Drum at fullback?

[Moo]

wasnt he a certainty to move there last year?

Not according to me ...now I have spoken - Harves will do it

 

[Moo]

We've got plenty of talls, but not enough quality midfielders.

You know if we can get a clear run ...we are not too shabby.

Peake, Hase, Black .....J Carr - Dodd (got to have a stopper) ...are all very good.

Sandi and Warnock - hopefully are going to get those big frames in and win that ball

It is not too bad when you can run the likes of Solomon, Headland, Foster, Matty Carr (yes and Shauny Mac).

We just need a step up ...Schammer, Browne, Duffiled, Gilmore, Ibbo ....a step up from 1 or 2 of these would make a big difference.

Oh yes and Johnno.

 

[Ripper]

You know if we can get a clear run ...we are not too shabby.

Peake, Hase, Black .....J Carr - Dodd (got to have a stopper) ...are all very good.

Sandi and Warnock - hopefully are going to get those big frames in and win that ball

It is not too bad when you can run the likes of Solomon, Headland, Foster, Matty Carr (yes and Shauny Mac).

We just need a step up ...Schammer, Browne, Duffiled, Gilmore, Ibbo ....a step up from 1 or 2 of these would make a big difference.

Oh yes and Johnno.

Spot on , Moo. We are lacking in the depth of rotation and need one or two to step up to cover for when we have less than our full compliment on the park and sometimes when we do.

Hence the all to common dreaded "fadeouts" when the top liners are a bit buggered and the 2nd string are just not quite there yet.

Even against the Dee's in round 21 they had the better of the first 2/3'rds of the 3rd quarter, they just missed easy shots.

 

[dominguez]

Perth's first choice fullback is Haddrill.

When Drum goes past him then he should be looked at for Freo's FB.

Drum plays midfield/wing/half forward for Perth because we're trying to turn him into a midfielder.

 

[ImperialPurple]

Not according to me ...now I have spoken - Harves will do it

You trying to give Brock a run for his money? Do we have to start a "Moo thread" as well?

 

[theGav56]

dom, in terms of positions our players actually play in, we have many more tall options in the back half than the front half. You dismiss Dodd as a tagger, but he is the man they send to Reiwoldt as well as to the resting ruckman.

In terms of actual tall forwards we are much more limited with Campbell Murphy or Drum needing to become a regular third tall, ideally a FF. As with all teams we can use a resting ruckman occassionally, but after that we are using medium sized players in Headland and Solomon, or pinch-hitting with a backman going forward (because we have too many of them).

With MacPharlin and Grover 26 I don't think there is any rush to turn Drum into a FB unless that is the best position for him.

 

[Moo]

You trying to give Brock a run for his money? Do we have to start a "Moo thread" as well?

I was possessed by the spirit of Brock .....he is Brocklock too

 

[dominguez]

dom, in terms of positions our players actually play in, we have many more tall options in the back half than the front half. You dismiss Dodd as a tagger, but he is the man they send to Reiwoldt as well as to the resting ruckman.

In terms of actual tall forwards we are much more limited with Campbell Murphy or Drum needing to become a regular third tall, ideally a FF. As with all teams we can use a resting ruckman occassionally, but after that we are using medium sized players in Headland and Solomon, or pinch-hitting with a backman going forward (because we have too many of them).

With MacPharlin and Grover 26 I don't think there is any rush to turn Drum into a FB unless that is the best position for him.

We have plenty of options at both ends, but most of our talls down back aren't actually defenders. Mundy and Johnson will never be key defenders even though they have the height.

Dodd's ideal for someone like Riewoldt because Saint Nick is so athletic. When one out inside 50 Dodd looks really nervous and gives away a lot of free kicks. The longer we see him down back the more we'll see opposition forwards take him to the goal square.

Assuming we pick up Kepler Bradley there is only room for one of Murphy/Campbell/Drum/Bradley in the 22 if Drum is going to play forward.

 

[theGav56]

Would not want to see Bradley play before Drum or Murphy, but may prefer him to Gilmore (maybe) if we need aother ruckman. Would also prefer MacPharlin, Johnson, Mundy or even Thornton going forward than Bradley.

 

[dominguez]

Would not want to see Bradley play before Drum or Murphy, but may prefer him to Gilmore (maybe) if we need aother ruckman. Would also prefer MacPharlin, Johnson, Mundy or even Thornton going forward than Bradley.

I guess it depends on his WAFL form (assuming we draft him). He just won a VFL B&F so he had a more consistent season than Murphy and Campbell. By all reports his best position is as a lead up half forward, but we already have Tarrant playing that role so I'm not sure what the coaching staff have in mind. Ideally he'd play a similar role to Brett Burton/Andrew Embley.

 

[TOA.]

Ask all Essendon fans, they say Bradley is fine playing as a forward but piss poor anywhere else, esp defence.

As Dom pointed out, he played very well up forward in the VFL (winning the b &f).

