Bock looks back

[Stiffy_18]

Bock looks back
10:39:13 AM Tue 18 January, 2005
Matt Robran
afc.com.au/Sportal
For a player who booted two goals with his first two kicks in the AFL, Nathan Bock surprisingly wants to settle into Adelaide's defence in 2005.

Tall (193 centimetres) and athletic, Bock believes he plays his best football in the back half.

"My first goal is to play every game and I would like to cement a spot in the back six," he said.

"We have a few forwards who are looking fit. I don't mind playing a forward role but I think I play my best footy in the back lines.

"I hope to be able to continue on from the last five or six games last season when I played centre half-back."

Bock, 22 in March, was a real find for the Crows in 2004. Elevated off the rookie list in 2002, he made his debut against Richmond in round five last season and consistency enabled him to retain his place.

With the ability to play a key position at either end of the ground, Bock says he will benefit this season from having played on some of the game's great forwards last year.

"It was a good learning curve to be able to stand the likes of Warren Tredrea and Nick Riewoldt," he said.

"I was able to pick up on some of the little things they did and hopefully I can add them to my game if I'm playing up forward.

"It was a challenge to stand these players and I will be better prepared if I play on them again."

Bock joined an illustrious group of debutant AFL players by becoming the 126th member of the goal-from-first-kick club.

And he promptly elevated himself into a more elite group of 29 players who have goaled with their first two kicks.

Admitting he had some good fortune in making his debut last season, Bock said: "Naturally it was good to play 18 games in the end, but I think injuries to some key players assisted me in getting into the side.

"But to cement my place in the 22 by year's end was pleasing and hopefully I can play more consistently this season."

Bock is determined to add some more muscle to his already solid 90-kilogram frame before the Wizard Cup kicks off for the Crows against Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on February 20.

"I'm feeling much stronger, even though I have put on only an extra kilo at this stage," he said. "I would like to add another three or four kilos and play at about 93-94kg, which would probably be an ideal playing weight."

 

[No 1 Draft Pick]

"I'm feeling much stronger, even though I have put on only an extra kilo at this stage," he said. "I would like to add another three or four kilos and play at about 93-94kg, which would probably be an ideal playing weight."

I thought he had put on 5-6kgs??

 

[Damp Squarie]

Hell for a bloke to have played 18 games lasy year I reckon he was hardly sighted.

Is a good size and learning to play the back half first is a good thing. With Nigel gone Bocks height will be of value if he can cement a spot.
It a hard caper to learn though.

 

[noddy]

I have a few ? marks in regards to Bocks suitability to playing AFL footy & am yet to be convinced he will be up to it.

Always willing to eat humble pie of course.

 

[Cap]

I have a few ? marks in regards to Bocks suitability to playing AFL footy & am yet to be convinced he will be up to it.

Always willing to eat humble pie of course.

mmm Pie

My question would be - could he play FB ?
Truck mentioned he would like to play forward could there be a swap ?

I think Trucks agility problems wouldnt be as great at CHF plus the guy is a mountain so that isnt going to hurt his chances, also playing a year a full back has probably given him the ideal learning curve (learning of barry hall, GT etc)

bock is more like the nigel smart type player and is a little more agile than Truck ? worth a try in the wizard cup ?? (short term pain for long term gain ?)

 

[No 1 Draft Pick]

mmm Pie

My question would be - could he play FB ?
Truck mentioned he would like to play forward could there be a swap ?

I think Trucks agility problems wouldnt be as great at CHF plus the guy is a mountain so that isnt going to hurt his chances, also playing a year a full back has probably given him the ideal learning curve (learning of barry hall, GT etc)

bock is more like the nigel smart type player and is a little more agile than Truck ? worth a try in the wizard cup ?? (short term pain for long term gain ?)

I agree. I have been saying this for a while - Rutten may not end up as FB by the end of 2005 IMO. If Perrie fails/injured then who is better suited to play CHF in 2005 than Rutten? I cant see anyone else jumping out at me - especially if Stevens plays closer to goal.

Rutten at CHF would leave Bock or Smith as possible FB options assuming Bassett and Hart stay in the pockets. Thats the scary bit

 

[CaptainDangerfield]

Bloody hell, Robran could teach Goebbels a thing or two about propaganda. The old " if you tell a lie enough times people will start to believe it" routine.
I find the majority of Robrans articles to be garbage. I wish Bocky all the best for 2005, but c'mon Robran, we're not that stupid.

