Opinion Jackson Thurlow

[Corio cat]

From the VFL games I saw he showed glimpses of the form that got him AFL games but he was fading in and out a bit. Not knocking him but the consistency was not there. He can play, has the skills etc but not sure if its fatigue related or maybe its just not his time yet.

Go Catters

Daz,
I've seen 4 out of the last 6 VFL games live. Thurlow has been excellent playing HBF BP. Just looked at VFL stats last 5 games he was in best up until last week where he had 16 possessions at 100% efficiency and kicked a goal. In my view it is simple he is just not getting picked cause MC always want 4 talls + Enright so no spots (won't debate this they are the experts).

#Think we need to understand the variables of VFL footy re how much a back line player has the opportunity to impact (Jed Bews averages 10 possies in his last 5 VFL games and is the current flavor- and fair enough)..
1-there are 5 not 3 rotations so players spend 65% extra time OFF the ground than at AFL level e.g can fade in and out, game is more contested with less possessions and constant ball ups/turnovers/kicking down line to packs.
2-players that play in defense and also in forward line are not around the ball as much of the time. We all know how stoppage related VFL footy is and how we all love contested stoppage players "bulls" pigs' etc who can eek out 20 possessions (don't get me wrong we need all roles in team).
3-a player like Thurlow or Bews can get 14-17 possessions and play well in defense , defend well set up play-with no acknowledgement and a player like Shrods, Shex, Jansen can get 20 and turnover half of them under pressure and get all the accolades... that just is how it is.

Summary Thurlow has played well from what I have seen and read defends well, spoiling is exceptional due to athleticism and often is quick enough to leave his man and cover well for others which happens a lot. Don't see him getting many goals kicked on him. On the attacking side his marking is strong, kicking excellent and he covers the ground.. most times you will notice when he touches the ball a goal is often set up + he has been snaring some as well .

Hope we get a look at him again at AFL level at the end of the day he was an All Australian and top 20 draft pick who has shown he can play at AFL level-he will only be sitting in the twos for so long. He just needs some oldies to move on!.

 

[dazbroncos]

Daz,
I've seen 4 out of the last 6 VFL games live. Thurlow has been excellent playing HBF BP. Just looked at VFL stats last 5 games he was in best up until last week where he had 16 possessions at 100% efficiency and kicked a goal. In my view it is simple he is just not getting picked cause MC always want 4 talls + Enright so no spots (won't debate this they are the experts).

#Think we need to understand the variables of VFL footy re how much a back line player has the opportunity to impact (Jed Bews averages 10 possies in his last 5 VFL games and is the current flavor- and fair enough)..
1-there are 5 not 3 rotations so players spend 65% extra time OFF the ground than at AFL level e.g can fade in and out, game is more contested with less possessions and constant ball ups/turnovers/kicking down line to packs.
2-players that play in defense and also in forward line are not around the ball as much of the time. We all know how stoppage related VFL footy is and how we all love contested stoppage players "bulls" pigs' etc who can eek out 20 possessions (don't get me wrong we need all roles in team).
3-a player like Thurlow or Bews can get 14-17 possessions and play well in defense , defend well set up play-with no acknowledgement and a player like Shrods, Shex, Jansen can get 20 and turnover half of them under pressure and get all the accolades... that just is how it is.

Summary Thurlow has played well from what I have seen and read defends well, spoiling is exceptional due to athleticism and often is quick enough to leave his man and cover well for others which happens a lot. Don't see him getting many goals kicked on him. On the attacking side his marking is strong, kicking excellent and he covers the ground.. most times you will notice when he touches the ball a goal is often set up + he has been snaring some as well .

Hope we get a look at him again at AFL level at the end of the day he was an All Australian and top 20 draft pick who has shown he can play at AFL level-he will only be sitting in the twos for so long. He just needs some oldies to move on!.

Agree. Last 1/4 of Port match he was instrumental in sealing that win for us as they were coming forward. Im not knocking him at all other than the fact I did not really notice his work up until the last 1/4 in that game, but when I did he was outstanding. I'm not even grading him by stats ( I prefer to go by what I've seen) Clearly he is gonna be player for us but as I was getting at , as you were too, it just may not be his time yet….

