"Birdman ready for flight"

[maccas_no1]

Having trouble seeing Burton and Welsh playing together on the FF line.

I also see that as a problem I reakon Burton would just be a liability down there especially if Welsh is in good form. Burton to me is just a wild out of control donkey, let him run around like an idiot on the wing, personally I would been wrapped if we had of traded him.

 

[lozstar]

Burton to me is just a wild out of control donkey

Until now, I could never think of the right words to describe Burton.

 

[drakeyv2]

A couple of years ago Craig did a study on the evolution of the game over the last 40 years and used it to make predictions on it's future direction.

1 of the things he looked at was the type of player that would be playing the game in the future. He determined that the future player would be taller, stronger etc. Now obviously you don't have to be a rhodes scholar (or sports scientist), to see that trend has been developing in the game for some time.

Given the number of talls he has recruited in his 1st year, and his efforts to play Biglands up forward last year, I would say that he is now acting on those findings.

I therefore doubt Burton will ever be a 1st option up forward this year and I wouldn't be too surprised to see Welsh playing as a pocket or flanker by the end of the year.

 

[Mad Dog]

If you read back through my posts - I don't want to see Burton any further from goal than 60 metres because of his WDS....(Wild Donkey Syndrome... )....but after watching the drills yesterday and looking at the fwd setup and personnel available....I have to concede now that NC's Plan A is to have Burton in the midfield....and Plan B will be as a roaming fwd.
I understand people's concerns about hiding him in the fwd line - because I am the same.......but on second look.....he is definately set to start in the midfield.

 

[macca23]

If you read back through my posts - I don't want to see Burton any further from goal than 60 metres because of his WDS....(Wild Donkey Syndrome... )....

It looks like maccas_no1 has unintentionally given birth to a new weakness in a footballer.

 

[No 1 Draft Pick]

A couple of years ago Craig did a study on the evolution of the game over the last 40 years and used it to make predictions on it's future direction.

1 of the things he looked at was the type of player that would be playing the game in the future. He determined that the future player would be taller, stronger etc. Now obviously you don't have to be a rhodes scholar (or sports scientist), to see that trend has been developing in the game for some time.

Interesting. Have you got access to the report or key findings Drakeyv2? I would like to know more of the detail.

 

[Stiffy_18]

I can't believe people are actually considering Burton for a wing. 2004 must have been a figment of my imagination.

2003

 

[Mad Dog]

It looks like maccas_no1 has unintentionally given birth to a new weakness in a footballer.

I always had Burton's problem pegged as "2-hour-old Giraffe Syndrome" or "2Hogs"....but Maccas_no1's WDS certainly has a ring to it !!!!
It's like his legs belong on someone about 8 feet tall !!!!!

 

[CaptainDangerfield]

2003

2003 was a long time ago Stiff.

 

[Stiffy_18]

2003 was a long time ago Stiff.

So was 2004

A player doesn't lose his ability over night. Even last year Burton started the year off well but then went downhill. Players have bad years. We don't shoot them down after one bad season.

I know I was REALLY frustrated with Ricciuto's season back in 2001 (???) but I never thought we shouldn't play him. While Burton is not in the same class he is still a match winner. We can't base our opinions on one bad season out of 4 or 5. Something that you are doing in regards to Burton and Ladhams.

Both of these players CAN play sensational footy. Just because they haven't done so in the last 8 months doesn't mean they can't do it again.

 

[macca23]

So was 2004

A player doesn't lose his ability over night. Even last year Burton started the year off well but then went downhill. Players have bad years. We don't shoot them down after one bad season.

I can't subscribe to this theory that Burton had such a terrible 2004. Clangerwise, yes, but he got as much of the ball as he ever has.

2003 Ave disposals 20.5

2004 Ave Disposals 20.4

He had a really bad burst of injury from rounds 9 to 18, in which he only played 1 game, which means he missed 9 games and yet still finished 10th in our B&F, leaving 29 other players below him.

As for consistency, he averaged 20 disposals per game in the first 8 games and 20 in the final 4 after that injury lay-off.

Criticize him for his decision-making and hospital ball passing, but not for his efforts and achievements in getting the ball. Far better than most in the side.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

I can't see him holding down a wing in a premiership team either.

Well the I have said all along to trade him - but the AFC haven't done a deal so we're stuck - too good not to play so gotta stick him somewhere

 

[maccas_no1]

I always had Burton's problem pegged as "2-hour-old Giraffe Syndrome" or "2Hogs"....but Maccas_no1's WDS certainly has a ring to it !!!!
It's like his legs belong on someone about 8 feet tall !!!!!

Took me a while to find the right words to describe him and that is what I got, just a wild donkey running free around the paddock with no real intention of doing anything useful.

 

[tinman]

Burton's stamina is better utilised from a wing where he can be that extra man in defence & the drifter into the forward line...plus his height is useful zoning off when we don't have the ball.
Most players develop addoitional skills to complement there main talent.Lets hope Burton has developed more football maturity & judgment & picks the right moment to go for the speccy & the right time to keep both feet on the ground.
I believe its to him[and others such as Begley, Massie,Perrie & Torney etc] we must be looking to for future leadership of the club....
Lets face it if he only eliminates those stupid errors he becomes a far more effective player!

On the money. At least Burton finds plenty of the footy. If he can become more effective with it he will be an awesome player and one very hard for opposition teams to match up on.

 

[tinman]

So was 2004

A player doesn't lose his ability over night. Even last year Burton started the year off well but then went downhill. Players have bad years. We don't shoot them down after one bad season.

I know I was REALLY frustrated with Ricciuto's season back in 2001 (???) but I never thought we shouldn't play him. While Burton is not in the same class he is still a match winner. We can't base our opinions on one bad season out of 4 or 5. Something that you are doing in regards to Burton and Ladhams.

Both of these players CAN play sensational footy. Just because they haven't done so in the last 8 months doesn't mean they can't do it again.

Agree 100%. I think that we will see a new Ladhams under the new coach. Something tells me that Ayres and Ladhams never saw eye to eye.

Burton has struggled with niggling injuries. If he gets himself right he will be an excellent player. Both these guys have a ton of ability, and we shall have to wait and see what Craig gets out of them. So far it sounds good.

 

[jo172]

Burton is one of the softest players in the AFL, the only reason he got 30 plus disposals is that he ran into defence and picked up easy touches, he did not man up and lets not even get into his disposal, at the end of the year we should trade him for ANYONE who wants to come home, that's if anyone is dumb enough to want him