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Can Edwards deliver?

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Jeremias

Jeremias

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Sep 26, 2004
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As we know, Jake "The Snake" Edwards has had a fantastic preseason this year and has really put his hand up for senior selection this year from round 1.

Watching him on Friday, I was very impressed with him in the forward line and provided a great decoy for Fevola, kicking 3 goals.

Now, I expect that we're not the only ones that have been impressed with Jake, and that the coaching staff will take notice of his good form and give him a run.

I have no doubt that he deserves to play vs the Tigers in round 1, and I think that he will play.

The injury to Fisher really helps his cause. As we know, they are very similar players, and I expect Edwards to slot straight into Fisher's role in the team.

What do you expect from Jake this year? Does he have a role to play in the seniors even when Fish is back and fit?

I expect to see Jake play approximately 10 goals and average approximately a goal per game. Are they realistic expectations, or am I setting the bar too high?

I'm excited by Jake and his prospects this year. What are everybody's expectations of Jake Edwards in season 2008?
 
Time will tell, but I reckon he'll be a handy replacement for Fisher. Or at least another foil for Fev... that is of course assuming he can keep his pre season form. I hope the kid goes well, but I don't want him turning into another Merrington - as a forward we know how well he did in one pre season and disappeared of the map when the real stuff came.

I'd expect 20+ goals from him if he were to play the whole season, I think that's fair enough.
 
From what we've seen, you'd think that Jake will have a pretty good year up forward, hopefully kicking a couple per game.

If he were to manage 30+ this season, along with a Fisher 40 and Fev 60, oooh, watch out:thumbsu:.
 

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Thrawn said:
True, true. Every year you should be aiming for the finals, no matter how shit you are. The confidence and playing that little bit harder might be very beneficial at the end.
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Exactly, no one ever gave up in the final quarter of a Grand Final:thumbsu:.
 
I was impressed with Jake in a few games with the Ants last season, but at the moment I just can't see a spot for him when Fish is fit.

He really needs to work on making himself a CHF, as that is the position up for grabs in our forward line longterm..I'm just not sure if he is ready for that yet. (Fish has proved to be injury prone, but I'm not sure if it would be a good move hanging out for Fish to be injured to get a game:D)

Very happy to be proved wrong though:):thumbsu:
 
I have watched him play for the Ants for the past 2 seasons and always preferred his game up forward rather than in the backline. IMO, he was very unlucky to not have debuted already, due to injury.

In the game against the Hawks a few weeks ago, I thought he looked lost and struggled to have an impact, of course keeping in mind that it was one of his first senior games.

On Friday he was terrific and I thought the system that he, Fev and Harts had worked wonderfully. He is quick off the mark and has a great set of hands. He actually reminds me of a young Fev.

I think the more game time we can get into Jake, the better he will be.

But is there enough room for Fev, Fisher, Hartlett and Edwards....?
 

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bluegal1983 said:
But is there enough room for Fev, Fisher, Hartlett and Edwards....?
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There is going to have to be if Fish is ready to come back and none of the others deserve to be dropped to the Bullants.

Is a forward line like this plausible?

HF: Fisher Hartlett Gibbs
F: Edwards Fevola Betts

I would love to see that, with the likes of Cloke, Houlihan, Kreuzer etc all rotating through at times.
 
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bluegal1983 said:
Four talls.....
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I know, but I still think that it could definitely work.

Have a look at who those talls are. It's not as if they are just crash and bash types. At least 2 of them are very good below their knees and can crumb.

They're flexible, can play tall, can play small, are fast, smart, and strong. I think it could work and would like to see it tried.
 
Jeremias said:
I know, but I still think that it could definitely work.

Have a look at who those talls are. It's not as if they are just crash and bash types. At least 2 of them are very good below their knees and can crumb.

They're flexible, can play tall, can play small, are fast, smart, and strong. I think it could work and would like to see it tried.
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Also, I'd like to see Fisher in a more of an O'keefe role this season - leading hard up the wings and even as far as the HBF at times. He's done it at times, and with his strong hands he could provide a good target through the middle of the ground.
 
