Betts & Petrenko

[Kraven]

Anyone else think that Eddie has already had a huge influence on Pup? It seems Eddie has brought Pup under has wing and trained him well.

You just get a feeling they have a bromance like Eddie, Yarran and Garlett did at Carlton. When Pup kicked that goal and Eddie hugged him. Eddie just didn't want to let go of him.

 

[fabs33]

I like Petrenko, I really do, but it's only been one good game.

 

[Kraven]

I like Petrenko, I really do, but it's only been one good game.

Can you see Betts turning him into the player we always wanted?

 

[mattymac]

Eew Pets is a spud. St Kilda made us all look like millionaires don't get too excited.

His problem has always been that pressure is kryptonite to him and St Kilda offered absolutely dead zero pressure

 

[GROTTO]

I hate to say this, I would rather Pets miss those flukey goals and nail the goals inside 30 metres with a slightly acute angles then try and score from the impossible. He again miss another easy goal over the weekend.

 

[jangofett]

Pets is lucky to be in the side, will probably be out this week. Not enough room for both of them in our best 22

 

[mcday]

Regardless of whether Petrenko's long term future includes being in our best-22 (which is obviously unlikely), I think it's pretty clear that having Betts around would be incredibly beneficial for Petrenko's offensive game. In the time he's been at the club, we've never had an elite small forward, so it seems logical that finally getting one would impact positively on the others who play in that position. Petrenko's game on the weekend was genuinely one of the best he's played, even if it was against a struggling team. He kicked well, chased hard, and looked more confident with ball in hand than normal (though against a team like Freo or Hawthorn it might be different )

Still, very unlikely Petrenko will be able to keep his spot in the team, especially with Betts there. I do find it hard to actively dislike Petrenko, because despite his general lack of football ability, it's difficult to dislike someone who clearly puts in as much effort as he can. He just isn't good enough, sadly. Although, if he can kick 1-2 goals per game and keep his tackling average at 6-7 per game, maybe the selectors will keep him around? It's clear they like him alot, given that he's consistently given a game despite a seeming lack of results.

 

[headache1]

Pets is lucky to be in the side, will probably be out this week. Not enough room for both of them in our best 22

If he didn't get dropped for his efforts against Sydney, I doubt it'll happen after he was actually half decent.

 

[azza77]

Can you see Betts turning him into the player we always wanted?

I noticed after both goals Pets kicked and that tackle he laid that set up Eddie for his goal, Betts couldn't have had a bigger grin on his face and had some serious words of encouragement to him after all these goals.

I also noticed that even after we scored a goal and were killing the Saints, Betts pulled all 6 forwards into a group, even wise man Pods and was having a serious conversation with them, directing players into all different directions etc.

Seriously loving everything Eddie is bringing to this team

Interesting to note that the commentators mentioned that Bilghty actually rates Petrenko and said that the he wished he just got more of the ball.

 

[The Sloane Ranger]

10 tackles, 3 goals and plenty of score assist between them, why would you not persist and try and build a partnership

 

[Huntercrow]

Betts and Pets!.........Has a good ring to it!

I had hoped Eddie would mentor Petrenko but it looks like he has adopted all of the forwards.

How many goal assists did he hand out on Sunday? For someone who only scored a goal he had the biggest impact in the forward line. Will be the savior of Pets.

 

[WeeBlake]

Can't remember if Eddie played the week before when Pets stunk it up

 

[Mismatched]

Petrenko has some awesome qualities that he can bring to the side, unfortunately games like we saw on the weekend are few and far between and we're more often than not left with what we saw against the Swans. If Petrenko can lift his game to the point where his average game is pretty close to what we saw on the weekend, then he's in our side no questions asked. Problem is, if history is anything to go by, that is the best we can expect and his baseline is quite simply not to AFL standard.

I like the fact that with Betts, Petrenko will be forced to spend more time through the midfield etc though, as it will keep him involved in the play for longer. One of the toughest parts about being a small forward is that you often go through long spells during where you just can't touch the footy despite getting to all the right places and doing all the right things. Unfortunately for Petrenko, he's been unable to stay focused and make the most of his opportunities when they did come. Spending time through the midfield as a small forward is a great way to stay involved and keep the confidence up and for a player like Petrenko, this is paramount IMO.

 

[sbenno]

I love the idea of Petrenko being taught be betts, and he was good on the weekend.

