Retired #22: Matthew Leuenberger - offered a new deal but chose to retire - 24/10

[Killer_Mike]

You'd rather us play McKernan who would get demolished in the ruck contests?

I think McKernan should have been given one more game at least after Brisbane.

He was very good against Hawthorn and then come up against a quality player in Martin.

We should never play two rucks though.

 

[Loonerty]

When our midfield combo was Jobe, Goddard and one other rotating through we really struggled. Goddards work was exceptional so he could have been roving to Alwyn Davey and still would have won it, but Jobe is not as quick on his feet and was regularly getting second to the ball. It wasn't until Merrett, Walla and Fanta were going into the midfield that we started winning the ball more.

I think this is the clear thing here. It will take time for the guys returning from suspension to get used to playing with Luey.

 

[yodellinhank]

I think McKernan should have been given one more game at least after Brisbane.

He was very good against Hawthorn and then come up against a quality player in Martin.

We should never play two rucks though.

I want two. Especially with the high likelihood luey gets injured. I don't think the coaches have any faith in mckernan as a ruck. He can give quite good follow up at ground level when he's in form.

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

He was in for a long night when he shanked his kick that dribbled on the ground at the beginning of the game that kick lead to Texs first goal.

 

[Vindicater]

Smack = 2-0

Leuy = 0-2

That is pure fact.

 

[Doss]

That also reminds me of the Henry Slattery Effect thread from years ago.

 

[Drummer_19]

He got cooked by Jacobs in the 1st half, if he's not providing silver service with his taps he has no value on the ground.

 

[Jobe is King]

While I'm at it, let's all marvel at Luey's speed and agility..

Hey, leave the big fella alone.. he's coming back from injury. Don't forgot what he's capable of in space.

 

[Killer_Mike]

I think this is the clear thing here. It will take time for the guys returning from suspension to get used to playing with Luey.

Hey, leave the big fella alone.. he's coming back from injury. Don't forgot what he's capable of in space.

Did you edit out his kicks?

 

[Jobe is King]

Did you edit out his kicks?

Yes, but only to stop your minds exploding from amazement. In both clips he took about three more steps and then kicked a goal. They were such good kicks that the ball travelled around the earth and then went through the goals again for double the score.

 

[CBombers17]

Yes, but only to stop your minds exploding from amazement. In both clips he took about three more steps and then kicked a goal. They were such good kicks that the ball travelled around the earth and then went through the goals again for double the score.

Except one missed after the second orbit and was called deliberate oob. Or - "out of bounce" as some Carlton fans call it.

 

[eDPS]

Personally thought he beat Grundy

 

[eth-dog]

Personally thought he beat Grundy

He did. Grundy was average.

 

[Red Black and Blue]

Was a decent game, beat Grundy in conditions that suited the Pies man.

 

[freddy mercury]

Smashed grundy.

 

[Wahooti Fandango]

Seriously good player and proper ruckman.

 

[Ambrosia]

I've never been a fan as he offers nothing around the ground and is poor overhead.

That being said he's good at limiting his opponents impact on the game and considering he came for free its hard to argue he has been anything other than an astute pick up.

 

[blitzer]

I'm far from his biggest fan but he did a great job limiting Grundy's around the ground work today. I thought Grundy would dominate in that area but Leuenberger did a good job. Was surprised to see he lost the hitouts but in all honesty I didn't think the hitouts had any impact from either side today.

 

[Donakebab]

Call me mental, but one aspect of his game I really liked today was the willingness to gather the ball below the knees. While plenty of others were just kicking it off the ground or knocking it on, often to comically bad effect, Leuy actually bent down to get the bloody thing.

 

[Blind Turn]

Wish he'd be more imposing in marking contests. Other than that it's nice have a true competitive ruckman. Does anyone think he might be rested for Dees? Good opportunity to do so considering Dees are ruckless and TBell is knocking (ringing) on the door.

 

[eDPS]

Call me mental, but one aspect of his game I really liked today was the willingness to gather the ball below the knees. While plenty of others were just kicking it off the ground or knocking it on, often to comically bad effect, Leuy actually bent down to get the bloody thing.

It's a long way down too

 

[Capt Hindsight]

For average hitouts per game he is currently 4th in the league, behind Sandilands, Stefan Martin and Mumford.
Not bad at all. Just needs to do more around the ground now.

 

[Bigjobss]

Call me mental, but one aspect of his game I really liked today was the willingness to gather the ball below the knees. While plenty of others were just kicking it off the ground or knocking it on, often to comically bad effect, Leuy actually bent down to get the bloody thing.

Im just happy that most of the time today he decided on the handball disposal, his field kicking gets me nervous at times

 

[Lore]

I feel like he played better last year. Not sure if carrying an injury or getting acquainted with another new midfield or more complicated game plan or what. Last year he averaged 150 metres gained over the season, this year he had two games off, then 162 against Carlton, 83 against Adelaide, and today... 0.

Obviously the hit-outs are the major stat for him, but what he does outside of that seems to be less effective than we know he's capable of.

 

[Summer Nights]

Quite liked his game on the weekend. His handballs are getting better and he does some handy work linking up. He generally breaks even in the ruck but most importantly, he gives the team around him predictability. He's my #1 ruckman on our list.