Strategy Backline - (Rebounding vs Shut Down Ability)

[Horaceg]

I think the player we missed most in the backline was Heath Shaw. Someone who can take the game on like Sinclair but could also hit targets.

Had some passion too!

 

[Shaneprice97]

if our forwardline and midfield were in good form already, and i had a healthy list to choose from, i would probably go:
FB: Alan Toovey, Nathan Brown, Tyson Goldsack
HB: Matthew Scharenberg, Ben Reid, Tom Langdon

with Paul Seedsman and Marley Williams also in the starting 22 either on the wing or bench.

 

[Horaceg]

Reid?

No one in our backline would get a game in Hawthorn's back six.

 

[didaksrightfoot]

I don't think there is any doubt that Bucks will play a lose man in defence. Personally I see Frost as more suited to this role with Brown taking the big forwards.

This is part of why I proposed Reid going back to play alongside Brown and Frost... I actually think we would be better off with Brown as FB - with Frost as CHB and Reid as loose man (or on the 3rd tall/rotating ruck). I feel like this is the ideal way to bring Reid back from his injury - a role where he won't be too exposed individually, but where his experience and ability to read the play would be a massive boost to our young backline. It also gives us the ability to rotate Reid to CHB is Frost is being outmanned.

Basically - put Reid in the role Gibson is playing for the Hawks - he's no longer required to take on the opposition key forwards, but he is probably the most important defender in their backline.

 

[mike123]

Reid?

Well I see him as a forward more but this year he would have probably gotten a game ahead of Spanger. With Frawley I couldn't see him fit in there.

 

[Shaneprice97]

Gibbo is one of the best athletes in the AFL, i'd play him on everyone from Eddie Betts to Jeremy Cameron, id avoid playing him on Cloke and Hawkins, but its not like every teams have monster forwards.

hes a great rebounder to, he had plenty of 20+ possesion games last season, he can easily be your 4th tall back pocket/flanker to make room for Ben Reid.

 

[mike123]

Then Ben Reid might get a game ahead of Ben Stratton, but he is highly rated at the club.

 

[jmac70]

This is part of why I proposed Reid going back to play alongside Brown and Frost... I actually think we would be better off with Brown as FB - with Frost as CHB and Reid as loose man (or on the 3rd tall/rotating ruck). I feel like this is the ideal way to bring Reid back from his injury - a role where he won't be too exposed individually, but where his experience and ability to read the play would be a massive boost to our young backline. It also gives us the ability to rotate Reid to CHB is Frost is being outmanned.

Basically - put Reid in the role Gibson is playing for the Hawks - he's no longer required to take on the opposition key forwards, but he is probably the most important defender in their backline.

I also like Reid in the backline. We just need the forwards to step up.

 

[cleomenes]

I would not be at all surprised if Keeffe is the standout defender next year. He looks poised to make the leap that Ben Reid did in 2010. I can see only two weaknesses in his game as of this year.
Firstly, he has problems with body position and strength in the one on one contests with the brute forwards. Remembering that such great marks as Sav Rocca had this problem early in his career, as have most top forwards, I believe that this does develop ever time with experience and strength. It is the reason he was unsuccessful in the ruck, but I expect 2015 will be the year when it ceases to be a problem.
His other failing has been to take more time than he has under some circumstances to dispose of the ball. Again, this is an experience thing. Even Pendlebury was caught at times in his early games before he sorted out how quickly he had to react. It is a far preferable failing than the more common one of throwing the ball onto the boot too soon without having a look. Keeffe has a look.

Because I see these problems as solvable, and indeed as likely to be solved, My expectation is that Keeffe will become the core of the backline, able to defend the biggest forwards, and the key distributor of the football in defence.

 

[jackcass]

What defenders should be in our backline to get the best balance of run and carry, foot skills and defensive ability?


