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Harbrow?

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Libba39

Libba39

Norm Smith Medallist
Veteran
Mar 10, 2008
6,231
7,668
Murrumbeena
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Western Bulldogs
Just wondering what everyone thinks about Harbrow at this stage. He laid some great tackles playing as a defensive forward in the first quarter on Mcleod, but the Adelaide star still picked up 7 possessions (and finished with 23 - equal top for Crows). Jarrod was rarely sighted after that and finished the game with only six touches.

Basically can we afford to go into the finals with Harbrow as a defensive forward considering he doesn't appear to be able to play four quarters?
 
He has done enough to keep his spot i think, he's gonna need to be good against Hawthorn though to secure it for the entire finals campaign. I think along with Hahn they are our only tackling forwards and they will be important come finals time.
 
He must play. We need his hardness and desperation. Plus he's a lovely kick at goal. He could really make a name for himself friday night.
 

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Forward Tackling pressure is an important thing. Harbrow is a real asset IMO. Had just 27 points in Supercoach. Just shows what a load of rubbish ranking points are. I love his one percenters.
 
The main thing that annoys me about this board are the blanket yes or no responses. No way we should go after Kerr or Lovett, Harbrow definitely should/shouldn't be in our side etc. Imo he is a borderline selection, I would have him in the 22. Yesterday he spent time on McLeod and while he had 23 touches he didn't offer the dangerous drive he is well capable of. The Hawks have Birchall and Guerra who offer them drive out of defence and Harbrow is the type of player who keep at least keep them honest.

A negative of his is that he doesn't get enough of the ball. Stats can be meaningless at times in the modern game but we are not talking about the difference between getting it 15 or 30 times. If you are small and struggling to get 10 touches in a game it's a fair indicator you are not having a large influence. A prime example is Ward. I adore him and I think he is extremely courageous and will be a star one day but he gets about 5 touches a game. He does one or two super brave things a game but his overall influence isn't strong enough to warrant a spot in the 22 yet. His body also doesn't help us going the other way in a physical sense. A mate of mine recently said he will be great in the finals as he is nuts and will go out and kill someone etc, my response is that the only person who is going to hurt atm is himself (which I must say I adore once again).
 
I think he deserves his spot. Although he is only credited with 4 tackles, he lays a lot of half-tackles/puts players under pressure by chasing behind them. These are not credited with statistics or rankings points, but are essential to the game plan.

Him and Hahn are the only ones who apply significant forward pressure. Minson and Welsh are also pretty good at it...but i think Harbrow is very important.

Bringing in Ray or Ward, they are different players, so i dont see how that could benefit the team? We need a small forward capable of putting on forward pressure...on current form, I'd drop Higgins ahead of Harbrow (please note Higgins is one of my favourite players, so its not a decision inspired by Higgins hatred). I still think they should both play though.
 
I think Harbrow has done enough in the past 5 weeks to earn his spot, he may not get a lot of the ball but when he does he usually does something with it..his work rate and tackling pressure will be vital for us in the finals, you know what your going to get with Jarrod.
I don't suscribe to the theory you need 15+ touches to have an influence on the game..he may only have 3 kicks for the game but they could be 2 goals and 1 assist and he could be the one clinching a win for us by laying a strong tackle on someone who is about to score
 
Rocco Jones said:
The main thing that annoys me about this board are the blanket yes or no responses. No way we should go after Kerr or Lovett, Harbrow definitely should/shouldn't be in our side etc. Imo he is a borderline selection, I would have him in the 22. Yesterday he spent time on McLeod and while he had 23 touches he didn't offer the dangerous drive he is well capable of. The Hawks have Birchall and Guerra who offer them drive out of defence and Harbrow is the type of player who keep at least keep them honest.

A negative of his is that he doesn't get enough of the ball. Stats can be meaningless at times in the modern game but we are not talking about the difference between getting it 15 or 30 times. If you are small and struggling to get 10 touches in a game it's a fair indicator you are not having a large influence. A prime example is Ward. I adore him and I think he is extremely courageous and will be a star one day but he gets about 5 touches a game. He does one or two super brave things a game but his overall influence isn't strong enough to warrant a spot in the 22 yet. His body also doesn't help us going the other way in a physical sense. A mate of mine recently said he will be great in the finals as he is nuts and will go out and kill someone etc, my response is that the only person who is going to hurt atm is himself (which I must say I adore once again).
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People listen to thsi guy apparently he is the herald sun super coach ;)
 
Remebmer how little experience Harbrow has. He has been criticised for lack of a defensive side to his game, crap kicking, etc. But is now coming on strong, very strong in chasing up, tackling, and his kicking has really straightened up over recent weeks.

Putting up more desperation than most of the team.

Our bigger names are looking soft and this is going to cost us the game on Friday night ...... p... poor effort against Adelaide shows it all.
 
I wish the brow had another yard or two of pace. Perhaps he can work on it in the off season, but if he just had that 'bloody hell!' pace that puts the shivers up any opposition defender just knowing he is in the vicinity...

Alas he is merely quickish and I fear that unless he improves some faccet of his game significantly in the offseason, he is destined to be a top VFL player.
 
I think Harbrow's pressure is fantastic and hope he plays this week.

Pretty hard task playing on McLeod - and he will be better for the experience of playing on an out and out champion.

His harassing will be crucial this week with the way Hodge and Birchall and co. rubn the ball out of the Hawthorn backline. If he can help affect a few turnovers - and maybe gets involved in 2 or 3 goals himself - then its job done.
 

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Yes, for mine Harbrow has to play. Adds a very zippy defensive/chasing element in our forward line, but just needs to be more prepared to go offensive when the time is right. I tend to think he is to pre-occupied with his opponent at times, and less concerned with finding space and providing an option.

When he has found the balance this year he has been very effective, and kicked goals, hopefully he turns it on Friday night.
 
I would have him play, simply because his hard running to keep his position within our zone will be vital against the Hawks, and his harrassment & chasing on opposition backman is top notch. Against a man on man side he'd be borderline. Horses for courses.
 
Early on, harbrow was terrific on Mcleod. When he didn't lay a tackle he managed to at least put pressure on McLeod to hurry his disposal. A couple of other tackles deserved to be rewarded.

Mcleod was actually moved further up the ground and it was only when this freed him up that he gathered most of his posessions. The only disappointing aspect of Harbrow's game on Saturday was that he didn't become a dangerous forward once McLeod was moved.

Expect him to play a critical role this Saturday.......Luke Hodge perhaps?
 
I have Harbrow as borderline only because he just does not get involved enough. He does chase well and could make an early impact.
My initial thoughts are that we would bring in Ray for Reid, but we could as easily replace Harbrow. The only other option is Everitt.
 
When Harbrow is hot he is hot and when he is not he is absolutely nowhere to be seen.

If he can give us 4 quarters of setting up goals, crumbing balls and harassing opposition defenders then I would love to have him in.
 
always right said:
Early on, harbrow was terrific on Mcleod. When he didn't lay a tackle he managed to at least put pressure on McLeod to hurry his disposal. A couple of other tackles deserved to be rewarded.

Mcleod was actually moved further up the ground and it was only when this freed him up that he gathered most of his posessions. The only disappointing aspect of Harbrow's game on Saturday was that he didn't become a dangerous forward once McLeod was moved.

Expect him to play a critical role this Saturday.......Luke Hodge perhaps?
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Wouldnt imagine he would be able to match him physically, though Hodge will be a concern. He's a very difficult matchup hes such a great reader of the ball and is very strong. We've go to make him accountable and use the ball through his man so i wouldnt be suprised if Hahn went to him.
 

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