Opinion Crisis Creates Opportunity

Which 2 Get An Opportunity?

  • Noah Balta 19 years old 194cm 100kg Utility

    Votes: 71 84.5%
  • Mabior Chol 22 years old 199cm 93kg KPF/Ruck

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Callum Coleman-Jones 19 years old 200cm 97kg Ruck/KPF

    Votes: 4 4.8%
  • Ryan Garthwaite 20 years old 192cm 91kg KPD

    Votes: 63 75.0%
  • Ben Miller 19 years old 195cm 94kg KPD

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Callum Moore 22 years old 192cm 93kg KPF

    Votes: 20 23.8%
  • Ivan Soldo 23 years old 204cm 106kg Ruck

    Votes: 6 7.1%

  • Total voters
    84
  • Poll closed .
14 days ago we were favourites for the flag and everyone was wondering how we were going to be stopped. 7 days ago it was confirmed that Rance would miss the 2019 season and the discussion became whether we would be able to cope with the loss and still win the premiership. Less than 24 hours ago Jack attempted to take mark of the year and ended up breaking his wrist and now many are wondering if we'll even feature in September. At the moment I'm not one of them as there are still 20 games of footy to go and we should be good enough to make it to September if our list was as good as we all believed it was heading into the season.

In saying that the loss of Rance for the season and Jack for at least a month, combined with the ongoing injury to Caddy and Dusty obviously below his best creates a bit of a crisis with a massive 4 weeks of footy coming up with GWS(away) Port(away) Swans(home/Marvel) Demons(home) to come. We're going to need to bring in 2 talls at minimum, which means that 2 of Balta Garthwaite Moore CCJ Soldo or Chol now have an opportunity to put their hands up and show both the club and us the fans that they have what it takes to be a long term player for us.

The question is who will the club turn to for these 2 spots.

Balta - the hype started after a second quarter purple patch in the first JLT game, since then he hasn't exactly followed up but that happens with young KPPs still learning to play the game at this level. He could come in as the second tall who pinch hits in the ruck like he did in round 1 or he could be slotted in at CHB and be given the opportunity to settle and develop as Rances heir apparent.

Chol - effectively the last player added to the list after being delisted at the end of last season. Has some amazing attributes that could be a real point of difference in our side, but also has some that will infuriate those who don't regularly watch him play at VFL level. Like Balta he could play as a 2nd tall and pinch hit in the ruck if he was to be given a crack.

CCJ - 2nd year developing ruckman who has put on some size since being drafted. Playing a bit more in the ruck this year in the VFL games I've seen and looks quite good. A 4 week block as second ruck/second tall forward before Jack comes back might just help his development as he gets a taste of what is required at the next level up.

Garthwaite - IMO he is the long term Astbury replacement rather than the Rance replacement. Like Astbury Garthwaite is a defend first backman who doesn't really look to get involved in much rebounding. With Rance missing we could look to utilise Garthwaites defensive ability to shore up our back 6 and allow Broad to take up the slack as a rebounding defender.

Miller - unlikely to get the call up but an option none the less. Has played KPD when Garthwaite has missed and held his own, but not really ready for the call up to the senior side.

Moore - was the go to option last year when we looked at playing a second tall forward. Slightly shorter than Balta CCJ Chol and Soldo he would be less likely to have much of an impact in the ruck, but given Hardwicks comments last night of we don't play 2 ruckman he might comes into calculations as he could play at CHF and allow Lynch to play the deeper option. Was in good form the second VFL practice match getting his hands on the ball in marking contests and kicking goals.

Soldo - an interesting option for mine. In the JLT we played Nankervis forward in Lynchs role and started Soldo in the ruck. Could we turn to this over the next 4 weeks given we're coming up against some good rucks in the next month. Soldo has shown at VFL level that he can be a threat up forward when resting and covers the ground quite well. Similar to cousin Ivan he also seems to enjoy throwing his weight around either protecting his midfielders or getting his knees dirty and getting down and fighting for the ball himself.

So as the title says, 'Crisis Creates Opportunity' so which 2 would you turn to to fill the void of a 3 time Coleman Medal winning forward and a 5 time AA defender. None of the options put forward are going to be able to fill their shoes to the same level, but we're going to have to pick 2 of them for the next month at least.
 

Drofder

Norm Smith Medallist
Nov 18, 2014
9,313
23,587
37.8265° S, 145.0069° E
AFL Club
Richmond
Other Teams
Red Sox, Bruins, Celtics, Niners
Need executive summary.

1553839316562.png
 
Last edited:
Taken from the clubs vfl report get them both in.

