Opinion Best side 2018

[Hamingja]

P , the issue will be on going because we have Smith who at his best is an A- ruck ..but his best is a fairway from his worst..and he seems to struggle to put 4 6 games together. Its not like we have a standout best in league ruckman... and we have not looked to change that... so I don't think we value the role that much.

Gary says he is back to make us "super competitive" .. well there is little he can do to make our big men better..and that (imo) is one of our core failures the last few years. When was the last we had a big man bog in a big game at the G? I still feel we have to do it ..in spite of our talls , not because of them.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/a...g/news-story/857061e2fd8ddd81eaa56e5dafc12750

I like the hunger and I think it can definitely be good for the mindset of the playing group. If he can put a rocket up his good friend Smith at the very least then that will help a lot. Smiths good games have been when he has been out to prove people wrong. His first game for the cats on the big stage of Easter Monday, the match against GWS after the disappointing loss to Carlton in 16, the match against the Doggies this year after the disappointing losses to the pies and bombers, the final against Sydney after the disappointing loss to the Tigers. When Geelong have copped it in the media he has led the response on the field. If Ablett can help keep that fire burning for the whole season we have an above average ruckman.

As much as I love Harry a comment he made before his 200th still sticks with me a bit. I think it was in response to a question about Henderson recklessly going back with the flight and he basically said there were more important things than football and sometimes you have to take a step back and think about it. So for the senior guys that have won flags and have young families it is understandable but we have lacked a killer edge since 11 and I do wonder how much that attitude has rubbed off on the guys that have come through the system in that time. Guys like Duncan, Guthrie, Blicavs, Motlop etc. So with Mackie and Lonergan moving on the elder statesman have thinned out a lot now.

You can't question the hunger of the Selwoods or Danger, so add Ablett to that group, Cocky is amazing in that regard for a young player, plus the guys that have done it the hard way like Bews and Stewart and here is to a more aggressive approach and hungrier group of cats in 2018.

 

[ChookNorris]

He can't nail a spot down as a KPF/Ruck
If he wants to save his career he needs to go down back

They already played him down there at St Kilda to get him out of Reiwoldt's way and he was terrible except maybe in the game when Freo played a WAFL side round 23.

 

[Rondog]

That's a pretty extreme viewpoint given Blicavs' best season at the club was as a ruckman.

Maybe his best but it was the teams worst in a decade. I think we've learned the lesson.

 

[candiehappy]

As much as I love Harry a comment he made before his 200th still sticks with me a bit. I think it was in response to a question about Henderson recklessly going back with the flight and he basically said there were more important things than football and sometimes you have to take a step back and think about it.

I don't believe that I have ever seen Harry squib a contest.

 

[winty]

Reckon Stanley could be turned into a key defender like Liam jones and tom Lonergan
He's agile, good off the ground and would do well IMO

You obviously missed the VFL game against Box Hill late in the season when he provided absolutely zero pressure against Box Hill's ruckmen when they pushed forward and he was forced to play defensively.

 

[Hamingja]

I don't believe that I have ever seen Harry squib a contest.

I'm not saying he did but there is also a difference in playing intensity. Selwood aside there were certainly no Rooke's, Scarlett's, Mooney's, Chapman's, Milburn's etc who would go 100 km/h at the footy or opponent left amongst the old guard. So I just wonder how much the more reserved attitude of Bartel, Taylor, Enright, Lonergan, Mackie, Hawk etc changed the culture of the playing group that has been developed since 11.

 

[Turbocat]

I'm not saying he did but there is also a difference in playing intensity. Selwood aside there were certainly no Rooke's, Scarlett's, Mooney's, Chapman's, Milburn's etc who would go 100 km/h at the footy or opponent left amongst the old guard. So I just wonder how much the more reserved attitude of Bartel, Taylor, Enright, Lonergan, Mackie, Hawk etc changed the culture of the playing group that has been developed since 11.

I do know what you mean .. an almost silly attack on the ball is the type of thing done by those with extreme desperation ... but there is also a time and a place for that type of commitment. Fine line between brave and just plain dumb

 

[Fyre]

Well domsy leaving just mean we lack someone to take the Gorillas. Stanley has all the attributes, but you could say he has them all to be a decent footballer in general and we haven’t seen that yet.

Could be a very lean year for Stanley if there are no injuries. I don't feel we need another tall back but if they do decide to replace Domsy, I would much prefer them to put 20 games into Gardner than experiment with Stanley.

Anyway, long summer ahead, anything can happen.

