Lachlan Keeffe

[TheClokes]

Keeffe is an exciting talent. For me his best position is Centre Half Back, but as everyone knows Ben Reid has marked that position his for years to come…

Keeffe has shown in patches to be a capable key forward, especially the game against Gold Coast. Some also say Ruck, but I feel he hasn’t got the presence for that position – at best he would be a more-than-adequate back up type in the Ruck.

Keeffe’s role next year is for me unknown, so it will be interesting to see what Nathan has for him. At the moment it is somewhat concerning, because he is a player that has great kicking skills, is a fine reader of the play, and is a solid lead-up mark.

 

[Jelly Bean]

Keeffe is an exciting talent. For me his best position is Centre Half Back, but as everyone knows Ben Reid has marked that position his for years to come…

Keeffe has shown in patches to be a capable key forward, especially the game against Gold Coast. Some also say Ruck, but I feel he hasn’t got the presence for that position – at best he would be a more-than-adequate back up type in the Ruck.

Keeffe’s role next year is for me unknown, so it will be interesting to see what Nathan has for him. At the moment it is somewhat concerning, because he is a player that has great kicking skills, is a fine reader of the play, and is a solid lead-up mark.

This is concerning...?

It is a big year for Keeffe. It is unlikely he will ever be a regular key position defender at Collingwood (unless there is a favourable match-up, i.e. ruckman) as we have youth in Reid and Brown. But his versatility to go back there is important, and we know he can play key position defence if we needed him to.

I think this year the coaches need to play him as a marking forward with minutes in the ruck, and develop that aspect of his game. If he can prove to be one who can play the 'Leigh Brown' role of forward and back-up ruck, then that would be great, because he can also go back if needed (which his other competitors for the spot can't do). He is truly the most versatile of our contenders for that role.

If he isn't in the seniors in that role (and I think he will get time there) then I want to see him played as a deep forward in a three-way rotation with Witts and Ceglar (two playing deep forward, one in ruck). That assumes Wood is in the seniors with Jolly. Macnamara in the mix there somewhere too.

 

[mattys123]

2012 will be a massive year for Lachie Keefe in terms of his career at Collingwood.

In 2012, he has a "jump" on several other key position players who have enormous potential, maybe more so then he does.

But he gets the advantage of having had a few years of development at the club now, and Lachie has the chance to fill a hole left by Leigh Brown.

In 2012, he will get the chance to play the Leigh Brown type role, but he could also get the option to become the 4th "cog" in a very versatile group of key defenders.

Could we use Tarrant, Reid, Nate Brown and Keefe as our tall defenders, with 1-2 of those rotating through the forward line on a weekly basis, based on matchups?

We showed again in the Grand Final we lacked a real tall defender, one who could go with the "monsters" of the AFL, and with Nathan Brown still having a question mark regarding his body, Lachie may even get a bigger chance down back.

He will get his chance in 2012, maybe in a number of positions, but if he doesn't take it, he will have the likes of Witts, Ceglar and Hartley coming through in 2013.

 

[vjknight]

In 2012, he will get the chance to play the Leigh Brown type role, but he could also get the option to become the 4th "cog" in a very versatile group of key defenders.

Could we use Tarrant, Reid, Nate Brown and Keefe as our tall defenders, with 1-2 of those rotating through the forward line on a weekly basis, based on matchups?

you dont believe in the need to keep the defence a stable block, with changes only when the situation (losing/injury) arises ?

 

[Number 10]

Leigh Brown couldn't ruck and yet we put him there... would hardly get over 5 hitouts a game. But he did contest, so long as Keeffe can contest I think he would be a solid replacement for Brown, who lets face it, was horrible in the last 1/4 of the year and we still made it to the GF.

 

[FIGJAM]

Doubt he is up to it.

 

[Optimax]

Leigh Brown couldn't ruck and yet we put him there... would hardly get over 5 hitouts a game. But he did contest, so long as Keeffe can contest I think he would be a solid replacement for Brown, who lets face it, was horrible in the last 1/4 of the year and we still made it to the GF.

Yeah but he had a physical presence and far better mark around the ground, especially contested.

Keefe is as bad in the ruck, worse around the ground and next worst after a lamp post in the forward line.

He'll be a sweeping, cut off lead style (much taller maxwell) chb or nothing.

 

[Reykjavik]

With the modern game bringing back the resting ruckman/forward I see Keeffe as the back pocket for that player going forward, every now and then a Sandilands will rest in the FP and what a bonus to have a 204cm key defender to put on him.