“Garthwaite is cut from a different cloth, the iron-fisted defender from Corowa hard-nosed, diligent and assumes the role of backline general.
He is constantly barking orders, positioning his teammates like chess pieces, which keeps the Tigers’ watertight team defence intact.”

“Balta looked at home patrolling the defensive half, consistently trusting his speed and athleticism to intercept and disrupt Collingwood’s forays forward.
He also has enormous faith in his skill by foot, picking out targets at will, either on his left or right side.
Balta physically shares a striking resemblance to Rance and plays the game with intoxicating vigour and effort, much like the five-time All Australian.”
 

Drofder

Norm Smith Medallist
Nov 18, 2014
9,313
23,587
37.8265° S, 145.0069° E
AFL Club
Richmond
Other Teams
Red Sox, Bruins, Celtics, Niners
Taken from the clubs vfl report get them both in.

“Garthwaite is cut from a different cloth, the iron-fisted defender from Corowa hard-nosed, diligent and assumes the role of backline general.
He is constantly barking orders, positioning his teammates like chess pieces, which keeps the Tigers’ watertight team defence intact.”


“Balta looked at home patrolling the defensive half, consistently trusting his speed and athleticism to intercept and disrupt Collingwood’s forays forward.
He also has enormous faith in his skill by foot, picking out targets at will, either on his left or right side.
Balta physically shares a striking resemblance to Rance and plays the game with intoxicating vigour and effort, much like the five-time All Australian.”

Why does that bloke always write like he's compiling a 1950's journal for the National Geographic Society ?
 
Why does that bloke always write like he's compiling a 1950's journal for the National Geographic Society ?

Must of gone to melb uni with brownie and got an art degree
 
Feb 9, 2009
17,159
23,041
Footscray
AFL Club
Richmond
If PA missing wines Hartlett and Dixon can intro 4 x u18 debutants to the side and come out convincing winners v a top 4 prospect then we can’t dismiss our chances with plenty of talent at vfl for most part that are a couple of seasons in , no excuses
plenty of talent in the vfl is a gross overstatement.

our biggest issue is our s**t midfield. if we want to try to rebuild for the next generation we need to look to increase the depth of our midfield. unfortunately there isnt a whole lot to choose from atm.
 

Mr Unbelievable

Premium Platinum
Nov 27, 2014
5,235
13,737
Melbourne
AFL Club
Richmond
Other Teams
Arsenal
14 days ago we were favourites for the flag and everyone was wondering how we were going to be stopped. 7 days ago it was confirmed that Rance would miss the 2019 season and the discussion became whether we would be able to cope with the loss and still win the premiership. Less than 24 hours ago Jack attempted to take mark of the year and ended up breaking his wrist and now many are wondering if we'll even feature in September. At the moment I'm not one of them as there are still 20 games of footy to go and we should be good enough to make it to September if our list was as good as we all believed it was heading into the season.

In saying that the loss of Rance for the season and Jack for at least a month, combined with the ongoing injury to Caddy and Dusty obviously below his best creates a bit of a crisis with a massive 4 weeks of footy coming up with GWS(away) Port(away) Swans(home/Marvel) Demons(home) to come. We're going to need to bring in 2 talls at minimum, which means that 2 of Balta Garthwaite Moore CCJ Soldo or Chol now have an opportunity to put their hands up and show both the club and us the fans that they have what it takes to be a long term player for us.

The question is who will the club turn to for these 2 spots.

Balta - the hype started after a second quarter purple patch in the first JLT game, since then he hasn't exactly followed up but that happens with young KPPs still learning to play the game at this level. He could come in as the second tall who pinch hits in the ruck like he did in round 1 or he could be slotted in at CHB and be given the opportunity to settle and develop as Rances heir apparent.

Chol - effectively the last player added to the list after being delisted at the end of last season. Has some amazing attributes that could be a real point of difference in our side, but also has some that will infuriate those who don't regularly watch him play at VFL level. Like Balta he could play as a 2nd tall and pinch hit in the ruck if he was to be given a crack.

CCJ - 2nd year developing ruckman who has put on some size since being drafted. Playing a bit more in the ruck this year in the VFL games I've seen and looks quite good. A 4 week block as second ruck/second tall forward before Jack comes back might just help his development as he gets a taste of what is required at the next level up.

Garthwaite - IMO he is the long term Astbury replacement rather than the Rance replacement. Like Astbury Garthwaite is a defend first backman who doesn't really look to get involved in much rebounding. With Rance missing we could look to utilise Garthwaites defensive ability to shore up our back 6 and allow Broad to take up the slack as a rebounding defender.

Miller - unlikely to get the call up but an option none the less. Has played KPD when Garthwaite has missed and held his own, but not really ready for the call up to the senior side.

