Winderlich as a half back flanker

[Knight Ryders]

With the way that Winderlich seems to be struggling early this year, I think it is time to give him a go at half back. I've been thinking it for a few weeks (http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?p=17323200#post17323200), but the more I think about, the more I think it can work for Winders and the team in general.

Dempsey has been giving plenty of run, but not providing the disposal needed of a "Quarterback" or silky half back flanker. They can really set up the play from there if their run and delivery are good. Winders will provide good run and more importantly, he runs directly which should see him streaming through the centre when he gets a chance. He also is one of the better kicks in our team.

To add to this, Winders has been struggling to get into games but as the designated kicker from the back half, he should get plenty of cheap ball, which should provide Winders with some much needed confidence.

All the good teams have a class player that plays in this position, about time we had one too!

Examples

Adelaide - Goodwin
Collingwood - Shaw
Brisbane - Drummond
Bulldogs - Gilbee
Hawthorn - Hodge (when they can afford to)
Saints - Gilbert (also Goddard and Fisher at times)
Geelong - Enright, Mackie
Sydney - Kennelly, Malceski, Shaw

[Shane Hird]

I'd rather have him on the half forward line.

[LeeARM]

I'd rather have him on the half forward line.

Well the thing I like about this idea is that it gives him the chance to use his pace more as he can try to run the ball out of defence. His passes are good too so he can hopefully set something up in the forward line. My only worry is his defensive side as I've never seen him play in the backline.

[anf06]

I like it. But more so because we can ship Dempsey off to the Gold Coast :)

[BABYBOMBERS2007]

We might as well do something, nothing is really working so far.

[Longy413]

This only works (and Dempsey is having the same problem now) if you have the ability to lock down on the oppositions deep forwards.

Dempsey at the moment, keeps getting dragged back.
Slattery's opponent will work him up the ground, whilst Dempsey ends up playing on the last line, making him ineffective.

This works if we move McVeigh and Welsh to play the lock down roles in the backline and as a defensive unit we're smart enough to rotate our back six to play in a position rather than on an opponent.

Winderlich doesn't have the reach and isn't good enough above his head, if he gets dragged back to the full back line and with our current set up, we'll see it happen.

[BrunoV]

Naah, he should either rest (and repair the injury I am convinced he has) or he should pull his finger out.

It all worked last year, the difference being that we don't have Lovett anymore. Dempsey and Winderlich are just going to have to toughen up.

[Slattery_20]

BrunoV I think the club is managing Winders and Myers until half-way through the year before giving them a whole lot of time in the middle. Wait until round 12.

This year he has played a bit of half-back, the rest at half-forward (bar a half in the Weagles game where he moved to the middle).
Need him in the guts IMHO. Especially if Stanton's a risk, but more to lift the standard of disposal. He's the guy we need to play every game and have a bit of it - fast, attacking, pressures opponents, and (most importantly) a good user of the ball. Ie the exact player Knights' game plan is based on.

[rhysman]

Is not a defensive player at all. Much better up the ground where he can use his run and speed to feed the forwards or kick goals himself. He will come good, he's not the only one struggling.

[blitzer]

I haven't been particularly impressed with Winderlich in the backline to be honest. I'm not that convinced that his defensive skills are a real strength of his. Conversely up forward he's at least got the fact that he's real fast off the mark, strong mark in the air and an accurate kick (field and at goal) going for him. I'd have him rotating through half forward and the wing, along with the likes of Reimers and Zaharakis. For what it's worth i think we started to see signs of the old Winderlich late last week, just give him some time i think. It's not like we have a bevy of fleet footed, skilled midfielders beating down the door to take his spot. Whereas we have an overabundance of the Lonnergan/Hocking/Welsh etc types.

[resurrector]

i like this idea...we have definitely lacked composure and poise thru the backline all year. winderlich and mcveigh on the flanks would reinstill this. and free up dempsey to work a wing.

[loopy_cam]

This only works (and Dempsey is having the same problem now) if you have the ability to lock down on the oppositions deep forwards.

Dempsey at the moment, keeps getting dragged back.
Slattery's opponent will work him up the ground, whilst Dempsey ends up playing on the last line, making him ineffective.

This works if we move McVeigh and Welsh to play the lock down roles in the backline and as a defensive unit we're smart enough to rotate our back six to play in a position rather than on an opponent.

Winderlich doesn't have the reach and isn't good enough above his head, if he gets dragged back to the full back line and with our current set up, we'll see it happen.

This. :thumbsu: Top post.