Opinion Blair permanent forward

[obleex]

Hi all...

Would first like to say that I love Blairy - think his effort is incredible in the middle of the park and despite struggling against bigger bodies this finals series (through no fault of his own) gave his all and can be proud of that.

However, I feel his value would be better as a permanent forward next year. With Ball back, and another pre season into guys like Beams and Sidebottom and these types, I feel there won't be a spot for him in the middle.

His tackling and attack on the ball is something we lacked this season. Our forward pressure was basically dependant on Goldsack (a natural defender), Elliot and Sinclair (both kids). With Ball out for the year its understandable he spent a fair amount of time in the middle, however I would have liked to have seen him line up in a forward pocket, tacking and chasing like crazy more often.

Hopefully next year Bucks and the coaching staff give him a chance down there. For memory he was drafted as a midfielder, and Malthouse told me in a lecture at uni earlier in the year he is trying to mould his game on Brent Harvey.

What are people's opinions on Blairy being a permanent forward pocket next season (with occasional bursts in the midfield to give others a chop out)?

 

[jathanas]

The Caff will be able to help with defensive effort in the forward line, but Blair can kick a goal so this could be a nice option for us.

Bring 2013!

 

[SuperSub17]

Yep, have to say I agree. We really lacked that small forward role for most of this season.

 

[mattys123]

I don't see the need.

Krakouer, MaCaffer, Elliott, Didak, Fasolo etc are all likely to be pushing for those small and medium forward spots in 2013, and Blair showed in the finals (when he wasn't asked to tag a superstar) that he is capable of holding his own in the midfield.

Why pull him back now? After he's just taken the biggest step in his career by actually being productive in a finals series for the first time ever, and most of that was as part of the midfield rotation.

 

[MeisterBot]

I'm for it. Did a number on Hurn in the semi and I think he just gets moved off the ball a little too easily. He's a good extractor in packs, but with Ball coming back, he's the first one I'd take out from the middle as they have more or less the same role (whereas someone like Sidebottom is an outside receiver who can occasionally win his own ball).

 

[vjknight]

I don't see the need.

Krakouer, MaCaffer, Elliott, Didak, Fasolo etc are all likely to be pushing for those small and medium forward spots in 2013, and Blair showed in the finals (when he wasn't asked to tag a superstar) that he is capable of holding his own in the midfield.

Why pull him back now? After he's just taken the biggest step in his career by actually being productive in a finals series for the first time ever, and most of that was as part of the midfield rotation.

and thats a significant issue - player ambition. its better for the individual to be given the chance to star in the midfield, rather than be a role player and maybe kick a goal or two. its that star component that leads to bigger and better contracts down the track. i dont think blair would be too happy to be permanently thrown back to a forward role, considering the good consistent performance he displayed this year.

 

[DaVe86]

Blair had a personal best year in the midfield...but I think his value to the team is up forward. He was better kicking goals and creating defensive pressure. He is the sort of player that is always in the contest and looks dangerous when he is close to goal.

I missed the goal a game Blair typically gives us.

 

[DaVe86]

and thats a significant issue - player ambition. its better for the individual to be given the chance to star in the midfield, rather than be a role player and maybe kick a goal or two. its that star component that leads to bigger and better contracts down the track. i dont think blair would be too happy to be permanently thrown back to a forward role, considering the good consistent performance he displayed this year.

Don't buy this. If he wants out for more midfield opportunity so be it....but if his best value to the team is as a small forward then that's where he should play. I think the return of Luke Ball is going to mean both Blair and Sidebottom will see less mdifield time. It becomes a very slow midfield with all of them in there.

 

[vjknight]

Don't buy this. If he wants out for more midfield opportunity so be it....but if his best value to the team is as a small forward then that's where he should play. I think the return of Luke Ball is going to mean both Blair and Sidebottom will see less mdifield time. It becomes a very slow midfield with all of them in there.

i agree ball will be no. 1 preference in the midfield role. no doubt. but......will someone like blair just happily accept it, or will ambition stand in his way ? if he holds permanency dreams in our midfield, can he suppress them for another year or two ?

 

[DaVe86]

I think so. He is still very young. At the end of the day if he wants to play for Collingwood he will hang around.

Blairy is a fighter. He had no right to be in our GF 2010 team, but he hung onto his spot. He was probably then fringe at the start of 2011 but again held his spot. This year he was probably just assistance in the midfield, but he went in there and cementd his spot. If he is asked to go forward again, he will ensure he gets the most out of himself in that position.

And it's not like he will be pushed out of the top 22. He won't care where his played as long as he has a spot in the team.

 

[BEEG]

Caff in his 2010 form with the pressaure and 1 on 1 marking
Blair with his pressure and tackling pressure
Krak with the magic
Cloke/Dawes with the power forward

Then you have Goldsack missing out assuming 1 of Sinclair or Elliot will step up and take that role

I would be happy to keep Goldsack in as i though he was great for us and grew into the role he might be needed down back this year though

 

[DaVe86]

Caff in his 2010 form with the pressaure and 1 on 1 marking
Blair with his pressure and tackling pressure
Krak with the magic
Cloke/Dawes with the power forward

Then you have Goldsack missing out assuming 1 of Sinclair or Elliot will step up and take that role

I would be happy to keep Goldsack in as i though he was great for us and grew into the role he might be needed down back this year though

It has been a good year in terms of building depth in our 22.

Ultimately we have more defensive options with Keefe now and Goldsack able to go back. Our midfield is a lot deeped with Sidebottom, Beams and Blair showing they can play in there....and our forward line has guys like Sinclair, Elliot, Paine and Goldsack who can have impact. Plus when we get Ball back, Blair and Sidebottom can go forward again.

We have a very good side.

 

[gifted1]

blair should be permanent f50
agree with dave
he is of no value around the packs in the midfield, just outsized by the big bodies in there these days
blair needs to play permanent forward that is where his value to the team is maximised, hitting the scoreboard, he might like to float around the midfield but 30+ goals would be much more valuable
next to useless as a mid