Developing man love for Laidler

[T2B_]

Have to say thanks to Geelong for this guy.

And I don't mean that in a ribbing way, I mean the fact that they had the list that meant we could trade for guy for so cheap and the obvious benefit he has had from playing and learning from their defense.

But of course the best thing about him, as cris carlton said, he wills himself to everything and punches truly above his weight. One of our best recruiting moves in recent times.

 

[thylacine60]

I still can't believe he was even out there, let alone playing as well as he did.

Makes me wonder if we even need knee-caps.

Upset the Carlton Crew back in the eighties over a trivial matter. Living without kneecaps has been challenging but eminently do-able.

 

[ferrisb]

First of all, let me say that I love Laidler. His one-on-one work, positioning, miracle last-second spoils and second efforts are all fantastic. Amazing how well he played on Vickery, given the size diff.

As many have said, brilliant we picked him up so cheaply, but I guess Geelong had no real plans to retire its vets in a hurry and that left no room for Laids at the time.

When I watch him, I get the feeling that I am watching Milburn (whom I still haven't forgiven for SOS hit) MkII. Uber solid, not flashy, but to call him just reliable/dour/solid is underselling him.

This isn't meant as a criticism at all, but as an honest question to the close watchers. While I thought he was one of our best players last night, he looked horribly slow when running back into open space towards goal. Is this his normal speed, or understandably just a bit sluggish after recent injury?

 

[Sector 7G]

We should be thanking Bomber Thompson for his last act at Geelong in extending Milburns contract for one last pointless year. I suppose there only consolation is that Guthrie looks like he might be able to play that role.

 

[BeligerentBlue]

Have to say thanks to Geelong for this guy.

And I don't mean that in a ribbing way, I mean the fact that they had the list that meant we could trade for guy for so cheap and the obvious benefit he has had from playing and learning from their defense.

But of course the best thing about him, as cris carlton said, he wills himself to everything and punches truly above his weight. One of our best recruiting moves in recent times.

I agree, we have a bit to thank Geelong for (including denying the Woods a flag). Carrots was a nice bit of generosity on their part as well. What else have they got in their cupboard that they're not using? We might have another little rummage about.

 

[gbatman]

As successful as Geelong have been they would be spewing they lost this guy. He and Duigan, guys with skills, smarts and hardness are as good as any players you could add to a team. Good leadership too.

 

[Aphrodite]

Thank you Geelong.

 

[ESKIE]

Believe me they are spewing he left.....

He was being groomed to take over from mil burn....when they offered mil burn another year, Along came ethe blues...my understanding is that fatten had his eye on himfor,sometime, wonderful pick up.

He is a GUN !!

 

[mike ockerts]

as i mentioned in my MVP votes, it is a real credit to him and the medical staff down at Visy to even get him/himself out on the park, an article in todays HUN, yes that paper said everyone bar himself believed he wouldnt get up for the tiges game, he said "stuff that" i'll prove you all wrong and he did in more ways than one, such a mature head on a, what is it, 20 odd gamer?
love it, thanks cats

 

[The Flying Doormat]

Another great game by JL. Not only does he get to near impossible contests and generally wins them, he reads the game better than most players doing the rounds. His positioning and timing are spot on and has great awareness. I can feel the man love growing.

 

[Blue Ratts]

First of all, let me say that I love Laidler. His one-on-one work, positioning, miracle last-second spoils and second efforts are all fantastic. Amazing how well he played on Vickery, given the size diff.

As many have said, brilliant we picked him up so cheaply, but I guess Geelong had no real plans to retire its vets in a hurry and that left no room for Laids at the time.

When I watch him, I get the feeling that I am watching Milburn (whom I still haven't forgiven for SOS hit) MkII. Uber solid, not flashy, but to call him just reliable/dour/solid is underselling him.

This isn't meant as a criticism at all, but as an honest question to the close watchers. While I thought he was one of our best players last night, he looked horribly slow when running back into open space towards goal. Is this his normal speed, or understandably just a bit sluggish after recent injury?

Its not about his pace ,its about his positioning and reading of the ball drop.He does it to a tee and A often outmarks his opponent or B pushes/handballs it to the advantage of our runners.

 

[footscore]

As successful as Geelong have been they would be spewing they lost this guy. He and Duigan, guys with skills, smarts and hardness are as good as any players you could add to a team. Good leadership too.

not spewing but he's definitely improved since moving on.
Geelong got rid of him because he didn't have the speed and he got found out time and time again in the VFL and at senior level.
I have watched him closely since going to Carlton and it looks to be the same although his reading of the play has been sensational.

Geelong have Taylor, Mackie and Lonergan as our key big's but the one bloke who I think will end up being a much better player than Laidler is Taylor Hunt.
Very similar in size but Poodle has much more pace and his past couple of matches so far this season have been terrific.
Has the ability to go forward and hit the scoreboard too.

The added introduction of Guthrie and Smedts is a bonus as they are looking the goods, especially Guthrie.

Guthrie/Hunt are playing that well...we aren't even sure Wojcinski will be able to slip right back in again (which isn't a bad dilemma to have)
And of course, we still got our very own "Yarran-version" in Varcoe who found his finest football across that half back flank in 2011 and he's due to push for selection by RD10.

So although Laidler is turning out to be a handy pickup for you guys, we aren't spewing he left, that's for sure

 

[ESKIE]

Well I know some Geelong folk and believe me they are spewing, Geelong didn;t get rid of him, he was out of contract and walked.

