Ibbotson

[Moo]

Important player for us moving forward.

At 23, part of the leadership group (so he obviously offers something on the track and park) - quick, tall, athletic and skilled.

Bit goofy, yes but in the same way Mundy looked out of sorts but his class was always likely to shine through ...it is like holding up a friccin mirror.

Hope he gets a good hit out at WAFL before he returns but a fit Ibbo is a first 22 selection mid and back every week in my book.

Want to win a flag - have to negate the running machines of the Pies and Doggies ......Ibbo is a piece in that puzzle.

I'd hope we see him back in WAFL in the next week or two.

Bag him here so it makes it easier for me to bump in 2012.

 

[Noobrifle]

I don't think he will be an out and out star, but hopefully something will 'click' and he will rise up to be a good, consistent player for us. I think he will also be one to improve in a good team with some of the pressure off.

He has good speed, endurance and skills, but seems to lack awareness and game sense at times. Part of his value is in his versatility - he has played midfield, forward and in defense for us. This, along with his run, makes him a valuable rotations player.

 

[estibador]

I'm an Ibbo fan but I doubt he'll ever get to Mundy's level.

Even when he wasn't imposing himself on games you could always see Mundy had that extra bit of class - that magical awareness and ability to create time and space for himself. Ibbo is almost the opposite - much better athlete but his awareness is his weak point.

After Roger retires I'd like him to donate his brain so we can put it in Ibbo's body. We'd have some kind of superplayer then.

 

[Righteo]

The way I see it awareness is something you either have or you don't. Sadly Ibbo is sorely lacking in this department (along with lack of intesnity this is his biggest weakness) and in the high-pressure stakes of Finals footy I think he will be exposed.

 

[Freo Dr]

Hard to judge but I reckon (and Ibbo also said) he gained a better appreciation of the game flow and positioning in defence when he was playing the international rules games. Might also have picked up some tips about preparation from the other players. It is a pity the injury came along to derail putting that into practice.

But if Ibbo came back in soon I would put him on HB and push Broughton into the midfield more for now is possible. Defensive forward is another position I reckon he could play fairly well although Crowls did this ok this week.

He has had occassional games where he has played really well, most are more middle of the road. I reckon he has a fair bit of improvement in him but will not be in Mundy territory - maybe Broughton though.

 

[dominguez]

I'm an Ibbo fan but I doubt he'll ever get to Mundy's level.

Even when he wasn't imposing himself on games you could always see Mundy had that extra bit of class - that magical awareness and ability to create time and space for himself. Ibbo is almost the opposite - much better athlete but his awareness is his weak point.

After Roger retires I'd like him to donate his brain so we can put it in Ibbo's body. We'd have some kind of superplayer then.

I agree. Ibbo has Mundy covered for pace but in terms of awareness, decision making and foot skills Mundy wins easily.

 

[Pusswah]

Moving him from the wing to the backline was really good for him. Took him from being a bit unaccountable and downhill skiing to being quite impressive when he's given a job to do.

Looking forward to him coming back. Have we got some depth or what these days.

 

[Stronzo]

Not a massive fan due to him seeming uninterested and lacking awareness.

He has come along though and he will continue to grow as a player. Certainly best 22.

 

[sumavich]

Important player for us moving forward.

At 23, part of the leadership group (so he obviously offers something on the track and park) - quick, tall, athletic and skilled.

Bit goofy, yes but in the same way Mundy looked out of sorts but his class was always likely to shine through ...it is like holding up a friccin mirror.
quote]

No way as good as Mundy. Ibbo is a waterpolo player, where Mundy is ALL midfielder. Ibbo is good, but he aint no Mundy !

 

[valkorum]

Wasnt there an article early in the pre-season (before xmas) that Freo were looking to use Ibbo as an inside mid?

 

[Clay Davis]

I wasn't pleased with some of his efforts last year. Like a deer in the headlights at times. He also forgets some of the basics.

I would optimistically guess that some of these things arose out of an increase in forward pressure across the league - unlike Duffield and Broughton, who transition the ball quickly, Ibbo likes to have time in defence. Therefore his awareness looked poor.

His decision making is good, while his disposal can be iffy. A move to the midfield might be good for him - where it's expected that pressure is intense, he might move the ball more quickly and look a little less lost.

I'll reserve judgment until he plays a game.

 

[Kickett Punches Read]

i quite like ibbotson. certainly has the talent to become a very good footballer, and has the endurance and running capacity to become elite. im not sure he will ever become that superstar, but he has the physical attributes. I agree with some of the previous posts, his value may be in that he can hold broughtons spot so that greg can move up the ground. i doubt either ibbo or broughton for that matter will ever be as good as mundy

 

[prattsta]

I would optimistically guess that some of these things arose out of an increase in forward pressure across the league - unlike Duffield and Broughton, who transition the ball quickly, Ibbo likes to have time in defence. Therefore his awareness looked poor.

His decision making is good, while his disposal can be iffy. A move to the midfield might be good for him - where it's expected that pressure is intense, he might move the ball more quickly and look a little less lost.

I'll reserve judgment until he plays a game.

