Thurstans - Is this the last roll of the dice? [Archive]

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Toots Hibbert

1 Mar 2007, 10:02

Tobe's, according to this article, looks like he'll get the job on Ottens this weekend. Can he grab a spot in defence this year and make it his own? IMO it's his best chance of prolonging his career. He's had the occasional good cameo up forward but regularly drifts out of the game. As a backman he'll be forced to participate when the ball is in his area. He should have enough closing speed to contest well with the bigger forwards and is a good mark so I could see him taking on some of Wakelin's role as a marking outlet from kickouts. He's a reliable kick so should be able to get the ball to our midfielders. Grab this chance Toby! (I'm not suggesting it hangs on this one game). If he can't succeed in this role is that the end of the road for him?

The negative out of this move IMO is that Carlile's opportunities would be likely to be put on the backburner for a while at least. If Thurstans shines then Alipate would be in competition with Wakelin for a tall defender spot and Wakes has been in good form this year.

Rising to Port's challenge
ZAC MILBANK
March 01, 2007 01:15am
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,21304536-21543,00.html

http://www.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,,5403189,00.jpg
Daniel Motlop climbs above the pack at Port training yesterday

TOBY Thurstans' chance to secure his long-term future at Port Adelaide arrives in Saturday night's NAB Cup quarter-final.

Entering his ninth season at Alberton, Thurstans hasn't found a permanent on-field home amid constant struggles with form and fitness. But now the much-maligned utility is set to turn back the clock by proving his worth in defence against Geelong at Darwin's TIO Stadium.
An integral piece in Sturt's 2002 premiership puzzle on the last line of defence, Thurstans must find his niche or again face the prospect of being traded as he did in 2005.

"I really think I've seen him play his best football there (in defence)," Port Adelaide defender Darryl Wakelin noted.

"Probably four or five years ago he was in terrific form but it was tough for spots with (Stephen) Paxman, (Darren) Mead and myself still around and then Chad (Cornes) came in '04.

"Unfortunately for him, his opportunities didn't come - but they may this year."

Geelong's gun forward Brad Ottens opened his NAB Cup campaign in fine form against the Tigers last week, pulling in seven marks and booting 4.2.

"Ottens has been in terrific form," Wakelin said. "They've been writing him up over there (Victoria) in the papers so he'll be a good match-up for a few of us guys (defenders)."

If Thurstans is presented with the invaluable opportunity to shut down Ottens at the opposition goalmouth, he must make it count.

Through its recruiting, Port has clearly shown its patience for Thurstans, who has managed just 58 AFL games, to become a genuine key forward is wearing thin. Adam Cockshell, Justin Westhoff, Ryan Willits and highly regarded rookie Alex Lee loom as candidates to eventually fill captain Warren Tredrea's absence.

And with Fabian Deluca, Hugh Minson and Jon Giles the long-term ruck options, Thurstans is virtually left with no choice than to plug a gap in Port's backline.

"He played in a premiership side with Sturt (in defence) and he's got a lot of confidence out of the work he's done this pre-season," Wakelin said. "He'll be looking for his opportunity, he's had a terrific pre-season, as good a pre-season as he's ever done.

"Let's hope he takes that into his pre-season games."

Thurstans, who moved freely enough at training yesterday to suggest he has shaken an ankle injury, and Jacob Surjan (hand) are ready to be recalled to Port's 28-man squad today.

Exciting draftees Travis Boak and Nathan Krakouer are also in contention to win a place on Port's interchange bench, which will be extended to eight to cope with Darwin's humidity.

Sandola

1 Mar 2007, 10:15

Great photo. Gee, you've got to hope Mots comes good. All that effort, all that skill.

Oh, Thurstans. I'd forgotten how long he's been on our list. He could be handy as a defender for a year or two, and that'll be about it, I'd guess (can't imagine he'd be trade material). Hope he doesn't become the Bish2006 of 2009.

Sheeds

1 Mar 2007, 13:30

Thurstans is the luckiest player on an AFL list just about.

You wish him all the best, maybe he is a slow developer and he will develop into the player we hope comining into his 9th season.:)

Im not holding my breath though, he is yet to do anything previously so I dont see why he would start now. I await the " He kicked 3 goals in the GF" response.

morell

1 Mar 2007, 13:37

Papa G

1 Mar 2007, 13:39

He just looks a lazy footballer. Looking lazy in the back line and letting your immediate opponeent kick goals heightens this perception/reality. He will slot into Bishop's role and unortunately I think he will actually be worse.