Laidler was a steal

 

[T2B_]

Geelong got rid of him because he didn't have the speed and he got found out time and time again in the VFL and at senior level.

Mm I find that a bit hard to believe. He's not the quickest guy around by any means but neither was Diesel... and they both made/make up for it with fantastic footy brains and positioning and work rate. It's no shame he couldn't get into the Geelong team, considering their unit and depth but Geelong hardly "got rid of him", he realised it was a good time to walk considering his opportunities.

Geelong didn't lose too much considering what they have and we gained a lot...so don't think either side is complaining

 

[parrot]

not spewing but he's definitely improved since moving on.
Geelong got rid of him because he didn't have the speed and he got found out time and time again in the VFL and at senior level.
I have watched him closely since going to Carlton and it looks to be the same although his reading of the play has been sensational...

That's just a outright lie. Geelong didn't want him to go. He left because he wanted more opportunities. Why tell lies about the situation? I suspect you're upset that he left. And Laidler has plenty of leg speed. You might want to watch the passage of play where he runs down Stokes last year. That should refresh your memory.

 

[pepalenko]

Maybe different type of players, but i can't help having that same feeling of reassurance as when Sexton roamed tge backline.

Laidler/sexton
Jamo/ SOS
Hendo/ Dean
Duigs/mckay

 

[deadoralive]

Another great game by JL. Not only does he get to near impossible contests and generally wins them, he reads the game better than most players doing the rounds. His positioning and timing are spot on and has great awareness. I can feel the man love growing.

i don't know personally if my man love can grow any further. seriously i don't, i have seen him last year and just thought he was so reliable and dependable. and now his reading of the game has got even better which is scary. while some question his speed (don't know why?), nobody can question his footy smarts on the field, they are sensational. and my geelong friends, they HATE the fact he has gone.

 

[parrot]

He's an outright gun defender. Even when he's up against a 200+ cm forward, he knows exactly how to position himself and gets a fist in without giving away a free. Ice cool under pressure. I've never ever seen him rattled. Provides fantastic support for the other defenders. You can see Bower's confidence grow each week with Laidler down there helping him out.

 

[T2B_]

I can't say I've seen him appear slow either to be honest...I was just going off what I keep hearing from other viewers. Would love to know some of his running figures, I don't imagine he's too bad.

 

[OnceWeWereKings]

not spewing but he's definitely improved since moving on.
Geelong got rid of him because he didn't have the speed and he got found out time and time again in the VFL and at senior level.
I have watched him closely since going to Carlton and it looks to be the same although his reading of the play has been sensational.

Geelong have Taylor, Mackie and Lonergan as our key big's but the one bloke who I think will end up being a much better player than Laidler is Taylor Hunt.
Very similar in size but Poodle has much more pace and his past couple of matches so far this season have been terrific.
Has the ability to go forward and hit the scoreboard too.

The added introduction of Guthrie and Smedts is a bonus as they are looking the goods, especially Guthrie.

Guthrie/Hunt are playing that well...we aren't even sure Wojcinski will be able to slip right back in again (which isn't a bad dilemma to have)
And of course, we still got our very own "Yarran-version" in Varcoe who found his finest football across that half back flank in 2011 and he's due to push for selection by RD10.

So although Laidler is turning out to be a handy pickup for you guys, we aren't spewing he left, that's for sure

Yeah, nah.

 

[blues4flag]

I noticed he looked a bit slow once or twice on Friday night but it could be a relic of his knee injury.

Otherwise, I absolutely love the bloke. While not the most brilliant footballer, he's incredibly reliable and I'd back him to win a one on one 95% of the time. He reads the ball so well and fights for the position he wants in a marking contest.

 

[mediumsizered]

Geelong got rid of him because he didn't have the speed and he got found out time and time again in the VFL and at senior level.
I have watched him closely since going to Carlton and it looks to be the same although his reading of the play has been sensational.

Geelong have Taylor, Mackie and Lonergan as our key big's but the one bloke who I think will end up being a much better player than Laidler is Taylor Hunt.
Very similar in size but Poodle has much more pace and his past couple of matches so far this season have been terrific.
Has the ability to go forward and hit the scoreboard too.

So although Laidler is turning out to be a handy pickup for you guys, we aren't spewing he left, that's for sure

You have made this up. How could Laidler have got found out time & time again for speed at senior level when he only played 2 AFL games for Geelong?

Your comparison to Taylor Hunt is quite amusing. Laidler is 189cm & 88kg whereas Hunt is 183cm & 84kg. I can't see Hunt playing on too many talls. Mind you, it would be amusing to watch. On the other hand we know Laidler can play on both tall & mid size players. More importantly, Laidler has better hands than Hunt & is a much better kick.

Laidler was to be the Cats' replacement for Milburn. Somehow I can't see Hunt filling Milburn's shoes, but by all means I would like to see Chris Scott try & play hunt in a similar role to Milburn. It would bring the Cats back to the field.

 

[T2B_]

I noticed he looked a bit slow once or twice on Friday night but it could be a relic of his knee injury.

Otherwise, I absolutely love the bloke. While not the most brilliant footballer, he's incredibly reliable and I'd back him to win a one on one 95% of the time. He reads the ball so well and fights for the position he wants in a marking contest.

Bah, good point! I forgot about that. We're lucky the man is even playing

 

[Stig O'Hara]

Plays well above his height, knows where to go and looks like he's already played 150 games.

Not too concerned about his pace, he knows whats going on.

Safe as houses when he goes near it.

 

[Snoozer]

Future Captain.