It was one game, and against the saints. After what Jaensch has been producing I'm open to the idea of improvement from these types, but let's not canonise him yet.

If he can play like that for the next 3 games, and then again against Collingwood, then I'll celebrate with you

 

[Crow_Magnon]

10 tackles, 3 goals and plenty of score assist between them, why would you not persist and try and build a partnership

Agreed, but I felt we lacked a bit of marking power up forward with both of these two at times. There were quite a few occasions where quick kicks forward under pressure were still rebounded quite easily. They do, however, work well together, so maybe there's a spot still for Pets....given Reilly and Martin weren't much chop. Pets is our Puopolo equivalent - so maybe worth persisting with a bit.

 

[StonesThrow]

I hope he wasn't mentoring him against the swans.

I'm all for player improvement for any player (see Jaensch) that I'm not a fan of. Let's just give him a few more games to see if he can finally reproduce some sort of consistency before we proclaim he's a changed player.

 

[AFC3000]

Love the way Eddie is usually the player leading the start of quarter chat between the forwards, the one going back to have a few words before someone takes a set shot, bringing other players into the game and lifting their confidence through goal assists and always there to give them a pat on the head after a goal.

If any one can help Pets its Betts, that said Petrenko had several moments last year that make me want to like him but lets see how he goes over a number of weeks first.

 

[Skippy231]

Betts is currently the closest thing to a forward coach we have, he's much more likely than Bickley to teach petrenko and cameron the art to crumbing, best recruiting move since D Jarman in 96

 

[simmo97]

i don't see petrenko staying in the side for much longer with Lynch returning this week or next week and otten 2-4wks away because he simply cannot get a enough of the ball and their is no way he will force Eddie out the side.

 

[conVINCEd]

Betts has been a brilliant pick up. I'm still far more excited about Charlie Cameron coming into the team later this year than my expectations Petrenko will consistently improve his output.

 

[Vader]

There are many things to love about Petrenko. His manic attack on the man & ball is something that the rest of our side could definitely learn from and he always gives 100%. Unfortunately, he appears to have a low football IQ, resulting in him being consistently second to the ball - end result, a high tackle count & low disposal count. Worse than that, he consistently panics in front of goal, resulting in an accuracy rate which is nothing short of deplorable.

I love the idea of Betts giving him a bit of coaching & mentoring. Betts clearly has the polish that Pets lacks and a wealth of experience behind him.

I don't think Pets has a long term future at AFL level, but he'll be around for a while yet. Having Betts helping him out can only be to our benefit.

 

[Crowbots are dead]

I noticed after both goals Pets kicked and that tackle he laid that set up Eddie for his goal, Betts couldn't have had a bigger grin on his face and had some serious words of encouragement to him after all these goals.

I also noticed that even after we scored a goal and were killing the Saints, Betts pulled all 6 forwards into a group, even wise man Pods and was having a serious conversation with them, directing players into all different directions etc.

Seriously loving everything Eddie is bringing to this team

Interesting to note that the commentators mentioned that Bilghty actually rates Petrenko and said that the he wished he just got more of the ball.

blighty is spot on. If pets can ensure he consisently gets the ball he will be best 22. His defensive side is one of the best in the team. Many in here had stamped his card too early imo.

 

[Heafy83]

Agreed, but I felt we lacked a bit of marking power up forward with both of these two at times. There were quite a few occasions where quick kicks forward under pressure were still rebounded quite easily. They do, however, work well together, so maybe there's a spot still for Pets....given Reilly and Martin weren't much chop. Pets is our Puopolo equivalent - so maybe worth persisting with a bit.

When Lynch and Tex come back in that will solve that problem. All of a sudden Jenkins and Pods are getting 3rd and 4th rate defenders too. People have been way too harsh on Pods. He was never meant to be a no. 1 forward and kick 50 goals. He is there to provide much needed support to Tex when he eventually returns. His last 2 games are more of what he will provide every week I think.

 

[Slippery Pete]

What Betts has, you can't teach. Not least of all to Petrenko.

 

[woundedcrow]

petrenko has alot of potential...unfortunatey he has never cemented his spot after years. Hopefully pentrenko will do it under Bett's wing but his game vs swans was terrible and saints were poor opposition..

Test for all crows players (including Betts) will be after round 7..bye round 8...we should be 4wins 3 losses then its a season defining month vs collingwood, carlton, Gold coast

If we're not 4 and 3 at the end of round 7 then im afraid we're going to finish 15th and below