Daniel Pratt. Our mastermind.

[MaxiBont]

I'll save you all the pain but First Crack did a nice little segment on just how well our defense is working at the moment, and I will say, the change over the last two weeks (round 1 never happened) has been noticeable.

Yesterday I felt almost confident seeing the ball go back into the backline that it would be taken care of, with Jones being the anchor, the emergence of Buku, hell even Duryea running at 100% disposal efficiency I was really surprised at just how well this defensive unit is starting to come together.

Also to note is that Croft looked excellent playing down back in the VFL, JOD is not far off making the seniors again, and we have Ed, Coffield (when not injured) and to a lesser extent Cleary all breathing down the neck trying to get into the side, it's almost like we might have the workings of a solid defense in the making.

So, big props to Chris Grant for making the really hard call in moving on Bubba and bringing in Daniel Pratt, I know two games is a small sample size but if this is what the future holds for our defense (something that has suckkkked since 2022) the future looks good for us.

I’m blaming you btw

 

[dergert]

We were dog shite down there tonight.

 

[JTCWBFC]

Despite all the other issues he’s definitely had an impact on our intercept marking

 

[Del165892]

I love D.P.

 

[cherrypie]

I love D.P.

Wrong website

 

[ossie_21]

I love D.P.

Considering he’s coached at both teams, possible to officially name our games v Eagles as the DP Riley Reid cup?

Or also include his playing career, so it would be DP Shinboner Riley Reid cup.

 

[cherrypie]

On a serious note, our defence is clearly structured far better as a unit. DP fills all the holes in our zone

 

[Del165892]

I have no idea what you guys are talking about

 

[Foxman98]

Best we have looked defensively for as long as I can remember,

Our biggest issue is when teams get quick ball from CBAs which is hard to defend

 

[cherrypie]

BulldogMuscle shopped early in April but they were spot on, Pratt has to be our best coaching acquisition of the past few years

 

[BulldogMuscle]

BulldogMuscle shopped early in April but they were spot on, Pratt has to be our best coaching acquisition of the past few years

 

[stefoid]

there is something to be said for "MAN UP!!" after all

same number of players on both sides, if you man them up, then there is no easy ball for anyone, theoretically. Opposition player looks up and there is no free comrade and every overlap handball they give, there is someone hard on the receivers hammer, applying pressure.

Maybe footy is a simple game after all opposition transition play carving you up? MAN UP!!!!!!

 

[Del165892]

DP has changed our fortunes

 

[VitalDread]

Early season but geez another great defensive structure and player development from Pratt

JOD looks like a elite key defender

 

[Mojorisin]

Early season but geez another great defensive structure and player development from Pratt

JOD looks like a elite key defender

I wonder what impact he has had on Cleary aswell, his game has gone up four or five levels.

 

[BulldogMuscle]

Still feel we are one young KPD off having a good young core, hopefully Will Darcy?

 

[Munnez]

Still feel we are one young KPD off having a good young core, hopefully Will Darcy?

Croft could take a Defensive Key post possibly if they don't persist with Key Forward role

 

[The Slitherin' Snake]

Croft could take a Defensive Key post possibly if they don't persist with Key Forward role

I reckon Croft should model his game somewhere between Darcy Moore and Lizard Blakey

 

[bresker]

From Pratt's Wikipedia page. Interesting. He's a good egg.

 

[Mojorisin]

Still feel we are one young KPD off having a good young core, hopefully Will Darcy?

If you haven't yet watch the replay of last weekends Jets game. Hok left me very impressed, he made some mistakes coming out of defence and is extremely raw but geez there is something about him. His ability to float across the backline intercept and repel will be a huge weapon once he clicks, and it looks like it won't be far away.

 

[The Slitherin' Snake]

If you haven't yet watch the replay of last weekends Jets game. Hok left me very impressed, he made some mistakes coming out of defence and is extremely raw but geez there is something about him. His ability to float across the backline intercept and repel will be a huge weapon once he clicks, and it looks like it won't be far away.

Sounds like its time for him to knuckle down on his studies and take the rest of the year off footy

 

[Mojorisin]

Sounds like its time for him to knuckle down on his studies and take the rest of the year off footy

Not eligible until next year unfortunately. Maybe he and El Souki need to go on a gap year.

 

[Martyn_30_]

The hardest part of the ground to assess for years has been the backline due to the midfield protecting them. It's no surprise Bont comes back and the games being played more in the forward half. The team still ranks poorly for defending inside 50s this year.

 

[BEaston]

I love D.P.

Why did Scrag cancel his account btw?

 

[dogwatch]

Why did Scrag cancel his account btw?

He had outgrown us.