Kirk in 2010?

[Stevie Ray Swan]

First of all let me say 'I think Brett Kirk is a freaking legend'. But just curious, Ive only seen 3 games on tv, but what are peoples views on Kirky this year. To me he has seemed rather quiet, lost a yard or so of pace, not that he was ever built for speed, and seems slower to get off the deck, lay a tackle etc. Is he starting to struggle? How is he faring this year?

 

[Dangas]

he is doing what he always does, showing leadership on the field

 

[Nich]

I've given the same topic a bit of thought but I've come to the conclusion that it's early on in the season, we're winning and Kirky is easing (for want of a better word) his way into the season. The Cortina is warming up. He'll be there when it counts!

 

[Ed_Gein]

I've given the same topic a bit of thought but I've come to the conclusion that it's early on in the season, we're winning and Kirky is easing (for want of a better word) his way into the season. The Cortina is warming up. He'll be there when it counts!

Reminds me of that quote circa 05-06 where he likened himself and Judd to certain automobiles. What was it again?

 

[Swans120]

I'm happy with how he's going. He is now not playing a ball winning role as well as playing a tag on his opposition midfielder, he is pretty much now an out and out tagger. I think you're right in that over the last year or so he has lost a yard, but hey he never had that much to begin with and he has done well! But yeh he is pretty much a tagger who will win some clearances now rather than an inside midfielder who will chalk up 22-25 possies a game.

He has had some good scalps so far:

Hayes - 21 touches but not dominant, probably a loss on points
Vince - 16 touches with no impact, win for Kirk
Jackson - 25 not very meaningful touches in a huge loss, probably a draw
Swallow - 13 touches and pretty much had a one on one fist fight with each other all day, Swallow had little impact though, win for Kirk
Priddis - 17 touches and decent impact, a win on points for Kirk i think
Black - 17 touches with some very impactful possies, draw

So not a bad run from Kirky IMO.

 

[MARK In TIME]

Kirky is a bit quiet this year, but I think that has a little bit to do with the fact he's got some good support from some of the other boys like Joey and naturally, he's getting on. He seems to be working his way into the season though.

Also, I think its a good sign that he doesn't have to carry our midfield by doing all the grunt work with jude. It shouldn't be mostly his responsibility and I'm glad the change of guard is going smoothly.

Really I can't wait until craig bird, hanners and joey are in the midfield together. Going to be awesome.

 

[Crash]

Whilst his own game may be a little quieter, watching the game, there's not much more re-assuring than seeing kirky bark out instructions to the rest of the midfield. His on field leadership hasn't dropped off at all.

 

[chigwidden]

I think the game on tv is misleading about Kirk's impact, too. His role behind play and in the middle of the pack -- just adding a delicate nudge to get the ball out and scooped up by a Swan -- has been really good in the last two games at the G.

 

[qqaaxx]

When he does retire, we need to keep him at the club as either an assistant coach or as a runner. Has to much of an influence on the club to let him go

 

[legend166]

I'd worry about Kirk as a runner. I don't think he'd be able to resist the temptation to tackle an opposition player if he had the chance

 

[MF]

I don't think he's slowed down this year at all. Last season he probably dropped a tad from his lofty standards of the previous 5-6 years.

I'd be interested to see his TOG for this season as I suspect with Kennedy in the team that Roos is using Kirky a little more sparingly this year. His figures may be down but he doesn't look any slower or any less hungry out there on the ground.

 

[Primmy]

I'd worry about Kirk as a runner. I don't think he'd be able to resist the temptation to tackle an opposition player if he had the chance

I'd be more worried if he actually WAS the runner - he''d never get there! He is no speedster....honest, hard working, brave, smart, but quick? nah.

 

[vonn]

Anyone who insults Kirk will get tracked down and murdered by me. Superstar.

 

[db swannie]

Wow, things went quiet after ^^^^^^^^.

I think you've scared them all off Von.

Brett Kirk is a hopeless disgrace, a poor leader on and off the field, and if you find me dead tomorrow in my home it was Vonn.






p.s. Everything I said was a lie. Except this. I love you Brett Kirk, and I wish I was gay/female and we had met in a nightclub years ago, and that we had hit it off and we had gone back to your place and meditated together for hours. Never retire, just stay on the interchange for longer periods.

