I have to say I've been considering it for a while myself (Sheehan just copied me
), and I think the idea has a lot of merit.
As Dermie said once, a player the callibre of Chris finds himself down Whitten Oval way once every 20 years.... if we're lucky! We do not want to waste this opportunity!.... and with 11 years service ... and we've only got a few years left with OUR champion.
We've debated it hurdreds of times ...CHB v CHF .... and occassionaly FF. IMO, in Chris, we have one of, if not the best CHB in the league (lots of doggies supporters would strongly disagree about playing him there- calling it a 'myth' etc. ). As a full forward (left there week in- week out), he would be easily be an 80 goal a year forward IMO (some supporters disagree stronly with this too). As always, it comes down to where his feats/worth would be the most damaging?
Throwing him in the midfield presents an avenue Terry hasn't taken very often. I remember once against Freo (away) in 97 he played him as a ruck rover as a final throw of the dice, when we were 4 goals down with 2 and a half minutes to play. We scored 3 goals and a behind, and went down by 5 points. Luck? We can't really say based on one time.
From what I've seen, Wallace has been reluctant to try it again. What have we got to lose when we're getting killed in the centre, and Chris'sitting at CHF watching on as the opposition pile on 5 straight? He could be an absolute revelation! If it doesn't work out ... so be it.
Look at Carlton. Everyone expected a fairly steep fall for 'em after the 99 granny. They had to reinvent themselves ....as funny as that sounds coming off a GF. Koutafides was an integral part to this, carrying Carlton along with him. He was a changed man last year. IMO, there is no way he would have had the same impact if he had been played in the same key position, week in- week out. He had a stellar season .. but Parkin's game plan/positioning of him had a LARGE bearing on this. Is Grant better than Kouta? In our minds, undoubtedly yes(
). Who would do a straight swap of Kouta for Grant... even with the difference in age (and Kouta's huge season from last season) brought into account? Not me. Kouta's huge physical presense/build would be an area Grant would most probably struggle to match (is it just me or is he looking leaner every year?).... but IMO, Grant takes him in fitness and skills/class.... and at his best would be close to up there with the best of them.
His reputation as one of the leagues best has tapered off of late as well... and this should be used as a major positive.
*Puts optimistic/blinkered cap on*
Could you imagine him in the midfield/roaming everywhere consistently getting 20-30 possies a game??.... Spearing passes to the forward line.... penetration from centre clearances (alongside West/Johnson etc.) ..... bobbing up in the forward line to kick a couple of goals ...... dropping back to take desperate marks in defense .... which will be something we will be missing dearly without Scotty there.
And who could match up on him for four full quarters?? Remember how almost all teams struggled to contain Kouta! Go through the opposition teams and pick a player (who has the height/stamina/strength/marking ability) who could run with him such a class act for four quarters! The best CHB/FB's in the comp such as Leppitsch/Martyn/Fletcher can hold him while he's at CHB/FB .... but could they cope staying with him all over the ground ... getting run around for 120 minutes?
What are we waiting for? Grant is our man ....."Let him roam free" !!!!
Just my humble (ignorant) opinion of course.
[This message has been edited by Westy Boy (edited 24 March 2001).]
As Dermie said once, a player the callibre of Chris finds himself down Whitten Oval way once every 20 years.... if we're lucky! We do not want to waste this opportunity!.... and with 11 years service ... and we've only got a few years left with OUR champion.
We've debated it hurdreds of times ...CHB v CHF .... and occassionaly FF. IMO, in Chris, we have one of, if not the best CHB in the league (lots of doggies supporters would strongly disagree about playing him there- calling it a 'myth' etc. ). As a full forward (left there week in- week out), he would be easily be an 80 goal a year forward IMO (some supporters disagree stronly with this too). As always, it comes down to where his feats/worth would be the most damaging?
Throwing him in the midfield presents an avenue Terry hasn't taken very often. I remember once against Freo (away) in 97 he played him as a ruck rover as a final throw of the dice, when we were 4 goals down with 2 and a half minutes to play. We scored 3 goals and a behind, and went down by 5 points. Luck? We can't really say based on one time.
From what I've seen, Wallace has been reluctant to try it again. What have we got to lose when we're getting killed in the centre, and Chris'sitting at CHF watching on as the opposition pile on 5 straight? He could be an absolute revelation! If it doesn't work out ... so be it.
Look at Carlton. Everyone expected a fairly steep fall for 'em after the 99 granny. They had to reinvent themselves ....as funny as that sounds coming off a GF. Koutafides was an integral part to this, carrying Carlton along with him. He was a changed man last year. IMO, there is no way he would have had the same impact if he had been played in the same key position, week in- week out. He had a stellar season .. but Parkin's game plan/positioning of him had a LARGE bearing on this. Is Grant better than Kouta? In our minds, undoubtedly yes(
His reputation as one of the leagues best has tapered off of late as well... and this should be used as a major positive.
*Puts optimistic/blinkered cap on*
Could you imagine him in the midfield/roaming everywhere consistently getting 20-30 possies a game??.... Spearing passes to the forward line.... penetration from centre clearances (alongside West/Johnson etc.) ..... bobbing up in the forward line to kick a couple of goals ...... dropping back to take desperate marks in defense .... which will be something we will be missing dearly without Scotty there.
And who could match up on him for four full quarters?? Remember how almost all teams struggled to contain Kouta! Go through the opposition teams and pick a player (who has the height/stamina/strength/marking ability) who could run with him such a class act for four quarters! The best CHB/FB's in the comp such as Leppitsch/Martyn/Fletcher can hold him while he's at CHB/FB .... but could they cope staying with him all over the ground ... getting run around for 120 minutes?
What are we waiting for? Grant is our man ....."Let him roam free" !!!!
Just my humble (ignorant) opinion of course.
[This message has been edited by Westy Boy (edited 24 March 2001).]
