Opinion Cameron Guthrie

[FredLeDeux]

Hunt on Dangerfield….hmmmmm…I had him on Betts….sounds better to me! Tough ask to tag those two….MC have some decisions to make.

They'll spread the work around, neither Guthrie nor Hunt would be able to go all day with the other two; probably each of them will have a "rest" at some stage on Betts.
The real key is to stop Dangerfield having one (or more?!) of his massive quarters.

 

[Partridge]

Enright will run through the midfield at various times, and he will be damaging…I reckon Kelly and Guthrie will rotate thru half back/mid with him...

Love to know why at Enright's age, having never played midfield at any point in his career, why you would want to try that out now. Especially as he's looked in absolutely perfect nick in his usual position in the pre-season.

I really hope that's just Scott talking garbage for media consumption. We neither need nor want Enright in the midfield this year. We do need him grooming Taylor Hunt or Thurlow or Bews in the backline however.

 

[David the Cat]

Love to know why at Enright's age, having never played midfield at any point in his career, why you would want to try that out now. Especially as he's looked in absolutely perfect nick in his usual position in the pre-season.

I really hope that's just Scott talking garbage for media consumption. We neither need nor want Enright in the midfield this year. We do need him grooming Taylor Hunt or Thurlow or Bews in the backline however.

Of course your entitled to that opinion …..giving him a run through the midfield at various times makes perfect sense to me.

As for "grooming" he can do that at training and when he's in the back line…..giving him a free reign now and again doesn't preclude him from "grooming" other players and mentally frees him up, which might lead him to enjoying his footy a little more, and perhaps we may even get one more year out of him.

His mobility, reading of the play and immaculate foot skills could provide quality service to our forwards. We are down on personnel particularly forward of centre…its time to think outside the box, which appears not to be one of your strong points.

And…...some of the best grooming comes from setting an example…inspiring teammates through your endeavor and exhibiting your skills.

Hunt, Thurlow and Bews are not children…they are professional footballers…if they need Enright to hold their hand in the heat of battle we have more problems than I thought. And there's a bloke called Taylor (vice captain) and a talker called Mackie who are equally capable of grooming players….not to mention the experience of Rivers and Lonergan.

You placing the onus on Enright alone for this task is just plain wrong…your response to the suggestion of occasionally running Enright through the middle smacks of conservatism, and makes our set up entirely predictable.

There's nothing wrong with having options…

 

[Corio cat]

Of course your entitled to that opinion …..giving him a run through the midfield at various times makes perfect sense to me.

As for "grooming" he can do that at training and when he's in the back line…..giving him a free reign now and again doesn't preclude him from "grooming" other players and mentally frees him up, which might lead him to enjoying his footy a little more, and perhaps we may even get one more year out of him.

His mobility, reading of the play and immaculate foot skills could provide quality service to our forwards. We are down on personnel particularly forward of centre…its time to think outside the box, which appears not to be one of your strong points.

And…...some of the best grooming comes from setting an example…inspiring teammates through your endeavor and exhibiting your skills.

Hunt, Thurlow and Bews are not children…they are professional footballers…if they need Enright to hold their hand in the heat of battle we have more problems than I thought. And there's a bloke called Taylor (vice captain) and a talker called Mackie who are equally capable of grooming players….not to mention the experience of Rivers and Lonergan.

You placing the onus on Enright alone for this task is just plain wrong…your response to the suggestion of occasionally running Enright through the middle smacks of conservatism, and makes our set up entirely predictable.

There's nothing wrong with having options…

That makes sense. He can like guthrie always go back when needed, i look at our backline and see corey, mackie,rivers,lonergan +kelly in pre season -all approaching or 30+ and wonder how we expect to bring on the next wave of defenders i.e our starting back 6/7 on thursday will most likley only have taylor hunt as a youngish player with some leg speed, just an observation and i cant think of any injured defenders apart from billie who is unproven in defense. Be interesting how the MC handle the transition over the next couple of years.

