gbatman
23 Apr 2008, 16:59
No player from that game showed they are ready for AFL selection although there are some things to consider. Wiggins was easily BOG and would be next in line for a call up, got a lot of the footy, covered a lot of ground but was unpolished with some of his disposal but generally ok.
The Bullants played a shit style of footy based around Dennis Pagans game plan which is no surprise seeing their coach was coached by Pagan all of his career. The game was congested with no one creating space and constant predictable long kicking to contests. Like how Carlton have been playing in previous years.
The ants failed to run the ball out of defence, failed to link handball and use forward hand passes to move the ball forward in attacking style. Coming out of defence was almost always done with a long bomb, easy for opponents to read. Lucky Tassie were fairly weak up forward and the Bullants had some talent there.
The midfield was always congested, even around the wings where teams are meant to open it up, the Bullants failed to make space and open it up for their runners. They failed to utilise running players by having no structure in the midfield.
The forward line was littered with talent but was also congested and unstructured for most of the day. The ball was delivered up forward via long bombs constantly. More so as the game went on. Leading forwards would have no hope here!
The goal kicking was unacceptable at any level, disgraceful!
Jackson battled on, played on the ball all day and didn't seem to have the fitness to do so. Was exhausted in the last quarter but still did alright. Appeared to be closely marked, looked a bit sluggish and lethargic with not much intensity (like Houlihan), not what we need ever! Was pushed off the contest a bit due to his lack of size. Not ready yet, needs pace if he lacks strength at contests for AFL. Has good ball handling and disposal and youth on his side, worth sticking with and maby giving a go.
Aaron Joseph was about the most promising with his pace and skill, looks like a potential AFL player and worth keeping an eye on. worked hard in a team who play a style of footy not suited to his running type.
Benjamin was ok, rarely sighted though but had defencive responsibilities, would be more suited to a more open game, seemed to have been instructed to kick long and did so often, someone not showing faith in his kicking ability? Will never learn how to kick passes by bombing away all the time as all Blues fans have seen.
Browne showed a lof of courage and intensity as always, not ready for AFL yet, probably needs to develop his fitness levels to that standard so he can get to more contests and play more on the ball. A hopeful future prospect.
Hartlett had a good first half when the team ran the ball and used short kicks and delivered passes to the forwardline instead of bombs. Would be better suited to AFL. His kicking at goal wasn't very good but then again Fevs wasn't when he was young to. Due to Carlton lacking a tall forward and O'hAlpin not doing quite enough he may be considered.
Edwards was rarely sighted and played second fiddle to other tall forwards like Teague, Hartlett and Colbet. Once again, not suited to the ball being bombed on his head but didn't do enough for selection. No wonder he said it was easier to get a kick at AFL level!
Ellard showed enough that he might make an AFL player. Showed good pace and smarts, once again would do well in a more open game, worth keeping an eye on.
To develop players for AFL you would think they should be playing an AFL style of footy, also they won't have a chance of beating the better sides playing like that!
My opinion, the ants need to work on their disposal and couldn't do enough ball handling as this was poor under pressure but it is only VFL. Too many handpasses hit the ground before they got to their targets, handpasses lacked penetration and power. Goal kicking was disgracefull at any level of footy. Need to work on linking and running the footy out of defence. They need to work on opening up the midfield for players to lead and run into. Use more short kicks. The forward line will function better when the players delivering the footy are closer to their targets...
So basically adopt the General AFL game plan, style and structure and dump the ancient Pagan style.
IMO get the players with good pace like Ellard, Joseph, Benjamin, Anderson and Armfield on the wings and forward flanks playing up the ground in the midfield, open up the wings by lining up the spine and running wide and let the run fest begin (Like good AFL sides). The Bullants are using these players as stoppers or small forwards. Give them space, set them free, let them run...
The Bullants played a shit style of footy based around Dennis Pagans game plan which is no surprise seeing their coach was coached by Pagan all of his career. The game was congested with no one creating space and constant predictable long kicking to contests. Like how Carlton have been playing in previous years.
The ants failed to run the ball out of defence, failed to link handball and use forward hand passes to move the ball forward in attacking style. Coming out of defence was almost always done with a long bomb, easy for opponents to read. Lucky Tassie were fairly weak up forward and the Bullants had some talent there.
The midfield was always congested, even around the wings where teams are meant to open it up, the Bullants failed to make space and open it up for their runners. They failed to utilise running players by having no structure in the midfield.
The forward line was littered with talent but was also congested and unstructured for most of the day. The ball was delivered up forward via long bombs constantly. More so as the game went on. Leading forwards would have no hope here!
The goal kicking was unacceptable at any level, disgraceful!
Jackson battled on, played on the ball all day and didn't seem to have the fitness to do so. Was exhausted in the last quarter but still did alright. Appeared to be closely marked, looked a bit sluggish and lethargic with not much intensity (like Houlihan), not what we need ever! Was pushed off the contest a bit due to his lack of size. Not ready yet, needs pace if he lacks strength at contests for AFL. Has good ball handling and disposal and youth on his side, worth sticking with and maby giving a go.
Aaron Joseph was about the most promising with his pace and skill, looks like a potential AFL player and worth keeping an eye on. worked hard in a team who play a style of footy not suited to his running type.
Benjamin was ok, rarely sighted though but had defencive responsibilities, would be more suited to a more open game, seemed to have been instructed to kick long and did so often, someone not showing faith in his kicking ability? Will never learn how to kick passes by bombing away all the time as all Blues fans have seen.
Browne showed a lof of courage and intensity as always, not ready for AFL yet, probably needs to develop his fitness levels to that standard so he can get to more contests and play more on the ball. A hopeful future prospect.
Hartlett had a good first half when the team ran the ball and used short kicks and delivered passes to the forwardline instead of bombs. Would be better suited to AFL. His kicking at goal wasn't very good but then again Fevs wasn't when he was young to. Due to Carlton lacking a tall forward and O'hAlpin not doing quite enough he may be considered.
Edwards was rarely sighted and played second fiddle to other tall forwards like Teague, Hartlett and Colbet. Once again, not suited to the ball being bombed on his head but didn't do enough for selection. No wonder he said it was easier to get a kick at AFL level!
Ellard showed enough that he might make an AFL player. Showed good pace and smarts, once again would do well in a more open game, worth keeping an eye on.
To develop players for AFL you would think they should be playing an AFL style of footy, also they won't have a chance of beating the better sides playing like that!
My opinion, the ants need to work on their disposal and couldn't do enough ball handling as this was poor under pressure but it is only VFL. Too many handpasses hit the ground before they got to their targets, handpasses lacked penetration and power. Goal kicking was disgracefull at any level of footy. Need to work on linking and running the footy out of defence. They need to work on opening up the midfield for players to lead and run into. Use more short kicks. The forward line will function better when the players delivering the footy are closer to their targets...
So basically adopt the General AFL game plan, style and structure and dump the ancient Pagan style.
IMO get the players with good pace like Ellard, Joseph, Benjamin, Anderson and Armfield on the wings and forward flanks playing up the ground in the midfield, open up the wings by lining up the spine and running wide and let the run fest begin (Like good AFL sides). The Bullants are using these players as stoppers or small forwards. Give them space, set them free, let them run...