I thought by mid-late season in 2010 (from memory the Carlton and Hawthorn games in particular - I've blocked out the Geelong game) he had started to put in some really solid defensive performances. The running and link-up he provides out of defense, and the added midfield capacity he gives our lineup is particularly important.

Where I think his biggest strength to the side is, is actually in giving Duffield and Broughton more freedom. The less defensive responsibility Duffield and Broughton have the better. Their run and carry out of the backline can be devastating when they're free to rack up possession after possession.

 

[Lach72]

I was thinking that Mzungu would release Broughton to be another accumulating midfielder, but watching Duffield try and defend the last few weeks...

 

[Clay Davis]

As tempting as it is, I wouldn't put Broughton in the midfield. His defensive capabilities are too strong to lose him from there.

 

[prattsta]

As tempting as it is, I wouldn't put Broughton in the midfield. His defensive capabilities are too strong to lose him from there.

Yeah, I don't see why putting Broughton into the midfield is considered such a good idea. We'd lose one of the premier small/medium defenders in the competition, to gain a middle of the road midfielder.

 

[Kickett Punches Read]

Yeah, I don't see why putting Broughton into the midfield is considered such a good idea. We'd lose one of the premier small/medium defenders in the competition, to gain a middle of the road midfielder.

from my point of view, ibbotson releasing broughton isnt about playing broughton in the middle, its more about playing him on a less damaging opposition forward and using his run from defence, so he would still be in the backline, but as a more attacking defender. his reading of the play, calmness under pressure, decision making and skills off the half backline coupled with duffield would be just so damaging..... that is of course if ibbo can become that lock-down defender we would need him to be.

 

[Nickos66]

I hope he plays for Easts this week, and possibly the next. It'd be foolish to bring him straight in based on last weeks team performance.

 

[DizzyHB]

Yeah, I don't see why putting Broughton into the midfield is considered such a good idea. We'd lose one of the premier small/medium defenders in the competition, to gain a middle of the road midfielder.

This.

Sure he can rack up stats, but he can also beat Stevie J which is pretty handy too.

 

[Farrand]

Some people are saying he may not reach Mundy level but let's not forget that only a couple of years ago people were saying Mundy was a lazy hack who didn't deserve his spot in the side. You never know, Ibbo may be played in a spot where he just clicks and reaches the next level.

 

[Kickett Punches Read]

Some people are saying he may not reach Mundy level but let's not forget that only a couple of years ago people were saying Mundy was a lazy hack who didn't deserve his spot in the side. You never know, Ibbo may be played in a spot where he just clicks and reaches the next level.

yep agree with this

 

[ryang33]

i would have to disagree as although he has similar kicking ability and size to mundy i would say that ibbo is more of an outside player whilst mundy is more half and half.

very good player though but wont be anything like mundy

 

[yakka man]

Ibbo already proved a couple of years ago that he could be a decent mid. now wit a bit more size and 61 games up his sleeve I was hoping he would show a lot of improvement this year.

 

[Memories]

Some people are saying he may not reach Mundy level but let's not forget that only a couple of years ago people were saying Mundy was a lazy hack who didn't deserve his spot in the side. You never know, Ibbo may be played in a spot where he just clicks and reaches the next level.

And Mundy was lazy back then, there's no denying it. However with his disposal being so good very few teams would drop him because of it, his 14-16 disposals on the back flank or wing back then would be better than the average.

Ibbo is the same in regards to laziness, but doesn't have the skills of Mundy. Ibbo may be able to run around an oval at training at incredible speeds but he never really translates it to game performance. He's also weak in the body to play any decent defense role besides players smaller than him.

The best taggers are all meaty through the body (Jones, Ling, etc) because they spend most of the game physically dominating their opponent, so thoughts of using him in that role are useless.

I see Ibbo more as a player that is like an average Steven Hill. He's pacey, but lacks composure and a football brain. He could end up turning into a Duffield type player though, which would be a win for us if Duffield isn't around.

 

[Sman-21]

Broughton midfield is a terrible idea.

The guy reads the play down back brilliantly.
He is instrumental in setting up our attacks from the backline always works hard to get involved an generally makes great decisions an doesnt panic.
Not only that, he rarely gets beaten in 1 on 1 contests with his opponent whether the ball is in the air or on the ground.
Which is the main priority of a defender.

The times hes played midfield he struggles with positioning.
Maybe he could learn it an be quite good but WHY.
He is a great small defender for us an also attacks.
Why do people always want to shift players from where they play so well an put them somewhere else.
Move him from backline do u realise he then needs to be replaced.
An there is NOONE else who could replace him an do as well.

So once again we are robbing peter to pay paul.

Franklin has the tank,speed an skills to play midfield.
So should the hawks put him there?
Hes done ok when hes in there.
Sure allow him to go in their at times when hes struggling but must spend atleast 80% of time in forward line.(like Pav)

When we play Hawks where would u rather see Franklin play all game?.
In the midfield where in tight your allowed to grab an hold big players so they cant get away an struggle to get clean disposals.
Or in forward line.

If Broughton was struggling down back sure try him elsewhere.
But when u have a guy kicking ass in a position why try him somewhere else.
The backline gets weakened without him an he doesnt add much to midfield, that a lower,suban,palmer couldnt do.