Andrew Walker - Is He Being Wasted?

[zeeCFC]

The man looks lost in my opinion. It will be a year now that he hasn't found the 2011 form and we've since then seen him do some wonderful things in the midfield and down back against the saints where was clinical and kept Milne quiet.

I also rate him our worst senior NAB Cup performer and see him frequently frustrated during segments of play and wonder if he'd benefit from a move down back.

Seems gone are the days he nails a set shot with ease but he can still sit on a head at times.

Is our fittest player being wasted in the least energy sapping position?

....someone has to make way for Menzel

 

[T2B_]

Dunno, with his fitness and physical attributes he ought to be making hard leads, applying defensive pressure etc which he isn't doing so much thus far. So I don't think he's being wasted in terms of our use for him, but perhaps he's wasting himself and perhaps the forward structure isn't helping.

I also don't know why he changed a goal-kicking technique that worked? In 2011 his action was absolutely text book. Now he does a Murphy-esque swing to the right thing... I don't get it.

 

[zeeCFC]

Dunno, with his fitness and physical attributes he ought to be making hard leads, applying defensive pressure etc which he isn't doing so much thus far. So I don't think he's being wasted in terms of our use for him, but perhaps he's wasting himself and perhaps the forward structure isn't helping.

I also don't know why he changed a goal-kicking technique that worked? In 2011 his action was absolutely text book. Now he does a Murphy-esque swing to the right thing... I don't get it.

He just isn't getting any seperation either on the lead. Has had some ordinary defenders shut him down with ease of late.

 

[T2B_]

Exactly and it isn't like he lacks pace. With his speed and especially endurance he should be able to burn even some of the better defenders out there. It seems all in the head to me, unless he's carrying something, which I doubt.

 

[toomuchsparetime]

It seems that Andrew Walker's field kicking has improved over the past 12 months.

Over that same time I've lost count of the number of times that Walker has just missed goals; from general play and from set shots. 2011 he was on a streak and confidence was running high.

Taking pot shots from 50 and tight angles is ok when they're going through, but Walker has lost that knack and is probably now feeling the pressure to centre it or find another option.

All he can do is practice as much as he can.

Was 2011 an anomaly? If I had the option of 2012 Walker or Walker in the backline ala on Milne then I'd personally go with the backline. But, as T2B pointed out if Walker can use his athleticism to provide leads up to the wing and in the forward line then he serves Carlton better up forward.

 

[Stamos]

Over the 10/11 pre-season he spent a massive amount of time after training practising his goal kicking. One would assume he has stopped this. He needs to get back into that routine. If he doesn't smarten up pretty quickly, move him to the backline and make him accountable.

He was pathetic last night, and has been poor in all the pre-season games. Hopefully he fires up when the real stuff starts.

 

[RiCHii]

Dunno, with his fitness and physical attributes he ought to be making hard leads, applying defensive pressure etc which he isn't doing so much thus far. So I don't think he's being wasted in terms of our use for him, but perhaps he's wasting himself and perhaps the forward structure isn't helping.

I also don't know why he changed a goal-kicking technique that worked? In 2011 his action was absolutely text book. Now he does a Murphy-esque swing to the right thing... I don't get it.

I'm with you on him wasting himself. We have seen him play foward, we know what he is capable of and what he is dishing up at the moment is way below what he is capable of. I personally would like to see Walker doing the basics first, like kicking goals and making leads, than to try and sit on top of someones head. For mine, it just doesn't look good that he struggles to lend a hand in a team goal but will constantly go up for a big grab. Seems a bit of selfish Walker to me. He also reminds me of Waite, in a way that, if he is having a dog of a day he doesn't seem to have the ability to turn it around and he just gets around all frustrated, sprays kicks, drops marks and lacking discipline.

 

[Bronze]

Walker is a liability right now. I watched him carefully last night and he was worst on ground for me. At the game, he was getting jeers when he actually took a mark. It really does appear he has lost interest in doing the hard things and he is only trying to take "mark of the year" every time he goes out there. He was also sulking when someone didn't kick it to him a`la Fev. I'd consider dropping him for Round 1.

 

[toomuchsparetime]

Last nights gamestyle didn't suit the forwards. Carlton were way to predictable with looping bombs into the forward 50, where we were greatly outnumbered. When the ball hit the ground there was a pack of Brisbane players who could easily create space for each other with a few handballs and short kicks.

It seems we want a strong contest from the big forwards to bring it to ground. Levi, Hampson, Kreuzer and Rowe are the big boys not Walker. He has consistently been flying for the ball in big packs when he should be teaming up with Eddie, Jeff, Mitch and Army for crumbs and to created inside 50 presure.