 

[Blue Red and Gold]

I like having Truck at FB and I would not want this to change, for so long we have cried out to have a big strong body down back to release the guys like Bassett and Benny, now we have one and we want to move him?

As for Bock, Im not really all that enthused about him, if he comes on in leaps and bounds, great, if not, Im not suprised and it will be time to move on.

 

[conVINCEd]

At this stage, Bock is nowhere near my First XXII; we have a heap of options for the back flank, which is where he is best suited IMHO, simply because he isn't strong enough physically to play a KP.

My biggest concern over this though, is that if the AFC rates Bock, which they seem to do, why then have both he and Smith been retained, when they are both back-up options at best?

Seems to be an obvious waste of a list space (or two?). Hopefully they can both prove me horribly wrong.

 

[Stiffy_18]

At this stage, Bock is nowhere near my First XXII; we have a heap of options for the back flank, which is where he is best suited IMHO, simply because he isn't strong enough physically to play a KP.

My biggest concern over this though, is that if the AFC rates Bock, which they seem to do, why then have both he and Smith been retained, when they are both back-up options at best?

Seems to be an obvious waste of a list space (or two?). Hopefully they can both prove me horribly wrong.

Lets not forget AFC rated McGregor and Hentschel when not many supporters did

WAY too early to write Bock off just yet.

 

[Cap]

Lets not forget AFC rated McGregor and Hentschel when not many supporters did

WAY too early to write Bock off just yet.

yeah good point I remember hentschel first game when they were feeding him the ball so he could kick a goal - which he kept missing !

I dont think people didnt rate Mcgregor - they just rated Pavlich higher - but in hindsight I reckon I would go Mcgregor 99 times out of 100

mind you in 1996 I wouldnt have though Peter Caven was a premiership CHB

 

[macca23]

Lets not forget AFC rated McGregor and Hentschel when not many supporters did

WAY too early to write Bock off just yet.

Quite right.

He played 18 games straight in his first year of AFL footy, and in a wide variety of positions, and always showed glimpses IMO.

Has a fair way to go yet, but he just might get there.

On the other hand, Smith.........

 

[Stiffy_18]

yeah good point I remember hentschel first game when they were feeding him the ball so he could kick a goal - which he kept missing !

I dont think people didnt rate Mcgregor - they just rated Pavlich higher - but in hindsight I reckon I would go Mcgregor 99 times out of 100

mind you in 1996 I wouldnt have though Peter Caven was a premiership CHB

My point exactly.

Lets not forget AFC have seen these blokes for a few years now and know a LOT more about them than we do.

At the end of 2001 people wanted McGregor delisted and laughed off the suggestions that he will be the new CHB. 4 years down the track and he is our best KPP and one of the best CHBs in the league.

At the end of 2003 people on this board wanted Hentschel delisted. Now everyone picks him in their best 18.

Point is that a lot of people are making their judgments on Bock based on poor SANFL finals campaign. He was a young kid playing his first AFL season and he was always going to struggle towards the end of the year. He is not a seasoned veteran to play consistent footy.

Bock had some really promising games in 2004 for the Crows and showed that at least he has something that we can work at. He will never be a star but he could develop into a good work horse ala Perrie. You always need some depth in your squad. Every player can't be in the first 18. You need solid players on your list and Bock can develop into one. Whether he does is yet to be seen but lets not bag him just for the sake of bagging someone.

 

[Cap]

I think this come with the AFC "quick fix" mentality, we dont give people a long enough chance before we want them out for some new "savoiur" or in this case just to delist people to make a point about 04.

thats one thing supporters at AFC stop, just because a guy doesnt set the world on fire in their first year doesnt mean they cant play (that includes me aswell)

 

[drakeyv2]

I dont think people didnt rate Mcgregor - they just rated Pavlich higher - but in hindsight I reckon I would go Mcgregor 99 times out of 100

I didn't rate McGregor at all. I thought he was a big lumbering lump of a thing.
Come to think of it, he still is. I can't quite beleive the 3km times he runs.

He can play though. I am very happy to admit I was wrong about him.

I think Bock tends to get more than his far share of bagging on this board. He might not have set the world on fire last year, but unlike a few others, he did do enough to warrant another go this year.

My only question is given a full side, where does he play? I would think he is fighting with Bassett for spot as 3rd tall defender or would start on the bench. Is he competing for a spot with Ben Hart? Do we even have room back there for Rutten, McGregor, Bassett & Hart let alone Bock?

