Player Watch #44 Sydney Stack

[Oprah From Tigerland]

stack is gonna have 2nd year blues due to being in love Tiges1229

yep he’s caught the contivirus

 

[Muddiemoose]

yep he’s caught the contivirus

What did he eat to catch that?

 

[_RT_]

Graham was already replaced by Pickett who was chosen ahead of Ross. Though Caddy probably did more of the Graham run with role than Marlion did.

So they’re not really looking to replace Graham but see if he comes back in.

With Rance retiring the only change I had to the premiership side was Graham replacing Ellis, if Graham is unfit for round 1 then it becomes Stack v Ross for mine.

My personal preference is short should give way.But I doubt that will happen.
In:Stack & Graham
Out:Ellis & Short.
I doubt Graham will be ready rnd 1.
Rnd 2 vs Pies will be interesting selection wise.

Wouldn't have an issue about that if it happened in round 1, would be unfair on Short though as he hasn't done much wrong by all reports.

 

[tigs2010]

What did he eat to catch that?

Oh my. Wonder if it rhymes with brass

 

[TJTIGER]

Early preseason I had similar thoughts, but then came the intra club reports where Stack wasn't best 22 side while Baker was, then came Sunday where Baker started and went on with it, while Stack came off the bench, which for me says Baker has nudged ahead and Stack is being made to earn it, much like RCD is being made to

That's the key for me being made to earn it.....we saw what Stack was prepared to do when he was brought into the club & he rose to the challenge.

That striving to improve & get the best from yourself is what being a pro-athlete is about & all our youngens need to learn that.
It's something Short talked about (today I think on an SEN Interview)....

 

[_RT_]

That's the key for me being made to earn it.....we saw what Stack was prepared to do when he was brought into the club & he rose to the challenge.

That striving to improve & get the best from yourself is what being a pro-athlete is about & all our youngens need to learn that.
It's something Short talked about (today I think on an SEN Interview)....

Maybe that's the thing they are working on.

This might be another unpopular opinion, but I get the feeling that Stack may well have got a little too ahead of himself towards the end of last season thinking that he had made it. So maybe this is little bit of tough love to remind him that he hasn't quite made it yet and still needs to work hard if he does want to have a long career. I remember last year, everyone, myself included, had Stack as a walk up to be elevated to the senior list, but they left him on the rookie list, even though he did sign a 2 year contract, just to keep that hunger burning and keep him pushing, now with the 2020 season upon us, instead of handing him a spot in the side they are making him work for it and to actually push someone out of the side.

 

[Tomnat Tigers]

Hasn't Stack spent most of his preseason playing mid and forward? Find it somewhat odd that if that is the case that they play him back for the first preseason game unless it was simply a numbers thing i.e. giving others a go in their preferred positions to see if they can take the chance. In any case forward or back Stack has a spot in the team. Personally I would have him up forward as he can then run through the middle swapping with the likes of Bolton and Edwards as the creative small who can bring tackling pressure in the guts. Prestia and Lambert also fit this description although have the endurance to play through there for longer.

If forward/mid is his spot then the only position which is available is Riolis and given Stacks ability to play elsewhere he wins hands down. He is bigger threat to opposition defences and for all the talk of the tackling pressure Rioli supposedly bring (vastly overrated) it is the tackling pressure of our midfield that ultimately defines us. If the midfield is off in terms of their pressure which stuck out like a sore thumb vs Collingwood last weekend, it doesn't matter how much pressure the small up forwards are providing, the opposition will find a way through it, but that second wave which is our strength is what will stop the opposition. Opposition players don't get past the likes of Cotchin and Graham who almost lead the way league wide with their defensive efforts from midfield. I feel Stack can be in a similar conversation to Cotchin and Graham for his defensive efforts when playing midfield and on a similar note Pickett stood out like week for the way he pressed the opposition just wasn't as effective given the lack of cattle around him.