 

[theGav56]

So he plays a role we don't require? We have plenty of tall players to run through the wings in Gilmore, Johnson, Mundy, and even Gilmore's clanger rate would be lower than Bradley's.

What we need is a bona fide FF to fill out the forward line, and a recalcitrant Farmer to play the full season.

 

[Moo]

What we need is a bona fide FF to fill out the forward line, and a recalcitrant Farmer to play the full season.

Wouldn't of thought our forward line needed much work to be honest.

If we get Bradely and he can perform for West Perth - does no harm to make Taz look over his shoulder and to challenge Spud and Kiwi.

 

[dominguez]

So he plays a role we don't require? We have plenty of tall players to run through the wings in Gilmore, Johnson, Mundy, and even Gilmore's clanger rate would be lower than Bradley's.

What we need is a bona fide FF to fill out the forward line, and a recalcitrant Farmer to play the full season.

If we pick up Bradley it gives us plenty of flexibility with Pavlich and Tarrant.

We could play Pav on the ball for a half and go with
HF- Tarrant Bradley Solomon
F-- Farmer Murphy/Campbell Headland

OR

Play Tarrant on the wing for a half and go with
HF- Bradley Solomon Schammer/Headland
F - Farmer Pavlich Bell

 

[dominguez]

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,22663895%5E20322,00.html

 

[theGav56]

Wouldn't of thought our forward line needed much work to be honest.

If we get Bradely and he can perform for West Perth - does no harm to make Taz look over his shoulder and to challenge Spud and Kiwi.

I think we definitely need a regular FF. What do you see Bradley challenging Spud or Kiwi for? Neither of them play regularly in the team. And I can see very little chance of Bradley challenging Tarrant, who had a reasonable year after an injury interupted pre-season. Tarrant is in another league to Bradley.

I suppose the expectations of a player drafted at around 60-70 (which is where Bradley will go hopefully) would be that they add depth, but I would prefer that they add depth to an area we don't already have depth in. If the club have an inkling that Murphy will be gone after next season then fair enough. Otherwise I prefer selections along the lines of Mourish, where the player is a bit of a wildcard with plenty of upside. Of course Mourish didn't actually work out, but no great loss either.

 

[theGav56]

dom, I can't see Pavlich playing a half on the ball, and nothing from the coaching staff in the last few years has indicated we are going to do that. Occassional burst maybe. When he has been on the ball in the last few seasons his impact has not be great. Solomon is a better big body in the scrum as he likes to crash and bash, which Pav doesn't.

 

[Moo]

I think we definitely need a regular FF. What do you see Bradley challenging Spud or Kiwi for? Neither of them play regularly in the team. And I can see very little chance of Bradley challenging Tarrant, who had a reasonable year after an injury interupted pre-season. Tarrant is in another league to Bradley.

Challenge in terms of - If we decide to play 3 talls? If we cop an injury to Taz/Pav? If we decide to push Taz a little further down field for whatever reason?

There are a number of reasons why I see the 3rd tall spot as a competition spot ...I agree that Taz is better, however it hurts no team to have players pushing for spots.

 

[bigkev bleeds purple]

Challenge in terms of - If we decide to play 3 talls? If we cop an injury to Taz/Pav? If we decide to push Taz a little further down field for whatever reason?

There are a number of reasons why I see the 3rd tall spot as a competition spot ...I agree that Taz is better, however it hurts no team to have players pushing for spots.

It does hurt the team when you have 5 players (Pavlich, Tarrant, Campbell, Murphy, Bradley) occupying spots on the list all competing for 2 spots in the 22, especially when 2 of those players stand out so far from the others. Next year, Pavlich and Tarrant will play every week barring injury or the MRP (Must Rape Purple) coming into play. The others are going to play WAFL unless there is another 3 tall forward line experiment, in which case whoever out of Murphy or Campbell is in better WAFL form will get a crack for a few weeks. Any thought of Murphy, Campbell or Bradley being groomed as a defender is just a pipedream. It won't happen. So in effect, that's 3 spots outside the 22 that are going to be taken up by players who have little chance of breaking into the 22. Don't recruit Bradley, having 2 back up key forwards is just right. And those 2 key forwards (Murphy and Campbell) are way better than Bradley ever has been or will be.

 

[Moo]

Bradley is a different player to Campbell and Murphy - it is not as easy as saying they are all the same height. Bradely can pinch hit in the ruck - the others can not ....Bradely is not (as I see it) a full forward - the others are only full forwards.... Bradley is a running big man - the others are not.

Now whether we recruit Bradley or not is a do or die decision but to say Campbell/Murphy is better than he is or will ever be is a comment I disagree with. We don't know.

Now why they may want Bradley would certainly be greater insurance than Murph or Kiwi if one of Taz or Pav went down ...it would mean minimal changes to structure.

Extra ruck cover too with JLo gone - Bradley has 10cm on Gilly. Also I know it is not his position but in a game where a Elvis or Grover gets a knock and comes off ....do you pull a MJ off the ball - play an undersized Drum on a KPP Forward - or send Kepler back who even though it is not his greatest position - he is 199cm tall and has played nearly 50 AFL games there?

