Consolidated Taylor Walker thread

[JHF1870]

Re: Walker Now!!!

Yeah he should play....Awesome player, been watching him for Norwood last few weeks. Him and Cockshell should both be playing. Even if Cosch couldn't kick the match winning goal.

Saw Walker and Kite at the game today too.

 

[Alex99]

Re: Walker Now!!!

If we bring Walker in now and even if he plays poorly, we can't be any worse than we are now: McGregor, Stevens, Jericho, Tippett, Sellar and Gill have all had their fair share of goalless <5 disposal games.

Does anyone else think that the Hall of Fame game earlier this year was the turning point in our season? Mcleod, Goodwin and Johncock have struggled ever since.

Yep and some people were arguing for SOO to come back – how ****ed would we be if SA fielded a side that night.

 

[Seanason]

Re: Walker Now!!!

Look - after listening to people - i think i've posted it somewhere

Craigy is spot on- he isn't ready - he plays a qtr or so of good football and then goes missing for large parts of the game

We look at goals in SANFL as if he would kick the same about in AFL, but he wouldn't why do we think Walker will some guru AFL player when we all know that playing as a KPF is probably the toughest position to play.
Would be interested to see the ages of some of the current players playing in KPF and doing it well.

Franklin at 21 seems to be the only real "young" player at 21 doing it on a regular basis.

exactly.

If Walker had of played he would have done less than jericho, would have been dominated by an experienced player who is used ot playing AFL in the wet.

Hes not ready.

 

[swanfan]

Re: Walker Now!!!

Does anyone else think that the Hall of Fame game earlier this year was the turning point in our season? Mcleod, Goodwin and Johncock have struggled ever since.

I think the wheels started falling off when teams found out we have a kick and hope gameplan.

 

[Eastern Crow]

Re: Walker Now!!!

Things have calmed down a bit in here.

When we are winning (seems a while ago now) nobody talks about our forwards. When we are losing our forward line is rubbish and the call goes out to debut an 18 yr old at FF.

Bunji had a shocker but was his first game back and he was wearing the human glove most of the time.

Kudos to Moran and Symes.

we have only kicked 100 pts or more once in the last 8 rounds

our other scores are 80pts, 74pts, 56pts, 70pts, 72pts, 74pts and 47pts

this tells me that we have issues with forward structure and our style of game

remember you always learn more from a loss than a win

 

[swanfan]

Re: Walker Now!!!

we have only kicked 100 pts or more once in the last 8 rounds

our other scores are 80pts, 74pts, 56pts, 70pts, 72pts, 74pts and 47pts

this tells me that we have issues with forward structure and our style of game

remember you always learn more from a loss than a win

We are slow learners then.

 

[Alex99]

Re: Walker Now!!!

exactly.

If Walker had of played he would have done less than jericho, would have been dominated by an experienced player who is used ot playing AFL in the wet.

Hes not ready.

Is it that hard for some people to understand – he has to play his first game sometime and in all probability he may not get a touch and play against someone bigger, stronger and with far more experience than he has?

He has to go through that learning curve, just like Buddy did in 2005 and 2006 before having a break out year in 2007. He is not going to come in and dominate and kick 100 goals in his first 22 games of senior football like Tony Modra – as sweet as it would be it isn’t going to happen. He will struggle for his first 20 to 30 games with consistency, he may even get dropped quite a few times but he will learn from it and develop into a good player, but expecting him to automatically be ready after an extended period of time in the SANFL is lunacy.

The SANFL will never develop him to the point where he doesn’t need this development period in the AFL.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Re: Walker Now!!!

As other have said, Neil Craig all but ruled out Walker for next week during his press conference and reading between the lines it sounded like it will not happen anytime this year. So what I would like to know is; what is the difference between round 22 in August this year and round 1 in March 2009?

If he is not ready to play now or anytime over the next 6 to 8 weeks how will this change over the summer? He will only add 3 to 5 kgs to his frame so physically he will not change that much and his skill development won’t improve that much because he is not playing any games, so by the sounds of it, I doubt we may not even see him until sometime in 2010.

