Back 6 issues

[proboy]

Don't write off Gillies just yet. We have him, he's performed this year when asked, and it wasn't as if Taylor and Lonergan starred yesterday. They were ordinary, and they are allowed to be human. This team has had to dig really deep over July-August just to get there, and that is a sign of where we are at. We have succeeded since 2002 by developing what we have and making them into accountable immortals. Enright was not an automatic star, either was Lonergan, we have been spoiled by success, and too many fans seem to arrogantly think we deserve to be on top every year, and that we can patch up weaknesses at will.
We may yet make the 8 again next year with Smedts, Guthrie, Brown, Varcoe, Menzel, Simpson, Vardy having decent preseasons, and Gillies should get his opportunity next year in some defensive role.
We had 9 of our 07 GF team play yesterday, and Bartel, Kelly, Scarlett, Chappy, Enright, Corey, all played well below their best, only Mackie, Hunt and Selwood were up to their standard. Easy to look at the back 6, we need to think longer term, replacing Bartel, Kelly, Corey, Chapman, Ablett, Rooke and Ling. That's where it all stems from. We rely on Selwood excessively. I'm hoping we have that replacement policy in evolution as we write. We probably do.

Did you actually see gillies last week? He needs to improve 200 percent today if he is to play AFL

 

[Vdubs]

I actually thought you might tell me how "...he's performed this year when asked..." as it's you who made the call.

I'm more than keen for him to be a regular ones player as we will need someone of his dimensions in the coming years. Just don't see it myself and would appreciate a supporter of his explaining what it is they see in him as a future regular ones player. Based on ones performances so far. I don't buy the lack of opportunity line. Our club has a history of persevering with players in the ones if they think there will be a payday.

He ran well, kicked well, marked at times, tackled, did not look out of place, was unlucky that Scarlett took his spot, although not disputing that's how it should be; he is quick and attacking; bad luck if you don't buy the;lack of opportunities, that's factual, and why did we not release him to Hawthorn?

 

[Vdubs]

Did you actually see gillies last week? He needs to improve 200 percent today if he is to play AFL

no.

 

[Stig_90]

I actually think a lot of our defenders had their best years yet. Mackie definitely had his best year, Josh Hunt and Taylor - close to their best. Lonergan had a great year and just had a shocker last night like most. Taylor, Lonergan and Mackie have still all got 2-3 years left at least. Ofcourse Scarlett and eventually Boris are going to be hard to replace, but I'm not too concerned about our backline.

 

[Gaz_Brownlow]

I actually think a lot of our defenders had their best years yet. Mackie definitely had his best year, Josh Hunt and Taylor - close to their best. Lonergan had a great year and just had a shocker last night like most. Taylor, Lonergan and Mackie have still all got 2-3 years left at least. Ofcourse Scarlett and eventually Boris are going to be hard to replace, but I'm not too concerned about our backline.

We were solid, but certainly not as good as we have been in the past.

Scarlett, champion that he is, definitely was down on his previous output.

I am still not giving up on Gillies. Think he has the ability to contribute and be a real role playing defender for us.....both Guthrie and Gillies could compliment our backline for a few years yet.

 

[AM]

He ran well, kicked well, marked at times, tackled, did not look out of place, was unlucky that Scarlett took his spot, although not disputing that's how it should be; he is quick and attacking; bad luck if you don't buy the;lack of opportunities, that's factual, and why did we not release him to Hawthorn?

If you have the talent you force your way into a team.

Tom has had four seasons to establish himself and has not been able to do it.

Playing consistently well in the twos is an indicator that puts a player in focus for ones selection. The real key is to perform consistently at the higher level as there is a significant gap between VFL and AFL. Some players just never bridge that gap. Simon Hogan is an illustration of that.

