Betts & Petrenko

[fabs33]

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

Not really, honestly I just don't think he's a natural forward. Small forwards are opportunists by nature which is why two of the most important attributes they need in order to succeed are; firstly the ability to anticipate where the ball is going to be so that they can position themselves accordingly ahead of time, and secondly the composure to score when the opportunity arises. In my opinion Pets just doesn't have either of these, at least not in the quantities required. From what I'd heard about him prior to us drafting him was that he was playing in defense and his forte was his ability to get the ball out of there by using that burst of speed he possesses, so now that he's forced to play up forward I'm not surprised that he has difficulty in hurting the opposition on the scoreboard.

 

[jamesclean]

pets is a legend you guys are dreaming

 

[Kraven]

Thoughts on this duo's performance today? (yesterday)

Betts was his typical unselfish self. Maybe should have had 2 or 3 goals. And nearly took a screamer!

Pets roved like a good small forward should. And even did some good midfield work.

In before weak opposition and wont last blah blah blah.

 

[mattymac]

Weak opposition and won't last

 

[azza77]

I think Eddie has been teaching Pets a thing or 7...

 

[JP Sauce]

Pets has ticked most of the boxes over the past fortnight, but the fact remains he needs to perform against good opposition before people will start changing their opinion of him. Maybe Betts will be the one to help him get there, maybe not. We'll have to wait and see.

He's had a good fortnight though.

 

[headache1]

I think Eddie has been teaching Pets a thing or 7...

When he roved the ball off the contest that Jenkins brought to ground, and snapped that goal, I actually thought it was Betts at first.

 

[mattymac]

Pets' problem has always, ALWAYS been pressure. He'll kick the arsey goal where the pressure isn't on but miss the bread and butter (see the Sydney game from a fortnight ago). Long term thats not sustainable. Hence why he comes and goes from the 22.

I'll wait to see him play proper opposition before accepting he is reborn. The combined pressure St Kilda and GWS offered wasn't enough to push out a fart.

 

[Ravenous Crow]

Thoughts on this duo's performance today? (yesterday)

Why are we packaging them as a duo?

I've seen a bunch more Wright/Betts link ups in the past couple of weeks than Betts/Petrenko if we're talking crumbing forward partnerships.

 

[Kraven]

When he roved the ball off the contest that Jenkins brought to ground, and snapped that goal, I actually thought it was Betts at first.

Same here. Took me a few seconds to realise.

 

[Allefgib]

Jenkins is fantastic at putting it down a crumbers thought in a forward contest. This week and last week he didn't even try to mark in some of those big packs - just fed it straight down the bettsrenko throats. Love how they are hitting the contest side on as well to give themselves more room to get a good shot on goal.

 

[Schulzycrow]

Eddie has brought all the small forwards under his wing. He tells them where to go and then dishes out goals in return. They must be pinching themselves, the best small forward in the comp has landed at the club and while he hasn't torn a game apart yet he has made everyone else look pretty darn good. Will hold judgement until we've played the Pies on Pets and Wright. Eddie is a legend and I can see why the Blues fans loved him so much.

 

[Kraven]

Why are we packaging them as a duo?

I've seen a bunch more Wright/Betts link ups in the past couple of weeks than Betts/Petrenko if we're talking crumbing forward partnerships.

Because I believe the prospect of them being a tag team could be quite exciting. And I believe Betts has been teaching Pets how to be good.

Wright on the other hand can handle himself most of the time. Plus 3's a crowd. But yes Betts has gifted him a few goals.

 

[MRB37]

I was saying to my mate, Tex can kick a ton of goals off his own boot, imagine how many he could kick when he's got someone like Betts feeding him the ones he misses. Was a bit annoyed in the 1st quarter when they bombed it onto Betts head while they had the extra man hanging around him, no way he can contest in those situations, but once they started trying to get it to the big guys, it just fills you with so much confidence to know a guy like Betts is handing around to clean up. Currently sitting 4th for Goal Assists and on pace to kick almost 35-40 goals for the year.

Pets is a tough one. It looks like he's starting to feel a bit more confident out there, to the point he's actually getting more involved with the play further up the ground, rather than just being the "forward pressure" guy, but the real proof will be once the bye round is over and some more difficult teams start popping up on the fixture again.