I am not joking or looking for a reaction from anyone but if he’s not ready now, how will it change in 6 months time.

I think you SERIOUSLY under-rate what a full pre-season can do. Many careers have been launched or saved in one PS.

I know we are all exicted by the prospect of Walker and want him to play, the passionate part of me wants this too. But the more reasonable part says that for the long term future of Walker and our club it is probably better that we not throw him to the wolves. AFC know Taylor's game inside out. They obviously rate him EXTREMELY highly and his time will no doubt come.

I think part of the reluctance to play him also has a lot to do with the profile of players we already have in our forward line. Tippett, Douglas, Vince etc are all pretty inexperiences as AFL players and at most times we have half the forward line that are kids learning their trade. Throwing Walker in solves NOTHING. He alone will not improve our forward line. I think our major problem is how we bring the ball into the forward line. Seriously some of our delivery is deplorable. With that sort of delivery I don't care if you have Brown, Pavlich and Franklin as your tall targets you still will struggle.

Clean up the delivery so that its CONSISTENTLY at a high level and we will kick the winning score. If we bring in it quick enough, often enough and to the advantage someone will ALWAYS kick the goals. When we looked half decent with our delivery in the 2nd quarter we actually created enough scoring shots and went into half time with a lead.

I know I am in the minority here but I would rather hold off on Walker until next year if at all possible. Having 2 novices playing as key forward for us will solve nothing and potentialy ruin a lot of things long term.

 

[relapse]

Re: Walker Now!!!

All excellent points

He is being "groomed" in the SANFL for a reason ......but as you say he's had some very quiet games and quiet halves of footy.

It's also been reported that defensively he needs to tighten up .......so unless he's a gamebreaker at 18 let him work on those things in the SANFL.

There are some players who benefit from AFL exposure ......somehow IMO Walker appears that he'll make the transition without that exposure but once he's ironed out some things he's been asked to work on.

Next year round 1 I would hope that Walker, Hentschel and Dangerfield are all in the side.

 

[Stinger...]

Re: Walker Now!!!

I think you SERIOUSLY under-rate what a full pre-season can do. Many careers have been launched or saved in one PS.

I know we are all exicted by the prospect of Walker and want him to play, the passionate part of me wants this too. But the more reasonable part says that for the long term future of Walker and our club it is probably better that we not throw him to the wolves. AFC know Taylor's game inside out. They obviously rate him EXTREMELY highly and his time will no doubt come.

I think part of the reluctance to play him also has a lot to do with the profile of players we already have in our forward line. Tippett, Douglas, Vince etc are all pretty inexperiences as AFL players and at most times we have half the forward line that are kids learning their trade. Throwing Walker in solves NOTHING. He alone will not improve our forward line. I think our major problem is how we bring the ball into the forward line. Seriously some of our delivery is deplorable. With that sort of delivery I don't care if you have Brown, Pavlich and Franklin as your tall targets you still will struggle.

Clean up the delivery so that its CONSISTENTLY at a high level and we will kick the winning score. If we bring in it quick enough, often enough and to the advantage someone will ALWAYS kick the goals. When we looked half decent with our delivery in the 2nd quarter we actually created enough scoring shots and went into half time with a lead.

I know I am in the minority here but I would rather hold off on Walker until next year if at all possible. Having 2 novices playing as key forward for us will solve nothing and potentialy ruin a lot of things long term.

However we aren't going to make the finals so why not play him? Tippett needed a rest about a month ago, so replace Walker with him.

I agree our use of the ball coming into the forward line is disgraceful, but i cant think of a player who has demanded to be picked more than Tex.

Jesus if the club can play Jacky, then Tex deserves his opportunity!

Selection this week will be the same old...

IN: Gill

OUT: Jericho

The above selections will be repeated until our season closes in Rnd 22

 

[footy4ever]

Re: Walker Now!!!

