Analysis Where to play McGovern

[AsterixTheGaul]

"On The Couch" Monday 6th July: Healy asked Simpson where he plans to play McGovern when eMac and Brown are back. Simpson avoided answering what he wanted. His comment was along the lines "If I listen McGovern, he wants to play forward and ruck".

In looking at the team line ups in recent weeks, I have been wanting to test out Barrass and see if he is the real deal. In playing McGovern back, that makes us quite slow with 3 talls. Playing forward with Sinclair still in the team makes us tall up front but likely means a lot of time for a ruckman/tall on the bench and reduces midfield rotations.

Solution. Play McGovern as the tall forward/relieving ruckman alongside JK and Jack. That would mean dropping Sinclair. We immediately improve in our marking and delivery in the forward line.

Question: Is Barrass ready to trial or do we have to wait for 2016 when we have Brown, eMac and possibly Barrass ready?

From the looks of the EP reports, Barrass has really stepped up in defence this year. Often named in the WAFL best 4. Physically he may struggle against the gorilla forwards but it does not have to be every week. The sooner we see whether he is ready the better. I raised the point of rucking McGovern about 2 months ago and BOND 007 was against it stating he was too valuable. Becomes more viable when the guy wants to play there himself.

Thoughts!

 

[greatwhiteshark]

I think we need to wait until 2016 mate.
Firstly things are going along nicely and they should not be interrupted to give aspiring players an opportunity. Those opportunities will come when they come. McGovern is doing a great job and should be left alone to continue to do this. Sinclair also in my opinion is doing ok, not excelling but he is developing and he provides a strong contest. We can't knock his marking as we don't expect our number one ruckman to mark the ball. He does bring the ball to ground well and his ruck work is pretty bloody good in my view and getting better all the time. I think he has Lycett well and truly covered.
Secondly we are a developing side and one day the problem of where to play McGovern will be a good problem to have. But right now it does not exist and we should not try and make it exist.
Like your thoughts but the old adage of it aint broke so stop trying to fix it I think applies.

 

[ioppolo]

Question: Is Barrass ready to trial or do we have to wait for 2016 when we have Brown, eMac and possibly Barrass ready?

No. We wait for 2016. We're pushing to go deep into September this season, which means no need to blood youngsters just for the sake of game experience.

 

[eagles rule]

I would love to keep Gov as the intercept defender when EMac comes back . Which would leave the MC will a decision on Brown or Schofield , I would go with Schoey .

Fantasy but Is it possible to play Gov as a ruck /rover he would be brilliant running around free fwd or back and in the middle during games .

 

[paran]

Always maintained that his best position is CHF given his contested marking, long kicking and I50 delivery. Additionally, his defensive experience will be very valuable chasing and tackling up forward. Won't happen this year, we are woefully down on big man defenders. Barrass will get his opportunity when we really need a 3rd tall most likely, but he also still needs experience at WAFL. Patience.

 

[Carbine Chaos]

Wherever we need him on any given week. Genuine utility.

 

[DanWCE]

If it aint broke, dont fix it. Unless someone is injured, Barrass may need to wait. 2016, the year of the roaming Gov.

 

[SpaceClef]

Forward/ruck. But this year defence. Excellent mark + excellent kicking = KPF for mine.

 

[Sw3Et]

Keep him back and throw him forward to shake things up. Adam hunter role.

 

[Doughboy]

Keep him back and throw him forward to shake things up. Adam hunter role.

Huuuunnnnnnnntttttaaaaaaaaaaa

 

[bodazoka]

Always maintained that his best position is CHF.

Completely agree, he seems like a natural CHF to me.

FB: MacKenzie
CHB: Brown
Ruck: Naita
CHF: McGovern
FF: Kennedy

Schofield and Darling third talls back and forward. Barass and McInnes in the wings for injury cover.

 

[Suma Magic]

Keep him back this year.

Next year have:

Mackenzie
One of Schoey/Brown

Darling
Kennedy

Naitanui
Lycett

Gov to play a mix of back and forward, probably more back.

 

[Masto]

I'm sure we've had this thread before. In any event - the coach has repeatedly said he is best played down back atm.

