Left Sided Players.

[DarkTint]

Hey gang haven't been around these parts for a while. Honestly I just couldn't put up with that banging-your-head-against-a-wall feeling you seem to get around here sometimes.

Anyway seeing as there are numerous threads dedicated to the success/failure of our season, players and going into next season I thought I would bring up a topic that I personally feel has some merit in it.

Why don't we have more left footers in our team? Now I don't mean going to extremes like a Hawthorn, but the last month or so I have been constantly bringing this issue up with fellow friends who also support the Navy Blues. So many times watching the boys I think to myself, 'if only it was a left footed player in that position, would be perfect'.

In situations when kicking into/out of the 50m arcs I feel we are far to predictable. I don't mean so much by the targets we are going to, I mean the areas of the field we use, which side we like to play on, where our players lead etc. I have a gut feel that our main users of the ball all being right sided has something to do with that (even if its minimal).

It also doesn't help that bar our top mids we don't really have any real quality users by foot. Most of the boys have their moments when they look like world beaters but no-one bar the usual suspects have really shown any consistency in this department (hitting up targets, setting up the play).

Also we don't have a 'booming' kick. Gibbsy looks like he could end up being that guy but atm him 'booming' it from a kick in doesn't really count. Honestly I think 206 could be our longest kick. (one of our lefties)

Just using the guys who have played this year:

Backline: ? Zilch, Nada. Say the guys are under the pump in the backline, now and again we will shoot ourselves in the foot because the player who is running trying to clear our defensive 50 has to try and straighten up on to his right. This can be said for certain plays all over the ground. I'd keep RO'K on the list based purely on this fact. (half joking)

Midfield: Kade, 206. Don't we all just love simmo that little bit more because he's a leftie? He is one player who can change plays, angles with his left foot. He looks so unique in our midfield sometimes because he will turn the other way and run off then deliver with his left. Just a bonus for us 206 happens to be a leftie, esp if he continues to develop as a dangerous resting forward.

Forwards: ?, DOUGHNUTS. How dangerous could we be if we had a natural left footer centering the ball from the left side instead of *insert mid here* kicking it oof while trying to centre on the left or tryin to get back onto that trusty right only to be tackled or worse yet mis kick under pressure straight to the opposing team.

Don't get me wrong I believe we have a number of very good dual sided players but that really isn't the same as being a natural left-sided player.


Just quickly looking at the contenders this year:

Fagpies: D - Ben Johnson. Never really rated him till I noticed the difference when he plays this year and when he doesnt. Also they have 2 right footers in Shaw and HO'B (cant stand him btw) they have 2 guys who can run and kick it long. Accurately.

Mids - Pendlebury, Didak. You could throw in O'Bree and Lockyer from other seasons but not nec. Pendles as a defensive mid and Dickdak as an offensive mid really gives the pies midfield a nice balance and numerous diff points to start an attack.

F - Cloke. Bonus that their key forward also happens to be the only left footer in the forward line to offer that different point of attack. The way he kicks though maybe he is naturally right footed.


Aints: D - Gilbert. Compliments BJ (laugh everytime) and fisher nicely. Not just with his left but with his run.

Mids - C.Jones, Armitage. No one of real note here. Then I remembered a guy named Nicky Dal.

F - Schneider. Great pick up by Ross Lyon last season who has become a very important player in the aints setup.


Cats: D - Taylor, Hunt, Enright. All good reliable users of the ball. Hunt esp can roost it.

Mids - Ling, Corey (?). Not 100% sure on Joel.

F - Stokes, Byrnes. Sure J-Pod is as well. (we should boo him like milburn btw). Nice to have your 2 key forwards naturally be comfortable on opposite sides. Couple of decent small forwards there. Offer something different to the main duo of Mooney and SJ.



In summary guys I want to stress that I dont think getting a couple of lefties into the team is suddenly going to bring us #17. I also want to stress I'm not saying draft left footers, trade for Knights etc Just found it really interesting that we really don't seem to have that many lefties on the list and in such a tough competition like the afl where 1-2% is the difference between immortal glory and being st kilda, maybe having an extra left footer or 2 in the team can provide that.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

Nice well thought out post. I can not fault what you are saying. I also hope the responses don't force you to give yourself another concussion.

 

[DarkTint]

LOL. Thanks ODN. Just feel some people need to support us a little bit more. Those posters need to realise NO ONE hurts more than the players, coaches and club. Spewing I missed all this beard talk.

 

[Buzz/Sticks/bryce]

Is that you Chris Pelchen?

 

[GoBlues!]

Not particularly fussed whether players are left or right footers tbh. I'm more interested in whether players can get the ball and dispose of it properly/accurately by hand or foot, and forwards that can kick straight in front of goals.

It does raise an interesting question though - what do recruiters look for and rate in selecting players. The quality of disposals in some of our games this year was pretty ordinary. Hopefully we can recruit players who can hit targets.

 

[Dustyjackman]

Seems to be a compelling argument to ensure that Grigg signs on and is not distracted by the lure of the bright light in the North.

 

[DarkTint]

Knew I forgot someone. Grigga could still be anything in our team. IF his disposal/decision making was of a higher standard he could play a Corey Enright type position for us. Basically a def who plays as an extra mid. By no means comparing the 2 players just feel Grigg hasn't even scratched the surface when it comes to what type of player he could be.

Griggs main problem imo is that as soon as there is a little bit of pressure put on him he just seems to try boot the ball as far as he can. Panics a bit. Absolutely love his hardness and the team things he always does (blocking, shepperds, tackles etc).