I know I am in the minority here but I would rather hold off on Walker until next year if at all possible. Having 2 novices playing as key forward for us will solve nothing and potentialy ruin a lot of things long term.

There was a stage when I would be in complete agreement with this, but after our 5th loss in a row...and to a very ordinary lowly bottom 4 side, I'm beginning to believe that the sooner we throw him in, the better prepared he will be for next year.

 

[Tails14]

Re: Walker Now!!!

The crows hoped that he would play ressies and at some stage during the year step up and play senior sanfl footy....two ressies games , a break then seniors and 11 games later 39 goals 20 points 19 goal assists he has stood up, mind you with some deficiencies and at 6' 4 and 89 kgs which he is, he has been the key forward at norwood and handled the complete package of media releases and comments and even the disappointment of not even making the 25 squad for showdown, turned around and got on with kicking 4 goals on saturday all in the first half and did not see much of the ball after half time
His maturity has been a breath of fresh air from all reports at norwood and he made all australian at bottom age....so he has just come from the country and has stepped up every challnge and it is only time before he has that opportunity to see the next step in playing afl....time will tell as do his stats !

 

[Eastern Crow]

Re: Walker Now!!!

We are slow learners then.

or Pig Headed

 

[Eastern Crow]

Re: Walker Now!!!

Is it that hard for some people to understand – he has to play his first game sometime and in all probability he may not get a touch and play against someone bigger, stronger and with far more experience than he has?

He has to go through that learning curve, just like Buddy did in 2005 and 2006 before having a break out year in 2007. He is not going to come in and dominate and kick 100 goals in his first 22 games of senior football like Tony Modra – as sweet as it would be it isn’t going to happen. He will struggle for his first 20 to 30 games with consistency, he may even get dropped quite a few times but he will learn from it and develop into a good player, but expecting him to automatically be ready after an extended period of time in the SANFL is lunacy.

The SANFL will never develop him to the point where he doesn’t need this development period in the AFL.

I do not believe any supporters expext Tex to come in and dominate, however we want to see the same approach that Hawthorn took with a skinny Buddy

lets play Tex now and start that learning curb

I ask you this, do you believe Tex would be able to win 4 possessions or more

 

[King Elvis]

Re: Walker Now!!!

We aren't going to be throwing Walker to the Wolves though.

Put him in a pocket, play him for 50% of the game, and let him start to learn what it takes to be an AFL Footballer, so he can know what he needs to achieve to be a starting player next year.

 

[Seanason]

Re: Walker Now!!!

Is it that hard for some people to understand – he has to play his first game sometime and in all probability he may not get a touch and play against someone bigger, stronger and with far more experience than he has?

He has to go through that learning curve, just like Buddy did in 2005 and 2006 before having a break out year in 2007. He is not going to come in and dominate and kick 100 goals in his first 22 games of senior football like Tony Modra – as sweet as it would be it isn’t going to happen. He will struggle for his first 20 to 30 games with consistency, he may even get dropped quite a few times but he will learn from it and develop into a good player, but expecting him to automatically be ready after an extended period of time in the SANFL is lunacy.

The SANFL will never develop him to the point where he doesn’t need this development period in the AFL.

but to throw him in the deep end and kill the confidence he has?

Its so often wiht the young blokes that the lsightest thing can damage their confidence and id hate to make this kid debut in shit weather where he is going to be absolutely dominated like Jericho was.

Give him a game when the weather clears up and the tall forward can be effective.

 

[Alex99]

Re: Walker Now!!!

I do not believe any supporters expext Tex to come in and dominate, however we want to see the same approach that Hawthorn took with a skinny Buddy

lets play Tex now and start that learning curb

I ask you this, do you believe Tex would be able to win 4 possessions or more

Yep, lets start that process but Stiffy_18 makes some very good points regarding a solid pre season.