Go Catters

 

[Claude Balls]

He's kinda 'tall', at 189. Perhaps he can fudge the numbers to 190 and convince the MC that way...

 

[JUBJUB]

Really disappointed he hasn't had much of a run this year, but at the same time not that worried because to my eyes Smedts and Bews are playing serviceably down back.

Might be time to call OPSM

 

[cynical]

In my view it is simple he is just not getting picked cause MC always want 4 talls + Enright so no spots (won't debate this they are the experts).

This is it.

If the kid is showing any form he should be in the team, he is the middle sized player the backline is crying out for.

They just don't want to make the tough call of playing an AFL standard player out of the team for balance.

 

[WaxiesDargle]

Hey Guys, first post here so be kind .
From what I have seen from Thurlow in the last few VFL games down in Geelong, he is really starting to put some consistent performances together as opposed to the occasional standout game. We have all seen glimpses of what he can do, especially at AFL level in his first game Vs Essendon. From what I saw of him recently he seems a lot more comfortable in his role at half back, makes good decisions, defends really well and is more comfortable and confident attacking the ball and taking the game on, pushing forward on occasions Mackie style. Definitely looks a class above the rest at VFL level which is a good sign from a guy in his second season. I think Geelong like to see guys perform consistently over a sustained period in the VFL, ala GHS & Guthrie, so the they are more comfortable making the transition into the firsts and are then able to perform well and keep their position in the team (guys like Shroder have probably been unlucky in this sense) Although, they are not afraid to give the young guys a taste at AFL level as we have seen recently with Lang & Hartman debuting) I think Thurlow is ready to take that step and after already having some AFL experience and showing he is definitely not out of his depth at that level, really push his case with some good consistent VFL games. I agree with some of Geelong BigFooty faithful that I'm surprised he hasn't had more opportunities recently, but hopefully he can continue his good form and we get to see more of him at AFL level towards the end of the year. With Boris arguably in his last season (as much as I would love to see him go on) I think Thurlow is ready to step into that position and make it his own. At least he has shown that when he does get his chance he has the potential to develop into a really good long term player for Geelong. With a easy run in the next month (on paper anyway, with our recent form who knows! ) could be a good chance to hopefully see him get a run sooner rather than later.

 

[GFrost]

Having not had the opportunity to see to much VFL, I got the impression Thurlow was a slightly taller more Mackie-type defender rather than a lock down small like Bews/Guthrie and assumed that's the reason he's not getting games at the moment. (In fact when Mackie went out with a hammy weeks ago, they immediately brought in Thurlow as his replacement, despite not starring at that time in the VFL).
I haven't seen it as a Bews v Thurlow argument but it sounds like I was wrong?

 

[cats_09]

Having not had the opportunity to see to much VFL, I got the impression Thurlow was a slightly taller more Mackie-type defender rather than a lock down small like Bews/Guthrie and assumed that's the reason he's not getting games at the moment. (In fact when Mackie went out with a hammy weeks ago, they immediately brought in Thurlow as his replacement, despite not starring at that time in the VFL).
I haven't seen it as a Bews v Thurlow argument but it sounds like I was wrong?

I was of similar opinion to of Mackie vs Thurlow rather than Bews vs Thurlow. Looking at their heights, Mackie is 192cm, Thurlow 190cm, Smedits 189cm, Enright 187cm, Bews 186cm and Guthrie 186cm, I wouldn't class Thurlow as that slightly taller defender who can play tall or small depending on what is required, but not bookmark him as a lock down small defender.

 

[TheJimmyCartel]

Having not had the opportunity to see to much VFL, I got the impression Thurlow was a slightly taller more Mackie-type defender rather than a lock down small like Bews/Guthrie and assumed that's the reason he's not getting games at the moment. (In fact when Mackie went out with a hammy weeks ago, they immediately brought in Thurlow as his replacement, despite not starring at that time in the VFL).
I haven't seen it as a Bews v Thurlow argument but it sounds like I was wrong?

I don't think you're far wrong, Thurlow is kind of in between Mackie and Bews size wise, slightly closer to Mackie but probably a lot closer to Mackie in playing style.

With the Bulldogs, Demons & GWS in the next 3 weeks, I'd be very surprised if we don't see a bit more of him, and some of Jansen, Lang, Hartman & Kolo before settling the side a bit for the run into September.