If defence is his position which is a waste given his potential game winning ability then Short is the weak link. But we need to find out whether he can become an elite mid/forward before pigeonholing him as a defender where he is already very good.

 

[A Tiger 4 lyf]

He'll rotate through the backline but he wont be starting there, The 6 that played the granny is our strongest setup

 

[Meteoric Rise]

Hasn't Stack spent most of his preseason playing mid and forward? Find it somewhat odd that if that is the case that they play him back for the first preseason game unless it was simply a numbers thing i.e. giving others a go in their preferred positions to see if they can take the chance. In any case forward or back Stack has a spot in the team. Personally I would have him up forward as he can then run through the middle swapping with the likes of Bolton and Edwards as the creative small who can bring tackling pressure in the guts. Prestia and Lambert also fit this description although have the endurance to play through there for longer.

If forward/mid is his spot then the only position which is available is Riolis and given Stacks ability to play elsewhere he wins hands down. He is bigger threat to opposition defences and for all the talk of the tackling pressure Rioli supposedly bring (vastly overrated) it is the tackling pressure of our midfield that ultimately defines us. If the midfield is off in terms of their pressure which stuck out like a sore thumb vs Collingwood last weekend, it doesn't matter how much pressure the small up forwards are providing, the opposition will find a way through it, but that second wave which is our strength is what will stop the opposition. Opposition players don't get past the likes of Cotchin and Graham who almost lead the way league wide with their defensive efforts from midfield. I feel Stack can be in a similar conversation to Cotchin and Graham for his defensive efforts when playing midfield and on a similar note Pickett stood out like week for the way he pressed the opposition just wasn't as effective given the lack of cattle around him.

If defence is his position which is a waste given his potential game winning ability then Short is the weak link. But we need to find out whether he can become an elite mid/forward before pigeonholing him as a defender where he is already very good.

Yes, they did that for Aart’s sake.

 

[Grrr]

I would play Stack in front of Bolton, Castanga, Rioli, Graham, Short, Broad, Baker and Ross. I would possibly even play him in front of Caddy and maybe Lambert that is how high I rate him.
Kid will be a genuine super star and behind Martin as the best player we have sooner than later, (mainly due to age catching up with a few of our great players.)

 

[Wooden Robot]

Not that hard to squeeze Stack in once you take your black and yellow coloured glasses off.
Can have Castagna's spot until he kicks straight in the twos. Can have Rioli's or Bolton's spot until they consistently provide more than a few cameos a match.
He can have Broad's spot until he finds the pill more than 3 times a match. Or Short's until he starts using that kick of his for more than long bombs.
No one outside of our superstar lock-ins should be cemented in to the line-up. Breeds complacency.

I like this.

 

[Wooden Robot]

I would play Stack in front of Bolton, Castanga, Rioli, Graham, Short, Broad, Baker and Ross. I would possibly even play him in front of Caddy and maybe Lambert that is how high I rate him.
Kid will be a genuine super star and behind Martin as the best player we have sooner than later, (mainly due to age catching up with a few of our great players.)

I like this too.

 

[_RT_]

I would play Stack in front of Bolton, Castanga, Rioli, Graham, Short, Broad, Baker and Ross. I would possibly even play him in front of Caddy and maybe Lambert that is how high I rate him.
Kid will be a genuine super star and behind Martin as the best player we have sooner than later, (mainly due to age catching up with a few of our great players.)

Don't necessarily disagree with this, because as I said Stack is one of the best young talents that we've had in a while, but as was suggested yesterday maybe there is a bit of tough happening with Stack where they are making him work for the spot rather than just handing it to him. The one thing you can say with all of those players you named is that they have done the hard work to earn their spot and continue to perform well in their roles, although some will disagree with Rioli in particular.

 

[Grrr]

Don't necessarily disagree with this, because as I said Stack is one of the best young talents that we've had in a while, but as was suggested yesterday maybe there is a bit of tough happening with Stack where they are making him work for the spot rather than just handing it to him. The one thing you can say with all of those players you named is that they have done the hard work to earn their spot and continue to perform well in their roles, although some will disagree with Rioli in particular.