 

[bulletproof]

Obviously moving Enright to the midfield is not a sensible, considered move. I was just attracted to the idea of him just going there and dominating, like an overexcited fan might be entitled to do a few days out from a season. I don't think they are going to give me the magnets on Thursday night so I don't have to over think it.

 

[Partridge]

and that's where the issue lies as they won't get any of that grooming if Boris is doing his best work in that position. We may see more of what some disdained this year...blokes playing in positions they may not appear suited too (for the meantime) but it's to help develop players all across the field.

What, you mean like Guthrie didn't benefit from playing there last year alongside Enright? Obviously not it seems.

 

[El Dubya]

What, you mean like Guthrie didn't benefit from playing there last year alongside Enright? Obviously not it seems.

To back this up Joel Corey said Guthrie was an amazing listener and great learner, and he's clearly taken on a lot from Enright. Getting this thread back on track, this is part of the reason I'd like to see Guthrie running through the midfield quite a bit this year. Have him learning from Selwood, getting used to reading the play through the midfield, and at the same time having Bews/Thurlow/Hunt spending time with Enright and seeing first hand how the best in the business go about it.

 

[Corio cat]

Obviously moving Enright to the midfield is not a sensible, considered move. I was just attracted to the idea of him just going there and dominating, like an overexcited fan might be entitled to do a few days out from a season. I don't think they are going to give me the magnets on Thursday night so I don't have to over think it.

Just an observation, normally what CS says comes to fruition at some point re public player comments- positioning and selection, i.e if he normally "floats" something about it often happens. Is CS idea of midfield for Enright different to the fans, for example last year Mackie and Bartel played the 7th defender/+1 role- defensive wing/playmaker floating across half back and setting up the defensive formation we use, is this the midfield role CS is mentioning/ which could be argued is still a defensive position but not as deep as normal/is this just to cover Boris in his later years when his legs might be slowing and a match up harder to find?. "If" this was what CS is floating means it prolongs Boris career and gives Boris another role that he would handle on his ear 'should ' he have trouble in the future on a super quick small forward, i'm all for it. CS is a smart man, he knows his stars are ageing. This doesn't mean he would play further up the ground as a coaching preference, it means he could if it suited the flexibility of the team re match ups. versatility is the catch cry CS has used over the pre season.

 

[Partridge]

His mobility, reading of the play and immaculate foot skills could provide quality service to our forwards. We are down on personnel particularly forward of centre…its time to think outside the box, which appears not to be one of your strong points.

Are we? From the midfield to the forward line we've got Kelly, Stokes, Selwood, Caddy, Horlin-Smith, Guthrie, Johnson, Duncan, Varcoe and Bartel. Plus Blicavs (almost certainly will play wing), McCarthy and Murdoch.

Here's another way to think, we have a game to win Thursday night, and a sound strategy is do what the opposition likes least. Now, do you think Adelaide worry more about Enright in the midfield (where he's never played), or on a half back flank where he's won 2 best and fairests (both in premiership years), and won 5 All-Australian spots? My thinking is what works best for winning this week, which appears not to be one of your strong points.

Hunt, Thurlow and Bews are not children…they are professional footballers…if they need Enright to hold their hand in the heat of battle we have more problems than I thought. And there's a bloke called Taylor (vice captain) and a talker called Mackie who are equally capable of grooming players….not to mention the experience of Rivers and Lonergan.

True. How many of Taylor, Mackie, Rivers and Lonergan are small defenders?

Tell me, did Cameron Guthrie get better or worse last year playing alongside Enright? Not only playing alongside him, but playing the exact same role - as a small defender.

It's a simple choice, one option is Enright + Taylor Hunt or Thurlow. One experienced hand, one promising youngster. If one gets in trouble swap them around or push Guthrie back there (presuming he's in the midfield). Or, you can shift Enright to the middle, and play Taylor Hunt and Thurlow as our small defenders. No problem. As you say, they aren't children so won't need any help at all.

