Enforcer: 2008 -

[Mad Dog]

So for the first time in our Club's history it looks like we will start a new era without a genuine "Enforcer" within the team.

Up until now - when a minor skirmish breaks out, opposition players have had one eye on the look out to see where Roo is - and have thought twice about putting their head over the ball when he was in the vicinity.

Going back further we've had The Weed, Death Viska, Scott Lee, and to a lesser extent Darren Jarman - but I can't think of a player on our list to would strike the fear of God into opposition players as some have.

Sure the game is different - thuggery is out - but the presence of some players just gives teammates a bit of confidence around the packs.

Who do we look to ?

It's never really been part of Goody's game - Rutten is usually busy at full back - and van Berlo normally chooses to deal with players next time they dare to sleep with the light off.

Who do we see as providing that presence on the ground now that Roo has retired.?

 

[crowman_23]

I don't see him as someone opposition players would genuinely fear, but I think Scott Thompson would be the best man to play the 'enforcer' role. Has a solid body, doesn't mind it hard and rough, and he would be the one I think to try and play that role. We won't find someone to play it as well as Roo for a very long time, but I think Thompson does have the ability to throw his body around, and roughen players up when the time is right.

 

[cocka]

Rutten is the obvious one. But probably doesn't have the mongrel in him.

Like to see maybe a tag team. Rutten could grab Burton and throw him at opposition players like a battering ram.

 

[Drummond]

Luke Jericho has all the tools to fill the void.

 

[AC07]

Watch out here comes Truck

We are yet to see his fury!

 

[Dandy_GO]

Yeah - Thompson is probably the closest we've got.
Even though the enforcer role is traditionally given to a solid midfielder, Ivan and Kurt have plenty of natural aggression in them. Look out for the twin towers to be dishin out the pain in years to come.

 

[Mad Dog]

I don't see him as someone opposition players would genuinely fear, but I think Scott Thompson would be the best man to play the 'enforcer' role. Has a solid body, doesn't mind it hard and rough, and he would be the one I think to try and play that role. We won't find someone to play it as well as Roo for a very long time, but I think Thompson does have the ability to throw his body around, and roughen players up when the time is right.

Scott Thompson certainly has the temperament - but can get sucked in to giving away free kicks. I reckon he will have orders to be on his best behaviour this year

 

[Mad Dog]

Yeah - Thompson is probably the closest we've got.
Even though the enforcer role is traditionally given to a solid midfielder, Ivan and Kurt have plenty of natural aggression in them. Look out for the twin towers to be dishin out the pain in years to come.

I'm thinking it might fall to the big fellas to take the role over the coming years...Tippett - Sellar - Ivan

 

[MickyCrow]

May be wrong, but i was under the impression that Cook had a fair bit of mongrel about him- if he makes it of course

 

[NikkiNoo]

Get the dvd out of the port final in 05 and watch in the little argy bargy that comes after pickett bumps biglands.

Rutten is wandering around with a huge grin on his face wanting to get involved. No port player wants to go near him. They don't mind grabbing other players but they steer clear of Rutten.

I remember watching it unfold at the ground as the incident happened right near us and noticing Truck with no one around, so when watching the replay I looked out for him and sure enough, not one port player comes near him, most move away.

 

[macca69]

May be wrong, but i was under the impression that Cook had a fair bit of mongrel about him- if he makes it of course

Yes and no. Plays with real intensity and really hates to be beaten, but not suited to an enforcer role IMO. Dangerfield would be more likely given his physique and physical style of play, but he doesn't come across as having a lot of mongrel in him IMO.

 

[-VC-]

Yes and no. Plays with real intensity and really hates to be beaten, but not suited to an enforcer role IMO. Dangerfield would be more likely given his physique and physical style of play, but he doesn't come across as having a lot of mongrel in him IMO.

Yeah, I can't say I see Cook as an enforcer of sorts. He's competitive, but so are many guys.

It's important to remember that VB knows telekinesis. Mind bullets.

 

[marvin]

So for the first time in our Club's history it looks like we will start a new era without a genuine "Enforcer" within the team.

Up until now - when a minor skirmish breaks out, opposition players have had one eye on the look out to see where Roo is - and have thought twice about putting their head over the ball when he was in the vicinity.

Going back further we've had The Weed, Death Viska, Scott Lee, and to a lesser extent Darren Jarman - but I can't think of a player on our list to would strike the fear of God into opposition players as some have.

Sure the game is different - thuggery is out - but the presence of some players just gives teammates a bit of confidence around the packs.

