Prediction Changes v Bombers (Sat 17 May, 7:35pm @ Marvel)

[BEaston]

Busslinger isn’t really a key defender at AFL level. He’s a medium like Cleary. I wouldn’t want to see him on Wright. And he can’t play the other end so if he’s getting torched and need to move Lobb back again we have to sub him.

Essendon like to flood their defence and go slow and struggle when the game is quick and chaotic. Jones’ speed and pressure should add to how we challenge and test Essendon more than Poulter.

It's why I advocated for him to take Williams' role in the backline and shift him back to a wing.

Still gives us flexibility while starting Lobb/Buss/JOD down back.

 

[BEaston]

Buss proved he was up to standard in his debut game though. Seems odd not to keep developing him in the 1’s when we have an opportunity.
Buss & JOD will make a great partnership.

He looked very comfortable once he got subbed on in his 2nd game too.

I think you can tell he's at the level already.

 

[TiAn_]

It's why I advocated for him to take Williams' role in the backline and shift him back to a wing.

Still gives us flexibility while starting Lobb/Buss/JOD down back.

Personally, I don’t think he’s a great fit next to the other two, makes our defence too slow. I’d rather just play Cleary or Williams back there as a medium. I think he’s fine as one of two KPDs, albeit not ready physically to match it with the bigger/better key forwards.

 

[BEaston]

Personally, I don’t think he’s a great fit next to the other two, makes our defence too slow. I’d rather just play Cleary or Williams back there as a medium. I think he’s fine as one of two KPDs, albeit not ready physically to match it with the bigger/better key forwards.

Didn't you just say you see him as a medium?

I don't think he's that much slower than Williams tbh.

 

[Golden_6]

i thgink the MC share the same concern alot of us do with Buss. lack of pace

It's a possibility but his pace isn't going to improve. You need to expose him for a consistent run of games (say 3-4) to determine if that lack of pace is going to negatively impact him at senior level.

His debut game showed that it didn't hinder him or us at AFL level so it's a little unfair at the moment.

 

[geoffjennings79]

Matt and Luke Kennedy's grandfather Rick to be a surprise selection, as sub. Playing the long game is Bevo... Rick gets limited game time this week, then lines up on inflated headband man next week.

 

[BEaston]

It's a possibility but his pace isn't going to improve. You need to expose him for a consistent run of games (say 3-4) to determine if that lack of pace is going to negatively impact him at senior level.

His debut game showed that it didn't hinder him or us at AFL level so it's a little unfair at the moment.

He reads the play so well it doesn't hurt him that much defensively.

And maybe too soon to tell, but I think he thinks quickly when we or he has the ball. These traits can overcome a lack of foot speed to some degree.

 

[X_box_X]

Why are Essendon allowed to start with 20 players on the field? That's totally unfair.

Their current lineup has three players from opposition teams starting on the outer wing. Archer, Day & Wicks. Give me a break.

 

[TiAn_]

Didn't you just say you see him as a medium?

I don't think he's that much slower than Williams tbh.

I do, but he’s slower than the others. There are reasons he’s not being selected.

 

[Philthy1]

Hopefully this is Jones' breakthrough game because I reckon he is nearing his last chance.

He has had 19, 18 and 24 posessions in the last 3 VFL games. I've watched him so many times buzz around and get himself into the right position without getting his hands on the pill. He has the talent, just needs to win the ball more and turn his talent into performance.

 

[Libbaaaa]

Laverde in is good for us, cooked product.

 

[lachy]

I do, but he’s slower than the others. There are reasons he’s not being selected.

The reason could simply be JOD has stepped up big time, Lobb is already at AA level as a KPD and with the bombers injuries to their talls their is no threat from them, therefore no role. Same could be argued last week and against the power, whereas GWS had 2 strong intercept markers that forced the hand to play Lobb forward whilst still having to contend with GWS having 2 quality tall forwards.

It's opinion but totally disagree that he is slow having watched the majority of his VFL games where he is rarely beaten on the spread by opposing KPF's and he is certainly now slower than Weitering who is in the best 3 KPD's in the League.

I also strongly disagree with this narrative of he and Cleary being the same player, they are not even close. Cleary is an Agile 191cm intercept defender, Buss is a 198 KPD whose 1 v 1 has improved a lot as he builds his strength. There is also over a 10kg difference.

 

[lachy]

Hopefully this is Jones' breakthrough game because I reckon he is nearing his last chance.

He has had 19, 18 and 24 posessions in the last 3 VFL games. I've watched him so many times buzz around and get himself into the right position without getting his hands on the pill. He has the talent, just needs to win the ball more and turn his talent into performance.