At the moment we have a high number of defensive defenders in: Nathan Brown, Jack Frost, Tyson Goldsack, Alan Toovey, Marley Williams, Ben Sinclair Jackson Ramsay and Darcy Moore (If he plays down there)

Defenders with footskills we have: Ben Reid (If he plays down there), Lachlan Keeffe, Tom Langdon, Adam Oxley, Tony Armstrong, Alex Fasolo (If he plays down there) Mathew Scharenberg(when fit)

And defenders that can run the ball out of the backline: Paul Seedsman, Clinton Young, Travis Varcoe, Tim Broomhead (Pretty much everyone here plays a different position)



My Ideal back line that would have both footskills rebound ability and defensive ability would be:

B: Tom Langdon ~ Nathan Brown ~ Marley Williams
HB: Adam Oxley ~ Lachlan Keeffe ~ Paul Seedsman/Clinton Young

I/C: Alan Toovey/Jack Frost/Tyson Goldsack


The third tall defender role gets swapped around from Langdon, Oxley and the person on the bench depending on the other teams forward line.

Seedsman and Young rotate from half back and the wing.

And one of Frost, Goldsack or Toovey gets selected depending on the other teams forward line.

I have Oxley in because I have faith in him if he has a good pre season that he can have an impact next year.

When Scharenberg come's back he'll take the bench spot.

Seriously, have you got a wheel you spin to determine your opinions of players and their positions?

 

[mike123]

Seriously, have you got a wheel you spin to determine your opinions of players and their positions?

No, could I borrow yours?

 

[jackcass]

Had some passion too!

How quickly people forget those Heater face-palm disposals coming out of defense, the blazing OOTF kicks, the kick-ins to disadvantage. And he's an experienced player. Why do people expect incumbent players to mirror the (skewed lofty perceptions of) performance and skill execution of experienced players and league stars from the get-go? Is it just a reflection of modern society and our need for immediate gratification?

I agree, we missed Heater in defense in 2014, just as we miss Johnno, just as we miss Leon, and James Clement, but regeneration has to occur and I just think we need to have some patience with the kids like Sinclair, Williams, Langdon etc that we will unearth those longer term replacements. Expecting <50 gamers to replicate >150 gamers (and club legends) is only going to cause you angst.

 

[jackcass]

No one in our backline would get a game in Hawthorn's back six.

Gee, really....

2014 GF Defense
Birchall (194) Lake (229) Gibson (165)
Suckling (77) Stratton (92) Mitchell (261)
Others:
Burgoyne (269)
Spangher (51)
Frawley (139) - now added via FA

The 2014 Premiers and a very experienced and settled D50 that.

Compared to Tooves (131), Reid (99), Brown (93), Sinclair (44), Keeffe (40), Seedsman (37), Williams (37), Frost (24), Langdon (19). Reid would definitely make their back 6, likely Brown as well, and I'd argue that they'd love to 3-4 of the others developing on their list. That's the differnce between an established team and a developing team.

 

[jackcass]

Well I see him as a forward more but this year he would have probably gotten a game ahead of Spanger. With Frawley I couldn't see him fit in there.

You think Frawley is a better footballer than Reid?

 

[mike123]

You think Frawley is a better footballer than Reid?

Frawley is a better stopper, Reid is a better interceptor.

 

[mike123]

Gee, really....

2014 GF Defense
Birchall (194) Lake (229) Gibson (165)
Suckling (77) Stratton (92) Mitchell (261)
Others:
Burgoyne (269)
Spangher (51)
Frawley (139) - now added via FA

The 2014 Premiers and a very experienced and settled D50 that.

Compared to Tooves (131), Reid (99), Brown (93), Sinclair (44), Keeffe (40), Seedsman (37), Williams (37), Frost (24), Langdon (19). Reid would definitely make their back 6, likely Brown as well, and I'd argue that they'd love to 3-4 of the others developing on their list. That's the differnce between an established team and a developing team.

The only player that Brown or Reid would get a game ahead of would have been Spangher but Hawthorn have got an upgrade on him in Frawley. With Frawley in the backline neither of Brown or Reid would get a game. There could be a case made for Reid over Stratton but I don't think Hawthorn would sacrifice athleticism for a greater ability to stop key forwards when its pretty good already.