Who do we look to ?

It's never really been part of Goody's game - Rutten is usually busy at full back - and van Berlo normally chooses to deal with players next time they dare to sleep with the light off.

Who do we see as providing that presence on the ground now that Roo has retired.?

Given that Roo was barely on the ground in 2008, it's not really a new issue.

Truck provides enough physical presence to quieten down the back half of the ground. Thommo's hard enough at the man and the ball to make a few think twice, Bock has shown a willingness to put someone down when needed, and who knows from the kids? Doesn't have to be a big bloke - Brett James had some real mongrel in him and wasn't exactly the biggest midfielder we ever had.

 

[Mismatched]

I think VB has got a pretty big claim for this mantle, just ask Rocca.

Other than this, Rutten is definitely one to be feared, he'd be the kind of bloke who wouldn't need to use his bulk, it would, as Nikki noted, just keep people in line. Little different, but back in late 04 early 05, Rutten found himself with the ball in the forward line and I can just remember the opposition players sheer terror when they realised it was their duty to stop this beast, bit like when Gehric would get the ball up forward for the Saints, players just seem a little tentative when it comes to tackling all of a sudden. No one messes with Rutten.

Andy Otten would be another future enforcer, has a big body and by the sounds is quite possibly going to be a midfielder and could quite easily take on this role.

 

[Cap]

Scott Stevens

 

[CaptainDangerfield]

A lack of players with genuine aggression has been a problem at the AFC for near on a decade. The only players aged 24+ I see who have any form of aggression are Stiffy and Thommo.

Teams that lack genuine aggression rarely win premierships

 

[Southerntakeover]

van Berlo's a tank now. Who better to get right up in Chad Cornes face and point out the score?

 

[Eastern Crow]

I would say there are not too many enforcers left in the comp

you get rubbed out for sneezing these days

the rules are alot tighter in today's footy, if your half a second late on a bump, it's a charge and you cop 2 matches

unfortunately today's footy is all about the athlete not the enforcer

 

[Porps_is_HOT_loz]

I would say there are not too many enforcers left in the comp

you get rubbed out for sneezing these days

the rules are alot tighter in today's footy, if your half a second late on a bump, it's a charge and you cop 2 matches

unfortunately today's footy is all about the athlete not the enforcer

Thats is defientely true!!

Being athletic is more important

Um.... well i'm thinking Truck as Nickiinoo a page back said about everyone not tagging Truck and leaving him by himself.

He's one of the best and strongest backs in the comp IMO but he will be unstoppable as an Enforcer

We can put Kenny back there instead or Bocky (rather him CHB)

Great question Mad Dog

 

[macca23]

Luke Jericho has all the tools to fill the void.

Ahhh yes.

Opposition players tremble in their boots at the very mention of Cool Hand Luke.

 

[Markthirtytwo]

Yeah, I can't say I see Cook as an enforcer of sorts. He's competitive, but so are many guys.

It's important to remember that VB knows telekinesis. Mind bullets.

Exactly, he just has to stare at them at they wilt.

Sellar would be my choice looking at his current photos once he gets on the field of course.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

I would say there are not too many enforcers left in the comp

you get rubbed out for sneezing these days

the rules are alot tighter in today's footy, if your half a second late on a bump, it's a charge and you cop 2 matches

unfortunately today's footy is all about the athlete not the enforcer

I agree it is not as important in the current day AFL environment. Gone are the days where you need an enforcer. We have enough bigger body types in the team who will stand up where necessary.

 

[jarmanagic]

I think it is a good point. Whilst thugs are from a different era, strong men are not. We've lost a lot of strong/hard at it players in the last 12 months (Roo/Torney/Bode/Huddo/Perrie and now Biglands)

Our younger midfielders arent ready to be physically imposing, most not that type of player anyway. Thommo the logical option. Controlled aggression the key. Dont forget though he was outstanding in 07. Continued improvement in 08 will lead to him becoming an elite player and I suspect our best player by the end of 08

 

[Cap]

I belive there is still room for enforcers, its just they do it in the rules of the game.

I remember a few years back when Mcleod have a massive tag and he was being a real prick about it, at one of the bouces Carey ran through him, legally as well.

Its the first and only time i have ever seen a crows player (bar maybe Roo) do something like that.

You need a Bock or Rutten type who has a footbal brain to be able to execute it though.

 

[Eggzoi]

Chris Knights is going to break everyones face, probably by shanking a kick right into it but nontheless effective.