ExpectToWin

1 Mar 2007, 13:46

As long as he writes the word RUN with thick black texta on his hand he should be OK

PowerKat

1 Mar 2007, 14:03

I can't believe how many players are 'in great/good form' after one NAB game!

Andre

1 Mar 2007, 14:42

I'd be stoked if Toby can hold down a backline KPP to the level we'd like to see. Allowing Carlile to get games later in the season alongside Chad and Toby.

However I think it's more likely he'll either be sub-standard and keep getting played, or sub-standard and Choco puts Pettigrew down back rather then bring in Carlile.

Bresh

1 Mar 2007, 14:56

I couldn't even remember if he was delisted or not. That tells it all...

All I can hope is that he deserves the game time he is given, and if he plays well, all power to him. He certainly is capable, moreso as a defender IMO.

Porthos

1 Mar 2007, 14:59

It'd be nice if he worked out there but it'd be, what, a three year solution to the position at best. Its not like he's 22.

RoosterLad

1 Mar 2007, 15:14

Thurstans needs to find a new sponsor first.

Paralowiepower

1 Mar 2007, 16:22

Thurstans needs to find a new sponsor first.

Maybe a few tips from Goody will do.

portentous

1 Mar 2007, 16:41

If Tobes is in our best 22, then we are in deep shyte.

Carl Spackler

1 Mar 2007, 22:42

Grab this chance Toby! (I'm not suggesting it hangs on this one game). If he can't succeed in this role is that the end of the road for him?

I hope he can keep doing what he's been doing. Cling on to his spot on your list but not quite crack the 22 - we need him at Sturt!

eddie_vrv6

1 Mar 2007, 22:54

8 seasons with only 58 games to show out of about 180 - defiently his last roll of the dice, hopefully he can prove himself, but if not seeya later Tones

gytre

2 Mar 2007, 13:36

I haven't forgotten Thurstans second half of 2004 (our premiership year). The player does have a lot of ability, he just has to show it! I think Choco knows this, otherwise he wouldn't have persisted with Thurstans for so long.

However, I don't think the backline is going to be his niche. I mean, we do still have Wakelin and Chaddy, and Chaplin's progress shouldn't be slowed down by selecting Thurstans in front of him.

So, I still think the forward line is Thurstans go, if he is going to secure his future at Port. I'd like to see him play key forward. We need a tall marking option with Tredrea still out. And I'm still not convinced about Damon White's long term future.

Sheeds

2 Mar 2007, 15:22

I haven't forgotten Thurstans second half of 2004 (our premiership year). The player does have a lot of ability, he just has to show it! I think Choco knows this, otherwise he wouldn't have persisted with Thurstans for so long.

Is this the second half of the year where playing as a key forward, playing every game and averaging between 80 and 100% gametime averaged about a goal a game.

I agree this has not been forgotten.:)

In all seriousness despite 2004 being his best year at the club, he was still average at best.

TheFridge

2 Mar 2007, 16:08

Is this the second half of the year where playing as a key forward, playing every game and averaging between 80 and 100% gametime averaged about a goal a game.

I agree this has not been forgotten.:)

In all seriousness despite 2004 being his best year at the club, he was still average at best.

Unfortunately, I tend to agree - other than being tall, Toby really has never stamped himself as a strong nor mobile goal kicker or target. I have liked several games he has played previously in the backline and think he may have a chance of really making it at AFL level as a third tall in the back line. I would not be worried about fitting him in around Wakes or Chappy - if he is successful in such a role, it would give us an option that allows us to free up the Chad from CHB. As for the development of Alipate - if he is good enough he will earn a spot....

nintiwirri

3 Mar 2007, 00:00

Toby has one advantage and that is his height.
If a bloke 20 cm shorter was so ********ing useless ?he would have been ****************d long ago.As for tying him up(this is across the board in AFL)to a long term contract is just a joke.I could be more of an advantage to a side than him and would warrant about 2% of his wages.

PJ Power

3 Mar 2007, 09:38

Unfortunately, I tend to agree - other than being tall, Toby really has never stamped himself as a strong nor mobile goal kicker or target. I have liked several games he has played previously in the backline and think he may have a chance of really making it at AFL level as a third tall in the back line. I would not be worried about fitting him in around Wakes or Chappy - if he is successful in such a role, it would give us an option that allows us to free up the Chad from CHB. As for the development of Alipate - if he is good enough he will earn a spot....

It's best for the team for Chad to stay on the HB line.

The experiments with him interchanging between midfield and the half forward line should be over IMO.