 

[Partridge]

He's kinda 'tall', at 189. Perhaps he can fudge the numbers to 190 and convince the MC that way...

Needs to be 193cm for the backline. Then he'd be a certainty.

 

[WaxiesDargle]

Having not had the opportunity to see to much VFL, I got the impression Thurlow was a slightly taller more Mackie-type defender rather than a lock down small like Bews/Guthrie and assumed that's the reason he's not getting games at the moment. (In fact when Mackie went out with a hammy weeks ago, they immediately brought in Thurlow as his replacement, despite not starring at that time in the VFL).
I haven't seen it as a Bews v Thurlow argument but it sounds like I was wrong?

Good point GFrost, perhaps the MC see Thurlow in a more Mackie type roll. With Guthrie moving into the midfield we have lacked that quality lock down small defender, hence Bews & Smedts experiment. The lack of Thurlow may purely be a structure thing.

 

[Partridge]

Good point GFrost, perhaps the MC see Thurlow in a more Mackie type roll. With Guthrie moving into the midfield we have lacked that quality lock down small defender, hence Bews & Smedts experiment. The lack of Thurlow may purely be a structure thing.

I really hope that hasn't been their thought process, because Smedts is as far from a lock down small defender as it's possible to be. And that's not a slur on Smedts at all; he's just not that sort of player.

 

[WaxiesDargle]

I really hope that hasn't been their thought process, because Smedts is as far from a lock down small defender as it's possible to be. And that's not a slur on Smedts at all; he's just not that sort of player.

Agree, Billie seems to get a little lost down there at times. In his defense, the role seems relatively new to him (although I do believe he did play a decent amount down back as a junior, totally different ball game I suppose) and he may just need time. I guess him coming out of the team this week suggests he is struggling to adjust down there. Looks more dangerous up forward, would like to see him around goals a bit more (we could do with some more forward line pressure too, ball seems to come out of there way too easily of late). Bews looks a lot more comfortable in that defensive role even though he has only played a handful of games. I think one of Thurlow's strength is his versatility, looks as though he could play small and tall (more 3rd tall type) Perhaps more of an attacking defender type as opposed to a lock down.

 

[thegerman]

Really disappointed he hasn't had much of a run this year, but at the same time not that worried because to my eyes Smedts and Bews are playing serviceably down back.

I hope you are kidding about Smedts.

Two of our best defenders are well below last year's standards. Both Enright and HT have had their worst years on record, so we trial Smedts who has been totally outplayed.

We have thurlow, who had yet to get a chance after a small injury concern. He needs to play now, he is a defender, so let's stop trialling guys who aren't defenders and move on

 

[Partridge]

I hope you are kidding about Smedts.

Two of our best defenders are well below last year's standards. Both Enright and HT have had their worst years on record, so we trial Smedts who has been totally outplayed.

We have thurlow, who had yet to get a chance after a small injury concern. He needs to play now, he is a defender, so let's stop trialling guys who aren't defenders and move on

It's infuriating to think all they had to do was play Bews (or Thurlow) the whole time, and you could have played Smedts on either a forward flank or in a pocket. He probably would have had as many possessions, except he might have been able to kick a goal or two.

 

[Daniel McL]

Thurlow <3

 

[sk8er_in_town]

Think him and Bews will be our 2 small backs over the next 10 years, leave Guthrie in the guts and Billy as a mid/forward

 

[Turbocat]

Having not had the opportunity to see to much VFL, I got the impression Thurlow was a slightly taller more Mackie-type defender rather than a lock down small like Bews/Guthrie and assumed that's the reason he's not getting games at the moment. (In fact when Mackie went out with a hammy weeks ago, they immediately brought in Thurlow as his replacement, despite not starring at that time in the VFL).
I haven't seen it as a Bews v Thurlow argument but it sounds like I was wrong?

To me he is inbetween those two Bews is shorter than Thurlow who is shorter than Mackie. He is more around Enrights size , probably plays a bit more like Mackie and like Mack he is still not a huge body. I just see him going thru second year "blues" , in that the newness of being on an AFL list is done , its hard work. But there is so much to like about him, and consider our needs , i'm surprised he hasn't been given more time forward. He just seem versatile , and bit more versatility would only help him
It may not be this year but he will be a lock selection very soon.

