Player Watch #32: Mason Wood -

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Back when guys like Joel Bowden could play down back and literally not go within 60m of an opponent, Wood would (heh) kill it across half back.

These days I think you have to be able to defend first, then set up, so although he would be a good intercept marker down there, I think he would quickly get exploited.

I still think he could transition into a big midfielder in due course, but even there he needs to work on some defensive stuff before that happens.
 

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Wood is a half forward/ genuine FF it's where he has played all his footy since under 15's why change something that obviously works?
Imagine if everyone took this approach?

Cameron Ling would have played full forward for Geelong his whole career, for example.
 

roos_fanatic08

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Imagine if everyone took this approach?

Cameron Ling would have played full forward for Geelong his whole career, for example.
Obviously there are examples where you need to mix things up because a player isn't suited to a certain position or they get pushed out of a position like Tazz has with us, but Mason is the perfect half forward, high workrate, good below the knees and strong overhead.
 

shintemaster

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I thought he was pretty good once the nervousness was dealt with. Was a pretty high pressure game and he went well for mine. Still a lot to improve, yes, he's a touch undersized at AFL level for a FF. While his attributes might say wing I think he's such a natural forward that it will be hard to change that too much. I see him as a HFF that can play as a true FF as well at times.
 

Kimbo

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All the "Why on earth would you play him back?" comments make perfect sense. But the suggestion itself lead me to ponder whether his mobility and marking power could make him a replacement for Lachie in the seventh defender role? Not advocating it, just entertaining the notion, given it got raised.
 

ArjenTheGreat

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All the "Why on earth would you play him back?" comments make perfect sense. But the suggestion itself lead me to ponder whether his mobility and marking power could make him a replacement for Lachie in the seventh defender role? Not advocating it, just entertaining the notion, given it got raised.
Appreciate your insight Mr Deputy Speaker however the member for Arden holds the floor.
 

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Both at face value appear to be very similar types. Wood seems to have better marking credentials especially in a pack situation. Black I really value as that CHF type that funnels the ball between centre and forward. Both have massive engines and probably would play their best footy as wing/utility drifting down to forward. Both also appear to be slightly fragile when it comes to self belief.
I suspect Wood's endurance is well beyond Blacks.

I have heard Wood is very confident (too much so if anything) in his ability.
 
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