I must admit I have been surprised that no one here (at least none that I have seen) has questioned whether there is room for Bassett in the backline with Hart back & Rutten at FB. I would normally have expected Hart to take the 3rd opposition tall before Bassett.

 

[arrowman]

Bock, 22 in March, was a real find for the Crows in 2004..

Oh, please. I like the kid and I want to see him succeed, but “real find”? Give me a break.

bock is more like the nigel smart type player…

I’m glad you said that; I’ve thought that myself but was afraid to say it out loud in case people laughed at me. Not saying Bock is going to be as good as Nigel, but if he can improve to be a regular HBF, I see him playing that sort of role. Similar build, athleticism, etc.

… and is a little more agile than Truck ?

Why the question mark? I think Truck has to be the first choice FB and any change would be for matchups. In that event Bassett would be the next choice, I would have thought, although of course if you’re looking to the future you’d want to find a “younger Bassett”.
Bock hasn’t shown enough yet, and I think he lacks confidence. I’m not sure exposing him to the fire of FB is the way to go, better to let him settle as a regular HBF first.
Good question though - who is the “younger Bassett” on the list? Who would be the “look to the future” second choice FB where Truck is the wrong matchup?

Lets not forget AFC rated McGregor and Hentschel when not many supporters did

Absolutely.

 

[noddy]

Lets not forget AFC rated McGregor and Hentschel when not many supporters did

WAY too early to write Bock off just yet.

Haven't written Bock off completely yet Stiffy

Just sharpening the pencil.

 

[Stiffy_18]

I must admit I have been surprised that no one here (at least none that I have seen) has questioned whether there is room for Bassett in the backline with Hart back & Rutten at FB. I would normally have expected Hart to take the 3rd opposition tall before Bassett.

I haven't questioned it because I think Bassett makes the 18 in my books. I know many here don't rate him but he is in my back 6 along with Kenny, Truck, Hart, Torney and Johncock

 

[Stiffy_18]

Good question though - who is the “younger Bassett” on the list? Who would be the “look to the future” second choice FB where Truck is the wrong matchup?

Bock .

He could develop into a Bassett type. I know a lot of people don't rate him but I think Scott Stevens looks pretty good in defence and if he could bulk up could also be a "younger Bassett"

 

[CaptainDangerfield]

I think this come with the AFC "quick fix" mentality, we dont give people a long enough chance before we want them out for some new "savoiur" or in this case just to delist people to make a point about 04.

thats one thing supporters at AFC stop, just because a guy doesnt set the world on fire in their first year doesnt mean they cant play (that includes me aswell)

Good point. It's only early days yet, Bocky could prove us wrong. However, you won't change my mind on Smith and S Stevens. Both as soft as butter.

 

[noddy]

Both as soft as butter.

& Bock isn't ??

Can't say nothing about Smith as i have never seen him play so i shall reserve my astute judgment on him until then.

 

[Cap]

Good point. It's only early days yet, Bocky could prove us wrong. However, you won't change my mind on Smith and S Stevens. Both as soft as butter.

I can only comment on smith on what I've seen in the SANFL but your king of right in terms of stevens however to his defense he seems to be a confidence player and when he's confident he is quite capable of holding down a spot - but when he is cold - well he is cold

this year will see what happens - how long has he been playing for ? it would be a couple of years now

 

[drakeyv2]

I haven't questioned it because I think Bassett makes the 18 in my books. I know many here don't rate him but he is in my back 6 along with Kenny, Truck, Hart, Torney and Johncock

I thought you were a gee for Begley back there?

I got to tell ya, I reckon that your back 6 here is at least a yard short for pace.

I don't see room for Bassett, Hart & Torney in the same side unless one of them is at FB or CHB. Does depend on match ups though.

 

[arrowman]

OK, I’ll give my assessment of Nathan Bock:
- Tall , mobile, athletic, reasonably quick.
- Good skills (better kick than Kenny McG was at the same stage).
- A thinker - Clearly (to me) thinks about what he is doing - looks up for the options, clearly sizes up more than one.
But:
- Too slow in decision making. This may be confidence related; he doesn’t strike me as a confident player.
- Not yet strong enough. Needs to build up body. (waiting with interest to see what he’s achieved in the off season)
- Not hard enough. Doesn’t have to be “bash and crash” but he needs to impose himself more physically. Would like to see him taking more contested marks / crashing packs, and making more physical contests (a la Nigel Smart).

How'd I do?

 

[Mong]

I must be a poor judge because I have to admit, I thought Bock showed significantly more for us up forward than in defence.


****