Preview Changes vs. Sydney

[Bluelegs]

Here's the thing. Lever and Turner play the same position down back. Now Turner has been servicable but I'm prepared to say that Lever is a substantially better player in that role. However, Lever is also not known for being a physical defender, he's a reader of the play, he's all about getting to the right spots to make an impact. So you put him forward where he's going to be matched up against someone at all times, he will be physically outmatched at every single contest. I don't rate Turner as a forward but he has at least some experience in that role and can handle the physical stuff.

So as far as I see it the idea to play Lever forward would basically mean we are doing it to keep a worse version of him in defence so he can play a position he is horribly unsuited to playing.

 

[schmuttt]

I suppose a much more reasonable alternative to keep Turner in the team and down back would be dropping May at some point. But perhaps we're not quite ready for that conversation yet.

His form has really crept under the radar, next year almost needs to be a VFL/coach role.

 

[Bluelegs]

Have we thought of trying him as first ruck?

We gave James Harmes a go so…. Let’s at least keep our options open

RIP Robert Walls.

 

[Scythe]

Here's the thing. Lever and Turner play the same position down back. Now Turner has been servicable but I'm prepared to say that Lever is a substantially better player in that role. However, Lever is also not known for being a physical defender, he's a reader of the play, he's all about getting to the right spots to make an impact. So you put him forward where he's going to be matched up against someone at all times, he will be physically outmatched at every single contest. I don't rate Turner as a forward but he has at least some experience in that role and can handle the physical stuff.

So as far as I see it the idea to play Lever forward would basically mean we are doing it to keep a worse version of him in defence so he can play a position he is horribly unsuited to playing.

I love that you actually put thought into this, bless

 

[Bluelegs]

I love that you actually put thought into this, bless

 

[Theseventhhamster]

Lever should be employed as a runner. He's low key shit and has been for a while. He can read the play ahead, that's about it, Disco is well past what Lever can now do.

 

[Scythe]

Now Turner has been servicable but I'm prepared to say that Lever is a substantially better player in that role

Disco is well past what Lever can now do.

 

[Bluelegs]

Lever should be employed as a runner. He's low key shit and has been for a while. He can read the play ahead, that's about it, Disco is well past what Lever can now do.

You're right of course. It takes a special kind of player to pad out their stats with uncontested marks making three pointless attempts to switch only to go long down the line anyway.

 

[schmuttt]

Why am I reading about Lever forward

 

[Scythe]

Why am I reading about Lever forward

Boredom and/or a hankering for chaos

 

[Theseventhhamster]

Yeah I'll fight this one.

Lever was briefly great, roughly Jared Rivers levels, but it was fleeting. Dude reads the ball in the air and communicates based on that info. He's weak, he's got shit ankles, he is only a passable kick who needs time to execute. May can do his role, Disco can, Rivers can etc. He's a third guy who offers nothing the other way. We're a battling team, we can't carry him when we need a bunch of guys to play 1.3 roles while he's capable of about 0.8. He can do most of what we need from him as a runner or coach. It's just what it is. We can't carry dudes.

 

[Proper Gander]

Why am I reading about Lever forward

Because it’s one of the great innovations that sometimes originate on this remarkable forum, Schmuttt

 

[Proper Gander]

Yeah I'll fight this one.

Lever was briefly great, roughly Jared Rivers levels, but it was fleeting. Dude reads the ball in the air and communicates based on that info. He's weak, he's got shit ankles, he is only a passable kick who needs time to execute. May can do his role, Disco can, Rivers can etc. He's a third guy who offers nothing the other way. We're a battling team, we can't carry him when we need a bunch of guys to play 1.3 roles while he's capable of about 0.8. He can do most of what we need from him as a runner or coach. It's just what it is. We can't carry dudes.

That’s fine but I think it needs to be changed to “Premiership Champion Lever…” after that you can go down that route or anywhere else.

 

[Theseventhhamster]

That’s fine but I think it needs to be changed to “Premiership Champion Lever…” after that you can go down that route or anywhere else.

As in at the start? I'll accept that edit and clarify that I will always have an amount of enduring love for him and everyone else who make the premiership a thing.

 

[mrmonkey]

Here's the thing. Lever and Turner play the same position down back. Now Turner has been servicable but I'm prepared to say that Lever is a substantially better player in that role. However, Lever is also not known for being a physical defender, he's a reader of the play, he's all about getting to the right spots to make an impact. So you put him forward where he's going to be matched up against someone at all times, he will be physically outmatched at every single contest. I don't rate Turner as a forward but he has at least some experience in that role and can handle the physical stuff.

