Toast Darcy Fort

[iameviljez]

I think I have seen enough... he can do what he can do.. and has shown what he cant yet. Get stronger and next year maybe you are a chance..

I don't think it's a strength issue so much as a nerves issue, to be honest. A few times last night at CHF he had his Suns opponent absolutely cold, got front spot in a contest, and then proceeded to drop marks any AFL player would usually swallow. I suspect there's that little man inside his head going on there.

 

[Turbocat]

I don't think it's a strength issue so much as a nerves issue, to be honest. A few times last night at CHF he had his Suns opponent absolutely cold, got front spot in a contest, and then proceeded to drop marks any AFL player would usually swallow. I suspect there's that little man inside his head going on there.

Perhaps.. id put it down to not enough separation , not enough spring ..and being unable to hold himself in a contest. The litmus test will be if he gets a chance when out and open.

 

[Mad_Hatter]

Seems some posters got sucked into Fort taking 3 grab marks over short people against the dogs and over-rated his potential.
He has poor hands, it's a shame because he's generally a good kick for goal and has some talent but a tall bloke who can't mark has no place in AFL.
Not giving up on him but he has a very short amount of time to change that or else Sav/Buzza/Freddie will get their shot (or shot back) and he'll be gone.

 

[you pick one]

Seems some posters got sucked into Fort taking 3 grab marks over short people against the dogs and over-rated his potential.
He has poor hands, it's a shame because he's generally a good kick for goal and has some talent but a tall bloke who can't mark has no place in AFL.
Not giving up on him but he has a very short amount of time to change that or else Sav/Buzza/Freddie will get their shot (or shot back) and he'll be gone.

Had! it ran out last night.

 

[foxdog50]

Fort is not a long term CHF option but Esava has done basically nothing to warrant selection all year and him having a couple of weeks in the vfl and coming back when he is in better form wouldn't hurt him or us.

Exactly Pure... But I just have a feeling the coaches love Sav, I want Sav to go back to the VFL to find some form... Buzza even deserves a crack... But I bet ya a 6 pack Sav will be in this week over Buzza & Fort..

 

[iameviljez]

Perhaps.. id put it down to not enough separation , not enough spring ..and being unable to hold himself in a contest. The litmus test will be if he gets a chance when out and open.

I don't think it did, because there were a number of times where it hit his hands - almost in that cricketer-under-a-sky-ball position - and just bounced off. It just seemed completely as though he had time to think about it, and tensed right up.

 

[Turbocat]

I don't think it did, because there were a number of times where it hit his hands - almost in that cricketer-under-a-sky-ball position - and just bounced off. It just seemed completely as though he had time to think about it, and tensed right up.

That to me indicates that at sub conscience level he knows he is not a strong mark. You get tense when a history of negative results build.. time will tell.. certainly those conditions were not great for marking.... but the fact is at his height ..if he is not a strong mark he will find it difficult at afl level. Smith has had the same issue.

 

[iameviljez]

That to me indicates that at sub conscience level he knows he is not a strong mark. You get tense when a history of negative results build.. time will tell.. certainly those conditions were not great for marking.... but the fact is at his height ..if he is not a strong mark he will find it difficult at afl level. Smith has had the same issue.

Could be. Any VFL watchers here?

 

[Drunkcat]

He still has this year and next to improve so who knows

 

[Willo_]

He just has a bit too much "baby giraffe" about him... Which is fine when you are an 18 year old kid... But not so good when you are a mature age recruit.

I'm not adverse to Sav getting some touch in the 2s though either, maybe Buzza gets a game next week but unless he's fixed his eyes/marking that doesn't fill me with confidence... I guess it fills me with more confidence though than Fort

 

[FredLeDeux]

So who Esava plays VFL for the next couple?

Well, that would be the logical conclusion if they retain Fort, yes.

But, as usual, I have NFI what they'll do.

 

[catempire]

Well, that would be the logical conclusion if they retain Fort, yes.

But, as usual, I have no idea what they'll do.

None of us do.

However it will be starting to seriously undermine Scott's words if Esava now plays VFL after he was so adamant that he was merely managed (and by inference would be back in the ones at the first opportunity).

 

[dazbroncos]

Conditions were against him last week V GCS.

Flashed a bit here and there late but was not so flash early.

To be persevered with longer term as depth but needs to do more against the lower teams.

I could see Buzza getting a crack this week or keeping Fort and give Sav 2 weeks to breathe.

Go Catters

 

[Wojcinski]

He just has a bit too much "baby giraffe" about him... Which is fine when you are an 18 year old kid... But not so good when you are a mature age recruit.

I'm not adverse to Sav getting some touch in the 2s though either, maybe Buzza gets a game next week but unless he's fixed his eyes/marking that doesn't fill me with confidence... I guess it fills me with more confidence though than Fort

Yeah this is it, he is 25 already and will definitely improve with time but time isn't something he has much of. Part of the reason we're carrying Sav through games is he is only 20 and clearly has a much, much higher ceiling than Fort.

