Review Lets talk about Walker...

[true blue19]

if the bomber can get pick 16 for lovett i cant see why we can get a first round pick for walker

 

[Just Kreuzing]

if the bomber can get pick 16 for lovett i cant see why we can get a first round pick for walker

Lovett's onfield ability was miles ahead of Walker's, Lovett could run and carry and had great skills who could rip a game open, unfortunately we are still hoping to see Walker do this.

 

[Malifice]

Having said that, he was reportedly on the table last year due to attitude/application issues, and it wouldn't bother me one bit to see him traded.

First I've heard of this?

if the bomber can get pick 16 for lovett i cant see why we can get a first round pick for walker

Putting any off field issues to rest for a second, Lovett could (and a few times did) almost single handedly win games for the Dons.

 

[pgm87]

Quickly add in Waite

bugger! i was bound to miss one! waite to FF

 

[Claypigeon]

B: Army Jamo Russ
HB: BowerAustin Gibbs
Cnt: Walker*Judd Yarren
HF: Houlihan Hendo Garlett
F: Waite Betts Kreuzer**

Foll: Warnock**, Murph, McLean***

Bench: Simmo*, Lucas**, Grigg***, Ellard***

Depth: AJ*, Hampson/Jacobs**, Brown, White, Hadley***, Setanta, Thornton

Nice list. .. My take/changes in bold and movement underlined. .. Some real speculation (ie. Kreuzer). .. Its more a 2011 best 22 + Depth, rather than a premiership side as the

* If Walker doesn't come good. .. Simmo to wing and AJ to bench
** Too hard to call where Kreuz will play or how the 4 rucks will go. ..
*** Who is going to continue or step up. ..

 

[CUG81]

I think Walker looked like a player who had been in reserves for 2 weeks...his first 7 or 8 games this season he played really well..good at tackling, great running off that half backline and his disposal was good. Since then he has been in and out, and he hasnt been able to get back that consistency. Could argue Russell at times has been just as poor after round 7 onwards.

Another full pre-season, starting him every game in the same position will see him play at his best...in fact, he was at that in teh first half of the season.

 

[Korn]

Plays 4-7 good games a year. Plays 6-10 shockers a year. The rest average/invisible. In all honesty, the guy is picking up a pay cheque and doing just enough given current team list. Put the heat on him, and he produces...take it off and he is average/poor.
.

This is just not Walker, unfortunately the whole team does it. Too many players plays a number of ordinary games, then plays a good game just enough to warrant another couple of ordinary performances in their next few matches, then the cycle continues.

 

[Just Kreuzing]

This is just not Walker, unfortunately the whole team does it. Too many players plays a number of ordinary games, then plays a good game just enough to warrant another couple of ordinary performances in their next few matches, then the cycle continues.

Spot on Korn, the following blokes have made career's out of doing this, Carrazzo, Houlihan, Betts, Thornton, Russell, O'hailpin, Hadley and I am starting to think Bower and Jamison fit this category as well.

And unfortunately Walker is at the top of this group!!!

 

[Sin City]

I just reckon Bower is still struggling from the quad injuries, it's certainly effected his ability to stick with his opponent on the lead and his confidence. Wouldn't stick him in the inconsistent group yet.

 

[Just Kreuzing]

I just reckon Bower is still struggling from the quad injuries, it's certainly effected his ability to stick with his opponent on the lead and his confidence. Wouldn't stick him in the inconsistent group yet.

Also affecting his decision making??? He never seems sure when he has the ball and continually runs around in circles and puts team mates under pressure. Maybe his confidence is just shot as he is being asked to play on players who are just far too good for him, he needs to play on the 3rd forward.

 

[Blue and Silver]

I do rate Walker and think that with a full pre-season he will be a good player. BUT, he isn't the best in any position and increasingly we are developing players that can assume multiple roles across the ground and perform them better then Walker:

Crumbing Forwards that can take a turn in the middle: Yarran, Betts, Gartlett

Pacy wingman: Simpson, Lucas, Grigg

Rebounding Defender: Gibbs, Russell, Armfield

KPD who runs off: Bower, White, Waite

Tagger: Carrazzo, Joseph, Gibbs

If he gets everything right he could be a good player, but his injuries have ruined what could of been (marking, tackling are considerably worse then they were) and his decision making is still unfortunatly poor. Trade him to a side with a need for pace (St Kilda/Adelaide?) for a low first rounder/early second rounder if we can (His form early on was promising enough) otherwise he will just remain on the list and deteriate as he is usurped from every position

 

[CUG81]

I just reckon Bower is still struggling from the quad injuries, it's certainly effected his ability to stick with his opponent on the lead and his confidence. Wouldn't stick him in the inconsistent group yet.

i actually dont think bower has the body, strength or brains to play on KPFs...he isnt big enough and gets moved too easily. He impressed when he was the third tall in defence. similar to Walker at times, having to play on bigger bodied players down back, they just struggle.