That may be so, but there may also be a bit of reading between the lines, stuff that you and I don't really know about going on. ie. where will Stack play, let's have a look at some others at the same time, let's see how he goes here or there. This is what preseasons are for, doubt anyone has a starting 22 just yet including the match committee. Performances like Baker's will certainly see him jump up a peg or two, so a good preseason is vital for players on the edge of the 22 that is for sure.

 

[Marcel Proust]

not sure how you can replace Broad with Stack

assuming Broad is a defender, not wing

 

[_RT_]

That may be so, but there may also be a bit of reading between the lines, stuff that you and I don't really know about going on. ie. where will Stack play, let's have a look at some others at the same time, let's see how he goes here or there. This is what preseasons are for, doubt anyone has a starting 22 just yet including the match committee. Performances like Baker's will certainly see him jump up a peg or two, so a good preseason is vital for players on the edge of the 22 that is for sure.

I believe there is a difference between what the fans consider best 22 and what the match committee consider best 22. Most fans will pick a best 22 based purely on the skills of the players, whereas I believe the club picks their best 22 based on the players ability to play roles within the game plan as well as who is in the better form.

That is why I have been suggesting right through preseason that I didn't see big changes to the premiership side from last year unless there were injuries or a drop off in effort/standards across the preseason, similar to what happened back in R1 2018. Back then Broad(club suspension) Rioli(injured) Prestia(injured) Houli(injured) missed round 1. Heading into R1 this year I'd suggest that there are going to be 2 changes from last years premiership side with Ellis (departed) & Nankervis(injured) being replaced by 2 of CCJ Balta Chol Graham Ross Stack.

As it stands based on team balance I'd be picking CCJ & Graham and if Graham isn't ready, then I have it as a flip of the coin between Ross & Stack and it comes down to what the match committee is more important having an extra pure midfielder to rotate through or a utility type who can be played in a number of positions.

 

[Grrr]

I believe there is a difference between what the fans consider best 22 and what the match committee consider best 22. Most fans will pick a best 22 based purely on the skills of the players, whereas I believe the club picks their best 22 based on the players ability to play roles within the game plan as well as who is in the better form.

That is why I have been suggesting right through preseason that I didn't see big changes to the premiership side from last year unless there were injuries or a drop off in effort/standards across the preseason, similar to what happened back in R1 2018. Back then Broad(club suspension) Rioli(injured) Prestia(injured) Houli(injured) missed round 1. Heading into R1 this year I'd suggest that there are going to be 2 changes from last years premiership side with Ellis (departed) & Nankervis(injured) being replaced by 2 of CCJ Balta Chol Graham Ross Stack.

As it stands based on team balance I'd be picking CCJ & Graham and if Graham isn't ready, then I have it as a flip of the coin between Ross & Stack and it comes down to what the match committee is more important having an extra pure midfielder to rotate through or a utility type who can be played in a number of positions.

Well that is right, a team is picked on horses for courses and best balance. But there are still a half a dozen non automatic selections or permeation of similar players etc as you say, who are all good enough but for one reason or another they make or don't make the side. But for me Stack is an automatic pick.

 

[Grrr]

not sure how you can replace Broad with Stack

assuming Broad is a defender, not wing

Well they played in the same side last year in the back line, so not necessarily replacing Broad with Stack.

 

[JAKLAUGHING]

Don't necessarily disagree with this, because as I said Stack is one of the best young talents that we've had in a while, but as was suggested yesterday maybe there is a bit of tough happening with Stack where they are making him work for the spot rather than just handing it to him. The one thing you can say with all of those players you named is that they have done the hard work to earn their spot and continue to perform well in their roles, although some will disagree with Rioli in particular.

I like this...

