Roast Goodbye Ryan Gamble

[The rabbi]

Re: Ryan Gamble, goodbye

And the reason he's been put in the back half in the twos would be......? Let me have a stab. It's because the wise heads on the match committee have noted he doesn't chase, has little interest in the defensive skills, likes taking speckies, and doesn't adhere to the Geelong disciplines. One way of doing something about those deficiencies is to place him where they might develop. He's had enough opportunities up forward and hasn't delivered. Glimpses of ability don't cut it.

Exactly why I thought that they were playing him in defense. They may still consider him a forward but in todays game a lack of defensive skills is unacceptable.

When Travis first came on the scene it was just this skill/discipline that kept him getting games. He has now added other skills to his game.

 

[jimmy.h]

I was surprised he replaced Kelly in defence, surely there would be someone else better suited to that role... like Gilles? or is he injured/or have bad form?

Gillies is a full back prospect. We couldn't really go into a game with Gillies, Taylor, Scarlett and Lonergan all picked as backmen.

Ryan has probably done his dash as an AFL player. He has been given too many opportunities where he has shown next to nothing. With some of the other young players we have I don't really see him being able to make it as a small/medium forward or backmen.

That being said, when you have 5+ of your best 22 (and a number of depth player) injured you will have to play some players who aren't up to it.

Also, Ryan may have been poor last night, but we kicked 6 goals from 52 forward fifty entries. I'd say our problems were mainly in our forward not back half.

 

[Cattery]

Don't we possess two good small/medium defenders?
Milne and Schneider are their two most dangerous small forwards, so why play a bloke who's a last minute replacement and is at best an average forward on one of them?

Two [ or was it three? ] goals from Schneider, plus an assist, before the move was made, in a low scoring game that's a great way to kick start the opposition I'd say.
Maybe the magnifying glass should be on Bomber more then Gamble.

 

[i_need_a_pencil]

Gillies is a full back prospect. We couldn't really go into a game with Gillies, Taylor, Scarlett and Lonergan all picked as backmen.

Ryan has probably done his dash as an AFL player. He has been given too many opportunities where he has shown next to nothing. With some of the other young players we have I don't really see him being able to make it as a small/medium forward or backmen.

That being said, when you have 5+ of your best 22 (and a number of depth player) injured you will have to play some players who aren't up to it.

Also, Ryan may have been poor last night, but we kicked 6 goals from 52 forward fifty entries. I'd say our problems were mainly in our forward not back half.

I see.. another time then.

And absolutely agree that our main problems weren't really defence. I think Kelly's run would have helped with that.

 

[Brasil2007]

Re: Ryan Gamble, goodbye

Exactly why I thought that they were playing him in defense. They may still consider him a forward but in todays game a lack of defensive skills is unacceptable.

When Travis first came on the scene it was just this skill/discipline that kept him getting games. He has now added other skills to his game.

Your observation about Trav is spot on. One thing that's really incredibly obvious is that the Cats don't rate "talent" or "potential" as much as they rate discipline and work rate (whereas a lot of supporters I think see things the other way round). As long as you stick to the plan and do as you're told to the best of your ability you're guaranteed to get a fair run, which is why a lot of players have stuck around well after the fans have lost patience. In virtually all of these cases, the club has been validated. Even when the club offloads a player who isn't going to cut the mustard, they'll do their best to give you a soft landing if they think you've done everything you can for them. It's really incredibly smart management.

The other little observation I'd like to make is that aside from giving Gamble a fair run at proving his worth, there's another reason he might have got a spot: think Henry Playfair v Port Adelaide in 2007... he was being put on show for trade at the end of the year.

 

[Greg Brady]

Cant understand how he got a game ahead of a couple o young'uns who keep killing it in the VFL, namely Menzel and Christensen.

gb

 

[InnocentBystandr]

Vegas was not a bad as everyone seems to think, and he wasn't the reason we lost the game! Yes, he some judgement errors, but he was not alone there. He took quite a few solid defensive marks and if anything tried to 'share' it too much (he's been criticised for being selfish in the past). His chase on Schneider looked worse than it was as the zoom lens of the cameras makes players seem closer than they really are. As he was a last minute inclusion, he might not have been as mentally prepared as a listed player.

He is not as good as James Kelly, but then, not many players are!