 

[Eaglespur]

Can see Mocgovern spending chunks Forward, Ruck and Back next year.

No reason why not with Emac back , move Schofield to second tall (overtaken Brown easily off of this seasons displays) and Barrass developing. From all reports Barrass seems to be well on his way to being a feature in our line-up next year, another pre season to build his body up and mature as a player and he will overtake Brown imo.

Great problem to have.

 

[kaiserchief13]

If Sinclair doesn't improve his performances and Lycett isn't playing well also Barass should play vs Sydney and/or GC in a few weeks with McGovern taking the utility role and 2nd ruck.

 

[Chris_6678]

I think we wait till Emac is back to see how the backline works with him, Mcgovern and Schofield.

Keep him back this year.

Next year have:

Mackenzie
One of Schoey/Brown

Darling
Kennedy

Naitanui
Lycett

Gov to play a mix of back and forward, probably more back.

Yep 100% agree with this setup with Schofield being first choice and Brown as back up to Schoey.

 

[AsterixTheGaul]

I hear the call if it ain't broke then don't tinker with it .... but the question I ask is do we need to do something different to win against Hawthorn, Fremantle and Sydney? General consensus is that Sinclair is passable as the sixth tall in the team but he is really only being selected as there isn't really an alternative. If Barrass could hold down a KPD role with Schofield the other - will our defensive structures still work. Do we seriously expect to play play against Sydney with the height of our current defenders? We have some games ahead of us that are not guaranteed wins but we should have enough confidence in our team to be able to cope with a look see.

Additional reason for trialling Barrass is to see what we have in KPP stocks. Is he a keeper and how long is he off playing at the AFL level? It would be much better going into the end of season trade period with clarity that we can trade one of the KPP if needed. Not saying we have to - only you cannot expect to trade without giving up something of value. Would St Kilda be prepared to trade for Brown? What would Carlton do for McInness? Would Adelaide be prepared to pay overs for Lycett? Not suggesting we do any or all of these but if it meant we could get an A grade midfielder we would be silly not to even look at the possibility.

As the NAB add says, a ship is safe in the harbour but that is not what ships are built for!

 

[AsterixTheGaul]

I'm sure we've had this thread before. In any event - the coach has repeatedly said he is best played down back atm.

Actually it was Simpson who said last night that McGovern wants to play Forward/Ruck.

 

[getgaff]

Right now definitely down back but when we have a strongest 22 to pick including Brown/ Schofield and McKenzie I'd love to see him at CHF, Kennedy FF, Darling FP. Not sure if I like Gov as a 2nd ruck but.

For the rest of 2015 or until we have our strongest compliment of defenders back he stays in defence.

 

[bkozican]

If its working...Dont mess with it.
Just leave him where he is, The role he is playing is great for us so far.

 

[DanWCE]

Actually it was Simpson who said last night that McGovern wants to play Forward/Ruck.

Thats not in dispute. Simmo has said hes best played down back due to injuries to others. Until Emac is back, Gov should play in defence.

 

[Eaglespur]

I think we wait till Emac is back to see how the backline works with him, Mcgovern and Schofield.


Yep 100% agree with this setup with Schofield being first choice and Brown as back up to Schoey.

Barrass will over take Brown. Much more upside.

 

[Biggie]

Love his work down back.

But if we can swing him forward with Darls & JJK plus Cripps & Lecca, well that my friends is boner central.

 

[getgaff]

Barrass will over take Brown. Much more upside.

Interesting POV and it's something that will get asked more and more in 2016. I know Barrass's improvement has largely come from this year at East Perth 1's but if Barrass has more upside than why was Brown not traded when we have had a chance to?

Personally I'm a Brown lover and see him as CHB in the best available 22. Might be a case where it's Barrass V Schofield for the last tall spot. Barrass still has time to fill out and get in the gym. I wouldn't want to see him competing against the opposition's second best tall at AFL level.

 

[paran]

Barrass will over take Brown. Much more upside.

Upside and reliability are two different things. Until we see him at AFL Barrass is merely potential. We don't know if he's better suited to KPD or 3rd tall at AFL level. Don't count your eggs just yet.