 

[_RT_]

Well that is right, a team is picked on horses for courses and best balance. But there are still a half a dozen non automatic selections or permeation of similar players etc as you say, who are all good enough but for one reason or another they make or don't make the side. But for me Stack is an automatic pick.

Agree there is a number of spots that are up for grabs, which then comes back to who is in form, and by form I mean playing their role in the side well, rather than just getting good stats. Hardwick has mentioned a lot of times about how the club measures a players impact on games a lot differently to what is the way normal assessments are made. You often hear him talk about how they're assessing things that don't show up on stats sheets, but that they value highly.

That is why you'll often see posters melting on selection night when a player they think isn't deserving to get picked continues to get picked and it all comes down to them being able to play the role that the match committee wants them to play as opposed to the way we the fans want them to play.

I go back to last year when Stack got dropped late in the season, people lost their minds and were questioning how the likes of Ellis Rioli Short Baker were able to keep their spots ahead of him and it all came back to them playing their roles for the team better than Stack was able to play his role in the team

 

[Sol23]

Stack will be playing round one. He’s to good not to be in the side. Play him forward for the time being.

 

[TJTIGER]

Hope this makes sense...I think Dimma/match committee have certain not negotiables in terms of culture/team standards. A team at the stage we are at (not chasing 1 or 2 wins due to balance sheet) will be more focussed on big picture (long term view). If there is a less talented player who fulfills more of those cultural/team standards aspects? My opinion is they will get picked before more talented players.

This way selection and retaining players is in built into your system and players are given an equal opportunity to break into the senior team based on work etc

If just based on talent alone team selection can become inconsistent and players having worked their butts of can get passed, by new players. Not much incentive to work hard for 2 or 3 years if you ask me. Hope I've explained it in a clear way?? This can devastate teams if not handled well...

 

[Dr Tigris]

I've got to write my spiel about our game plan. But I reckon that guys like Graham are far more important to us than most realise. In my mind I see us trying to play Ross and Graham to benefit our game plan. That frees Cotch and Dion to play an inside outside game. That pushes everyone else down a peg. Cause this improves our game, not necessarily that Ross and Jack, Graham of course, are better than other players.

A player such as Stack or Marlion has to break into a team where they are up against genuine proven A grade AFL players. They will sit behind those guys for 2020 round 1. So they have to be fitted into a spot that suits.

For example many appear to hate Short. But he is absolutely elite at what he does. It's just that he is a role player and definitely no star like Stack can be. Right now we'd be pretty silly to just stick Stack in for Short (I have to work out a short stack joke here). Overall Stack has a bucket load more talent. But Short is an absolutely elite user of the ball in the way we need it to be used. Horses for courses, and in his course Short is A grade.

We must want to play Stack, but our team is pretty stacked with class that he has to beat out. We're not short of players with high end AFL talent.

I see our core as being about 6 A graders and then guys that fill roles in how we play. The core of how we play is different to every pother team and I reckon to how any AFL team has ever played. We must have players that create and thrive on pressure and chaos. They are unusual traits to how people typically evaluate AFL players.

 

[tiger_tough]

For example many appear to hate Short. But he is absolutely elite at what he does. It's just that he is a role player and definitely no star like Stack can be. Right now we'd be pretty silly to just stick Stack in for Short (I have to work out a short stack joke here). Overall Stack has a bucket load more talent. But Short is an absolutely elite user of the ball in the way we need it to be used. Horses for courses, and in his course Short is A grade

That is a myth.

He went at 71.8% last year. For someone who gets the overwhelming majority of his possessions outside and uncontested, that is not elite.

FYI Houli went at 80.2, Baker 69.8, Ellis 77.3, Stack 80.8 and Vlastuin 82.7 - All of who win more contested ball.

 

[Disco_Stu]

What's with people replying "I like this." What uninteresting contributions. (yes I understand the irony)

We have a LIKE button and it works (jacklaughing woodenrobot) Use it and spare us "I like it" cr4p.