McKernan,where does he play?

[Grendel]

Just curious as to where some of you Northerners think Corey should be played in 2001.

While (as a Hawk) im pretty grateful he has never recovered his 95/6 form, i still feel he is an untapped talent who is capable of anything on any given day.

But where? Up forward or as a Peter Moore/John Barnes round the ground ruckman type. His tap work could improve, but you could rotate Spider through the middle (hide him around the pockets after that) and then let Mckernan roam. Or now that the big Sav is there, do you strach everyone by playing the tallest forward line in the league? Or the real smokey, throw Carey to CHB (and extend his career by one or two seasons) and throw down the gauntlet to Mckernan and tell him to hold down CHF?

For me, strange though it may seem, id play him for at least a few games early at CHF, ease Careys workload at CHB and see what happens. I mean if it dont work, Careys had an easier path into the season and you can always put him forward later anyway.

ps, gee I must be bored http://www.bigfooty.com/ubb/tongue.gif

[Aussie_Roo]

McKernan can play anywhere, I personally would like to see him at CHB to gain a bit of confidence, then throw him into the ruck and let him roam up forward. No matter where he plays I reckon the trick with McKernan is to get him fired up, cause he seems to play his best when he has that look..

[Shinboners]

McCartney is still our first option for centre half back, but McKernan did play a good game in defence late in the season. I'd just like to see him play ruck....at his prime, he not only led North in hitouts, but also in centre square clearances. So, start McKernan in the ruck with Burton doing the relief work towards the end of the quarters.

Still, it's likely that Rocca will play full forward and nothing else while Burton can play ruck and hide in the pockets http://www.bigfooty.com/ubb/wink.gif , Pagan will still have the flexibility of rotating McKernan, Carey, Colbert, and McCartney between the forward and back lines.

[Carey_is_King]

On the bench in the seconds - if he can get a spot.

[Gonzo]

I see McKernan playing like an old fashioned ruckman - one kick behind play. With Rocca (and maybe Colbert) playing forward this year I think that the forward line may get a bit congested. So I would see McKernan taking the centre square hit outs and then floating across half back and through the midfield.

A couple of grabs and long bombs from half forward would be handy though (in fact a couple of grabs and long bombs anywhere would be handy, wait, how about just a couple of grabs, one long bomb even!!)

Cheers

Gonzo

[warrior]

McKernan will play in the Ruck next season
alternating with Spider.
He is not a good defensive player,and his strength is in attack.
At times in a game I think he will play at CHF with Carey going to CHB.
I believe he will have a good year!!

Warrior

[The invisible mullet]

in the ruck, moving forward. Never at CHB.

[Cup_Half_Full]

McKernan is not a natural footballer and has many flaws.
But if he was played as a follower in a team that used its ruckman through the midfield, ala Bombers and Barnes, McKernan would get 25+ possessions each week.
McKernan is the most athletic 'bigman' in the AFL, Jeff White included.

[kymhodgemansmo]

Here Here

Let the big dill just run around so long as he refuses to try and kick torps on the run.

The ruck, although it sounds like a contradiction, is one pace he can stay out of everyone else's road to a fair degree and I agree he would accumulate possessions at will.

What he does with them would be the issue.