 

[Dustyjackman]

For me Grigg strikes me as the sort of player, at junior level, that would of been trying to take them on at every opportunity, but, often getting caught out a bit. I sometimes get the feeling that the 'bang it long' mentality was coached into him at a younger age. (Bit the same as Robinson) Fortunately, it can be coached out of him as well.

Watching him play in close is a delight. He doesn't flinch. Has no problem with body contact and will put his body on the line for the boys.

Shit, I hope we can hang onto him.

 

[Amers]

For balance sake we probably could do with a couple more left footers in the team.
If O'Keefe come on it will help a bit.

 

[scomac]

I agree totally with the OP the bloody lefties always look like they have time all us right sided clowns still get sucked into it even when we no they will turn left. Seriously it is a good point Can we get a Simon Black clone.

 

[juddsentant517]

Nicoski is left footed
/ thread

 

[blue_boys]

Decent topic. For some reason left foot players seem to be better kicks, whether this be because there are less of them you notice it more or because most player give them more time because they initially think they are going to go on their right foot, who knows? But generally left footers are very good kicks. It would be good for team balance but not sure if it is something you draft someone on ahead of another player.

Also I'm pretty sure Enright is a right footer

 

[pieman123]

Mids - Pendlebury, Didak. You could throw in O'Bree and Lockyer from other seasons but not nec. Pendles as a defensive mid and Dickdak as an offensive mid really gives the pies midfield a nice balance and numerous diff points to start an attack.

Firstly Obree and Lockyer are right footers and Pendles is not a defensive mid

 

[bluejones]

Great post!
I think the aspect of 'running the angles' and playing different areas of the ground, are the most important aspect of having a good balance of left-footers..

It came very clear to me after watching a Chris Knights youtube video. A few times he ran on an angle pretty much parallel to goal in an effort to get onto his left. Then I realised Simpson does similar things, but not all that often

I know sometimes the wind plays into account.. but have a look at our (mostly) last resort long bomb from a kick in.. Where does it go? To the left side of the bloke kicking in. So from there, if we can get a clearance from the contest, our runners will be mostly on the inside.

 

[DarkTint]

To the collingwood guy, didn't do any hardcore research into the opposition lists as my only concern is with the Carlton Football Club. If I were you I would be soaking up the spoils of September rather than worrying about the plight of Carlton and left sided players. Thanks for your concern anyway.

To the Enright comment, fair enough but regardless of which foot he kicks with I think Shaun Grigg could do much worse than model his game on that type of player. It offers something different to the team.

We have a high percentage of players who are strictly forwards/mids/or defenders. Not really counting the talls as none of our key backs can play forward (I've been having a genius/madman Paul Bower lead up forward target dream, needs Austin to be CHB to be slightly plausible) and we only have one Waite. It's a luxury he is capable at both ends but it more out of need where we choose to play him rather than want.

I know the thread says left sided players but a big part behind this observation of mine is that for us to climb from bottom eight to top four we need to add a few more ingredients to our game.

Back on to the topic (somewhat, at 3am) Griggy has all the tools to become a type of player we currently don't have and do a job for us in a premiership team.

Just because he is a leftie I'll mention it, personally I'd take C.Knights but only if it was an absolute bargain(steal). A straight swap for Jacobs I would say is out of the question. Either Adelaide can throw in their 1st rounder as well or replace the name Knights with Tippett/Dangerfield.

 

[thylacine60]

One of the great federal statesmen and anti-communist activists of all time followed Carlton and you wanna fill the place with more lefties?

 

[Silvagnis]

One of the great federal statesmen and anti-communist activists of all time followed Carlton and you wanna fill the place with more lefties?

Manning Clark was a Carlton supporter and an anti-communist?

 

[DarkTint]

Wrapt to have drafted a couple of lefties! IMO Could really be one of those little intangibles that take us to the next level.

 

[Claypigeon]

Wrapt to have drafted a couple of lefties! IMO Could really be one of those little intangibles that take us to the next level.

Missed this thread the first time round. .. I think the advantage with lefties is the rarity of it. .. players naturally (intellectually) shut down the right foot, before they react (realise) the fact that the opponent is a lefty, so this allows the lefty to swing onto his preferred side more often than not. .. This leads a good proportion of lefties to really develop the strength and timing in their left foot making for a penetrating kick. .. While its also a disadvantage because lefties usually don't have a right foot at all it does create a great link or rebound player for the team. ..

 

[DarkTint]

Bump.

Not much to talk about, didn't want to start a new thread.

So who are our lefties now? Just for interest's sake.

Simpson, Warnock, Laidler, Watson, R.O.K. I'm sure there's more. (Grigg ..... lol)

 

[mickelboy182]

I'd say you could consider Yarran, Betts, Houlihan and Scotland as they are truly dual-sided.
Not the most consistent, but Tex loves using the left as well.

 

[Claypigeon]

I'd say you could consider Yarran, Betts, Houlihan and Scotland as they are truly dual-sided.
Not the most consistent, but Tex loves using the left as well.

Murphy, while a little awkward is a good kick for goal on his no preferred. ..

 

[gbatman]

...it's not that important. It's not like cricket where it's good to have a mix of left and right handers/armers.

 

[Claypigeon]

...it's not that important. It's not like cricket where it's good to have a mix of left and right handers/armers.

True, however it is handy to have left sided players on the left side of the field as its easier (quicker and more accurate generally) for them to bring the ball from left to the right than it is for a right sided player. ..

 

[Weiterbot23]

When I play footy or basketball, this is the first thing i notice about my opponet.

Surely this is something that AFL players would go through before a game.

I understand that in congested situations a lefty might surprise a couple every now and then. But I certainly don't think you'd draft a lefty over a slightly higher rated righty.