Moore - was the go to option last year when we looked at playing a second tall forward. Slightly shorter than Balta CCJ Chol and Soldo he would be less likely to have much of an impact in the ruck, but given Hardwicks comments last night of we don't play 2 ruckman he might comes into calculations as he could play at CHF and allow Lynch to play the deeper option. Was in good form the second VFL practice match getting his hands on the ball in marking contests and kicking goals.

Soldo - an interesting option for mine. In the JLT we played Nankervis forward in Lynchs role and started Soldo in the ruck. Could we turn to this over the next 4 weeks given we're coming up against some good rucks in the next month. Soldo has shown at VFL level that he can be a threat up forward when resting and covers the ground quite well. Similar to cousin Ivan he also seems to enjoy throwing his weight around either protecting his midfielders or getting his knees dirty and getting down and fighting for the ball himself.

So as the title says, 'Crisis Creates Opportunity' so which 2 would you turn to to fill the void of a 3 time Coleman Medal winning forward and a 5 time AA defender. None of the options put forward are going to be able to fill their shoes to the same level, but we're going to have to pick 2 of them for the next month at least.
Great write up !!!
 

guruisatiger

Grand Poohbah of Ganymede
Oct 25, 2006
23,347
35,795
from the hinterlands of sri lanka and tibet
AFL Club
Richmond
Other Teams
B.S.C youngboys.. Borussia Dortmund
Cal moore in for Jack, cal has been in good form in the 2s has improved his kicking, good speed
Great leap, can pinch hit in the ruck, if jack is out for 4 weeks
Would love to see cal get an opportunity to strutt his stuff, could be the making of him
If cal does prove his worth and jack returns, cal is flexible enough to play as a 3rd tall down back
Or on a wing,,,, definitely hope cal gets t this opportunity

Garth or Noah,Really torn on this one
Garth has had 2 excellent years developing nicely in the 2s, a real general in the making
Great Mark, great spoil, can also pinch hit in the ruck if needed my conservative side
Says Garth should get the gig and I think he will
My radical side Says bring young Noah in and let him loose
Yes he will make mistakes and probably go against team directions
But he will do some amazing things which will leave us breathless
Summing it up
1 - cal Moore
2- Garth
2a - Noah
 
out ellis, weller, markov, grimes, jack
in moore for jack, garth for grimes, whatever young mids we have and balta cause why not aint winning anyway might as well give them a run
This thread is about the opportunity for 2 young talls to come in, not about overall selection so please take that to the autopsy thread.
 

db26

Norm Smith Medallist
Apr 26, 2007
5,956
13,885
Punt road
AFL Club
Richmond
Other Teams
Aston Villa,A-league
Far from crisis tho .We got no exuses we got plenty of depth to choose from don't want to see the same blokes in who get chance after chance and let us down.About time Moore gets a regular gig been in good form preseason.Balta or Garth to come in.Ross been in cracking form to get games into him.
 

RFCGloryJC

Publicity for Ricky Nixon and the St Kilda Girl
Jun 13, 2018
13,551
37,095
AFL Club
Richmond
Other Teams
Inter Milan, Real Madrid 👑
A good article.
Balta's forte is as a forward.
He has a play on, running style from his early days and would be best suited as a tall mobile half-forward or half-forward flanker.
Defence is more difficult.
At this stage, we must look forward to next year's trading to obtain a key position defender.
 
Mar 13, 2007
28,495
40,796
THE TAN
AFL Club
Richmond
Balta for rance and leave him there , rance was never ready made when he first started , Balta is bigger , quicker and has more leap. Balta should be Rances project whilst in rehab.
Garthwaite for Grimes and leave him there when Grimes returns . Grimes can play anywhere and it will allow him to be more offensive.
Moore for jack until Caddy returns.
 
Jul 30, 2008
10,365
5,228
9th
AFL Club
Richmond
Whilst describing each and every player physically and how dashing they are is 1920s refreshing, can he just tell us who hell the best players are/were ?
You can look up the best players in the Herald Sun.

Good on the bloke for trying to separate himself from the throngs of shithouse football journalists and give supporters a more vivid picture of players on the list that we don't get to see a lot of.
 

Drofder

Norm Smith Medallist
Nov 18, 2014
9,313
23,587
37.8265° S, 145.0069° E
AFL Club
Richmond
Other Teams
Red Sox, Bruins, Celtics, Niners
You can look up the best players in the Herald Sun.

Good on the bloke for trying to separate himself from the throngs of shithouse football journalists and give supporters a more vivid picture of players on the list that we don't get to see a lot of.

HS doesn’t cover best players in a VFL practice game. And why should I have to go to two sources anyway.
 
Back