Byron Pickett

[ptw]

well.....

what is going on with this guy. I rated him really highly and was always a bit miffed that Port missed picking him up when we had the chance.

It looks as though he lacks some key defensive skills....sort of a Jeff Farmer of the backline. He looks great running out of defense, or the obvious shirtfronts....but seems to be struggling with the ball coming into the North backline more frequently and more direct due to the lack of dominant midfielders in the North side.

In this situation, the ability to man up, and be accountable is key....and he seems to be lacking this, resulting in his opponent getting loose and kicking a few goals, further damaging his confidence.

Perhaps a run in the midfield....a sort of Mark Riccuito role of hard running midfielder ???

He is clearly not your biggest worry, but I thought his loss of form has been significant this year.

any views ??

ptw

 

[Shinboners]

Byron Pickett also started off last season slowly (same questions being asked then that are being asked now) but he recovered form so well that he shared North's best defensive player award with Jason McCartney.

Pickett is a confidence player. A few silly mistakes and the new charging/shepherding rules have hurt his confidence. He had a shocker against Essendon and that may still be playing on his mind.....also, playing in a backline that has been under constant siege in every game, sooner or later, the backline as a group breaks down (usually about 10minutes into the 3rd quarter). AS I've said elsewhere, the problems at North are not in the backline and midfield, it's in the forward line. If you're not getting the score on the board, it puts more pressure on the midfielders and defenders. If the forward line gets sorted out, then the pressure is on the opposition forwards to match our goal scoring which makes our defenders work that little bit easier.

It's been discussed here about whether Pickett should be moved into the midfield (comparisons to the move of McLeod from half back flank to centreline for Adelaide have been made). Personally, I'm for the move as it would add run to the centreline and his defensive skills would help in that area of the field. The only question is whether he has the stamina to play a whole game in the midfield.

[This message has been edited by Shinboners (edited 16 April 2001).]

 

[Carey_is_King]

PTW,
I have a theory in respect of aboriginal players, and I think it is borne out by the fact that not one of them has ever been any good at minding a man. They seem to be born with great balance and judgement, together with a smooth athletic running skill. Throw in some very good ball skills, and you are describing a rover/half forward flanker, and that is where most of them seem to play their best footy.
I agree with Shinners, he would probably serve us better on the ball.

------------------
Trample the Weak,
Hurdle the Dead.

 

[choppy]

I see him more as a centre player particulary at the ball ups where he could use his evasive skills to either clear the ball or his strength to lock the ball in.

He doesn't appear to have the finishing ie goal kicking skills to play a forward role although he hasn't had an opportunity and may prove me wrong.

Games are won from the midfield and forward line. It's no point defending if you cannot get a score.

Harvey and Grant to a half forward flank to feed of a Smith or Lange at CHF with Carey sitting in the square and Rocca on the lead.

King to a half back flank to provide run and Pickett to the centre ball ups to give us some presence. After the initial clearance he needs to drift back and let blokes like McClaren and Sinclair do the running through the centre in general play.