Player Watch #18: Shaun Atley -

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I realise this is harsh, but as soon as we replace Gibson with someone who can provide a similar aerobic performance while adding an offensive edge, the closer North will be to a premiership. Even the most ardent fans must realise the slump he is in form wise.
 

TooUglyForFugly

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I love how this board seems to turn every thread, no matter who or what it's on, into a discussion about the merits of retaining our latest whipping boy in our 22. Give it a rest, please.

Thought Ats was very good tonight. Has had a consistent run of form since coming back in.
What merit?

You tell me when a member of the leadership group has been omitted when part of it.

Not my fault people can't see it.
 

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jess_1804

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Best mid/small defender: Shaun Atley: 15 matches; nine goals conceded; 0.71 goals conceded every 120 minutes
North has long looked to Atley to take on he game from half-back, but the fifth-year defender has become an increasingly stingy backman in recent seasons. Teams previously tried to exploit Atley by isolating him with his opponent deep inside North's defensive 50, but the 22-year-old is now far stronger in one-on-one contests. His speed also means that opponents struggle to get away from him on the lead.
 

Woodson

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So atley just confirmed he says himself as a half back. Glad that we can put ats to the midfield to bed.
Do you seriously think 'set positions' mean anything these days (or the last 10 years for that matter?). You need both sides of the game to be relevant and as I type… I hope Ats is running down the ground at full pace and getting his radar on with knowing where to kick to advantage and STOP butchering the ball. (read: Composure required)
 

Tas

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Best mid/small defender: Shaun Atley: 15 matches; nine goals conceded; 0.71 goals conceded every 120 minutes
North has long looked to Atley to take on he game from half-back, but the fifth-year defender has become an increasingly stingy backman in recent seasons. Teams previously tried to exploit Atley by isolating him with his opponent deep inside North's defensive 50, but the 22-year-old is now far stronger in one-on-one contests. His speed also means that opponents struggle to get away from him on the lead.
It is not surprising that a forward who drags Atley so far out of the contest himself sees little of the ball, I think most teams would be happy to have one pocket do nothing if it means killing our defensive rebounding.

Atley only really works well when Mullett is in the side, because Mullett is very offensive with his rebounding, when Mullett isn't around our rebounding is pretty lacklustre.
 

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I love how this board seems to turn every thread, no matter who or what it's on, into a discussion about the merits of retaining our latest whipping boy in our 22. Give it a rest, please.

Thought Ats was very good tonight. Has had a consistent run of form since coming back in.
I can understand the resentment (of frustrated supporters) but I haven't criticised him because it's evident in his game that he needs 'switched on' teammates to make him play better, when his teamates get lazy (read: not accountable) it all falls on him and makes him look lazy. I like to HOPE that he is working on his strength and that is running hard / BREAKING the LINe and getting his radar on to find a proper target. He is in his 5th year.. 100 games up. No excuses for 'bad games'.. serviceable Darren Steele games… meh. He's better than that!!
 

jess_1804

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Do you seriously think 'set positions' mean anything these days (or the last 10 years for that matter?). You need both sides of the game to be relevant and as I type… I hope Ats is running down the ground at full pace and getting his radar on with knowing where to kick to advantage and STOP butchering the ball. (read: Composure required)
The bolded might have been true for the first half of the year, but I've noticed a significant improvement in his kicking on the run after his spell in the VFL. A couple of passes really stood out to me vs Carlton and from memory both resulted in I50 marks.
 
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The bolded might have been true for the first half of the year, but I've noticed a significant improvement in his kicking on the run after his spell in the VFL. A couple of passes really stood out to me vs Carlton and from memory both resulted in I50 marks.
Its the pressure on the opposition ball carrier which I've noticed has improved from Ats since the demotion.
 

TennisPlayerAndy

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The bolded might have been true for the first half of the year, but I've noticed a significant improvement in his kicking on the run after his spell in the VFL. A couple of passes really stood out to me vs Carlton and from memory both resulted in I50 marks.
His kick to Cunners was sex.
 

arden station

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It is not surprising that a forward who drags Atley so far out of the contest himself sees little of the ball, I think most teams would be happy to have one pocket do nothing if it means killing our defensive rebounding.

Atley only really works well when Mullett is in the side, because Mullett is very offensive with his rebounding, when Mullett isn't around our rebounding is pretty lacklustre.
Tas, I rate your work highly, always have, even as Errol St Lad (lost my password) but I disagree with you about Atley. He can't feel the pace void by himself - he has to look after extremely quick players by himself because no one else can. So give him a break please.
 

kangaspurs

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Very poor first half of the season but since he was dropped he's been really solid. Hopefully he can build on this and become the player he has the potential to be.
 
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