I think he would be of more use to the team during a long bomb entry staying down, blocking and creating space for the crumbers and then getting on his bike and creating an option if that player is under pressure.

 

[Juddrockz]

MM needs to tell Walks "there's no I in team" because atm thats what it looks like from outside.Always playing for mark of the year accolades instead of concentrating on the play around him.
Dirty pre season for Walks.

 

[Monkey King]

Last nights gamestyle didn't suit the forwards. Carlton were way to predictable with looping bombs into the forward 50, where we were greatly outnumbered. When the ball hit the ground there was a pack of Brisbane players who could easily create space for each other with a few handballs and short kicks.

This. I think Walker is far better off when the team is trying to bring the ball in with with more precise kicking or running it in closer. The long bomb stuff doesn't suit him well at all and last night it looked like the team was full of Mitch Robinsons from a couple of years ago.

 

[MrsEddieBetts]

This. I think Walker is far better off when the team is trying to bring the ball in with with more precise kicking or running it in closer. The long bomb stuff doesn't suit him well at all and last night it looked like the team was full of Mitch Robinsons from a couple of years ago.

I think the reason the long bombs don't suit him is because he tries to climb up a human ladder to mark every single one. I won't deny that he takes some spectacular marks...once or twice a season. How many does he miss though? What ever happened to just standing your ground, muscling your opponent out and taking a strong chest or overhead mark? I understand that our disposal into the forward line last night left a lot to be desired, but it definitely wasn't the first game I've seen him play where he's missed multiple marks because he's trying to be too cute and fancy.

 

[toomuchsparetime]

It was pretty clear last year that Eddie Betts was commanded to stay on the ground and not go for the big mark. Plenty of interviewers tried to play up Eddies early season speccies, but to hs credit Eddie kept himself and the interviewers in check dousing the hype. Eddie is given a 'licence', but a goal kicking licence not a do whatever you want licence.

I think it's time for the coaching panel to clearly define Walker's role to him. Put walker back on his P's... revoke his 'licence' to take the low percentage option (because you have to earn the licence like Eddie has.) Streamline it down to the basic non-negotiables and once these are working give Walker a 'restricted licence'.

 

[harmesy 37]

I would consider putting Walker in defence and put Yarran in attack or wing. Yarran is being wasted where he is and has 3 times the talent of Walker.

The opposition have a plan for Yarran in defence and as a result he isn't being played where he wants to play ala half back- he is instead chasing players as they run back into open space at full-forward. That is a waste of a talent.

Yarran should be pushing for a place in the best and fairest 1st, 2nd or 3rd....but he can't do that unless he is an attacking player. At present he isn't attacking. Yarran streaming into the forward line is when the opposition take notice, him getting a couple of cheap kicks in last line of defence means nothing.

 

[Korn]

His chasing and tackling efforts were very ordinary last night.

 

[Faz 2000]

Walker should be a very effective HFF. He's fit, agile and fast.

What he probably needs to get through his scone is that he is NOT the forward target. We're not kicking it long to Walker for him to take hangers. In fact, he needs to get the hell out of the way and let Levi and Hammer jump at the ball.

He should watch last night's game and see what Ash McGrath did. That's what got him 50+ goals a few years back.

 

[Monkey King]

What ever happened to just standing your ground, muscling your opponent out and taking a strong chest or overhead mark? I understand that our disposal into the forward line last night left a lot to be desired, but it definitely wasn't the first game I've seen him play where he's missed multiple marks because he's trying to be too cute and fancy.

Out-muscling an opponent is not really his game style though. It's like asking Eddie Betts to stand his ground and do the same. Walker has performed best when leading and leaping against one or two opponents; and last night's game style lent nothing to either of these strengths. I don't think he's wasted as a forward per se, but he may well be if this is the way we're going to play.

 

[GoBlues!]

This. I think Walker is far better off when the team is trying to bring the ball in with with more precise kicking or running it in closer. The long bomb stuff doesn't suit him well at all and last night it looked like the team was full of Mitch Robinsons from a couple of years ago.

That was probably the big difference last night, the delivery by the Brisbane midfield to their forwards was more precise and to the advantage of their forwards. The kick from Hanley to his forward was probably the best pass/play of the night.

 

[Omega Blue]

walker was only ineffectual last night because merrett manhandled him and dominated him. if casboult did his job right and pulled down the marks merrett would have gone to casboult and walker would have had more freedom

 

[Faz 2000]

Nobody in the AFL will consistently mark a ball coming down near-vertically with Daniel Merrett in the area. Forwards were totally thrown under a bus last night by delivery.