 

[stellation]

I'm happy with how he's going. He is now not playing a ball winning role as well as playing a tag on his opposition midfielder, he is pretty much now an out and out tagger. I think you're right in that over the last year or so he has lost a yard, but hey he never had that much to begin with and he has done well! But yeh he is pretty much a tagger who will win some clearances now rather than an inside midfielder who will chalk up 22-25 possies a game.

He has had some good scalps so far:

Hayes - 21 touches but not dominant, probably a loss on points
Vince - 16 touches with no impact, win for Kirk
Jackson - 25 not very meaningful touches in a huge loss, probably a draw
Swallow - 13 touches and pretty much had a one on one fist fight with each other all day, Swallow had little impact though, win for Kirk
Priddis - 17 touches and decent impact, a win on points for Kirk i think
Black - 17 touches with some very impactful possies, draw

So not a bad run from Kirky IMO.

I think Brett should put himself out to pasture at the end of the season, he looks increasingly battered and frail (to me) each game.

Based on the numbers you mentioned (and I'm not sure he ran with those guys all game, but)...
Opponent: 18.2 disposals
Kirky: 16.3 disposals (2.8 clearances)
So he's just about breaking even, but his numbers have declined from last year (he had 21.4 disposals, 4.9 clearances in 2009). I'm indifferent about the delta in disposals, but that's a big change in clearances and I think that's his main value to the team (I appreciate the addition of Kennedy who is sitting at 4.2 has changed that dynamic a lot).

 

[Jizza9]

I dare say another reason for those number drop offs would be due to our change in game style, more free flowing ball movement, less stopages. Would like to see figures to compare the stoppage numbers for our games from '09 to '10

 

[vonn]

Excatly what I thought Jizzza. great minds think alike.

 

[Dangas]

Kirk is inspirational

 

[stellation]

I dare say another reason for those number drop offs would be due to our change in game style, more free flowing ball movement, less stopages. Would like to see figures to compare the stoppage numbers for our games from '09 to '10

Not too sure on the stoppage numbers per se, but just on clearances I put it at the team averaging 36 per game so far this season and 37.3 per game last season so there hasn't been a noticeable change in the number of clearances won (there is about a -8 difference in the number of hitouts won). Stats thanks to ScottH and his wonderful data entry skills for RWO.

I think the primary difference is the role that he's playing more than the number of stoppages, other ball winners have been added (and I highlight Kennedy primarily because he's been able to come in and grab 4 per game). Stats aren't everything, he obviously offers more than just the numbers on the field but I do think he looks to be on the decline this season as an inside mid and I don't think he is a good fit to log significant game time in any other position on the field. No shame in that, he'll be 34 going into next season (if he plays on) and his body has taken a hell of a battering over the years.

That said, hopefully it is just a slow start to the season and he'll have the engine warmed up this weekend.

http://www.redandwhiteonline.com/?pageid=stats&rnd=Total&sby=number&year=2010
http://www.redandwhiteonline.com/?pageid=stats&rnd=Total&sby=cr&year=2009

 

[MF]

Ageing? Slowing down?

You guys are talking about Brett Kirk as if he's some sort of ordinary mortal.

 

[WoGiTaLiA]

I think he is going great.

In my opinion his stats have dropped because we are playing a more open game style. Kirk is not the guy we will look to to link up play or anything, he still seems to be at the bottom of every pack and either getting the clearance or tackling the guy trying to at ball ups. I'd be surprised if we have had anywhere near as many ballups as we normally have over the last 5 years and that is where Kirk is at his best.

Also have added Kennedy who is usurpring his role around the ball a bit as well as guys like Hanners, O'Keefe and Jack really stepping up.

 

[QL 21]

Kirk is only 8 games away from playing 200 consecutive games. That's a remarkable feat.

 

[BIGBEZ]

Ageing? Slowing down?

You guys are talking about Brett Kirk as if he's some sort of ordinary mortal.

I was looking at some footage when Hanners shoulder popped out and was in the hands of the medicos, Kirk came over and put his hand in front of Hanners face wriggled his fingers like he was doing some sorta magic or quick prayer not kidding, Hanners came back on and killed em.

 

[Ed_Gein]

http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=614293

 

[MARK In TIME]

I was looking at some footage when Hanners shoulder popped out and was in the hands of the medicos, Kirk came over and put his hand in front of Hanners face wriggled his fingers like he was doing some sorta magic or quick prayer not kidding, Hanners came back on and killed em.

Glad you brought that up because I saw that, but was at the ground so I thought he was patting his face or something! Now i realise he was just working some good old kirky magic.