 

[Turbocat]

It's infuriating to think all they had to do was play Bews (or Thurlow) the whole time, and you could have played Smedts on either a forward flank or in a pocket. He probably would have had as many possessions, except he might have been able to kick a goal or two.

I think Smedts should be told to get on the ball , and win it. Show some of that agile evasion stuff from inside the pack. Game plan simple and within a confined space. He seems to just go into the "BadLands" when in the open and starts to think. "Billy" go in their get the thing... play in the middle and create. If he cant do that where does he fit. Back ...lose NO, Forward bit better but dodgy kick NO

 

[Corio cat]

Another good 20 possession game by Thurlow, I wasn't at the game but reading the posts it sounded like he was polished in the wet. That's 6 weeks of good football, surely he will be promoted soon to the AFL side?. Has anyone been more consistent than Thurlow at VFL level over the last 6 weeks. Only game he didn't rate in the best was last week (16 at 100% which I thought would be rated as a pretty good game as well).

 

[TheJimmyCartel]

I would've thought they might rotate a rest between Boris & Mackie over the next few weeks and get him some game time - he's deserving and the likely replacement for Enright next year if he hangs up the boots, so I would've thought some more experience this year was pretty vital.

 

[Partridge]

I would've thought they might rotate a rest between Boris & Mackie over the next few weeks and get him some game time - he's deserving and the likely replacement for Enright next year if he hangs up the boots, so I would've thought some more experience this year was pretty vital.

I would say over the next 3 weeks - fairly if not very winnable games - any chance to rest any veteran for a potential replacement is there to be taken. If that means Brown for Lonergan (or Mackie, or Rivers) great; if that means Thurlow for Enright great. The one thing we do not want is all the senior guys not getting games off. Again. I can't see any reason why really Enright can't have at least one game off, maybe even give Kelly one off as well. There's two games for Thurlow. Give Lonergan, then Rivers, then Mackie a game off each, there's 3 games for Brown.

Net result, irrespective of the value those games give the young guys, is potentially five critical players for us (Lonergan, Rivers, Mackie, Enright, Kelly) are just that little bit fresher in September. Could be crucial.

 

[TheJimmyCartel]

I would say over the next 3 weeks - fairly if not very winnable games - any chance to rest any veteran for a potential replacement is there to be taken. If that means Brown for Lonergan (or Mackie, or Rivers) great; if that means Thurlow for Enright great. The one thing we do not want is all the senior guys not getting games off. Again. I can't see any reason why really Enright can't have at least one game off, maybe even give Kelly one off as well. There's two games for Thurlow. Give Lonergan, then Rivers, then Mackie a game off each, there's 3 games for Brown.

Net result, irrespective of the value those games give the young guys, is potentially five critical players for us (Lonergan, Rivers, Mackie, Enright, Kelly) are just that little bit fresher in September. Could be crucial.

Exactly. Rotate Kelly/Bartel/Selwood off to give Hartman a decent run in the middle too.

Would like to see Kolo debut as well, might be pushing it though. Still like to see more of Brown forward, really hope he stays on the list. Can't see him wanting to stay though to be honest.

 

[Partridge]

Exactly. Rotate Kelly/Bartel/Selwood off to give Hartman a decent run in the middle too.

Would like to see Kolo debut as well, might be pushing it though. Still like to see more of Brown forward, really hope he stays on the list. Can't see him wanting to stay though to be honest.

His preferred position by the club seems to change annually too. Could yet be his lifeline though. None of our other young key position players can play either end.

 

[TheJimmyCartel]

His preferred position by the club seems to change annually too. Could yet be his lifeline though. None of our other young key position players can play either end.

I'm guessing he played back yesterday because Kolo was rested. He's been back from injury for 3 weeks in the VFL and been second in the best the last 2 weeks, doubt they give him a run like Walker just got though.

Would still love to see Hawk, Kersten, Brown in the forward line for the next 3 weeks - maybe rotate Blitz/Murdoch out. Could be potent, won't happen though, be surprised if he gets another game this year to be honest. I don't feel like CS rates him that highly.