems in the running department, but to often it seems Libber, and particularly Westy have to do far more then their share of the workload. I always thought Adam Contessa deserved a bit more of a crack at senior football, as he was as tough as they come and was good at feeding the Johnsons, Smiths and Browns.
regarding Robbins I don't think he is an inside type player. He may be courageous but he is more of a runner then a go in and get it himself. And as for Rusca, isn't he a pacy wingman, rather then an in and under player.
And I heard the same as you Sig, that we knew about his osteitis pubis problems. But it still irks me, as Eagleton has in my opinion a flop. Even just Monty for him is to much Your right Rusca is a pacy wingman and is definetly not going to help in that area.Angry was always a favourite of mine to but the fact is the majority of the team didnt get along with him.Hard as buggery though and I think he wasnt given enough chance.Having said that as Sig pointed out to me last night who are you going to displace for him.You dont want to put Murphy,Giansiracusa or Gilbee for him.We just have to many midfielders to be able to carry vfl style players like Contessa.