John "Call me Jack" Anthony

[rickyp]

Do we underrate John Anthony?

I rate him as our most valuable goal kicking player. Has the ability to take the pack mark, and has the best set shot in our team.

I've seen a few people saying that it's time we move him to the back line, but I see no reason why, just look at these stats:

http://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/...88&type=A&fid1=P&fopt1=2008&fid2=P&fopt2=2005

Franklin and Anthony, both in their first seasons of AFL football. Anthony played 8 less games, and was 2 years older, but it's remarkable to see how he stands up against the best goal kicking forward in the AFL (in my opinion).

Where does everyone see John/Jack in the next 2 years? Is it in the forward line as our key goal kicker? Or in the back line as our number 3 tall (behind Brown and Presti)?

 

[didaka]

He's a full forward now.

I was a bit skeptical seeing him up forward early, and it will take another couple of years. But he'll be a good leading forward for us when his time comes.

He'll get hold of a couple of sides this year, and as our talent around the football grow as players so will he.

 

[mdc]

I like him a lot, and I think the calls for him to go back are inane, but I don't see him as a perm. FF.

Basically, I see him as our version of Mark Williams. Third option who makes the most of his chances and doesn't allow his defender to run off him.

 

[rose jam]

watching the game again his second half wasn't too bad when he was pushing up the ground. Just needs to smarten up his options when he gets the high ball like that. Still, only about 20 games in and showing that he can have a good all round game

 

[Jabso]

Do we underrate John Anthony?

I rate him as our most valuable goal kicking player. Has the ability to take the pack mark, and has the best set shot in our team.

I've seen a few people saying that it's time we move him to the back line, but I see no reason why, just look at these stats:

http://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/...88&type=A&fid1=P&fopt1=2008&fid2=P&fopt2=2005

Franklin and Anthony, both in their first seasons of AFL football. Anthony played 8 less games, and was 2 years older, but it's remarkable to see how he stands up against the best goal kicking forward in the AFL (in my opinion).

Where does everyone see John/Jack in the next 2 years? Is it in the forward line as our key goal kicker? Or in the back line as our number 3 tall (behind Brown and Presti)?

Franklin is a freak and I don't think we should compare him with Franklin. However it's important key forwards take a while and don't average 13+ possessions or getting goals consistently straight away.

In his first year or so no one would have said Franklin would be the player he is today with that much confidence. People say about Palmer, Rich and Selwood that "how could they go at number 6/7" but when Franklin started out noone said that about him. I'm going a bit off topic but the best two players in the comp, Gary Ablett and Franklin didn't have that impressive first few years. Especially Ablett. And while people laud praise on them now we need to remember just how immense their improvement has been. It hasn't been like say Judd who burst on to the scene and continued from there.

 

[King Woodie]

I like him a lot, and I think the calls for him to go back are inane, but I don't see him as a perm. FF.

Basically, I see him as our version of Mark Williams. Third option who makes the most of his chances and doesn't allow his defender to run off him.

Yep, spot on. He is not going to be a full forward, but a third tall.

I like the williams comparison, just a little stronger in the arial contest.

 

[#1 pies]

FF for sure!!!!!
I would really hate to see him make a career in the backline!

 

[tess]

I get the feeling he has a leash on his style of play, or at least that how he appears to play.

 

[shawthing09]

I like him a lot, and I think the calls for him to go back are inane, but I don't see him as a perm. FF.

Basically, I see him as our version of Mark Williams. Third option who makes the most of his chances and doesn't allow his defender to run off him.

That is exactly where I have him too.

I think if anything people over rate him as a foward. He is not a reliable option as a foward IMO. He doesn't have the height or pace to put the ball out of a defenders reach often enough. His a solid Jack of all trades oppertunistic foward. An ideal 3rd target who will kill you if he gets a mismatch but you don't want to be your main man in the foward line.

That said I think he is good value as a foward and if he is moved back I hope it is because we have better fowards (which is unlikely) and not because we need him as a back.

 

[Jabso]

I get the feeling he has a leash on his style of play, or at least that how he appears to play.

A lot of that has to do with his inexperience of both AFL footy and playing in the forward line (especially with the 3 talls in there). He has improved already in his footy smarts when it comes to playing in the forward line this year but I think he struggles to realise when he as to get on his bike and offer a long lead.

 

[half_back_flank]

I like him a lot, and I think the calls for him to go back are inane, but I don't see him as a perm. FF.

Basically, I see him as our version of Mark Williams. Third option who makes the most of his chances and doesn't allow his defender to run off him.

This would be perfect, Cloke at CHF, Rusling at FF and Jack chipping in as the third tall.

 

[#1 pies]

This would be perfect, Cloke at CHF, Rusling at FF and Jack chipping in as the third tall.

No Rocca?

 

[rickyp]

No Rocca?

I think he's looking a few years away...

So what do we do with Dawes and Reid?

 

[Damon_3388]

This would be perfect, Cloke at CHF, Rusling at FF and Jack chipping in as the third tall.

I know it's probably negligible and nit-picky to say so, but I'd be much more comfortable with that if both Rusling and Anthony were a genuine 193cm and around 98kg, while maintaing their current athleticism and pace. It's a very small increase in size on what they are already, but it'd make certain that they'd never really be out-sized or out-strengthed (if that's even a word ) by any key position defenders.

 

[BEEG]

Thought he was a little one deminsinal but has really surprised me on what he does when the ball is up the ground and on the ground

Very smart football brain

 

[Dave06]

I think he's looking a few years away...

So what do we do with Dawes and Reid?

Both these guys are still unknown quantities for mine. Both have talent, but Dawes can't re-produce his VFL form at senior level and Reid still isn't physically big or strong enough to be a key position player.

Both these guys have the ability to play at both ends of the ground, and if they can turn their talent into form then it's going to be a great problem for us to have. From what i've heard Reid is being groomed as a defender which would suggest Dawes would stick aorund as a forward.

 

[half_back_flank]

I think he's looking a few years away...

So what do we do with Dawes and Reid?

Honestly, i have no idea. Alot can change in a couple of years, but i see them only as fringe players the way that other youngsters are continually suppressing them in their development.

 

[stui magpie]

Both these guys are still unknown quantities for mine. Both have talent, but Dawes can't re-produce his VFL form at senior level and Reid still isn't physically big or strong enough to be a key position player.

Both these guys have the ability to play at both ends of the ground, and if they can turn their talent into form then it's going to be a great problem for us to have. From what i've heard Reid is being groomed as a defender which would suggest Dawes would stick aorund as a forward.

Reid played down back today in the VFL all game. Dawes alternated between FF and CHF, changing with Bryan. Dawes has a good motor and keeps going. I reckon he'll make it as a key forward.

that will be Trav and Dawes as the 2 big blokes changing between close and high. Only really leaves room for one other tall. Jack has the spot for now, Ruz and Caff have work to do.

 

[twoforjoy]

i like jack up forward. apart from the obvious accurate kicking, he has value as a genuine presence in the foward line. i can see him becoming more intimidating too in the next few years. it would good to have defensive mindset in a forward if that makes any sense...

rocca is on his last legs and we need a tall marking presence who is less of a lead up (which trav will do) and allow our small forwards to do their best work.