Clarke v Bradley

[malpaso]

Interesting to see what Lyon does in this regard heading into next week and then the finals. I'm of the opinion that we are better and more threatening with Clarke in the side, he is a monster tackler and will only get better with playing time. He provides a better ruck relief option than Bradley which is important in the finals to maintain pressure in the middle. In the forward half, Clarke also commands more attention than Bradley although Bradley may be more adept at clearing out or leading to the right spot.

Thoughts?

 

[caterina]

Clarke

 

[freoextra]

Interesting to see what Lyon does in this regard heading into next week and then the finals. I'm of the opinion that we are better and more threatening with Clarke in the side, he is a monster tackler and will only get better with playing time. He provides a better ruck relief option than Bradley which is important in the finals to maintain pressure in the middle. In the forward half, Clarke also commands more attention than Bradley although Bradley may be more adept at clearing out or leading to the right spot.

Thoughts?

Same old arguments. It is a given that Clarke is far better in the ruck and has potentially great athletic ability but at the moment only one of them knows how to play in the foward line and that is Keplar (forgetting the concussed effort today). Clarke is a great prospect but is not making much of an impression at the moment.

 

[BananaOnTheRun]

the only things holding clarke back are his contested marking and his set shots. his marking seems to have improved a little, pulled in a couple of decent ones yesterday, but his shots on goal are rubbish for someone who's meant to be a forward. needs to be a pet project for suma in the preseason.

 

[Mudd]

it's a fairly tough call, both are B grade forwards with clarke being the better ruckman, having said that I wouldn't be confident if either lined up for a shot after the siren

 

[Nickos66]

Neither are renowned goal kickers, they're about even in that regard, it'll come down to which fills more other roles in the team.

Clarke for mine at the moment, obviously.

 

[longsuffreosupp]

Bradley for me (assuming he's right to go)

Is a good lead up player, contests well, and maybe no coincidence that since he has been in the side the forward line is a bit more organised.

 

[tacopavlich]

Clarke, his marking has improved leaps and bounds and competes well in the ruck. When he's out there he's so athletic it's almost like having another midfielder.

 

[Kepfan]

Kep has the runs on the board and has the killer good looks.
Clarke will be a monster in a few years just need to get some games into him.
At the moment I would play Kep if fit but next year could be a very different story!

 

[Arcassius]

Keps for structure ... Neither for goal kicking ...

 

[paul8241]

Keps for structure ... Neither for goal kicking ...

+1

Clarke is a little less consistent, Bradley is more confident until he has a set shot.

 

[Kram]

Kepler has been ordinary recently but I'd still probably lean towards him over Clarke at this stage of the season.

 

[Sman-21]

Unfortunately its keps not for ability, but just for structure.
He understands how to play as a forward and knows where to move to to provide options or make space for other options.
He gets more involved but nothing ever comes from his posessions.
All he provides is good structure.

Clarke has no idea what he is doing in the forward line and often finds himself in the wrong positions to provide an option, also doesnt work hard enough to create space for other options.
Clarke has more ability and is a much better option long term.
Only way for him to learn though is to be given more games.
Absolutely must play him more next season to help his development.

 

[pavsbootlace]

If we're aiming for this year's flag - Kep.

If we're aiming for next years flag - Zac.

 

[malpaso]

If we're aiming for this year's flag - Kep.

If we're aiming for next years flag - Zac.

I guess that's kind of my point, I'd forego this year just to get games into Clarke. Our structure was fine with or without Kep in yesterday, you could argue that it was better in the second half.

 

[malpaso]

Unfortunately its keps not for ability, but just for structure.
He understands how to play as a forward and knows where to move to to provide options or make space for other options.
He gets more involved but nothing ever comes from his posessions.
All he provides is good structure.

Clarke has no idea what he is doing in the forward line and often finds himself in the wrong positions to provide an option, also doesnt work hard enough to create space for other options.
Clarke has more ability and is a much better option long term.
Only way for him to learn though is to be given more games.
Absolutely must play him more next season to help his development.

All good points, I just see us getting more significant impact with Clarke being able to compete in the ruck, with Sandi or Clarke up forward resting (given Pav is down there) it doesn't really matter. Sandi is no better as a forward than Clarke.

 

[free at last]

Unfortunately its keps not for ability, but just for structure.
He understands how to play as a forward and knows where to move to to provide options or make space for other options.
He gets more involved but nothing ever comes from his posessions.
All he provides is good structure.

Clarke has no idea what he is doing in the forward line and often finds himself in the wrong positions to provide an option, also doesnt work hard enough to create space for other options.
Clarke has more ability and is a much better option long term.
Only way for him to learn though is to be given more games.
Absolutely must play him more next season to help his development.

listening to RTB a few minutes ago, lyon thought Clarke was fantastic.I think Clarke will take Keps place as long he produces like he did on the weekend.

 

[mr.11]

Clarke for me! But does need to kick straight but the same can be said about Kep.

Does Ross Lyon give Sandilands and Griffin together another go???

 

[DOCKERZ]

I do like Clarke, question is, can he play a role with Pav in the side, with no research I'd suggest Pav's goal scoring with Kep in the side is significantly better than with Zac in..

 

[Purple Suit]

the only things holding clarke back are his contested marking and his set shots. his marking seems to have improved a little, pulled in a couple of decent ones yesterday, but his shots on goal are rubbish for someone who's meant to be a forward. needs to be a pet project for suma in the preseason.

He"ll win mark of the round. That pack mark was brilliant!

I vote Clarke. His defensive efforts are better and gives us insurance if Sandi goes down. Also as per another poster, will need him for next year's final series so experience is important.

 

[Seppo]

He"ll win mark of the round. That pack mark was brilliant!

I vote Clarke. His defensive efforts are better and gives us insurance if Sandi goes down. Also as per another poster, will need him for next year's final series so experience is important.

Not sure he'll get Mark of the round.
Has to compete with Notacluey with a simple, almost uncontested one handed save on the goal line from missed set shot...

 

[FreoRicci]

Clarke, to put it simply, is OUR nicnat. Has that raw potential and talent that he can take a massive grab such as yesterday's whilst also running hard and tackling in defence. This kid can be the goods if he actually puts on several kilos, he is still looking so lean and easy to push around. Kepler of late haven't really been winning one on ones and goalkicking has been atrocious but offers more in terms of structure and experience short term.

 

[Freo2012]

Clarke, to put it simply, is OUR nicnat. Has that raw potential and talent that he can take a massive grab such as yesterday's whilst also running hard and tackling in defence. This kid can be the goods if he actually puts on several kilos, he is still looking so lean and easy to push around. Kepler of late haven't really been winning one on ones and goalkicking has been atrocious but offers more in terms of structure and experience short term.

Agree - unfortunately we also need to get game time into Clarke - remember how NicNat was in those first 2 years and yet we must agree/concede he is a very important player for the eagles now.

Certainly next season i think Clarke needs to play every game, as long as his intensity/endeavour is there.

 

[valkorum]

Keps for structure ... Neither for goal kicking ...

Keps for structure
Clarke for backup ruck
Neither for goal kicking (this year)

 

[DOCKERZ]

Kep might not be winning the one on ones, but he doesn't seem to get out marked too often, creating a contest and allowing Walters, Balla's et al to feed on the crumbs..