Ben Griffiths - Center Half Back??

[MR]

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/6301/newsid/117186/default.aspx

The Coburg Tigers were overpowered by a more experienced Werribee line-up in yesterday’s VFL Round 13 clash.

Coburg was well and truly in the contest at three-quarter time, trailing by just 14 points, but was outscored eight goals to three in the final term to suffer a 47-point loss - 19.13 (127) to 12.8 (80).

Shane Tuck continued his strong form at VFL level, picking up 37 disposals and working tirelessly in the midfield for the Coburg team.

Richmond rookie-list player, Ben Jakobi, produced an encouraging performance, gathering 20 disposals, Mitch Morton showed some more good signs in his playing return, booting three goals, while Will Thursfield was solid in defence.

Key-position ‘tall’, Ben Griffiths, was prominent early at centre half-back, before being concussed in a marking duel, which forced him from the field for the rest of the match.

Could they be trying Big Griff down back. Thinking about it, it doesn't seem like such a bad idea, our forward line is becoming a solid unit and it looks like they don't want to get rid of Miller.

If possible, could somebody please clarify for me if he was actually played at CHB or that it was just a typo.

Thank you.

 

[jko'neal]

Wouldn't be a bad idea, maybe the rumours about Moore are true and they are keen for training up someone else. Wouldn't be too many CHB's in the comp kick the ball like he can, one way of beating the press if you can land the ball in the middle from a behind kick out!

 

[Madtiger2006]

If Post and Griffiths are back, who's going forward? Highly doubt Griffiths is planned for CHB, but is just being taught some defensive tactics. Reckon the club have this spine and third tall in mind.

Rance
Post Grimes
Cotchin
Griffiths
Reiwoldt Vickery

 

[Woodstock]

Swap Post with Astbury. Post won't be on our list next season.

 

[Madtiger2006]

Swap Post with Astbury. Post won't be on our list next season.

Oh really? What you going to say when he's still there next year?

 

[Tiger Titus]

Oh really? What you going to say when he's still there next year?

MT, as much as I admire your enthusiasm, your blatant pushing of Post is a bit over the top. The contrarian inside of me wants to disagree with you just because you are so one eyed. Perhaps you should add a "2012:" to the start of your sig.

Despite this I agree with you. I have come around to the idea that there is no reason to move Post on just yet. There's little downside in giving him at least another year to prove he has what it takes.

Having said that do you really believe that the brains trust at the club are dreaming of Post at CHB after they pushed Astbury back into the team despite him actually being in worse form than Post?

I see our long term spine being:
Rance
Astbury
Cotchin
Griffiths
Riewoldt

I would like to see Post playing as an extra tall in defense with time in the ruck, maybe even having a run on the wing. His athleticism as a 19 year old recruit was impressive (3.02 20m sprint for a 195cm player).

I also think that Griffiths should definitely not be played back. He has too much potential as a nightmare matchup up forward. We should be sticking with the plan of him replacing Miller over the next 6-12 months.

We don't need all our good kicks down back, Lids and Newman are already plenty, and Rance's kicking is improving in leaps and bounds. Put big Griff where he can use his booming foot to slot 6 pointers from 55-60m out.

 

[eays]

They are probably just playing Griff at CHB because with Coburg getting flogged every week that is the only way they can get some ball .... no real point in him catching a cold sitting in the forward line when we need him to get match fitness and touch and hopefully replace Miller in the senior side ASAP.

That, or the prospect of a agile, monster KPD with a booming kick is something they want to get a feel for as well (Vickery coming along in leaps and bounds give us a nice little bit of slack to try things).

But i really just reckon its about giving Griff a feel some real action given how poor Coburg are rather than wasting away in the forward line, waiting for the likes of guns such as Sam Power to get the ball down there!

 

[Madtiger2006]

MT, as much as I admire your enthusiasm, your blatant pushing of Post is a bit over the top. The contrarian inside of me wants to disagree with you just because you are so one eyed. Perhaps you should add a "2012:" to the start of your sig.

