- Jun 10, 2009
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- Adelaide
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- Panthers, GWV Rebels Beaufort Crows
As for Goddard, I've got this belief (and I hope defenders don't find this demeaning!) but key defence is suited to forwards without smarts. It's a bit like how comedy actors can do drama but drama actors can't always do comedy, key forwards can do key back but key backs can't always do key forward. There's less need for a key back to be smart as they don't need to create their own opportunities (which requires smarts and a good read of the game to do well.) Instead they can play off their direct opponent, letting them do all the smart stuff and just following and negating while playing off them when necessary. He's got speed and acceleration to close down leads, the agility to dominate at ground level, the work rate to follow hard and the body strength to compete one on one. Defensively I think he's excellent. Offensively he might be a little lacking with his ability to intercept and take big grabs not great and he doesn't really rebound much. But let's be fair, Talia isn't great offensively either. Some of the best key defenders in the league have an offensive game but many don't. It's hardly a pre-requisite. And Goddard's defensive game is really sound, more so than anyone in the draft IMO. I could conceivably see him getting close to a Frawley/Richards/MacKenzie kind of level down back so I don't have those worries. As a forward he shouldn't even be in the conversation though.
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I don't get why Oscar McDonald isn't higher rated among the KPD's by the so called draft experts. I've seen a couple of his games for the Rebels and he has been most impressive, I'd say along with a "bottom" ager in Darcy Tucker [this kid will be a gun] he would be my pick to make into a very good AFL defender. I wonder if Goddard's name was Joe Blow would he be quite so popular??? Oscar, unlike Goddard does have an offensive side to his game, a neat kick, good pace for a tall, good over head and at 196cm will fill out into a big unit...a couple of weeks ago he absolutely "pantsed" man mountain forward/ruck Peter Wright who is tipped to go in the top end of the top ten picks?? I just don't get it??
Edited : Goes alright up forward too.