BUT... they could help themselves by presenting better, too, which applies to Walker more than anyone.

 

[harmesy 37]

Having Eddie, Garlett and Yarran in attack for parts of the match (not saying all match) would scare the hell out of opposition if they kept it open with one key position marking target...but who is the best marking target? Carlton doesn't seem to have one that is standing up. Clear out the forward line - 4 forwards the other two up in midfield.

Walker isn't at the standard of the 3 Amigos in terms of natural foot skills.
Get him to learn some defensive aspects and play hb flank for a few weeks. See if he learns a bit there. If he equips himself then perhaps another go on the forward line, but at present he has kicked 1 goal and about 5 behinds in the pre-season.

vs sydney - 1 behind
vs fremantle - 1 goal 2 behinds
vs adelaide - 3 behinds
vs brisbane - no goals.

Yarran should be an A grade player- Walker will never be an A grade player. He could be a good B plus...but Yarran is the key. Try and get Yarran in a spot where he can do the most damage.

Forget Walker. Both him and Waite I have little faith in at present. They are what I would consider "glamour players".

 

[Jeremias]

Walker has all the talent in the world and could absolutely be an elite AFL footballer so to see him playing to this level is disappointing to say the least.

Truth be told he has been very ordinary throughout the entire preseason and was easily worst on ground last night.

Everything which elevated him in 2011 to a level where he had not previously been now seems to have completely deserted him. The most noticeable difference is his kicking. He's never been a great kick but he was an exceptionally accurate one in 2011. He looks to have completely changed his style now and he seems to be missing everything. Why he doesn't just go back to what he knows works is beyond me - perhaps it is a confidence issue but I'm not so sure that it is.

Walker of 2011 was also quite unselfish. He's always been a show off but in 2011 he curbed that to an extent, constantly bringing his team mates into play and sharing the ball around. He's always been able to fly high but the desire to do so seemed somewhat curbed in that year and we saw a far more dangerous Walker as a result. What we are seeing now is a completely different Walker - and an extremely selfish one. We know he has a huge leap and can take an enormous grab - but there is a time and a place for that and the correct time and place is certainly not each and every marking contest. Why he flies for mark of the year at each opportunity is simply beyond me and can only be attributed to a level of selfishness. He doesn't look the slightest bit interested in doing what is going to be of most benefit to the team (ie. bringing the ball to ground and forcing a contest) but rather what is of most benefit to the individual. This is the height of selfishness in a team sport and shouldn't be tolerated - and I truly hope Mick rips him to shreds over it because he's so much better than that.

Whilst he has been incredibly poor thus far this year we have to remember it's only preseason. Sometimes certain players simply cruise through it and save themselves for the season proper. We've seen that at all clubs over the years, we see that at our club now with Gibbs and Yarran who don't extend beyond third gear until round 1. Perhaps Walker is now following suit. Hopefully what we have seen over the past few weeks is him taking it easy and he switches on in a fortnight's time. If it isn't, well, I hope he's ready to spend some time at VFL level because that level of performance and attitude should not, and hopefully will not, be tolerated by Malthouse. Talent can only get you so far and I'd rather see a younger or 'lesser' player who has been busting a gut at VFL level given an opportunity than someone who isn't willing to put in the hard yards required in the top flight.

 

[blues4flag]

HFF is hardly the least energy sapping position on the ground. You get out of it what you put in. Bludge and wait for the long ball and you're likely not gonna have much influence. For mine, Walker's staying to deep. He should be constantly working up over the flanks and onto the wings to provide that transition target into 50.

While contested possessions are considered the key stat in footy these games, the damning stat on the night was uncontested possessions. We were smashed 219 to 183. Whereas Brisbane found loose targets everywhere in the second half, particularly on the wings, we kicked long in hope and couldn't find an easy option. The kicking long inside 50 made life hard for our forward and from my vantage there seemed to be too much congestion for them to lead into position. Perhaps we were too predictable with going around the boundary, allowing Brisbane to clog up the space.

 

[Silvagnis]

Bandwidth - Is it being wasted after supporters overreact to practice matches?

Forwardline is still gelling and learning the game plan after Mick said we were top heavy last night. We haven't had the kick it to Browny plan of Brisbane since 2009.

 

[Tony Lynn 15]

With respect there is a lot of overreaction on this board to a loss, albeit a practice game loss.

The majority of people on this board, myself included have little idea about the tactics and requirements of player roles in the modern game. I suggest we take a deep breath and wait for the season to unfold before we make any judgements.

Comments such as 'easily worst on ground' and 'a good B plus player' for mine are a little premature.