Watching the 24 possession game it was either 14 to 16 of those handballs of which around 50% were not at the players feet or missing the target fully.

He had such an infectious positive personality you hope it comes together for him. He really has to get those sorts of numbers in the AFL but also use the ball a hell of a lot better

 

[Philthy1]

Watching the 24 possession game it was either 14 to 16 of those handballs of which around 50% were not at the players feet or missing the target fully.

He had such an infectious positive personality you hope it comes together for him. He really has to get those sorts of numbers in the AFL but also use the ball a hell of a lot better

Didn't see that VFL game. But it doesn't sound good.

He really needs to step and I hope he can, otherwise he may find himself back in the WAFL next year being out of contract at year end.

 

[TiAn_]

The reason could simply be JOD has stepped up big time, Lobb is already at AA level as a KPD and with the bombers injuries to their talls their is no threat from them, therefore no role. Same could be argued last week and against the power, whereas GWS had 2 strong intercept markers that forced the hand to play Lobb forward whilst still having to contend with GWS having 2 quality tall forwards.

It's opinion but totally disagree that he is slow having watched the majority of his VFL games where he is rarely beaten on the spread by opposing KPF's and he is certainly now slower than Weitering who is in the best 3 KPD's in the League.

I also strongly disagree with this narrative of he and Cleary being the same player, they are not even close. Cleary is an Agile 191cm intercept defender, Buss is a 198 KPD whose 1 v 1 has improved a lot as he builds his strength. There is also over a 10kg difference.

He’s half the size and half the 1 on 1 defender of Weitering though. When or if he gets to that sort of size and competitiveness he’ll be better equipped. There’s a big difference between VFL and AFL and not getting badly exposed on the move at VFL level doesn’t mean it won’t happen at AFL level. I’ve seen him look lumbering at VFL level though.

If we’re talking playing alongside JOD & Lobb then I don’t think there’s much separating Busslinger and Cleary in practice. A few cms and a few kgs. Busslinger is not much more of a 1 on 1 defender than Cleary and Cleary can probably do a similar job as third man up if needed. But as you say Cleary is far more agile, and can play on smaller forwards, so I can see why he’s currently playing Busslinger isn’t.

I think the coaches will only use Busslinger on a horses for courses basis when they need a third KPD. Don’t think he’ll see much more AFL this year if Jones gets back fit. I don’t understand why people stress about it every week.

 

[Spiritof82]

Matt and Luke Kennedy's grandfather Rick to be a surprise selection, as sub. Playing the long game is Bevo... Rick gets limited game time this week, then lines up on inflated headband man next week.

If **** was listed to play on Smith, either Smith would find a way to not play, or his game would be finished within the first couple of minutes.

 

[The Slitherin' Snake]

Maybe the fact he hasn’t played for 2 weeks any footy counted against him

It might but i would be seriously pissed if i was him and this was the reason. "hey mate we're not going to pick you this week because we ****ed you around the last two weeks and didnt get you a run"

 

[The Slitherin' Snake]

It’s weird how heavily Khamis has been criticised for being slow but many of the same people desperately want Busslinger in the side. I thought he was solid against GWS, but some of his follow up work after marking contests was pretty slow and he was unable to influence the next ground contest the way O’Donnell or even Lobb does.

Who has criticised Khamis for being slow? He makes slow decisons, but has anyone really questioned his pace?

 

[lachy]

He’s half the size and half the 1 on 1 defender of Weitering though. When or if he gets to that sort of size and competitiveness he’ll be better equipped. There’s a big difference between VFL and AFL and not getting badly exposed on the move at VFL level doesn’t mean it won’t happen at AFL level. I’ve seen him look lumbering at VFL level though.

If we’re talking playing alongside JOD & Lobb then I don’t think there’s much separating Busslinger and Cleary in practice. A few cms and a few kgs. Busslinger is not much more of a 1 on 1 defender than Cleary and Cleary can probably do a similar job as third man up if needed. But as you say Cleary is far more agile, and can play on smaller forwards, so I can see why he’s currently playing Busslinger isn’t.

I think the coaches will only use Busslinger on a horses for courses basis when they need a third KPD. Don’t think he’ll see much more AFL this year if Jones gets back fit. I don’t understand why people stress about it every week.

Half the size??? 1 cm taller and the same weight as Weitering. Weitering got there over time by regularly playing in the AFL.

