defence to fall over

[magpies42]

Alot of people are putting alot of emphasis on our midfield and on balling unit being weak but i think our main problem will be with our ageing defence! Lets face it we wont be winning a premiership in the next 2-3 years and by then our defence will be non existant.

With the likes of Wakelin, Presti and clement (who tore his groin muscle in our last game of the season) to retire or be well beyond there prime our defence will be shot to ********!

I say pick up the best onballer whether it be hurn or ellis with pick 2, then with picks 5 and 21 try and snag another clement, wakelin or presti.

We have enough running outside players and with a good onballer to complement there speed and skill we will be well on our way to a premiership!

 

[bradrowe#32]

I think the long term defence is something to think about.

Maxwell can play down there. I'd like to see him as the 3rd tall in the Clement type role. I think he can do this, although not as well as Jimmy, but he would be servicable.

J.Cloke could be a good player, but needs to work on his accountability and skills, especially kicking. He is usually pretty good in a 1 on 1 contests (see: his battles with Hamill).

I think Johnson could play in a tagging role on a small forward and also rotate through the midfield.

I'd like to see T.Cloke play there as well. He has magnificent skills and good marking. Again, he would have to be taught accountability, but I think he could thrive in an attacking job.

Not sure about Walker. I think 2006 will tell us if he wants to grab his chance.

 

[hotpie]

Maxwell O'Brien Swan H Shaw J Cloke Johnson and perhaps Cam or Trav Cloke will be the foundation of the defence in future years. Holland and R Shaw are two others, Rusling another possibility. Maybe Josh Fraser could be tried at CHB.

We obviously need to develop a tall or two to replace B Morrison Walker Hall etc, all of whom were previously earmarked for a future in our defence, but who havent cut it to date. Apart from that the future is not too bad.

 

[jkitto23]

i think benjamine davies will be a good player for us in the defence for the next few seasons.

 

[pocketrocket#24]

we're gonna be sweet with the medium to small sized defenders for years to come, its the key position backs we need to worry about. this is one of the main reasons i wanted ted richards for cole, he may have turned out to be a hack, but i reckon he has talent and was worth a shot at developing into a chb for the future....

 

[PieLebo87]

Maxwell O'Brien Swan H Shaw J Cloke Johnson and perhaps Cam or Trav Cloke will be the foundation of the defence in future years. Holland and R Shaw are two others, Rusling another possibility. Maybe Josh Fraser could be tried at CHB.

We obviously need to develop a tall or two to replace B Morrison Walker Hall etc, all of whom were previously earmarked for a future in our defence, but who havent cut it to date. Apart from that the future is not too bad.

Agreed.. well said

 

[Vinnie Vegas]

We all know that we need youth in the backline, but that is why most people have us picking up a tall defender or two in the draft...

 

[FadeAway]

Re: thier ages!!!

clement Date of Birth: 4 September 1976 29 years old
wakelin Date of Birth: 12 August 1974 31 years old
Presti Date of Birth: 31 January 1978 27 years old

 

[hotpie]

Re: thier ages!!!

clement Date of Birth: 4 September 1976 29 years old
wakelin Date of Birth: 12 August 1974 31 years old
Presti Date of Birth: 31 January 1978 27 years old

That gives us plenty of time to find replacements.

Wakelin is the only one nearing retirement. His form in 2005 was the best of his career, so you'd say he's got at least two years left. He has a good record with injury (as has his brother) so theres no reason he couldnt play wellinto his 30's. Presti has a history of being injury prone, but 2005 he avoided injury, so you'd expect he's got at least four years left. Clement was again selected as an All Australian. Looks to have 4 years in him.