Keeffe reminds me of Fraser in all these discussions. We need to get over the fact he is 204 cm - he does not play at that height as he posesses absolutely no big man attributes. As Optimax said he is basically a third tall / sweeper type at most who happens to be 204 cm tall.

Put him on Sandilnds or any other big bodied / monster type you like but it will be ugly as his body on body and one on one positioning is not good.

 

[mattys123]

you dont believe in the need to keep the defence a stable block, with changes only when the situation (losing/injury) arises ?

I think that is more so for the medium/small defenders, as they seem to lack the real consistency of the tall defenders if they are not left in the same position (or at least the backline) for most of the season.

But I think with the choice of 3 star defenders (Brown, Taz, Reid) and the option of adding Keefe to the mix against the taller forwards, we can be more flexible in 2012 then we were in 2011.

We all know what happened in the second half of the GF in regards to Hawkins, I would rather us be more flexible, and be willing to make changes then we were under Malthouse.

 

[blaze036]

If he doesnt make it this year he'll be on the chopping block, victim of an amazing young list again

 

[Ed D]

I was actually disappointed that he never got a game in the seniors as a defender, especially in the West Coast game earlier in the year when we lacked defenders and had guys like Maxwell under injury clouds. From what I've seen he plays the role well, and hopefully he has a good year and is still with us for the following season. Nathan Brown returning and possibly Goldsack having a solid preseason could be a bit of a roadblock for him.

Unfortunately I feel the club might try and develop him into some other type of player and him not mastering it, and never getting much opportunity at senior level. Fingers crossed I'm wrong because I rate Keeffe and I'd love to see him as a regular.

 

[mattys123]

The Josh Fraser comparisons are almost laughable.

Josh's main problem was that he had no "mongrel" in him, yet I've seen Lachie knock both himself out, and other plays out at VFL level by throwing his weight around.

Yes, he looks a little bit gangly and ungamely at times, but how many young developing 200cm + AFL players don't at his age?

2012 is his year to shine, or else he may be overtaken by some young emerging stars.

 

[mocamagic]

It was a mystery to me why Keeffe wasn't given some games in defence as we were always going to be vulnerable in the event of an injury to Reid or Tarrant. Instead he gets thrown up forward where he wasn't experienced enough to show his best form. The Gold Coast game was clearly his best and he does have the attributes to be a good player although where he fits in in the short term remains uncertain.

 

[daics cousin]

Jury is still out on Keefe.

There are positives and negatives about this guy.

He is 204cm ,big strong guy but at times plays like a panzy.

Why? Cos he is new to our game .He has a soccer background and is still learning the game.He plays his best football in the ruck.

Why?

Cos he had 1 year at it in the reserves,and played quite well considering he is learning our game.Most fans don't realize that he is NEW to Afl.
By playing him in different positions like back or forward he is like a fish out of water.

He seems suited to the ruck position to me cos he feels comfortable in that position,after palying it for 12 months in the VFL.
Playing him in the backline or forward line i don't think he gets it.

At 204cm he can make a good ruckman and a strong back up to Jolly and wood.

For me i would only play him in the ruck,while resting him up forward occasionally that would be it.

 

[DIDAIC0S]

Keefe biggest issue IMHO ATM is his size, he needs to bulk up and get stronger so that KPP from opposing teams cant push him around so easily, having said that he is super quick and a deccentish lead up forward/kick. Its bad luck that his best assest isn't really going to be prevelent in todays gut running and flooding forward football

 

[rand corp]

Good at ground level for someone his size, not so good at playing tall for someone of his size. Gets brushed aside a bit too easily, knocked off the contest, etc. Crunch year coming up.

 

[Reykjavik]

Good at ground level for someone his size, not so good at playing tall for someone of his size. Gets brushed aside a bit too easily, knocked off the contest, etc. Crunch year coming up.

Exactly. At the moment, as a KPP, he is all icing and no cake.

While I take the point that he is still developing, I believe his soccer background is always going to keep him behind as the precise attributes he needs to develop most are the ones he wont have required for soccer. I would love to see him prove me wrong and noone would be happier than I to acknowledge a good KPB if he becomes one, but at the moment I have more confidence in Hartley making it than Keeffe which is to say more hope than faith.

 

[mattyspies]

you guys are clowns! he's best position is defense. He needs to become stronger without putting to much weight on. Then he'll have to crack into the best 22. At the moment, brown, reid and tarrant are all in front of him. But wouldn't surprise me if he gets games (5-8 games) against the sides with taller forward lines (e.g. carlton who have hampson and kruser).

 

[Ed D]

Jury is still out on Keefe.