Only just

 

[Eastern Crow]

Re: Walker Now!!!

it gives me the shites when I hear that Tex has not been selected because of his defensive skills

as a team we are too defensive and ignoring naturally attacking players

this is half the reason why as a team we do not have natural spark and flair, our players are being selected based on their defensive ability

strong offense can lead to strong defense

 

[Tails14]

Re: Walker Now!!!

look back at the australian state championships last year and they played in a bog at skilled and he loves the wet weather !

 

[Eastern Crow]

Re: Walker Now!!!

IMO Walker is playing better football now than Westhoff was playing prior to his selection last year

Westhoff was a key to the Power's 2008 rise

 

[MickyCrow]

Re: Walker Now!!!

Agree on the others, but if you want to drop Symes after the inspired game he played today, you sir are a fool.

A druken fool perhaps

 

[Eastern Crow]

Re: Walker Now!!!

the bottom line is

Is Walker a better option than Jericho as a leading forward

I would say Yes

Walker's game time should be dictated by his performance and the flow of the game not by a pre-plan

just wondering if anyone watch Brad Daiziell debut for Brisbane this w/end

well if you missed it, this kid had 32 touches on debut

IMO sometimes we put too much emphasis on grooming players in the sanfl, it does not always work out the best approach for some players

 

[bus24]

Re: Walker Now!!!

Westhoff was a key to the Power's 2008 rise

Yeah, they've both been on fire this year!

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Re: Walker Now!!!

WW, I wasn’t convinced he should be playing however after seeing today’s game quite frankly I’ve had enough and it’s time for change.

He’s 18, inexperienced and goes missing in games. Give him an AFL game and he might kick no goals and have 1 or 2 possessions, but so what? We’ve lost 5 in a row, have the least damaging forward line in the league and probably won’t make the finals. We’re playing Luke Jericho who had kicked 1 goal in 2 SANFL games before getting a recall. Expecting Walker to come in and dominate won’t happen, and no one is expecting him to. All we want is a glimpse of the future. Of course he will struggle but it’s all part of the learning process. Is Craig AFRAID to play him and for him to fail? He is a tough lad and I’m sure he would be better served getting a game that continuing to get frustrated not playing in a team that has no forwards.

Drummond ....after a loss people want change and hope

Walker represents hope for the future so I understand why people want to see him play ........but same was said of Otten and Jacky and there was mass disappointment because they didn't deliver more than a few disposals and the romance of the situation was quickly lost.

The same would apply to Walker ......a bit circus like ...... lets us see if Walker is up to it because we don't trust the clubs judgement ...... IMO entirely the wrong reason to play him.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Re: Walker Now!!!

I think you SERIOUSLY under-rate what a full pre-season can do. Many careers have been launched or saved in one PS.

I know we are all exicted by the prospect of Walker and want him to play, the passionate part of me wants this too. But the more reasonable part says that for the long term future of Walker and our club it is probably better that we not throw him to the wolves. AFC know Taylor's game inside out. They obviously rate him EXTREMELY highly and his time will no doubt come.

I think part of the reluctance to play him also has a lot to do with the profile of players we already have in our forward line. Tippett, Douglas, Vince etc are all pretty inexperiences as AFL players and at most times we have half the forward line that are kids learning their trade. Throwing Walker in solves NOTHING. He alone will not improve our forward line. I think our major problem is how we bring the ball into the forward line. Seriously some of our delivery is deplorable. With that sort of delivery I don't care if you have Brown, Pavlich and Franklin as your tall targets you still will struggle.

Clean up the delivery so that its CONSISTENTLY at a high level and we will kick the winning score. If we bring in it quick enough, often enough and to the advantage someone will ALWAYS kick the goals. When we looked half decent with our delivery in the 2nd quarter we actually created enough scoring shots and went into half time with a lead.

I know I am in the minority here but I would rather hold off on Walker until next year if at all possible. Having 2 novices playing as key forward for us will solve nothing and potentialy ruin a lot of things long term.

If you are then it's a minority of 2