Being able to run well, kick well mark at times etc are the basics that are called for even at park level these days. Reading the play, poise under pressure, making good decisions, hitting targets, flexibility, the discipline to play roles, having two way skills et al are what it’s all about these days in my view. Stephen Wells talks about bigger players needing to have a “presence in the pack” which is another aspect of Tom’s game not familiar to me.

Tom isn’t the first player who has taken time to develop and the Hawks must see something in him to have chased him last year. I hope he does prove those of us who have misgivings to be wrong.

My feeling is that if we can organise a good deal it may be to the benefit of Tom and our club for him to grab an opportunity elsewhere.

 

[Vdubs]

If you have the talent you force your way into a team.

Tom has had four seasons to establish himself and has not been able to do it.

Playing consistently well in the twos is an indicator that puts a player in focus for ones selection. The real key is to perform consistently at the higher level as there is a significant gap between VFL and AFL. Some players just never bridge that gap. Simon Hogan is an illustration of that.

Being able to run well, kick well mark at times etc are the basics that are called for even at park level these days. Reading the play, poise under pressure, making good decisions, hitting targets, flexibility, the discipline to play roles, having two way skills et al are what it’s all about these days in my view. Stephen Wells talks about bigger players needing to have a “presence in the pack” which is another aspect of Tom’s game not familiar to me.

Tom isn’t the first player who has taken time to develop and the Hawks must see something in him to have chased him last year. I hope he does prove those of us who have misgivings to be wrong.

My feeling is that if we can organise a good deal it may be to the benefit of Tom and our club for him to grab an opportunity elsewhere.

Well put.

 

[meto]

Gillies didn't do his stocks any harm today at Casey Fields.

 

[Silverado]

Gillies is good at VFL level but makes poor, poor decisions with the ball in the ones. From my point of view he hasn't learnt anything from them, he still makes the same wrong choices like he is 19 and in his first year. Unacceptable from a bloke of his age who has been given plenty of times to show that he has developed but hasn't done so... But I digress.

Our back six is fine! All quality footballers but haven't seemed to gel as well as previous years. That could be for any number of reasons, least of which could be the changes that have been going on ahead of them through the midfield with retirements and positional changes. For years they knew exactly who was going to be where when they were coming out of defense under pressure and it was an automatic response, this year has been very different in terms of predictability for them. I'd be willing to say that a solid pre season together and now with a bit more hunger perhaps, the cats will go very well in 2013 and onwards. Lots to look forward to

 

[David the Cat]

yes...a bit reactionary dumping on our back 6. Mackie, Taylor, Enright is a quality half back line....Lonergan was an All Australian squad selection for his season, and Josh Hunt played pretty well this season, and was in our best 5 last night..

Of course, Scarlo leaves a big hole and that will be the challenge for the club....Mitch Brown/Josh Walker...or perhaps even the rumored Jared Rivers recruitment might take place.....form and off season development will be crucial.

I have not seen enough of Gillies to comment. I suspect though he will seek greener pastures. Young Murdoch showed a bit and he will be better next year. Perhaps he will replace Mackie to release him further forward...on last nights performance, particularly with his passion and determination, Mackie may become a key player in future.

I cant wait for Menzel and Varcoe to return, and Vardy looks like he is a player though still got a fair way to go. ...Smedts looks the goods...and I hope Skinner gets a chance next year. He also looks a player to me...and it seems some VFL boys might step forward if reports on them are correct.

I expected one more final this year so am a little disappointed. I expect us to play a final next year. 2014/15....right back in it.

 

[geelong_boy]

Even a back six as good as ours will struggle if there isn't sufficient pressure up the field, as was shown last night. Due to our aging midfield we need to invest in as many inside mids as possible over the next two to three years. Luke Parker from Sydney shows that there is decent enough quality even in the 30s (IIRC).

 

[proboy]

Gillies didn't do his stocks any harm today at Casey Fields.

Got out marked by a big Spud Pattinson a few times. Actually he made pattinson look like a gun.

 

[Tristagi]

Chaplin. He is the Port player we should have/should have been chasing.