Henry Playfair

[EatBig Australia]

Hi all in Catland,

Could someone please let me know how Henry Playfair went in the VFL this season - stats, positions etc.

And also, if he is 198cm, has he ever been tried down back (might be wishful thinking but was hoping as you have Scarlett he mightn't of been tried but that he might be able to fill a hole down back for us)???

 

[tin can sam]

He's been tried down back, he does very well in the VFL as a defender.

Like alot of other Cats, he dominates in the VFL, but when he steps up to AFL level, he struggles.

 

[Dont you hate pants?]

Played a blinder in the VFL grand final....almost BOG, but as mentioned above, he and a few like him haven't/cannot carry that sort of form to AFL level. Was a real handy player at CHF for us until he broke his jaw. Never recaptured that sort of form again for the seniors

 

[deadfish]

Would leave him in the backline. Hes not a good kick at goal, and he doesnt have the strongest grab. Has been very good in the VFL, i do hope he does ok at the swans.

 

[highflyingcat]

Trade pick 44 is a fair swap

 

[thegerman]

Would leave him in the backline. Hes not a good kick at goal, and he doesnt have the strongest grab. Has been very good in the VFL, i do hope he does ok at the swans.

Not too sure about your statement above. In the VFL finals series he was a virtual stopping machine in the backline due to his strong marking skills. Dominated both the Prelim and GF by taking contested marks.

I think in the Prelim actually took 6 or 7 marks in the third quarter when the opposition was coming at us.

In his CHF days on the senior list at times he could play extremely well, especially before he broke his jaw. His lead up play is quite good, his field kicking is ok, however it seems as though when kicking for goal he lets himself down a bit. Not that confident in front of goals.

I'm happy to see Hank go on, hopefully get a run at the Swans and kick butt, just not ours.

 

[Ling Sting]

Not too sure about your statement above. In the VFL finals series he was a virtual stopping machine in the backline due to his strong marking skills. Dominated both the Prelim and GF by taking contested marks.

I think in the Prelim actually took 6 or 7 marks in the third quarter when the opposition was coming at us.

In his CHF days on the senior list at times he could play extremely well, especially before he broke his jaw. His lead up play is quite good, his field kicking is ok, however it seems as though when kicking for goal he lets himself down a bit. Not that confident in front of goals.

I'm happy to see Hank go on, hopefully get a run at the Swans and kick butt, just not ours.

that's the problem with hank. Any form that he has shown us post his broken jaw has been in the 2's. Unfortunately not good enough.

Even when he was playing alright in with the senior team his kicking for goal was insipid at best. He plays alright down back but at AFL level that has never been proven.

 

[EatBig Australia]

Trade pick 44 is a fair swap

I think so too.

 

[Ricardo]

Not too sure about your statement above. In the VFL finals series he was a virtual stopping machine in the backline due to his strong marking skills. Dominated both the Prelim and GF by taking contested marks.

I think in the Prelim actually took 6 or 7 marks in the third quarter when the opposition was coming at us.
.

He should've been BOG in the Prelim, took so many strong marks and really looked like Harley down back.

I hope he improves and stays with the Swans, even though he never really cut it as an AFL player with us (in the last 2 years) doesn't mean he can't turn it around at a new club, especially Sydney who seem to get the best out of their players.

 

[Brasil2007]

With a bunch of teams crying out for quality tall defenders, I thought he might get a run with another Vic club. He was terrific in the VFL prelim and GF. Good luck to him.

Boy I was annoyed when he broke his jaw - he didn't even get a free kick!

 

[Hoffy95]

He's only very young still.

Before he broke his jaw a few year back, he dead set looked like he would be our next quality centre half forward.

He never came back the same.

Hope he comes good for the Swans though. He deserves a 2nd chance elsewhere, and might just flourish in a new environment.

He's proved (pre jaw) that he can play at AFL level, so he might just prove a handy pick up.

I'd say he's probably better playing the role Tom Harley does as a floating defender rather than a forward.

 

[Brasil2007]

He's only very young still.

Before he broke his jaw a few year back, he dead set looked like he would be our next quality centre half forward.

He never came back the same.

Hope he comes good for the Swans though. He deserves a 2nd chance elsewhere, and might just flourish in a new environment.

He's proved (pre jaw) that he can play at AFL level, so he might just prove a handy pick up.

I'd say he's probably better playing the role Tom Harley does as a floating defender rather than a forward.

Agree with that last point. He's probably a tad slow and unco to actually put on a player most weeks, but he's good at reading hte play and filling in space.

 

[someday-somehow]

Not too sure about your statement above. In the VFL finals series he was a virtual stopping machine in the backline due to his strong marking skills. Dominated both the Prelim and GF by taking contested marks.

I think in the Prelim actually took 6 or 7 marks in the third quarter when the opposition was coming at us.

In his CHF days on the senior list at times he could play extremely well, especially before he broke his jaw. His lead up play is quite good, his field kicking is ok, however it seems as though when kicking for goal he lets himself down a bit. Not that confident in front of goals.

I'm happy to see Hank go on, hopefully get a run at the Swans and kick butt, just not ours.

I've got to agree, I think his biggest asset is he's a good contested mark, he's definetely a backman, probably a little bit better than Lewis RT but seriously don't put him in the forward line, he can't kick for sh1t.

 

[Rosella]

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22576466-5006065,00.html

Pretty honest assessment of himself.

 

[SriLankanCat]

He is a good player and I hope he has a good career at the Swans. A fresh start maybe good for him. The Swans long held weakness has been their lack of height down back and their need for a good solid Centre Half Back. I hope Playfair fills taht gap for u guys, and with Kennelly and Mattner there as well as Crocuh coming back into the centre. The Swans will do very well next year.

 

[DanA]

Bomber Thompson (2005)
- "Structurally he is our most important player"

Was 3rd in contested marks at about round 8 in 2005. Broke his jaw and hasn't really returned with any form. Has a great set of hands but is a bit of a plodder. His move into the backline has been a revelation in 07 although he played a shocker against Port in rd 21.

I think he will turn out to be a good player but not fantastic.