Opinion Batchelor party

[Stylo]

Why oh why oh why is this guy continually played as a KPD?

I have messy dreams of Batchelor being allowed to play his best role of sweeper/LMID/rebounding HBF and releasing Houli, Martin and Vlastuin to play further up the ground. It's my firm belief that Batch is very very good at this role. Some of the football he's played at AFL level has been excellent, but has gone pretty well unlauded. Then for some reason the coaches forget his dimensions, as though he's 8cm taller than he is, and 8kg heavier, playing KPD both at VFL and AFL level. WTH is going on there? He's 188cm tall WITHOUT the golden fist of Josh Gibson, but WITH excellent intercept marking skills, play reading and (usually) foot skills.

Are the coaching staff doing a turbo HBF apprenticeship? Is he not defensive enough on that line so they're teaching him how to check a gorilla before allowing him to play his natural game? Is it because of a KPD shortage at VFL level? Darrou can hold his own. Some of the VFL guys could fill a KPD role. Even then, why is he played as KPD at AFL level? God knows.

Whatever it is, it's madness, and I fear it will be the death of Batchelor's footy. The sooner he's played in his natural role the better IMO.

This is the backline I want to see.

Morris Chaplin Grimes
Rance Astbury Houli Batchelor

Houli, Morris and Grimes take the med/smalls. Vlastuin, Martin and McDonough up the ground.

IMO getting Batchelor to play the role he was born to will go a long way to improving our squad.

 

[tugga]

agree

 

[pebblestone]

Agree

 

[Toadvine]

Agree.

 

[Nebular]

agree.

 

[monstabud]

i think he should play up forward, the bloke can take a good mark.
i remember malthouse a couple years back, sayn, "he can really play this kid".

 

[Rich01]

Don't think he's best 22.

 

[tiggywigs]

agree.

 

[tigs2010]

Agree

 

[Cevap_Roll]

The common denominator seems to Dimma. Continuely plays players out of position.

 

[Stylo]

agree.

Agree

agree

Agree

Agree.

agree.

good to see some robust debate

 

[tugga]

good to see some robust debate

He is a natural footballer. he struggles a bit with game plans etc but he has a natural feel for the game. I really like him. I'd love to see him being played where you suggested, but I don't think he'd be out of place up forward where newman played last week because that way he can just go and grab ball and kick ball.

 

[tugga]

Remember when we couldn't buy a goal against Melbourne in the first praccy match and he just strolled through half forward and kicked one from 50m out? that's what I see in him.

 

[living_in_syd]

Go him a go in the right position. Everyone else needs to play their right position too. Lennon will be ruck soon

 

[Put a Lids on it]

I just shake my head when I see dimma play him on a tall, mind blown such a waste.

 

[Mr Magic]

I don't mind Batchelor. Only knock on him in a major way was a bit one sided in his kicking. If he can develop his other foot great!!

Putting him on a big foward makes not much sense except as a learning experience development wise but you couldn't leave him there forever. Even when Bowden was at CHB it was never going to be sustainable let alone effective against the better forwards in big matches

 

[Put a Lids on it]

Houli can't kick on his right boot either makes him very predictable imo. Every AFL player should be able to kick on both sides should be the minimum standard. Not that hard to learn well it wasnt for me most people just dont have the co ordination to do so.

 

[Mr Magic]

Houli can't kick on his right boot either makes him very predictable imo. Every AFL player should be able to kick on both sides should be the minimum standard. Not that hard to learn well it wasnt for me most people just dont have the co ordination to do so.

yeah its a joke. I was a natural right footer and knowing I had to betteron the other side eventually became a left footer

I am no Nadal though, never was

I can't see why Batchelor doesn't get a go though. Long term more upside for the team.

I see a bit of a log jam for a few players, surprised discontent hasn't surfaced by some getting pidgeon holed. At years end some of our elder statesman will have to look for greener pastures surely!

 

[theflea]

Imo if and when he is consistently a good kick like vlas and houli, then he might replace them.

 

[TheProwler]

Would rather he play up the ground than down back but who's spot? Has he enough tank to run up and down between the arcs and provide a marking target? All questions that need to be asked but considering we had Mcgoo up there perhaps Batch can do same?

Would like to see him do this at vfl a couple of times first though.

 

[mad_doggy911]

Agree.

I rate him. HBF is his position. Reads the play exceptionally.

 

[cairo tiger]

agree.

agree

 

[Groupie_]

disagree

 

[Mr Magic]

Imo if and when he is consistently a good kick like vlas and houli, then he might replace them.

Well Vlastuin is too good a player to be just HBF long term..


Seriously. like to do a B Gibbs and get a list management strategy on exactly how the supposed list is planned on being for our premiership tilt into the future! Atm , I am not buying it, and apart from getting more youngsters some of our established and so-called established players need to be traded out so re-new our development IMO.

 

[Dragonss]

I personally think it's his defensive accountability that is his major flaw. He plays the free 3rd tall pretty well in that he can take intercept marks, read the play and rebound effectively. However, when he is made to be accountable he often breaks down and lets his opponent run amuck.
If they play him as a KPD in the VFL i've got no problem against it, but if he is made to play as a KPD at AFL level then i've got a problem because precious points are up for grabs.