Bower

[Dramoth]

I stated last year (or the end of the year before) that Bower was going to be a part of our defence in the future and that he would turn into a good player once he got his confidence up.

Judging from a lot of the positive comments on here tonight, the boy did a good job and people are starting to believe in him (and his confidence seems to be up finally).

He still has a bit to go, but do people agree with me that he will make it now?

 

[blues4flag]

I've always had faith in Bower, and think people were unreasonably harsh to him last year, which seems to be the case which most youngsters who perform ordinarily. He's been good this preseason and again was good tonight - I definitely see him being a long term member of our side.

 

[Carlton Kid]

100% disposal efficiency

 

[Dramoth]

100% disposal efficiency

If thats what he had during this game... then it is a hell of a lot better than his 25% disposal efficiency of a season ago when the lad had no confidence and turned the ball over every time he kicked it... and got dragged virtually every time he kicked it...

At least now, he isnt going to get dragged when he makes a mistake and isnt allowed to learn from them.

 

[legendtofski]

You know, Bower is trying his guts out, and is conscious of his role in the team that he is playing. His awkwardness seems to put opposition players off. Hopefully he improves his game and composure on the ground, and we are not simply p!ssing in the wind with defenders ala Norman, Morrel, McGrath, Livo, Saddington, Teague etc..etc..etc like all you drongos have been the last 5 years, making excuses for guys who aren't AFL standard!

 

[HBF]

He'll be our big improver this year IMO. Just backs himself to run up the ground, and is good defensively. Can run himself into a bit of trouble, but continues to back himself.

 

[Dramoth]

You know, Bower is trying his guts out, and is conscious of his role in the team that he is playing. His awkwardness seems to put opposition players off. Hopefully he improves his game and composure on the ground, and we are not simply p!ssing in the wind with defenders ala Norman, Morrel, McGrath, Livo, Saddington, Teague etc..etc..etc like all you drongos have been the last 5 years, making excuses for guys who aren't AFL standard!

Norman... had a lot of potential, but wasted it...

Livo... had a lot of potential but got wasted thanks to ****wit Pagan and his butt buddy Mick... got exposed to the fullback roll about 2-3 years to early and got trashed thanks to Mick.

Teague... back pocket player forced to play on the flank... wasted his talent playing in a position that wasnt his thanks to our lack of depth at the time. Was a brilliant player when he was right on form and in the right position.

But as for Bower, he knows that this year he has to stamp his mark in the team and he is quite conscious that he has to impress this year or he will be gone at the end of the year.

Expect him to get a lot better as weeks go past towards the middle of the year when he will be showing how good he really is...

But as well, we can expect the odd bad week out of him as well. Dont judge him to harshly on those days, because he wants to play for the blues and will put in 100%

 

[aron_rox]

You know, Bower is trying his guts out, and is conscious of his role in the team that he is playing. His awkwardness seems to put opposition players off. Hopefully he improves his game and composure on the ground, and we are not simply p!ssing in the wind with defenders ala Norman, Morrel, McGrath, Livo, Saddington, Teague etc..etc..etc like all you drongos have been the last 5 years, making excuses for guys who aren't AFL standard!

i miss mgrath. I loved him. Was a super kick and would have come in handy today

 

[Dramoth]

He'll be our big improver this year IMO. Just backs himself to run up the ground, and is good defensively. Can run himself into a bit of trouble, but continues to back himself.

He is, IMO, a similar style of player as McKay... runs all day and will back himself off the HBF... I think that as his confidence improves, he will start running into a bit of trouble a lot less than he has in the past...

 

[drusswaylander]

Bower has always shown a bit.

Was unfortunately played out of position a few times that didn't help him. It is pretty difficult to overcome people's initial negative perceptions if a player comes in and does a few things wrong.

He has great courage. I have seen him twice back into packs and get cleaned up. The second time is always the one that shows a kids mettle as they now know it will hurt after the first experience.

Still has some raw edges(his handball technique is more a throw at times), but there is a lot to work with

 

[Mr.Kennedy]

You can see improvement every game in Bower.He is slowly bulking up.Confidence growing.Has speed and height. Like Dramoth said he won't get dragged all the time which will let him learn.I think he will be a part of our future.

 

[Dramoth]

You can see improvement every game in Bower.He is slowly bulking up.Confidence growing.Has speed and height. Like Dramoth said he won't get dragged all the time which will let him learn.I think he will be a part of our future.

To be honest, I see more of our future in Bower than I do in Russell...

And in the past, I have backed Russell to come good.

 

[Mayesy_23]

The thing about Bower is that he is consistantly improving. Does things each week that keeps imrpoving his image. That's my biggest confidence in him. The problem is that guys like Russell show a bit one week and then go missing the next.

 

[DaveyBlues]

He needs to improve his 1 on 1's (spoiling, sticking with his man etc.) When the balls in our possesion in the backline he's been doing fine at running it out but his defencive pressure isn't good enough at the moment.

 

[GPW1]

still has a bit of the "rabbit in the headlights" about him, but he seems to be getting better every game he plays.

 

[Beloved]

Bower was very solid last night, the jewell out of coal against Richmond.

Now if only we could convince him not to get any more silly tattoo's!

 

[blues4flag]

still has a bit of the "rabbit in the headlights" about him, but he seems to be getting better every game he plays.

One player who has a serious case of "rabbit in the headlights" is Grigg. I'm surprised he was played in front of Pfeiffer last night.

 

[Dramoth]

Bower was very solid last night, the jewell out of coal against Richmond.

Now if only we could convince him not to get any more silly tattoo's!

There is nothing wrong with tatt's mate

 

[gandaal]

I was at the game and I have to say that I didn't really notice him all that much. I did take note that he ran himself into trouble again but, unlike in the past, he managed to work himself out of it without coughing up the ball.

 

[Quazza]

There is nothing wrong with tatt's mate

agreed!

I like the way he takes the game on. Yes, sometimes he gets into trouble, but last night he showed a major improvement in picking his spots

 

[Doza]

Agree with the comments here. IMO he will be a big improver this year. Obviously still has a way to go, but he will develop into a solid defender for us.

 

[BlueBelle]

He needs to improve his 1 on 1's (spoiling, sticking with his man etc.) When the balls in our possesion in the backline he's been doing fine at running it out but his defensive pressure isn't good enough at the moment.

Agree with this 100%.

 

[Bomba Sheldon]

I like Bower and think that providing he gets game time will improve to be a very handy defender for us. Has good height and spoiling ability and will back himself to run off. Only downside is that he can occasionnaly get drawn into watching the game and not watching his opponent as hard as he should.

Is it just me or do others have their heart in their mouths when he takes a bounce, tries to baulk or does his shovel actioned handballs to get out of trouble?

Give him a fair dinkum chance to blossom i say!!

 

[thylacine60]

I've said it before when he runs the ball out of defence he looks like an emu on a busy highway.

 

[bLuEbOy1984]

i was at the game watched Bower really closely.. but i dont think he deserves the credit for anything, he IMO was below par maybe he had 100 % eff. but his ball watching and lack of committment to the man cost us very dearly, he has to play tighter... small things cost us goals and he was behind a number of them