Despite this I agree with you. I have come around to the idea that there is no reason to move Post on just yet. There's little downside in giving him at least another year to prove he has what it takes.

Having said that do you really believe that the brains trust at the club are dreaming of Post at CHB after they pushed Astbury back into the team despite him actually being in worse form than Post?

I see our long term spine being:
Rance
Astbury
Cotchin
Griffiths
Riewoldt

I would like to see Post playing as an extra tall in defense with time in the ruck, maybe even having a run on the wing. His athleticism as a 19 year old recruit was impressive (3.02 20m sprint for a 195cm player).

I also think that Griffiths should definitely not be played back. He has too much potential as a nightmare matchup up forward. We should be sticking with the plan of him replacing Miller over the next 6-12 months.

We don't need all our good kicks down back, Lids and Newman are already plenty, and Rance's kicking is improving in leaps and bounds. Put big Griff where he can use his booming foot to slot 6 pointers from 55-60m out.

We're gonna have unstoppable height and speed up forward. Vickery and Griffiths both about 200cm but very quick. I'd have Astbury as the spare tall on the bench

 

[rammbo]

Swap Post with Astbury. Post won't be on our list next season.

Do you know something we dont because they wont delist him but i suppose you carnt rule out trading him, personally i think post will b with us next year.

 

[Cathal Brugha]

Have I entered the Twilight Zone??? Griff played all of the only quarter he was on the ground in the forward line. He was injured taking a mark in the Forward Pocket. If these muppets screw him up by trying to turn a potentially outstanding CHF into a CHB it will signal the end for me and this club.

Post is our CHB, Griff is our CHF........ok!

 

[rammbo]

If giff is our best option chb im all for it ,actually doesnt matter where then play him just get him in there somewhere .

 

[TOOs_Finest]

Have I entered the Twilight Zone??? Griff played all of the only quarter he was on the ground in the forward line. He was injured taking a mark in the Forward Pocket. If these muppets screw him up by trying to turn a potentially outstanding CHF into a CHB it will signal the end for me and this club.

Post is our CHB, Griff is our CHF........ok!

Lol CB... you just take pleasure from ruining a good fictional story with the truth, don't you?!

 

[Bazzar]

Highly doubt Griffiths is planned for CHB,

Richo said on Sunday it was his opinion he will be in the team within the month and most likely in the backline.

 

[Infamy]

He never said "most likely", he said he could play in the back line
I still doubt he will

 

[Bazzar]

He never said "most likely", he said he could play in the back line
I still doubt he will

For some reason your fixated on this. Have you lost sleep over it?

 

[folester41]

post might be with us, but he wont make it, astbury is much better than him, and thats saying something because astbury still hasnt shown much.

 

[Bojangles17]

ridiculous idea, he has the hallmarks of being an elite forward ffs, don't turn conventional wisdom on its head and try make him a defender, worked wonders with goalkicking teen sensation gourdis

 

[captain blood 17]

I don't think we are a chance in hell against the Blues, but i think as a match up on Kruzer it could work. Do it Dimma. We have nothing to lose.

 

[Bazzar]

I don't think we are a chance in hell against the Blues, but i think as a match up on Kruzer it could work. Do it Dimma. We have nothing to lose.

Going by Dimmas 4 game block theory, im tipping he will be earmarked for the Suns, The Bombers at the earliest. And i dont see why people are so against him at chb, it will only be temporary and a good learning curve. I reckon they didnt realise just how good Vick is as a forward as he was recruited as a ruck who playeds forward but he has surprised in the reverse.

 

[RichosGuns]

He better not be.

Astbury was one of the best debutantes up forward we had an then they just decided to swap him. We can't do the same with Griff.

We have Vickery, Riewoldt, Miller and Griffiths.

Vickery will probably be our first ruck in 2 years, Miller hopefully won't be there next year, and that only leaves Jack and Big Ben

 

[jonty15]

He better not be.