You placing the onus on Enright alone for this task is just plain wrong…your response to the suggestion of occasionally running Enright through the middle smacks of conservatism, and makes our set up entirely predictable.

I'm not placing the onus on anyone. Apparently overnight it seems Enright can't play half back flank. Fine. Put him somewhere else, even better, put Bews and Thurlow in as small defenders (remember, in your own words - they're not children) and see how well that goes.

There's nothing wrong with having options…

There's a difference between having options that might work, and moving players away from positions that work all the time.

 

[Partridge]

To back this up Joel Corey said Guthrie was an amazing listener and great learner, and he's clearly taken on a lot from Enright. Getting this thread back on track, this is part of the reason I'd like to see Guthrie running through the midfield quite a bit this year. Have him learning from Selwood, getting used to reading the play through the midfield, and at the same time having Bews/Thurlow/Hunt spending time with Enright and seeing first hand how the best in the business go about it.

To me we've got 2 good small defenders - Enright and Guthrie (Enright is much better than "good" obviously). Ideally I'd want both of them there, but I at least want one. Seeing as Guthrie has played mostly in midfield in the pre-season, and Enright has played entirely in defence, it seems odd that now he apparently shouldn't play there. Especially as he's been in brilliant form so far.

 

[El Dubya]

To me we've got 2 good small defenders - Enright and Guthrie (Enright is much better than "good" obviously). Ideally I'd want both of them there, but I at least want one. Seeing as Guthrie has played mostly in midfield in the pre-season, and Enright has played entirely in defence, it seems odd that now he apparently shouldn't play there. Especially as he's been in brilliant form so far.

Well I think they'll both still play a significant amount of time down back, I'm thinking Enright around 75% in the backline, 25% in the midfield. I think the decrease in rotations is part of the reason this will be the case. Maybe Guthrie will rest down back instead of on the bench, and Enright will rack up a few centre clearances. I'm confident that one of Guthrie and Enright will be in the backline throughout the game.

 

[bulletproof]

Well I think they'll both still play a significant amount of time down back, I'm thinking Enright around 75% in the backline, 25% in the midfield. I think the decrease in rotations is part of the reason this will be the case. Maybe Guthrie will rest down back instead of on the bench, and Enright will rack up a few centre clearances. I'm confident that one of Guthrie and Enright will be in the backline throughout the game.

Hope so!

 

[El Dubya]

Hope so!

Honestly the only way I can see this not happening is if Bews/Thurlow/Hunt are in All Australian type form.

 

[FredLeDeux]

I'm not placing the onus on anyone. Apparently overnight it seems Enright can't play half back flank. Fine. Put him somewhere else, even better, put Bews and Thurlow in as small defenders (remember, in your own words - they're not children) and see how well that goes..

Da coach no say dat.

 

[Vdubs]

It would be something if Enright went into the midfield and produced an All Australian season there in his autumn years wouldn't it?

I'd stick with Guthrie in the backline, he is developing nicely there.

Agree, but he's shown some true ability as a mid recently too- if Thurlow & THunt can cover our back spots, CG could be a revelation as a mid. Flexibility.

 

[Vdubs]

Guthrie may run with Sloane, at least some of the time, and maybe Hunt ditto with Dangerfield.

What about Varcoe as a run-with role v Adelaide? Pace and smarts.

 

[Partridge]

What about Varcoe as a run-with role v Adelaide? Pace and smarts.

Zero defensive ability. No thanks. Let him play on a wing, he's got a much better chance of hurting Adelaide there.

 

[Vdubs]

Zero defensive ability. No thanks. Let him play on a wing, he's got a much better chance of hurting Adelaide there.

Sloane needs a really superquick run with, as does Danger. IF we are using CG as a mid, IF, what do you suggest?

 

[FredLeDeux]

Sloane needs a really superquick run with, as does Danger. IF we are using CG as a mid, IF, what do you suggest?