There are positives and negatives about this guy.

He is 204cm ,big strong guy but at times plays like a panzy.

Why? Cos he is new to our game .He has a soccer background and is still learning the game.He plays his best football in the ruck.

Why?

Cos he had 1 year at it in the reserves,and played quite well considering he is learning our game.Most fans don't realize that he is NEW to Afl.
By playing him in different positions like back or forward he is like a fish out of water.

He seems suited to the ruck position to me cos he feels comfortable in that position,after palying it for 12 months in the VFL.
Playing him in the backline or forward line i don't think he gets it.

At 204cm he can make a good ruckman and a strong back up to Jolly and wood.

For me i would only play him in the ruck,while resting him up forward occasionally that would be it.

Ahh not this again! Keeffe has been on our list since 2008 and played predominantly as a defender which he's done well at. He hasn't played much in the ruck and to say it's his best position is a guess at best. All you have to do is read his bio on the Pies site to know you haven't seen much of him.

2011 season
Keeffe continued his development as a key defender under Tarkyn Lockyer and earned his AFL debut when Chris Dawes went down with a hand injury in round 16. Played the subsequent four matches highlighted by a three-goal haul against the newly formed Gold Coast Suns. The tall utility faced a tough task playing in a different position to the one he fulfilled in the VFL but showed enough poise to warrant a case for selection in 2012. Served as the sub in his final two outings under Mick Malthouse.

Career
Keeffe was a star junior soccer player in Queensland and only had played a small number of AFL games before signing as a pre-listed rookie with Collingwood. Signed as a Queensland rookie in 2007 and played a handful of games towards the end of the 2008 season in the VFL.

Keeffe's improvement continued in 2009 with the big man moving down back for the majority of the year. Was elevated to the senior list in the national draft at season's end. ??2010 served a key hand down back in a young VFL outfit and was rewarded with a place on the senior list via the draft.

Made his debut in 2011 for an injured Chris Dawes and played five matches as a forward.

http://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/pla.../senior/season/2011/selected/bio/default.aspx

 

[stui magpie]

you guys are clowns! he's best position is defense. He needs to become stronger without putting to much weight on. Then he'll have to crack into the best 22. At the moment, brown, reid and tarrant are all in front of him. But wouldn't surprise me if he gets games (5-8 games) against the sides with taller forward lines (e.g. carlton who have hampson and kruser).

"His" best position, not "he's" but otherwise I absolutely agree. His best position is defence. His advantage (if it can be called that) is that for 204cm he can play small. He's very mobile. It's not my problem to restack our defence but he will be pushing hard for a spot. I can see him playing a fletcher type role quite easily.

 

[Bay Pie]

He's had off season surgery on both hips. Basically a fairly standard release type operation.

The club is looking for him to bulk up (which he has already from reports)and have a crack at the 'Leroy' role. That spot is up for grabs.

He hasn't played alot of ruck or forward minutes in the VFL let alone the AFL, so I expect plenty of time spent there in the pre-season.

 

[noideaatall]

only saw him in the seniors so can't comment really but irrespective of potential he looked a long long way from holding down a position in the side.

I find the diversity of opinions - from ruck, good reader of the play to still learning the game - interesting. about the only thing he isn't is an in and under player it seems. selections this year made me wonder if the club has worked out what they want from him either.

 

[TheGreatGrundy]

"His" best position, not "he's" but otherwise I absolutely agree. His best position is defence. His advantage (if it can be called that) is that for 204cm he can play small. He's very mobile. It's not my problem to restack our defence but he will be pushing hard for a spot. I can see him playing a fletcher type role quite easily.

Robert Walls uses 'he's' instead of 'his'. I could never understand why he was not corrected by someone rather than be allowed to butcher the English language in his commentary.

 

[Thommo 42]

only saw him in the seniors so can't comment really but irrespective of potential he looked a long long way from holding down a position in the side.

I find the diversity of opinions - from ruck, good reader of the play to still learning the game - interesting. about the only thing he isn't is an in and under player it seems. selections this year made me wonder if the club has worked out what they want from him either.

he looked very good as a key defender in the NAB cup, read the play well and took a good chunk of intercept marks and punched well over the top of shorter opponents (ie. everyone).

He looked completely lost at senior level during the H&A season when playing as a key forward.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Good at ground level for someone his size, not so good at playing tall for someone of his size. Gets brushed aside a bit too easily, knocked off the contest, etc. Crunch year coming up.

Agree with everything but this piece. Even if he disappoints in 2012 he will still be there in 2013. He's a project player and you can predict how quickly it will take for the project to be completed.