So as far as I see it the idea to play Lever forward would basically mean we are doing it to keep a worse version of him in defence so he can play a position he is horribly unsuited to playing.

I can't help myself, will need to add to the discussion. Lever is a great reader of the ball as it comes into the backline but it's a very different doing it as a forward. Being physical is on aspect but knowing when to block, when to lead, where to lead, creating space ect is a completely different ball game. Lever would be completely lost forward and would be another cog in a dysfunctional forward line.

 

[Crusty Demon]

I'd try May as a FF before playing Lever forward. But while Petty is doing ok, I'd leave it. We look so much better with a smaller forward setup. I think AJ is an ordinary player, but I'd rather use him as a 2nd ruck option than JVR or Petty. I like Turner as a defender. But agree that he plays pretty much the exact same way as Lever. I know the club is celebrating the return of Viney and Lever, but i think we look better without both.

 

[The Dr]

Let's have a few pages discussing using Gawn as a winger next please.

 

[Dancing Potato]

Let's have a few pages discussing using Gawn as a winger next please.

I've always thought Max had potential as a nuggety, small lockdown defender.

 

[Demon Attack]

Let's have a few pages discussing using Gawn as a winger next please.

Late career Richo but taller!

 

[melbun]

I've always thought Max had potential as a nuggety, small lockdown defender.

Good. No Max set shots.

 

[Scythe]

Good. No Max set shots.

He'll still have a ping from the back pocket

 

[DemonZombie_001]

I'd try May as a FF before playing Lever forward. But while Petty is doing ok, I'd leave it. We look so much better with a smaller forward setup. I think AJ is an ordinary player, but I'd rather use him as a 2nd ruck option than JVR or Petty. I like Turner as a defender. But agree that he plays pretty much the exact same way as Lever. I know the club is celebrating the return of Viney and Lever, but i think we look better without both.

Just use AJ as a battering ram. I think that is the dest use for him and shields other players

 

[Scythe]

Missed this. Some good points in here (mainly from OTC as you'd expect). Lewis is pretty firm on the fact that we can't play Oliver and Viney in the midfield and that Rivers needs to be prioritised ahead of one of them.

 

[SugarHealey]

I like you, sugar. Your ideas are a bit different and I think that adds something important to forum discussion.

Since you are honest, I will try to be also. This idea is one of the craziest ideas I’ve ever heard.

Having said that, I would enjoy seeing it happen because it would be genuinely hilarious. Lever kicking a goal is one of the all time funniest things I have ever seen.

On balance I’m with you. If you can’t be good be funny

IF lever is so important (with connections at the club) to be in the side... do not break up the winning formulae down back, and in our forward-line.
Turner looks great down back, is a nice kick of the footy and can move it on quickly, with some foot-speed and/or a nice field kick. He is the answer to transforming our game-style.

TMc is a player who definitely can play on the bigger guys, one on one... so he has to stay in, especially with May just going physically, after his foot issue.
May is an elite kick of the footy who can transform our game if we want to attack. He can also play as a swing-man.

SO, all in all, leave the defence the #uck-alone... and play lever forward as a decoy, and blocker, with his IQ to use. He hurts us down back, with his ultra slow defence-first, old ways.

Just like Melk did a number of times this past match, when Melk played a best on game on Harris, blocking him in aerial ball contests, and bringing Harris to ground, cowboy style... all but hog-tied him.
Lever has the timing and footy IQ to play Petty's foil, and as a defensive tall forward.


Back in the day Barassi played 'jude Giles' at CHF, from the back-line... as a mobile running CHF. It worked a treat, and i can tell you that Rivers can also play this role from CHF. He is big enough and strong enough to pull off this same role.

Salem... hmmn. One dimensional... writing is on the wall.

Is it time to try Sparrow as a tough small medium defender... with some ruggedness.? We are trialing many new faces in our midfield brigade, so Spazz might just make it down in the pocket.

 

[SugarHealey]

It’s honestly not the worst idea I have heard.

Also I’m hoping that over this year and next, everyone on our list gets a crack up forward

Not at the expence of Johnson. Johnson was also instrumental to our win... with his spontaneous aggressive plays and ruck-work.