Could Burton do the 'Otten' role?

[King Elvis]

What do you guys think about Burton moving back and doing Andy's role?

It might be stupid, but it was something that crossed my mind today.

Otten had the valuable ability to play both small and tall, and also provide a ton of run out of the backline.

I don't know whether we have anybody else capable of doing that without us losing a fair bit either defensively or offensively.

So what about Burton?

Tall enough without being too big, but jumps like a freak, so he could handle both bigs and smalls. And with his fitness, speed and endurance, he could definitely do the offensive role of bringing the ball out of defense.

Further, we've got a glut of guys who can potentially play forward (Walker, Hentschel, Davis, McK, Sellar) who might be able to drift back, but none of them have the ability to play defensively and offensively like we need.

It's a bit left field, but what do you guys think?

 

[NTRabbit]

I don't think he has the defensive mindset for the role, it's not just floating around behind the ball, he'll actually have an opponent to mind.

 

[thebirdman 24]

I think its a bit too late for Burton to learn a new role. I think we have better options possibly Schmidt? (spelling) Not only would Burton be a worry with his kicking out of defence but his i question his aggression and spoiling skills, plus his attempts for mark of the year would cost us a bit.

 

[Butts_JZZ30]

Personally, I wouldn't mind see him playing that free running role that Richardson had on the wing. He can push forward and take some marks and link up play across the middle. He did it very effectively when he was younger and it appears he has lost none of his fitness.

 

[thebirdman 24]

Personally, I wouldn't mind see him playing that free running role that Richardson had on the wing. He can push forward and take some marks and link up play across the middle. He did it very effectively when he was younger and it appears he has lost none of his fitness.

Yeah he looked to be doing this somewhat in the first half and looked good, but didn't do much in the second half, like most of the team.

 

[The Sloane Ranger]

Birdman could push to a wing however no further back then that

 

[King Elvis]

I think its a bit too late for Burton to learn a new role. I think we have better options possibly Schmidt? (spelling) Not only would Burton be a worry with his kicking out of defence but his i question his aggression and spoiling skills, plus his attempts for mark of the year would cost us a bit.

Five, even three, years ago, I'd agree with you - but I think before he did his knee, Burton showed that he was willing to put a bit of the flashiness aside, and focus more on doing the team thing. I think his kicking is good - it's not great, but good enough.

Spoling skills don't worry me too much - aggression at the contest could be a factor, but if it's the Otten type role, he shouldn't be required to crash packs very often.

Assuming he could learn the new role, I think he's got the attributes to do it..

 

[Butts_JZZ30]

I would class his kicking as clever. He has the ability to kick the hard goals and he is able to manufacturer passed. Like I think it was the first quarter where he chipped that ball around his body on his left to find a team mate who kicked a goal. I think he looked the goods, he moved well and seem switched on.

 

[DJ75]

Stop smoking Crack King Elvis!

 

[CaptainDangerfield]

No. We need to blood a youngster in this role for the future.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Doesn't have a defensive bone in his bony body.

The Burton mindset is all out attack and, if that fails, then do it faster with more running in circles.

 

[Crow-mo]

but why would we want burton to do it?

its arguably the easiest position on the ground, surely there is more to be gained by trying someone new in that role to learn the ropes, whilst burton does what does closer to goal.

 

[Allbetsroff]

Besides it being the wrong use of Burton, Burton is too unaccountable for it.

 

[King Elvis]

but why would we want burton to do it?

its arguably the easiest position on the ground, surely there is more to be gained by trying someone new in that role to learn the ropes, whilst burton does what does closer to goal.

Probably easiest position to be servicable at; but Otten was more than servicable.

I think Davis or SMcK could probably do the negative/defensive side of the role, but I have doubts over whether they could be anywhere near as effectively as Andy was offensively.

With respect to Burton closer to goal - we've got Walker/Davis/SMck to come into the forwardline and play that role if required. Our forwardline looks pretty spoilt for choice at present, and while our backline by no means looks weak, I don't know if we have an obvious direct replacement for Otten who can do his role anywhere near as well.

Saying that - Moran could be another option I guess; but, again, Otten had the ability to play tall/small; Moran has height so the talls are covered, and he has pace, so he might be alright on the smaller guys. Outside of that, he could do the running role as well, so he might be worth a look.


You guys are probably right - I think Burton has all of the physical tools and traits to play that position, but the mindset probably wouldn't/couldn't suit.

 

[Crow-mo]

Probably easiest position to be servicable at; but Otten was more than servicable.

actually whilst we all loved Otten's season, me included, the coaching panel were far, far, less effusive at B&F night.

I think Davis or SMcK could probably do the negative/defensive side of the role, but I have doubts over whether they could be anywhere near as effectively as Andy was offensively.

there wasn't much defensive side. Otten wasn't very defensive, he provided some 3rd man up support and running rebound.

With respect to Burton closer to goal - we've got Walker/Davis/SMck to come into the forwardline and play that role if required.

exactly!!

Our forwardline looks pretty spoilt for choice at present, and while our backline by no means looks weak, I don't know if we have an obvious direct replacement for Otten who can do his role anywhere near as well.

don't agree. our forward line is still mostly big footy premature speculation long term sure, but we're not their yet. when Hentschel is still doing his queen mary impersonations, we've got room up forward for Burton.

Saying that - Moran could be another option I guess; but, again, Otten had the ability to play tall/small; Moran has height so the talls are covered, and he has pace, so he might be alright on the smaller guys. Outside of that, he could do the running role as well, so he might be worth a look.

Moran should have a court order prohibiting him from going backwards of centre.

he could be floating option, running forward but never defensively.

 

[WALL-e]

No Bird man in defence. Really need some sort of defensive mindset, not hangers, in the back 50.

 

[Puddy]

To be honest guys, i would put Reilly in Ottens position, he has decent speed and decent disposal and desperatly needs to reinvent himself.

 

[Coopers]

Do we really want "the burton factor" across the half back line?

Makes the impossible look easy, and the easy impossible...

 

[King Elvis]

To be honest guys, i would put Reilly in Ottens position, he has decent speed and decent disposal and desperatly needs to reinvent himself.

Not a bad call - I think we've tried that before?

 

[CaptainDangerfield]

Sorry Elvis as far as threads go, this was your "Blue Hawaii".

 

[CaptainDangerfield]

To be honest guys, i would put Reilly in Ottens position, he has decent speed and decent disposal and desperatly needs to reinvent himself.

How many chances does Reilly get to reinvent himself.

 

[Allbetsroff]

Reilly for Baghdad.

 

[suburban_superstar]

Has Burton spent anytime in the backline in his AFL career? Just out of interest, no paticular game comes to mind.

 

[CaptainDangerfield]

Reilly for Baghdad.

It's funny cause its true.

 

[dplggr47]

i miss Andy Otten
i can't see anyone filling that role, unless it's one of the first years.