"4 talls" doesnt mean what it used to. Its all about marking options and versatility of that forward line to create space and create goals against flooded defences. We can have 4 marking targets if some of those targets are good on the ground and can corrall on opposition defence.
 
blues4flag said:
Also, I'd like to see Fisher in a more of an O'keefe role this season - leading hard up the wings and even as far as the HBF at times. He's done it at times, and with his strong hands he could provide a good target through the middle of the ground.
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I can see Fisher playing this type of role as well. Perfect linkman IMO.
 

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Edwards looks like he can take some strong grabs and was also able to slot a couple of goals on Fri from near the boundary about 50 out. If you have him, Fev and Fisher and you're going to put Kreuzer mainly in the forward line, that would be enough talls. I think Edwards and Hartlett will be competing for a spot.
 
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The Real Deal said:
Edwards looks like he can take some strong grabs and was also able to slot a couple of goals on Fri from near the boundary about 50 out. If you have him, Fev and Fisher and you're going to put Kreuzer mainly in the forward line, that would be enough talls. I think Edwards and Hartlett will be competing for a spot.
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Not really, they're completely different types of bodies and players.

Edwards isn't a bash and crash type forward who can lead up and use his body, whereas Harts is.

Edwards is far more suited to a Fisher type role, and as has just been mentioned, he can also lead up from a flank onto the wings to provide a link which we often can't find when going forward.

I don't see them competing for a spot TBH.
 
bluegal1983 said:
I have watched him play for the Ants for the past 2 seasons and always preferred his game up forward rather than in the backline. IMO, he was very unlucky to not have debuted already, due to injury.

In the game against the Hawks a few weeks ago, I thought he looked lost and struggled to have an impact, of course keeping in mind that it was one of his first senior games.

On Friday he was terrific and I thought the system that he, Fev and Harts had worked wonderfully. He is quick off the mark and has a great set of hands. He actually reminds me of a young Fev.

I think the more game time we can get into Jake, the better he will be.

But is there enough room for Fev, Fisher, Hartlett and Edwards....?
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That probably sums Jake up. He seems best suited to being closer to goal.
He isn't going to take Fevs spot and Fish is our best contested mark. He needs to work on his decision making and his tank so he can play CHF IMO.

You are pretty well spot on doubting we can play four talls. The modern game is about keeping it in the forward third and four talls just can't do it. We are moving more towards two bigs and a few little blokes and mediums who play tall to chase and harass IMO.
 
drusswaylander said:
That probably sums Jake up. He seems best suited to being closer to goal.
He isn't going to take Fevs spot and Fish is our best contested mark. He needs to work on his decision making and his tank so he can play CHF IMO.

You are pretty well spot on doubting we can play four talls. The modern game is about keeping it in the forward third and four talls just can't do it. We are moving more towards two bigs and a few little blokes and mediums who play tall to chase and harass IMO.
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I agree that he seems best suited leading out of the goal square, however I really can't see him becoming a CHF. Both he and Fev are suited to playing close to goal and are lead up types, which makes it tough for Jake, who seems to struggle when played out of a pocket. Still, he is young and only entering his third season - play him deep inside 50 and formulate a gameplan where he and Fev can work well together.

Also, would that be your first post on the site without a smilie? :D
 
blues4flag said:
I agree that he seems best suited leading out of the goal square, however I really can't see him becoming a CHF. Both he and Fev are suited to playing close to goal and are lead up types, which makes it tough for Jake, who seems to struggle when played out of a pocket. Still, he is young and only entering his third season - play him deep inside 50 and formulate a gameplan where he and Fev can work well together.

Also, would that be your first post on the site without a smilie? :D
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Possibly..I just love a big grin:D..see:)

Call it my attempt to compensate for the problem of not being able to see facial expressions or body language that can contribute to the net being at times an unfriendly medium for communication;)
 
"Can Edwards Deliver?", well he's going to have to. Until Fish is back at least.

After that it all depends on how well they combine. If it looks like we're too tall down front someone's gonna have to make room. But for who though? We don't really have that Mark Williams kind of player on our list.
 

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