Grant Birchall versus Sam Gilbert

[WWSD]

Both taken in the 2005 National draft, and both 193cm. Both pretty tall for Half Back Flankers. Both good left foot kick's of the footy, they both play similiar style of footy. Exactly the same type of playes in my opinion. Perhaps Birchall has been more consistent in his career so far. Birchall had his best year in 2011. Where as Gilbert output was not as good as 09-10, but still played some good matches. But who's do you think is better at the moment?

Grant Birchall 129 Games 15 Goals
Sam Gilbert 110 Games 18 Goals.

 

[Jobe Watson]

If you asked me last year, I would've taken Gilbert easily.

But, Gilbert stalled and Birchall went flying past him this year, and was close to making the AA team. One of the more underrated players in the comp in my opinion. Would rather have him at Essendon now.

 

[Donakebab]

If you asked me last year, I would've taken Gilbert easily.

But, Gilbert stalled and Birchall went flying past him this year, and was close to making the AA team. One of the more underrated players in the comp in my opinion. Would rather have him at Essendon now.

Gilbert easily in 2010, Birchall easily in 2011.

Would much rather Birchall have the ball in his hands in 2012, but if Gilbert comes out guns blazing I wouldn't be surprised either.

Birchall for now.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Gilbert really blossomed in 09 and 10, but his disposal and decision making in 2011 was ordinary. I can't remember which game it was I watched, but he just looked like a bloke who had no idea where the ball should be directed to, and continually coughed it up.

Birchall on the other hand is elite by foot. It has a lot to do with his 'shot selection', but he just continually hits targets coming out of the backline. His downfall is that he has T-rex arms that he cannot get above his head. As a running half back though, he is top notch.

 

[Hump 17]

Gilbert is much harder at the contest than Birchall and Gilberts tackling is as good as anyones. Yes Gilbert does miss the occasional target but Birchall more often than not is kicking short to a stationary target.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Gilbert is much harder at the contest than Birchall and Gilberts tackling is as good as anyones. Yes Gilbert does miss the occasional target but Birchall more often than not is kicking short to a stationary target.

Can't agree with Gilbert being harder at the contest. They are on par.

 

[doppleganger]

Birchall went forward in leaps and bounds to become an AA quality player.

Gilbert lost all confidence and barely looked AFL standard at times.

Would prefer Birchall.

 

[Hump 17]

Birchall went forward in leaps and bounds to become an AA quality player.

Gilbert lost all confidence and barely looked AFL standard at times.

Would prefer Birchall.

Gilbert had a induferant season fir reasons well documented. His two previous seasons he was one of the best defenders in the AFL in what was statistically the best defense ever. Birchalls figures are inflated with the keepings off Clarkson had them play last year.

 

[Jaeger]

I see Birchall as the upgraded version of Sam Gilbert.

Birchill is the more polished player who is more damaging offensively.

Gilbert may be better defensively.

Birchall would be slightly tougher with considerably better disposal.

Birchall is the better footballer.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

The rules of the board are pretty self explanatory, if you can't make a point without saying a player is renowned for being soft, or being crude about something that happened in the off season then you may want to rethink posting here.

 

[JonoNash]

Gilbert is far more versatile. He has played a run with role with Judd, is a great mark (superior than Birchall) as a defender and went forward in the 2010 GF and changed the course of the game.

 

[Brown n Gold]

Gilbert is far more versatile. He has played a run with role with Judd, is a great mark (superior than Birchall) as a defender and went forward in the 2010 GF and changed the course of the game.

Hodge >>>>>>>>> Ablett / Judd / Swan / Pendlebury

based on that rationale...

 

[JonoNash]

Hodge >>>>>>>>> Ablett / Judd / Swan / Pendlebury

Hodge is more versatile than those 3, who are pure midfielders, although Hodge isn't as damaging as Swan forward.

But in this comparison, Gilbert is the more versatile player. He has done shutdown/run with roles with elite midfielders, he has gone forward and changed the course of a GF and he is a superb mark as a defender. His kicking is his weakness, but only Fisher is a better mark (for his size, he is the best mark in the AFL) than Gilbert for his size in the competition.

 

[Brown n Gold]

Hodge is more versatile than those 3, who are pure midfielders, although Hodge isn't as damaging as Swan forward.

But in this comparison, Gilbert is the more versatile player. He has done shutdown/run with roles with elite midfielders, he has gone forward and changed the course of a GF and he is a superb mark as a defender. His kicking is his weakness, but only Fisher is a better mark (for his size, he is the best mark in the AFL) than Gilbert for his size in the competition.

Thanks for clarifying that... what a load of crap!

Just because Hawthorn don't need Birchall to play run with roles, because we have Sewell, Lewis, Shiels, Bateman who can all run with a player and be damaging at the same time that effects Birchall's standing as a player.

Just because we don't need Birchall to take marks floating across packs because we have Gibson, Stratton to play those roles that makes Birchall a lesser player.

And Finally, just because we have Franklin, Rough, Hale, Rioli etc in the forwardline, Birchall is not required as a swing man that also counts against Birchall also.....

nice argument...

Gilbert was a star in the best defence and the most organised defence in the competition in 2009 and 2010. He enjoyed playing around Max H, Fisher, Goddard etc.

Once the Saints form dropped as a team Gilbert was exposed one on one and has looked a shadow of his former self.

P.S. Hodge is every bit as dangerous forward as Swan....

 

[Donakebab]

Not going to write Gilbert off after one bad season, which is partially understandable given the circumstances. Also Birchall is going to need to back it up this year to black and white say he is a better player. It's much closer call than some posters are making it out to be.

 

[HeHateMe]

Not going to write Gilbert off after one bad season, which is partially understandable given the circumstances. Also Birchall is going to need to back it up this year to black and white say he is a better player. It's much closer call than some posters are making it out to be.

Agree, Bitchall has had two really good session 08 & 11 and so has Gilbert 09 & 10 this year one of these players will stand up and prove there better then the other.

 

[Slattery_20]

Birchall, easily, and I don't rate him particularly highly.

 

[CHIEF SMACKAHOE]

didn't really rate gilbert highly even in 09-10 but he absolutely went to shit last year. got to be birchall

 

[Buddysurkidsdad]

Gilbert is much harder at the contest than Birchall and Gilberts tackling is as good as anyones. Yes Gilbert does miss the occasional target but Birchall more often than not is kicking short to a stationary target.

Birchall's physicallity has always been a weakness of his but he really improved in this area last season. For those looking for proof look no further than his attack on the footy in the prelim against the pies.

 

[Jeremias]

I don't rate Gilbert at all.

Birchall comfortably.

 

[Hodgepodge]

Birchall on the other hand is elite by foot. It has a lot to do with his 'shot selection', but he just continually hits targets coming out of the backline. His downfall is that he has T-rex arms that he cannot get above his head. As a running half back though, he is top notch.

Improved a lot in that area this year. I don't think it's small arms that are the issue, but he plays with a hunch and isn't great overhead. He's done well in taking the 3rd tall this year, particularly when Gilham went down and he needed to take a man each week. This has made him into a much better player, has the accountability to defend against an opponent and then run off him and create. Much underrated, very reliable defender.