Astbury was one of the best debutantes up forward we had an then they just decided to swap him. We can't do the same with Griff.

We have Vickery, Riewoldt, Miller and Griffiths.

Vickery will probably be our first ruck in 2 years, Miller hopefully won't be there next year, and that only leaves Jack and Big Ben

I'm still not sold on Astbury, showed a little bit last year, but I'm not too sure he will be the answer down back... There is Rance, Grimes, McGuane, Thursfield, and Moore (that's before I mention Gourdis and Post) ... One of Moore, Mcguane or Thursfield must be moved on at the end of the season, at least.

As for Vickery first ruck... I think we will be trading very hard to acquire a big man in the next 2 seasons, most likely at the expense of a few draft high picks...

 

[Barnzy]

No, leave him as a forward.

 

[Hipster Doofus]

Griff is gonna be our CHF, not our CHB, Astbury and Post need to step up and claim CHB

 

[astro_toby]

If Post and Griffiths are back, who's going forward? Highly doubt Griffiths is planned for CHB, but is just being taught some defensive tactics. Reckon the club have this spine and third tall in mind.

Rance
Post Grimes
Cotchin
Griffiths
Reiwoldt Vickery

I would prefer them to sort out the backline first tbh. Its been a massive flaw of ours for a long time now.

We are blessed with Riewoldt - he is as dynamic as any forward going round -and much like Buddy, the less big timber getting in the way of his leads, the better.

I really like to "1-2" punch of Vick & Jack - it' working. Funnily enough, Jake King has become a pivitol part of our forward line as well and it showed on the weekend. We totally missed his physical presence in the forward half.

I think a lot of times supporters fall in love with a dream of a certain player being the cure for a certain position. If Griff can hold down the CHB position and win his spot 4/5 times - a would take that in a heartbeat. I think a supporting tall forward to assist Jack & Vick will be MUCH easier to find than a true tall, power CHB.

I also suspect that perhaps the CHB position may save Griff's body in the long run.Its definitely a bit "suss", and he seems very prone to impact injuries (even on the weekend he got concussed - not his fault, but a trend is there). At least in this scenario, Griff will more often than not be the guy who is initiating the conduct, rather than receiving it.

 

[Madtiger2006]

I would prefer them to sort out the backline first tbh. Its been a massive flaw of ours for a long time now.

We are blessed with Riewoldt - he is as dynamic as any forward going round -and much like Buddy, the less big timber getting in the way of his leads, the better.

I really like to "1-2" punch of Vick & Jack - it' working. Funnily enough, Jake King has become a pivitol part of our forward line as well and it showed on the weekend. We totally missed his physical presence in the forward half.

I think a lot of times supporters fall in love with a dream of a certain player being the cure for a certain position. If Griff can hold down the CHB position and win his spot 4/5 times - a would take that in a heartbeat. I think a supporting tall forward to assist Jack & Vick will be MUCH easier to find than a true tall, power CHB.

I also suspect that perhaps the CHB position may say Griff's body in the long run.Its definitely a bit "suss". At least in this scenario, Griff will more often than not be the guy who is initiating the conduct, rather than receiving it.

I'm confident in 12 months time Griffiths will be CHF and Post will be CHB. Post is taking a bit longer to get his intensity up but he'll be right. Rance will probably end up at FB and Grimes 3rd tall defender. With Reiwoldt and Vickery the other 2 forwards. Astbury would be perfect off the bench into defence while Post takes 2nd ruck. I'm pretty sure this is what the club will have in mind

FB houli rance newman
HB grimes post deledio
C edwards cotchin morton
HF king griffiths conca
FF nahas reiwoldt vickery
FOLL browne martin foley
INT astbury jackson webberley batchelor

I think we need to target a midfielder and a small forward with our first 2 draft picks. Will be interesting to see how Nahas goes next year imo. Think he might find it tough again with clubs doing their homework on him. Lets hope Taylor returns