To me Bradley is a cheap priced insurance policy (CHF, back up ruck and make shift back man), who at home and in the right position may have an upside.

In reality Murphy and Kiwi are in direct competition for the same position....a position that we often see unfilled (ie a big FF) as Farmer does the job and Pav is so effective.

Also on the 3 talls experiment ...certainly you will see it. Bradely pushing into the 22 is likely to see Pav push closer, Murphy pushing into the team see Taz and Pav further out. When we play teams like the doggies, Pav - Taz - 3rd tall would be a disaster for them as they play 190 cm 80Kg type kids back there.

I stick by my comment - form players in the WAFL is never a bad outcome.

3 back up KPP forwards - with 1 (Bradley) being cover for other positions is good list managment. Especially as if we didn't take Bradley we would a Mourish type on the list who essentially is competing for nothing....that hurts a squad not having big guys pushing for a spot.

Also Murph, Kiwi and Bradley would all be shots at making the 22 this year ...new coach, another year under their belt - they are hardly just list fillers. Young KPP's often have a breakout year where it clicks - here is hoping.

 

[Cheetah]

Sandi and Warnock are also a fair chance to change out of a forward pocket next year.

 

[sabre_ac]

Why do we continually experiment with players positions.

Our track record is shocking, Schammers/Murphy/Mundy and Johnson's development stalled. Farmer's career stalled when he was pushed into the midfield.

The guy is a flanker, whether that be forward or back.

Leave him there IMHO

 

[Ysaye]

Why do we continually experiment with players positions.

Our track record is shocking, Schammers/Murphy/Mundy and Johnson's development stalled. Farmer's career stalled when he was pushed into the midfield.

The guy is a flanker, whether that be forward or back.

Leave him there IMHO

hear hear!

 

[bigkev bleeds purple]

Bradley is a different player to Campbell and Murphy - it is not as easy as saying they are all the same height. Bradely can pinch hit in the ruck - the others can not ....Bradely is not (as I see it) a full forward - the others are only full forwards.... Bradley is a running big man - the others are not.

Now whether we recruit Bradley or not is a do or die decision but to say Campbell/Murphy is better than he is or will ever be is a comment I disagree with. We don't know.

Now why they may want Bradley would certainly be greater insurance than Murph or Kiwi if one of Taz or Pav went down ...it would mean minimal changes to structure.

Extra ruck cover too with JLo gone - Bradley has 10cm on Gilly. Also I know it is not his position but in a game where a Elvis or Grover gets a knock and comes off ....do you pull a MJ off the ball - play an undersized Drum on a KPP Forward - or send Kepler back who even though it is not his greatest position - he is 199cm tall and has played nearly 50 AFL games there?

To me Bradley is a cheap priced insurance policy (CHF, back up ruck and make shift back man), who at home and in the right position may have an upside.

In reality Murphy and Kiwi are in direct competition for the same position....a position that we often see unfilled (ie a big FF) as Farmer does the job and Pav is so effective.

Also on the 3 talls experiment ...certainly you will see it. Bradely pushing into the 22 is likely to see Pav push closer, Murphy pushing into the team see Taz and Pav further out. When we play teams like the doggies, Pav - Taz - 3rd tall would be a disaster for them as they play 190 cm 80Kg type kids back there.

I stick by my comment - form players in the WAFL is never a bad outcome.

3 back up KPP forwards - with 1 (Bradley) being cover for other positions is good list managment. Especially as if we didn't take Bradley we would a Mourish type on the list who essentially is competing for nothing....that hurts a squad not having big guys pushing for a spot.

Also Murph, Kiwi and Bradley would all be shots at making the 22 this year ...new coach, another year under their belt - they are hardly just list fillers. Young KPP's often have a breakout year where it clicks - here is hoping.

Bradley is not exclusively a full forward, he's not exclusively any position. Why's that you ask? Because he isn't good at any of them. If he was good at them, he would've stayed in that position. Essendon people say that he was carp in the backline and if he was even half decent he would've gotten a game in their midfield. Instead, he played in the VFL as a key forward. And just because he's tall doesn't mean he can ruck. As he showed this season, Gilmore is a very capable third string ruckman. If either 211 or Warnock was to go down with injury, I'd be comfortable with Happy stepping in to fill the void.

If Grover or McPharlin get injured I'd rather see Casper, Stompy, Magic or the good Drum step in to the key defensive posts. They're all capable of playing key position. (Actually, I would've rathered that Haddrill came into the 22. I'm really spewing that he wasn't offered a new contract )

Murphy and Kiwi aren't just list fillers. They are capable back ups. It's when you have three back ups that you have a problem. We don't need three. Especially when one of them is a crab. Bradley couldn't even get a game for Essendon this year. Why would we want a guy who has no position and couldn't get a game in a mediocre team?

 

[dockers_bengals]

Im with you too sabre.
what is the obsession with fullback?its match ups