I believe Bower would get back to his best if another big bodied player came in to play CHB...Eg. Austin. I dont udnerstand why he hasnt been given a chance. Even Setanta playing down back just to add some muscle would help Bower..and even Jamison for that matter.

 

[Sin City]

Maybe his confidence is just shot as he is being asked to play on players who are just far too good for him, he needs to play on the 3rd forward.

Since when were Riewoldt, Franklin and Cloke 3rd forwards? He's had a lot of praise for his jobs on key forwards before the quad injuries ruined his season. People turn on players far too quickly. When he had to pull out of the Brisbane game in round two Ratten said he was the guy they had pegged to shut down Brown. Until these quad injuries wrecked his year - and he is in shit form at the moment - no one had any doubts that he was on the verge of becoming a great CHB. He's not keeping up with forwards on the lead and his confidence is shot but if he can get his quads 100% he should bounce back next year.

 

[Just Kreuzing]

Since when were Riewoldt, Franklin and Cloke 3rd forwards? He's had a lot of praise for his jobs on key forwards before the quad injuries ruined his season. People turn on players far too quickly. When he had to pull out of the Brisbane game in round two Ratten said he was the guy they had pegged to shut down Brown. Until these quad injuries wrecked his year - and he is in shit form at the moment - no one had any doubts that he was on the verge of becoming a great CHB. He's not keeping up with forwards on the lead and his confidence is shot but if he can get his quads 100% he should bounce back next year.

Don't agree Sin, dont think he will ever be a great CHB, needs to play the rebounding 3rd defender type role and to do this has to be a better decision maker with better skills.

 

[Sin City]

needs to play the rebounding 3rd defender type role and to do this has to be a better decision maker with better skills.

This bit I agree with, which is why he needs to get his body and confidence right and go back to being the CHB that he was last year and early this year before the quad injuries.

 

[CUG81]

the other aspect to it all is our midfield..if it is on top and preventing easy flowing delivery into the forwardline then bower will find it easier on KPF...the problem is that our midfield can often leave our defence exposed and we get hammered.

 

[gbatman]

He lacks size and strength. He needs to have a good preseason in the gym and build up, that's a start. If we can get a trade for him though I think we should consider it though. I've got a foot in both camps, I'd trade him for a good key defender.

 

[Blues_Man]

Walker is just a really dumb footballer, add this to his lack of tackling and spoiling ability and you get an ordinary performer .

I doubt we would get anything in trade value for him..we just need to keep him in the seconds as a depth player.

 

[thylacine60]

Let's talk about Tex, baby...

 

[diesel_85]

was at the game on friday night and was speaking with my old man, we both agree that his tackling and general hardness at the ball has possibly suffered due to the growing list of injuries he's suffered, especially his shoulders.

IMO it really would play on your mind and be a huge confidence hurdle to overcome.

also for those saying that all he needs is 1 good pre-season.... unless that pre-season is 98.4% skill based he probably won't improve a huge amount. His fitness levels have been elite for a couple of years now, its his disposal that really lets him down

 

[ESKIE]

Let's talk about Tex, baby...

Sssssssstop that

 

[Tanks_Alot]

Trade him to GC with Carrazzo, might be able to get somebody worthy of investing time into.

Thing I've noticed with Walker is not only is his disposal crap but he is a very dumb player. Runs around like a chicken with its head cut off until he gets tackled. No composure at all.

 

[Blue since 72]

He's a conundrum wrapped up in a puzzle is Walks and he's got me stumped TBH. He played the odd good game forward so I thought he would go well there. Then he came in earlier this year at HB and played a couple of pretty good games there so I thought he was going to be our line breaker but on Friday he was a deer in the headlights (yes first game back and all but he is old enough and experienced enough that the MC would expect him to take his chances when they come).

I reckon he would be looked at by GC and GWS on experience alone but if he stayed on our list I just dunno where he plays best. I'm thinking maybe in the midfield but I just can't get a handle on his best value to the club.

He may be seen and used as a utility (and this is why I think so many posters struggle with his value to the team) but I don't think we'll ever get the best out of him moving him all over the place. Takes a special breed to play well in various positions and I don't reckon Walks is that special breed.

If he's to stay which is obviously out of our hands and assuming he gets and stays in a starting 22 I would like to see him settled in a position and then its make or break.

 

[Barry Zuckercorn]

He cant kick.
He cany tackle.
He has no footy brains.
He cant take a mark.

Get rid of him.

 

[Back at ya]

Interesting one with Walker. I think he needs to be offerred as a Trade. If we don't get anything worthwhile we need to keep him. His intensity Friday night was disgraceful and not up to Standard. It's been like that too often.
On the flipside I think they should be playing him on the opposition talls as per start of the year. He needs to get back the run and intensity required, not going through motions. Seems to be down on confidence?