 

[The rabbi]

He can't nail a spot down as a KPF/Ruck
If he wants to save his career he needs to go down back

And he may have to compete with an up and coming Gardner who is of similar proportions to Stanley.

 

[The rabbi]

I don't think that Stanley is a KPP. I think that he is a second string ruckman and not much else.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

You obviously missed the VFL game against Box Hill late in the season when he provided absolutely zero pressure against Box Hill's ruckmen when they pushed forward and he was forced to play defensively.

So little pressure he was pushed up against a wall and berated by Scott for his lack of ticker. We'd just lost Blicavs to injury.
That's the day I put a black line through Stanley. If a ruck spot is up for grabs you show no intent then you have to question if he belongs at the level.

 

[ChookNorris]

So little pressure he was pushed up against a wall and berated by Scott for his lack of ticker. We'd just lost Blicavs to injury.
That's the day I put a black line through Stanley. If a ruck spot is up for grabs you show no intent then you have to question if he belongs at the level.

Great athlete. Should try something else. Shuffleboard could suit his aggression levels.

 

[CF]

How could he possibly get second year blues? First, this is his third year not his second. Second, he was clear worst on ground in 4 of his 6 games. He cant get any worse.

Yeah, he has a lot of improvement to make, I know, but I thought the kid showed flashes of something good at times. Let's give him time to develop before we start potting the poor guy.

 

[Ricketz]

I'm not saying he did but there is also a difference in playing intensity. Selwood aside there were certainly no Rooke's, Scarlett's, Mooney's, Chapman's, Milburn's etc who would go 100 km/h at the footy or opponent left amongst the old guard. So I just wonder how much the more reserved attitude of Bartel, Taylor, Enright, Lonergan, Mackie, Hawk etc changed the culture of the playing group that has been developed since 11.

Not sure what you are suggesting here. Did Duncan or Stewart squib it when they both got thumped?

 

[winty]

So little pressure he was pushed up against a wall and berated by Scott for his lack of ticker. We'd just lost Blicavs to injury.
That's the day I put a black line through Stanley. If a ruck spot is up for grabs you show no intent then you have to question if he belongs at the level.

Remember saying at the time he had as much physical presence as one of these guys:

 

[Jhye Clark 13]

Maybe his best but it was the teams worst in a decade. I think we've learned the lesson.

I think the fact that he hasn't really settled into the one position has had a bearing on his performance and stifled his development somewhat. He was doing a reasonable job as the third man up and teams were having trouble working out a way to counter him. Then they changed the rules. He then had a run as a permanent midfielder but I'm not sure that's his calling. He seemed to struggle with consistency and didn't really win enough of the ball.

I still think he has a lot to offer but it isn't as a first ruck or a pure mid. He needs continuity in the one position. I'd play him as second fiddle to Smith.

 

[Vdubs]

Anyone at this stage who still thinks Blicavs is capable of rucking by himself really shouldnt be posting anymore.

As in no Smith? Smith is a clear #1.
Blic is an ok #2 ruck.
Stanley is better.
But each one of those can enter a ruck contest solo, and do so regularly.

 

[ChookNorris]

From the greats at Fox Footy. The healthy Narkle and Mature age Gardner looking likely....

 

[Jhye Clark 13]

Narkle did an ACL and Gardner was drafted as an 18 yr old.

 

[Zeroman]

Blicavs for no.1 ruck
he has elite jumping patterns

 

[Turbocat]

Narkle did an ACL and Gardner was drafted as an 18 yr old.

Mmm insightful and informative .. the daily double.

 

[Vdubs]

I don't believe that I have ever seen Harry squib a contest.

Agree, and deciding to not be reckless does not mean he is squibbing either. He is intelligent enough to have the know how and when .

 

[Hamingja]

Not sure what you are suggesting here. Did Duncan or Stewart squib it when they both got thumped?

I'm not suggesting the older players squib it just that after success and having young families the foot is off the accelerator 5% and the hunger and intent is not the same and perhaps a bit of that was passed on to a few of the guys that came in to the club during that period that have now played their 100ish games and continually throw in lacklustre performances. In my first post I actually had Stewart as an exception. Both he and Bews clearly very hungry for it as they have had to wait for their chance.

 

[candiehappy]

Agree, and deciding to not be reckless does not mean he is squibbing either. He is intelligent enough to have the know how and when .

something that on occasion I think that Nick Reiwoldt lacked, to his detriment.

 

[winty]

something that on occasion I think that Nick Reiwoldt lacked, to his detriment.

Arguably cost them the '09 grand final too. Lost count of how many marking contests he spoiled when a teammate was in a better position that day.