Your talking about playing alongside Lobb and JOD, I am talking about moving Lobb forward and him playing alongside JOD only and have only ever said that. Cleary definitely can not play that role, so if they are not looking to move Lobb forward of course Buss is out. However, it was necessary against GWS, that option is essentially removed.

Given he replaced Jones I don't think Jones is now in front of him

He was not off the pace against GWS and that was his first game at that level, so I am not sure how he can be thought of as slow after one game and a cameo in another

 

[dogwatch]

Who has criticised Khamis for being slow? He makes slow decisons, but has anyone really questioned his pace?

His straight line pace seems ok, but he’s not as fluent in traffic as most other AFL blokes around his height. And as you say he lacks a bit in decision making. They’re probably related.

 

[House_of_Dahl]

Not sure why people are stressing over Buss. I think he's doing more than fine. If we was a bit stronger he'd perfectly suit a KPD role at AFL level. And he definitely will get a bit stronger so why stress.

 

[Pencil case]

Not sure why people are stressing over Buss. I think he's doing more than fine. If we was a bit stronger he'd perfectly suit a KPD role at AFL level. And he definitely will get a bit stronger so why stress.

Exactly, he’s tracking very nicely.

 

[threenewpadlocks]

I'm not sure where this idea that Busslinger isn't a traditional key defender being surprising or blasphemous is coming from.

Across 40+ career VFL games he's averaging over 18 touches a game which even at that level and playing with top-up players, is not the style of a lockdown key defender.

And I've noticed that at AFL level and in the VFL games - not that it is necessarily a bad thing but he's often looking to be an outlet rebounder post-contest than a pure defensive stopper whose primary focus is on manning up a forward, stopping a secondary contest, etc. (which is how he's gotten to games at VFL level with 15+ kicks, numerous times), which is what I think people were getting at calling him a "medium".

It's a slow burn of a career as he builds up his body and continues to develop as a player. But he was happy to resign and we were happy to give him a game at all (things that people were questioning at times last year) so there's not no progress with him.

 

[lachy]

I'm not sure where this idea that Busslinger isn't a traditional key defender being surprising or blasphemous is coming from.

Across 40+ career VFL games he's averaging over 18 touches a game which even at that level and playing with top-up players, is not the style of a lockdown key defender.

And I've noticed that at AFL level and in the VFL games - not that it is necessarily a bad thing but he's often looking to be an outlet rebounder post-contest than a pure defensive stopper whose primary focus is on manning up a forward, stopping a secondary contest, etc. (which is how he's gotten to games at VFL level with 15+ kicks, numerous times), which is what I think people were getting at calling him a "medium".

It's a slow burn of a career as he builds up his body and continues to develop as a player. But he was happy to resign and we were happy to give him a game at all (things that people were questioning at times last year) so there's not no progress with him.

I am not sure a lock down Key Defender exits
Weitering averages close to 15 disposals and 6 marks per game. A.lock down KPD is a position of yesteryear

 

[threenewpadlocks]

I am not sure a lock down Key Defender exits
Weitering averages close to 15 disposals and 6 marks per game. A.lock down KPD is a position of yesteryear

I mean sure but Weitering is a freak and was a number 1 draft pick for a reason and is pretty much the only pure stopper KPD in the league that also offers above a baseline level in ball movement too, which is why he was KPD.

For the sake of comparison the five players in the league averaging the most spoils per game, are averaging 12.6, 9.1 13.3, 12.0 and 8.2 disposals per game.

The other players not on this list who average the most defensive one-on-one contests have 11.3, 15.9, 11.8, 18.2, 8.1, 12.9 and 13.3 disposals per game. The 15.9 and 18.2 players are McDonald and May from Melbourne who specifically play a game style where they trust their key defenders to possess the ball (plus May takes kick ins because he can roost the ball 55-60m even if his kicking is not accurate per se).

Obviously a sample size of two games but with 96% TOG across two games (typical for a key defender)Buss found time to win 14 disposals which is more than the average of these typical key defenders, even as a first/second gamer AFL player.

Stopper KPD's do exist, some like Mac Andrew, Esava Rategolea, Harry Edwards, Jack Buckley are more the use athleticism to come over the the top of the pack or to close a player late rather than to stand shoulder-to-shoulder but they're still "lockdown" in a team-defence system in the sense that they're there to end opposition ball movement, not to contribute to their own team ball movement.

Then you have players like Ben Miller, Ben McKay (8 disposals per game!), Charlie Comben, Sam Collins, Jordan Butts who are the physical stand next to your player type.

I'm just making the broad point that Busslinger who will be the type of player to average 15+ touches at AFL level is not your usual key defender type.