Half-Time Report

[Metallica_Man]

Brilliant work mate

 

[GeeCat]

One thing i would say about James Kelly, is that sure his come back to form but he hasnt got back the goal kicking form what he once had. I'm not sure if thats due to positioning of him. But thats just one thing i have really noticed about his game this year.

Kelly has never really been a noted goalkicking midfielder to begin with though.

I guess that is the point in itself though, we're playing him predominantly in the midfield again, which is where he really belongs. I feel we read too much into his early promise as a makeshift small forward/flanker option (where his overhead marking and usually reliable set shots were bankable, for awhile), and the subsequent move to playing on a half forward flank last year became too permanent.

 

[GeeCat]

Great stuff - my only comments would be :

Mark Blake has improved for sure but I still have big reservations - he does not mark over his head enough and he has no kicking or handball skills - it is going to be costly one day.

I think you're over-critiquing his game, considering his experience and the steps he's taken thus far in his first real season of consistency (although, for the record, I'll agree on the lack of overhead skills, but to be fair really, nothing much has really been demanded of it thus far. Right now, I'm fairly happy with the way his around the ground play has improved to date).

His kicking and handball skills are fine.

Agree that Nathan needs more development but there are no alternatives. Hawk will be great when super fit.

Good summary but too harsh on Nathan. His goal scoring has dropped off, sure, but I think there is a correlation between this, and Hawkins out of the side. We are only playing only two key forwards at the moment and he is therefore receiving significantly more attention. I think he was great again on the weekend, presented, took marks, made contests (including a fantastic two-on-one which allowed Chapman to stroll into goal).

He plays in the hardest position on the ground. I still think he's our most improved this year.

The absence of a third tall forward has impacted on Nathan's game and, more particularly, the approach he's had to take (probably to a negative effect), but in any case, I don't believe it to be an overriding factor for most of those forementioned aspects.

I never mentioned his drop in goalkicking as a primary concern, because for most of the time, it's a by-product or result of the things I did mention (when he's doing them). The inconsistent effort in leads, the attack on the ball in air, are aspects of his game which shouldn't be subject to whose around him and who isn't.

I'm not campaigning for his demotion, far from it, but I am pointing out the drop in his game (not necessarily just 'statistically') which needs (and can) be rectified/improved upon for the second half.

 

[Betterthenbencoon]

Matthew Spencer: [/B]Tries hard, as he always does, and commits himself the full length, as he always does, but there is nothing more to his game that suggests he will make it. The butt of many of a joke, but unfortunately there is little to his game that can back up any man-made defense of him being otherwise. The boot will be applied come years end.

What has happened with Spencer? Previous B&F winner, has he just chucked it in, or has he been injured, what could contribute to being a 2's B&F winner in 05 to being in line for the chop and season and a half later? Being a big bloke, is he a late developer, as he is still only 22, is there more progression in the next couple of years? He's a top bloke, so i'd hate to see him end up on the scrap heap.

 

[djlowz]

You've done well.

 

[GeeCat]

What has happened with Spencer? Previous B&F winner, has he just chucked it in, or has he been injured, what could contribute to being a 2's B&F winner in 05 to being in line for the chop and season and a half later? Being a big bloke, is he a late developer, as he is still only 22, is there more progression in the next couple of years? He's a top bloke, so i'd hate to see him end up on the scrap heap.

Frankly, I just don't think he's up to it.

Dinosaur bigmen like him who lack what he does (and can't really make up for it with what he can) aren't going to be find the going any easier. As I said, he tries hard as always, but as cliched as it sounds, that will only get you so far.