 

[The rabbi]

Re: Ryan Gamble, goodbye

Your observation about Trav is spot on. One thing that's really incredibly obvious is that the Cats don't rate "talent" or "potential" as much as they rate discipline and work rate (whereas a lot of supporters I think see things the other way round). As long as you stick to the plan and do as you're told to the best of your ability you're guaranteed to get a fair run, which is why a lot of players have stuck around well after the fans have lost patience.

And a good example of that is Hawkins. When he wasn't kicking goals he was still doing the defensive stuff like tackles and pressuring players. Think of his first goal in the GF. (The man in white is always right).

Then you need to consider that Thompson would rate his goal assists even if he did not damage the scoreboard personally. The supporters want to see bags of goals (and I believe they will come). However, for Thompson it is all about the contribution to the team.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

I was surprised he replaced Kelly in defence, surely there would be someone else better suited to that role... like Gilles? or is he injured/or have bad form?

I think it is clear the club consider Gillies as a tall defender, in particular a full back, and thus he will only play when scarlett, lonners or taylor are injured. I say that because with due respect to menzel et al, gillies has been our best in the vfl most weeks, so if it was simply based on form, he would get more games. I am prepared to back this, obviously they think it's best for his development if they settle him in one role and let him play that rather than bring him in to replace mid size defenders and/or midfielders or whoever else is injured.

So with that I can understand why Gamble played as there weren't many other options, but as SJ said, Gamble doesn't cut it as a defender.

As a forward, while he lacks defensive pressure, and often tries to do too much, at least he looked vaguely competent. Heaven help us if the coaches send him out to play defence in a final.

I know Duncan's a forward, but I would still have rather he came in for Kelly last night.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Don't we possess two good small/medium defenders?
Milne and Schneider are their two most dangerous small forwards, so why play a bloke who's a last minute replacement and is at best an average forward on one of them?

Two [ or was it three? ] goals from Schneider, plus an assist, before the move was made, in a low scoring game that's a great way to kick start the opposition I'd say.
Maybe the magnifying glass should be on Bomber more then Gamble.

It is well known that this is our one weak area in terms of the list, because bar Wojo, the backline lacks pace, and we don't have anyone who can consisently specifically play well on a good small forward (although Hunt had a good game last night). In time I think Taylor Hunt could develop into that, and I also have hopes for Weston in a similar role, but that's a long way off. In the short term, Kelly may need to go back there at times. I know it's robbing Peter to pay Paul, but he did the role well last year.

 

[hamG]

T. Hunt should have been marking one of their small forwards. He spent heaps of time playing well as a defender in the VFL. It was the wrong lineup for a shitass wet night going top heavy against a team who has shit tall forwards.

I don't exactly blame Gamble for much. He used to be a high marking flashy forward but in the last 3 years he's lost that, and that was the only thing he really has which could make him as an AFL player.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

T. Hunt should have been marking one of their small forwards. He spent heaps of time playing well as a defender in the VFL. It was the wrong lineup for a shitass wet night going top heavy against a team who has shit tall forwards.

I don't exactly blame Gamble for much. He used to be a high marking flashy forward but in the last 3 years he's lost that, and that was the only thing he really has which could make him as an AFL player.

Agree. Unfortunately I think he will be back to the VFL in a couple of weeks when we get players back.

 

[Wish Wellingtons]

Cant understand how he got a game ahead of a couple o young'uns who keep killing it in the VFL, namely Menzel and Christensen.

gb

Agreed, much rather chuck a kid in the deep end than persist with a bloke who was never going to be any better than any of them anyway.

 

[BigBadCam]

sigh....

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Cant understand how he got a game ahead of a couple o young'uns who keep killing it in the VFL, namely Menzel and Christensen.

gb

I don't know if I'd have rather seen them given Menzel has had no pre season with that groin injury, and Christensen by his own admission still needs to work on his fitness for AFL level.

But yes, I would much rather have seen Duncan or Hogan etc than Gamble last night.

But they probably only took one emergency to the ground, so when Kelly pulled out as late as he did, it had to be Gamble.

 

[darren forssman]

It is well known that this is our one weak area in terms of the list, because bar Wojo, the backline lacks pace, and we don't have anyone who can consisently specifically play well on a good small forward (although Hunt had a good game last night). In time I think Taylor Hunt could develop into that, and I also have hopes for Weston in a similar role, but that's a long way off. In the short term, Kelly may need to go back there at times. I know it's robbing Peter to pay Paul, but he did the role well last year.

and wojo is far from accountable or disciplined.

i read in the hun they're thinking about grooming varcoe for a sweeping defender type role. maybe in time he will transition down there. they did try him there against norf in the nab cup.

