Heath shaw

[Peter Sidorkiewicz]

Is he playing injured?

He has had a poor 2nd half of the season compared to his usual standards and he kinda doesn't have a role anymore on this team.

Firstly, Ben Johnson has taken his running half back role shutting down the small forwards. O'Brien and Toovey/Goldsack get the other small forwards. Because of this Malthouse has been playing him on the wing but he way behind Swan, Pendlebury, Ball, Didak, Thomas, Wellingham, Beams, Sidebottom and Blair in the midfield rotation and therefore spends a fair bit of time on the bench.

Today with Johnson out was a perfect opportunity to play him back in defense and back into some form but he just was ok. Nothing impressive. Thoughts?

 

[Stripes B and W]

my thoughts on Heath are that he certainly is not providing the drive me has at times given. He has not come to grips with the wing and on ball roles although at times he has kicked the odd handy goal.

I thought he got caught a couple of times from behind and was outpositioned in a few marking contests. Also of the ground quite a biit, im wondering if the back issue he has had this year is still a concern. Need him to get back to his best, winning one on one contests and making good decisions in the heat of battle.

 

[leondavis21]

hes a cat

 

[Optimax]

He's just not all that good of a full time midfielder/wingmen move him back to half back and watch his form improve

 

[mattys123]

It's no secret he has had a back complaint for most of the season, yet he has been "managed" through it, missing a lot of training sessions, and the odd game at times.

Heater is one player who can play "ok" with injury, even if it does restrict him further. I think because of his injury, he has played a few different roles recently, like half forward, wing and even as a pure defensive half back, which he usually likes to avoid.

He will play in every final we play in, barring an another injury, but he may well be restricted just a little bit.

He is one player who would love us to win next week, just so he has the week off.