View Full Version : Is our lack of a high quality 2nd tall defender a weakness for us?
Ted Ed Fred
13 Jun 2007, 17:54
Let's face it, if we lose Glass then Hunter will have to play FB for us :eek:
Lucas kicked 5 on Hunter the other night pretty easily, we don't have a high quality CHB. Hunter's ok but not that good, and has been below par this year both forward and back. Waters, Bones, Selwood etc are good but are medium-tall defenders, and I wouldn't trust them on the biggest FFs and CHFs.
Graham is an obvious answer as someone who could fill the role of 2nd tall defender, but to me shows a lack of agility and isn't great below his knees
Thoughts?
I think at the moment it is. But thats exactly what they decided to fix in the last draft by picking up the three talls
Luke124
13 Jun 2007, 18:30
Staker is also another option to hold down a key defensive post. Played in defence before and does not look lost.
Long term ill back Eric McKenzie in. Short term play Staker there.
Bones is bigger than people think. Staker, Graham and Bones are all talls who can play down back.
sydney eagle
13 Jun 2007, 18:55
Bones is bigger than people think. Staker, Graham and Bones are all talls who can play down back. Spot on "QL21". I hope that MacKenzie can develop to be the backup that we may need down back but I don't think he's there yet. Ido hope that he gets an AFL game some time this year however.
sdb4884
13 Jun 2007, 19:03
Hunter is less lethal in defence. Its about time we tried Spangher or McKenzie there, sooner than later, against the Saints would be good as it is one we will win.
Lynch takes a mark
13 Jun 2007, 19:25
our 2nd tall won't be ready for another 2 years unless Staker seriously stands up
Mitch Brown & Mackenzie are the only 2 I think could have a lasting impact in the position.
Graham is terrible off the mark and gets thumped everytime in body on body contests
Keyser Soze
13 Jun 2007, 20:18
The lack of a ready made replacement for Glass is the reason why he is widely considered to be our most important player structurally.
It would seem apparent that our football department are aware of this given our draft picks last year were used on talls.
Black Thunder
13 Jun 2007, 21:19
How has Hunter been this year?? its so hard to judge defenders when you cant see the game as the numbers they rack up generally arent that important...
frothingworthywaters
13 Jun 2007, 21:34
put lynch back again
Genesis67
13 Jun 2007, 23:47
How has Hunter been this year?? its so hard to judge defenders when you cant see the game as the numbers they rack up generally arent that important...
Has looked out of sorts most of the year actually Thunder. His numbers arent lying really, he's varied between reasonable to bad without being terrible, but hasnt had the spectacular games we know he can.
beatlesmith
14 Jun 2007, 00:52
I'd like us to go for someone like paddy ryder or jarryd waite. Although both would be expensive, both are tall athletic backmen. Ryder in particular has the ability to go in to the ruck when required so there's 2 birds with one stone. Waite is also a good quality forward.
I dont think its really a weakness for us. I mean Hunter is a pretty good CHB and we also have Staker and Graham who can play and also Bones who plays a lot taller than he is.
If anything our defence is one of our strong points. We'd be in trouble if Glass went down but then again who wouldnt be in trouble when you lose your number 1 key tall defender.
greennick
14 Jun 2007, 01:57
Not an issue. We need a forward line. Defence is OK. We should not be concentrating on trying to trade/draft to improve it much more.
Black Thunder
15 Jun 2007, 00:01
Has looked out of sorts most of the year actually Thunder. His numbers arent lying really, he's varied between reasonable to bad without being terrible, but hasnt had the spectacular games we know he can.
i thought his numbers weren't that good but i went on the net and checked them out and there on a par with last year - last year played 22 games and this year hes played 11. has taken exactly half the amount of marks this year as last year (61 to 122) but has far more than half the possesions he had to this point last year (something like 180 this year to 320 last year)... but definetaly less goals which either indicates hes struggling when going forward or he's not going forward... which i couldn't answer cause ive only seen one game.
jorel6669
15 Jun 2007, 18:19
Having a look at the success of the "small key backman" this year, with the likes of Campbell Brown, Harry O'Brien, Firrito for NM, and Grover for Fremantle (in year's past), a guy like Bones or Waters can do the job.
I wouldn't worry about Lucas towelling up Hunter. Lucas always cleans up against us for whatever reason/
Eric McKenzie will be up and running in 2 years, he will provide awesome run out of defense. In the meantime stick hunter to FF for the rest of the season and put staker in the backline. He has been terrific in the back this year.
94_Eagles
19 Jun 2007, 18:01
Having a look at the success of the "small key backman" this year, with the likes of Campbell Brown, Harry O'Brien, Firrito for NM, and Grover for Fremantle (in year's past), a guy like Bones or Waters can do the job.
I wouldn't worry about Lucas towelling up Hunter. Lucas always cleans up against us for whatever reason/
Then it would be a worry if we clashed with them in the finals!
right now, maybe, in a couple of seasons will be a major strength, saw schofield on abc2 last night- ****ing impressive!!!, spangher looks pretty good
and e-mac will be a gun, i have no doubt.
For now well make do with staker, graham and hunter rotating through, depending on match ups, bones can play tall too.
No worries.
Lynch takes a mark
19 Jun 2007, 19:14
Future Defence
Full Back
I was really impressed with Spangher, looks like a genuine big defender in the making, has all the tools and his pace on the lead is improving. I could see him developing into a Scarlett type of defender, has improved way beyond what I thought he would.
Jako style CHB
Mackenzie is just perfect for this role, big frame, thumping kick and a massive leap. best suited to the Slower but powerful forwards in Gumbleton & Hawkins types that are coming through the system
Pacy CHB
Schofield is an awesome spoiler/negator and has incredible endurace to keep body on a forward.
Also remember that Brown may turn out to be a dud forward but a great defender, so similar to Rutten. Won't know for another 2 or 3 years which end he is best suited too.
I seriously doubt we need to draft any more key defenders for a while.