View Full Version : Back Pocket?
This is an offshoot from the Slattery thread. (I thought I'd create it to try eliminate as much bias as possible.)
The question is simple:
Who would you like playing in the back pocket(s) for Essendon?
I would have added a "neither player" option, but I don't think that's a reasonable option as yet, though we might hope for it to become so in the future.
Slattery_20
1 Jun 2010, 14:11
IMHO depends on the line-up.
A side like the doggies last year, you could justify 2 genuine back pockets with Aker/BJ/Higgins all needing minding, and one less tall (or a tall playing more attacking). Most sides, the 1 back pocket and a winger (atko or Dyson) launching from HB would suffice.
Happy for McVeigh to stay if he maintains his form and fitness. But he's been broken down that many times Hank has to be kept around.
Yeah I was thinking of a "depends on matchups" option. But it doesn't seem like the kind of thing AFL teams do all that often. They still seem to be stuck in a bit of a "best 22" mindset, and I can't see them bringing either of these guys in and out of the side each week depending who we'll play.
I'd like to see myers in the guts, mcveigh in the back pocket and slattery in the magoos
quotemokc
1 Jun 2010, 16:00
McVeigh can fulfill lots of roles but Slattery is the better defender.
During the dogs game McVeigh kicked 2 pinpoint kicks into our 50 from just outside half forward that resulted in goals from the mark. It is kicks of this caliber that we are currently lacking
WeAreEssendon
1 Jun 2010, 16:36
Interesting to see a number of people select both. I guess they want one of Pears or Fletcher to be playing in the VFL.
I personally like the current combination we are going with. Mcveigh minding the most dangerous small forward and doing it well, has only conceded a few goals during the past few weeks. Atkinson taking the less dangerous small forward and rebuilding. People bag Atkinson a lot but when he's in the team we seem to have some pretty good success, i think he should stay in the team for much the same reason that Lonnergan has been staying in. He just suits what we are trying to do. I think Slattery's next role will be midfield tagger post-Welsh which i suspect may come quicker than some people believe.
IAmAJedi
1 Jun 2010, 17:02
Slattery having only 2 is disgraceful.
He is clearly the better defender.
HighettBomber
1 Jun 2010, 18:20
Interesting to see a number of people select both. I guess they want one of Pears or Fletcher to be playing in the VFL.
It would be interesting to hear comments on this from those who voted for both. I would have thought Fletcher and Pears were locks for the other 2 spots in the last line, unless the timing is until Hooker comes back.
Nasty Penguin
1 Jun 2010, 18:26
Depending on the opposition line up you'd have both and still be able to play fletch, pears and hooker.
B: McVeigh, Pears, Hank
HB: Fletcher, Hooker, Myers.
Would free up the likes on atkinson and dempsey in the middle. Myers has stepped up his past few games and looks to be growing in confidence which could see him get a perma slot in the 22 as the running half back aka Drummond.
WeAreEssendon
1 Jun 2010, 19:16
Depending on the opposition line up you'd have both and still be able to play fletch, pears and hooker.
B: McVeigh, Pears, Hank
HB: Fletcher, Hooker, Myers.
Would free up the likes on atkinson and dempsey in the middle. Myers has stepped up his past few games and looks to be growing in confidence which could see him get a perma slot in the 22 as the running half back aka Drummond.
Fletch has played on the last line for the past 17 years and now we are moving him to half back to accommodate Henry Slattery? Doesn't sound right.
Donakebab
1 Jun 2010, 19:26
Depending on the opposition line up you'd have both and still be able to play fletch, pears and hooker.
B: McVeigh, Pears, Hank
HB: Fletcher, Hooker, Myers.
Would free up the likes on atkinson and dempsey in the middle. Myers has stepped up his past few games and looks to be growing in confidence which could see him get a perma slot in the 22 as the running half back aka Drummond.
Myers has stepped up when rotating through the middle, would prefer Dyson or Hocking off the half back.
james_omahoney
1 Jun 2010, 19:37
I accidentally clicked McVeigh instead of both. I think McVeigh up and running is a superior player, but not taking anything away from Hank. McVeigh's form will keep getting better and better as the year goes on, I truly believe. I want them both in the team please.
Myers has stepped up when rotating through the middle, would prefer Dyson or Hocking off the half back.
This +1
Myers must play in the guts
My ideal backline is this
McVeigh, Pears, Fletch
Hocking, Hooker, Dempsey
We could try Hank in the Mid but that would push someone out and have Shamwow, Dyson and Reimers all to come back and play mid.
So really I don't see a role for Slatts anywhere bar coming off the bench to give Spike a rest but then that role could be filled by attkinson who is doing a fine job
Its a real shame but I dont think Slattery has a spot in the best 22 ATM, With injuries he may have a few stints back in the team but may be time to move him on:(
quotemokc
1 Jun 2010, 21:04
Who is Shamwow?