View Full Version : Where would you play Ben Graham?
SeinDude
3 Apr 2002, 15:54
Mark Thompson wants to be able to leave Ben Graham in the forward line this season but where would you play him to get the best out of him for the cats and why??
Personally, I believe Ben needs to be played up forward where he can be used to attack, rather than defend. I feel that if we play him in defence he may be taken out of the game, and even if he beats his opponent, he may not get much of the ball himself. At least if Ben plays up forward, he still has the ability to be able to influence the game at some stage by kicking a few goals. :):)
What does everyone else think???
Go Cats!! :)
SeinDude
nolsey77
3 Apr 2002, 19:44
Id play Benny at CHF but also stick him in the centre once or twice a quarter just to give the opposition something to think about or have him play on the ball for a few mins a qtr, atm he is a wasted talent .
SeinDude
4 Apr 2002, 12:51
Originally posted by nolsey77
Id play Benny at CHF but also stick him in the centre once or twice a quarter just to give the opposition something think about or have him play on the ball for a few mins a qtr, atm he is a wasted talent .
nolsey77,
I agree with you about Ben Graham being wasted on the basis that we didn't kick the ball properly to him on Saturday night. If we can give Ben every chance on the forward line by kicking the ball to him better, he will have a much better chance to take marks, kick goals or at least bring the ball to the ground for the likes of Ronnie Burns or Aaron Lord to swoop!! :):)
Go Cats!! :)
SeinDude
I would play him down back and hav voted that way.
He showed last week that he isn't a forward.
He kept on trying to play the FF role from behind his opponent and against Dustin Fletcher who is quality opposition you just can't do that.
He doesn't lead or present himself in a contest often enough and we have players like Kingsley, Grgic, Mooney and White to fill the void that Graham will leave.
Benny's best asset, his kicking will be of great benefit from the kick-ins, where we were slaughtered last week. He can put the ball into the square and relieve some of the pressure that the defenders are placed under when they kick the ball short all the time.
SeinDude
6 Apr 2002, 13:01
Originally posted by Catman
He showed last week that he isn't a forward.
He kept on trying to play the FF role from behind his opponent and against Dustin Fletcher who is quality opposition you just can't do that.
He doesn't lead or present himself in a contest often enough and we have players like Kingsley, Grgic, Mooney and White to fill the void that Graham will leave.
Benny's best asset, his kicking will be of great benefit from the kick-ins, where we were slaughtered last week. He can put the ball into the square and relieve some of the pressure that the defenders are placed under when they kick the ball short all the time.
Catman,
It's a bit like the problems Carlton used to have with playing Stephen Silvagni at either full back or full forward a few years ago.
Geelong need to work out where we can get the most out of Ben Graham, and I hope Mark Thompson gives Ben a chance down forward as we need firepower to be competitive, and I also hope the midfield kicks the ball better to the forwards then they did last week!! There isnt much a forward can do when he leads and then has to double back onto his opponent as the ball was kicked over his head!! ;);)
Go Cats!! :)
SeinDude
Originally posted by SeinDude
There isnt much a forward can do when he leads and then has to double back onto his opponent as the ball was kicked over his head!! ;);)
Seindude, there isn't much the midfielders can do when the forwards don't lead. Graham didn't lead last week and played from behind his opponent and was beaten easily. If he leads and they miss him, fine, I can live with that but if he doesn't present himself then what can the midfielders do?
I've changed my mind.Play him down back.
nolsey77
6 Apr 2002, 22:09
DOWN BACK,
Note to coaching staff, Let Graham or Riccardi kick out.
SeinDude
6 Apr 2002, 22:10
JubJub,
I must admit, the way things are going for us we need to play him where we'll get the most out of him and until the likes of Bartel, Enright, Corey, Ling, Clarke & co. develop their games more, we may have to play him in defence... maybe Centre Half Back.
Go Cats!! :)
SeinDude
Flood Gates
10 Apr 2002, 10:01
I think all of you will agree with me in saying that Ben Graham is Geelongs best player, and as a Bulldog fan, I must admitt he will come close to a brownlow this year, if not possibly go all the way and win it. I like to see Benny play up forward, around the CHF line, because we all know how big he can barrel and launch a kick, so give the ball to he around the 60-65 metre mark, and get ready for a score :D
mighty mick
10 Apr 2002, 23:17
playing american football with darren bennett
hes a mighty fine kick
SeinDude
11 Apr 2002, 20:27
Originally posted by mighty mick
playing american football with darren bennett
hes a mighty fine kick
mighty mick,
Ben Graham may very well head over to the USA after his AFL career I reckon, but it wont be for a few years yet.
Go Cats!! :)
SeinDude
thehardaway
16 Apr 2002, 12:46
If he's going to play as crap as he has in recent weeks, he can play in the twos. He doesnt go looking for the ball often enough, something a leader does if the ball isnt coming to him.
Playing in the twos seems a bit harsh. I think he is best in the backline and although we need a good big forward he doesnt seem up to that role.
thehardaway
17 Apr 2002, 09:16
He doesnt show desire in going for the ball, there is no hungriness in his eyes. The guy should be feared, people afraid to run into him, but he doesnt have the dedication to push hard for the ball at the moment. A good leader goes looking for the ball if its not coming to him. I'd give him another week or 2, and if he doesnt show a bit of heart and start looking for the ball, a spell in the twos is warranted. Some of our other seniors need to start spending time there too, as they are currently doing nothing and seem to show little effort in doing so.
Baldy#9
18 Apr 2002, 11:00
Ben at CHF, Cameron Mooney at Full Forward
Red Rover
19 Apr 2002, 16:13
Play Benny where he became a star, in the backline.
He's not a forward, every few games he might stand up and take some big marks but he's not accurate enough in front of goal to really hurt the opposition.
Kingsley's playing good footy across half forward, Mooney's showing good signs and hopefully Mitchell White's return will add something. I think we have enough good forwards on our list to be competitive without Graham up there as well.
In the VFL we have a number of young forward options including Steve Johnson and Woolnough. If we're trying to rebuilt let's give these guys a run rather than playing a guy out of position in the hope of him kicking the occassional bag.
StrengthThroughLoyalty
19 Apr 2002, 16:51
where is the option for the 2nds.:eek: :p
he should definately play in the back line where he has played his best football. even though the team have a lack of quality tall forwards he is more value to the team as a dominating defender than he is as a forward contributing nothing.