 

[darrenmorgan]

yep i blame the selection committee for the loss as much as anyone. sure, we had a huge number of players down on the night, but going into a sodden mcg match with 4 tall defenders (taylor, scarlett, lonergan, gamble), 2 (useless) ruckmen, and 2 ineffective tall forwards? id much preferred to have seen duncan in, or hogan reinstated, when kelly pulled out,. the gamble decision was...well, a pretty big gamble (and it didnt pay off)

 

[Duskfire]

I still think our backline is far too tall. Scarlett, Taylor, Mackie, Milburn and Lonergan are all reasonably tall, which makes our backline far far too top heavy. Its no coincedence that Carlton and St Kilda were able to exploit them via small forwards. Kelly needs to be moved back there, and either Lonergan or Mackie should be dropped.

As for Gambe, I still think he has alot of promise. He always seems to be bought in for one game, and then dropped straight away again. Cant get any good like that.

 

[OldStyle2007]

Re: Ryan Gamble, goodbye

Yep, a guy who hasn't been able to establish a position in the side, and when he gets another opportunity can't even do the absolute basics is a terrible outcome.

Happened a couple of times, where he thought the St Kilda player was going to kick so he stopped chasing, then had to try to go again when they kept running forward with the ball.

Tough match to re-enter the AFL scene on....

But to give up on the chase on that Schneider goal which Schneider saw and then allowed himself to take a few more steps to straighten up was just unforgiveable

I mean, come on Ryan: you get back into the seniors and you really want to put that sh!t out on display on Friday night TV???

 

[Kama6]

God you buggers are spoilt.
You have no idea how the other half live.

Gamble might be finished as an AFL footballer at Geelong but he's way ahead of alot of other players getting games at other clubs.

 

[costanza23]

I still think our backline is far too tall. Scarlett, Taylor, Mackie, Milburn and Lonergan are all reasonably tall, which makes our backline far far too top heavy. Its no coincedence that Carlton and St Kilda were able to exploit them via small forwards. Kelly needs to be moved back there, and either Lonergan or Mackie should be dropped.

I agree. Tall and a bit slow. Scarlett, Taylor, Milburn and Mackie are in our best 22 and fill the amount one team should have for 'tall defenders' (all 189cm plus). Lonergan has not missed a game this year and has exceeded everyone's expectations, playing a solid roll at full back. But it just seems we have one tall too many. Tough to solve.

But getting back to Gamble, the St Kilda match was a pretty tough one to come back for after 10+ weeks away and in pretty tough conditions. He showed he is not a defender and should stop being trialled there in the twos. Put him back to half forward/forward pocket next week with Johnno out, where it is obvious that he is more comfortable and suited to playing that role.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

and wojo is far from accountable or disciplined.

i read in the hun they're thinking about grooming varcoe for a sweeping defender type role. maybe in time he will transition down there. they did try him there against norf in the nab cup.

You are right. Wojo has the pace but lacks the other skills to be a lockdown small defender, hence he is better off hb/wing as we have seen. I mention t hunt and weston as they are the other two on our list with the pace, whether they have the other skills for this role we'll only find out as they develop.

On varcoe, much as I love him forward, it's possible. He certainly has the pace, tackling ability and kicking skills required, and if christensen motlop a varcoe et al develop as small forward I'm sure it'll be looked at down the track.

On now, and everyone saying we are too tall and slow, we're not too tall, lots of sides play with 3 tall defenders, and on the pace thing, we have to work with what we have. You can't bring in some 18yo from the vfl just because you need pace if that kid is not ready. For now, it is something we will have to work around.

 

[Leaping Larry]

He (Gamble) has a touch of the Lewis Roberts Thompsons about him.......absolutely ****en shite.
He is one player that when selected you have a pretty ordinary feeling about how they are going to go on the night, much like David Johnson.

 

[hamG]

He is one player that when selected you have a pretty ordinary feeling about how they are going to go on the night, much like David Johnson.

DJ was solid & dedicated.

 

[FoxC]

Yep, give me DJ any day over Gamble in defence.

How sad it is to recollect Gamble's best game against the Dogs at Skilled barely two years ago.

What would we get for him from Adelaide or Port?