As far as Fwd-Rucks on the list, the pecking order based strictly on ability is like this for mine:

1. Stanley
2. Smith
3. Abbott
4. Fort
5. Sav

Based on potential ceiling:

1. Sav
2. Stanley
3. Fort
4. Smith
5. Abbott

 

[Max Milburn]

Fort has done his job.
Time for Sav to come in and continue his apprenticeship.
It will be better for the team in the long run.

 

[dazbroncos]

One thing to remember about size and conditioning with mature agers and their first year on a list - it takes time to adapt to full time footy and the position they play.

CHF is one of the hardest to get a grip on - and Fort has had 8 years since draft age when he was overlooked where he has been doing double duty to play footy and survive.

That does not excuse his results - but after 2 games its a bit early to call the chop. Needs the full 24 months in the system IMO before the big call is made.

Go Catters

 

[candiehappy]

I could see Buzza getting a crack this week or keeping Fort and give Sav 2 weeks to breathe.

Fort or Sav. It's only one game back for Buzza. Keep changes to the minimum, nothing like a revolving door policy to kill players confidence.

 

[Turbocat]

One thing to remember about size and conditioning with mature agers and their first year on a list - it takes time to adapt to full time footy and the position they play.

CHF is one of the hardest to get a grip on - and Fort has had 8 years since draft age when he was overlooked where he has been doing double duty to play footy and survive.

That does not excuse his results - but after 2 games its a bit early to call the chop. Needs the full 24 months in the system IMO before the big call is made.

Go Catters

Most rucks dont see their best till they are 25-30 ..but id also say its not often you see a ruckman (if ever) do a Kelly. I think they need 2 or 3 years in system .. so Fort for me is a 3 year draft horizon. Stanley;s last 12 months have been possibly his best ..right age , over 100 games ..
Fort is over two years younger than Abbot. His perfromance in comparison... Abbot was not even considered for a game in Y1. From an age profile Fort will still be on our list in 3y's and its by that year he will be having to make things happen imo. Zac Smith being the oldest an not being selected is in the drop zone..not Fort.
What could change that? We suddenly have an influx of premium tall talent. We get someone like Shaw from Port etc that would demand a spot etc.

Fort needs to add Kgs.. and get stronger , certainly he needs to get his marking stronger. It may take 2 PreSeasons.

 

[darrenmorgan]

I've seen enough of Fortmiester Fresh. Would rather see Smith in the side than him TBH. But preference is to get Sav in and playing as often as possible. Get him to 50 games stat.

 

[Drunkcat]

Could be. Any VFL watchers here?

Fort is no Sav or Buzza that takes strong marks he puts his arms up in hope...needs more work

 

[TheWoodenSlug]

Fort is no Sav or Buzza that takes strong marks he puts his arms up in hope...needs more work

Has Buzza's marking improved? He's never looked a particularly strong mark whenever I have seen him, I thought due to an issue with his eyesight - unless he's had that fixed? Seems to be clunking a few in the past few weeks though based on the reports, so maybe there's hope there yet!

I hope they give Fort another week - he wasn't any worse than Sav has been all year and I don't like dropping guys off the back of one poor game (Constable...). He definitely needs to be better in the air though - he resembled a wacky waving inflatable arm flailing tube man at times on Saturday night.

 

[Max Milburn]

Rampe/Allir v Hawkins/Ratagalea?
Rampe/Allir v Hawkins/Fort?

The Swans' backline isn't under-sized nor undermanned.
I believe Savrat will be more of a headache for them than Fort.

 

[ShaunWDT]

This is what happens when you play a Ruckman as a forward.

 

[Hamingja]

Could be. Any VFL watchers here?

I've seen a few games where he has kicked 2-3 in the same sort of manner as against the Dogs in the AFL. Silver service and double/triple grabbing marks.

I think the perspective is that while Fort was in the VFL playing forward they had Buzza and Kreuger playing back.

When Fort goes to the AFL team, Buzza kicks 5 one week and then Kreuger kicks 6 the next week. So while the 2-3 goals a week that Fort had been kicking looks ok on paper it is really nothing overly special at that level.

Fort just needs to spend the rest of this year and pre season to build his upper body strength to be able to ruck. He was recruited as a back up ruckman and being a legit option in that role is the only way he is going to be able to get a new contract for 2021 and beyond.

 

[Generalissimo]

Fort needs to clunk those marks. He gets into the right positions and knows how to deal with defenders- he just keeps fumbling the mark. It's probably those skinny noodly arms. Still, he's at least getting his hands near the footy which is more than Sav has been able to do. And there's no issue with his ruck work.