I think Guthrie is certain to run with Sloane for some of the time, as he did so effectively with Wells, but he won't be able to keep it up for more than a half.
I think Hunt is certain to run with Dangerfield for some of the time, as he did so effectively with Harvey, but he won't be able to keep it up for more than a half.
It's up to the rest of the boys to set up a winning lead in that half.

 

[Partridge]

ah no he hasn't Partridge, in fact, go back and watch the practice games again and just pay attention to the job he did in not only stopping his direct opponent but also applying the second efforts in which everyone are currently lauding Fremantle with.

I think Guthrie would be the one the MC look at assigning a run with roll personally as he's a much stronger/bigger unit all together but saying Varcoe has zero defensive ability is incorrect.

Fair call, yes maybe that's incorrect and poorly worded on my part.

Having said that, I certainly wouldn't advocate Varcoe as a run with player ahead of Guthrie. For as much reason as that Varcoe's attacking strengths (at his best) are at least as good as Guthrie's defensive abilities.

 

[Partridge]

I think Guthrie is certain to run with Sloane for some of the time, as he did so effectively with Wells, but he won't be able to keep it up for more than a half.
I think Hunt is certain to run with Dangerfield for some of the time, as he did so effectively with Harvey, but he won't be able to keep it up for more than a half.
It's up to the rest of the boys to set up a winning lead in that half.

You don't think Guthrie would go straight to Dangerfield? He'd be the more dangerous player to mind you would think.

 

[Partridge]

Sloane needs a really superquick run with, as does Danger. IF we are using CG as a mid, IF, what do you suggest?

Guthrie and Taylor Hunt. Both got speed and both are used to playing defensive roles.

As Bobby corrected me, Varcoe might have been doing that a little more in the pre-season games. But I see his strengths are as an attacking player, and I don't know whether you would want Varcoe to sacrifice that side of his game to purely negate someone. Whereas with a Taylor Hunt it's a more logical fit.

 

[Corio cat]

Good options in relation to taking a key post against a quality small forward?

You have to be joking?

Please explain how you would know that? Have they failed

I think Guthrie is certain to run with Sloane for some of the time, as he did so effectively with Wells, but he won't be able to keep it up for more than a half.
I think Hunt is certain to run with Dangerfield for some of the time, as he did so effectively with Harvey, but he won't be able to keep it up for more than a half.
It's up to the rest of the boys to set up a winning lead in that half.

Based on pre season Taylor Hunt will play as a small lock down defender and I reckon Cam Guthrie will go with Dangerfield as the run with in middle and maybe back as well , Taylor Hunt has played 3 x reasonable games as a small defender no time in midfield and prob showed last year he lacked a bit of physical strength in his mid field tags, so I reckon CS has shown his card there. just my opinion if dangerfield is in midfield don't think Taylor will be with him- BUt we will soon find out.

 

[FredLeDeux]

You don't think Guthrie would go straight to Dangerfield? He'd be the more dangerous player to mind you would think.

No, I think it will go as I suggested because Hunt is the physically stronger and more equal to Dangerfield, while Guthrie is better suited to the slighter non-stop runner in Sloane.
But we have to stop them both, they've been equally damaging in the past, and the two taggers might swap as you suggest.
And they definitely won't be up to it on their own in either case, they'll need a rest/rests and cut-outs.

 

[FredLeDeux]

Based on pre season Taylor Hunt will play as a small lock down defender and I reckon Cam Guthrie will go with Dangerfield as the run with in middle and maybe back as well , Taylor Hunt has played 3 x reasonable games as a small defender no time in midfield and prob showed last year he lacked a bit of physical strength in his mid field tags, so I reckon CS has shown his card there. just my opinion if dangerfield is in midfield don't think Taylor will be with him- BUt we will soon find out.

Hunt spent the whole of the 1st half v NM tagging Harvey, starting with him on the wing, and forcing Harvey to move from the wing to the FP because the tag was so effective - only 7 disposals in the 1st half.
In the 2nd half Hunt stayed in defence when Harvey went back on to the ball where, untagged, he became one of their better players.
CS has shown by his actions that he is likely to use Hunt in both roles.