Toast Matty Taberner

[ilikepotatoes]

He was immense today, really dominant early. He kept us in it early. Four contested marks, the most on the ground has me very excited.



Ridiculous expectation indeed

Exceeding expectation is very rarely a bad thing. Just pisses me off when people expect very high, too high. Glad he reached that today though.

 

[Schauermann]

15 possessions and 2 goals is a ridiculous expectation.

Well, was a pretty good call actually...

 

[holy diver]

Tabs certainly stood up at times against Port when we really needed him too.

 

[ilikepotatoes]

Well, was a pretty good call actually...

Good call yes.
As an expectation, no.

 

[masai]

Gaining more in confidence every week.

Who said he can't take pack marks ?.

He still has alot to learn, but geez he is making the forward line look very forcefull.

 

[PurpleGreenRed]

Tabs is quality

 

[estibador]

It's been an incredible transformation this past 2.5 games, like he just flicked a switch during half time in the Hawks game after it dawned on him that he was good enough to be an AFL player.

His current form is miles ahead of what I would have expected from a 2nd year tall who was hail mary rookie selection born out of desperation. I can see why we moved heaven and earth to poach that renowned developer of young talent RTB.

 

[rgauci]

Huge work ethic. Chases, tackles, marks, goals. Finally have a good key forward prospect. I think Crozier is working his way into best 22 as well.

Really like the way Apeness has developed too. Suddenly key forward not so desperate.

 

[Fred Ziffel]

The inclusion of Taberner has changed the look of our entire forward line.
Tabs along with crozier has brought that extra talent that our forward line needed. It was mentioned before but it has an added benefit in Pav's impact now.
Very good game from Matt today and in the 22 to stay.

 

[FreoRicci]

Him and Croizer make the forward line match ups that much harder. Complement Pav well whilst Croizer can do his business quietly under Ballas and Walters. Gumbleton and Sylvia who?

 

[clogged]

Probably his toughest test next weekend - Sydney's defenders give very little away.

 

[Clive Diablo]

Probably his toughest test next weekend - Sydney's defenders give very little away.

But who does he get. Rampe or Laidler? Tab is a challenge size wise for them. It's the reason we need the extra tall.

 

[Righteo]

But who does he get. Rampe or Laidler? Tab is a challenge size wise for them. It's the reason we need the extra tall.

His second goal today (the pack mark) is something we need to expose more often. Clarke, Pav and Sandi all either flew or made attacking moves and as a result Tabs went completely unchecked. I like that sort of kick coming in from Suban too, low and hard to the top of the square makes defenders panic like nothing else.

At worst next week we can expect a good link up option and focal point at CHF, only live can you see just how hard this bloke works. Did really well to set up the Ballantyne HTB goal even if the kick was a bit lofted, a feature of his game has been his ability to get others involved and his hands below his knees are surprisingly good.

 

[jedi mind tricks]

Massive learning curve come finals. Will only make him more experienced next year.

 

[Fred Ziffel]

Probably his toughest test next weekend - Sydney's defenders give very little away.

That is true.
This is where the added benefit of his presence will have value for Pavlich. Just his presence has changed the entire dynamic of our forward line.
The Hawthorn game, just putting aside their weakened forward line, made us more attacking than I have seen under Ross Lyon over four qtrs.
With Sydney having a team defence plan similar to ours but also a potent forward mix, it means we can give them a new problem.
It certainly wasn't like that the last two times we have met them in Sydney.
Taberner has changed us a lot and this Sydney game could be the most defining moment in his career; Heck he was impressive against Port with his mobility.

 

[free at last]

It's been an incredible transformation this past 2.5 games, like he just flicked a switch during half time in the Hawks game after it dawned on him that he was good enough to be an AFL player.

His current form is miles ahead of what I would have expected from a 2nd year tall who was hail mary rookie selection born out of desperation. I can see why we moved heaven and earth to poach that renowned developer of young talent RTB.

I'm still in a bit of shock at his transformation.
It's like we've bought in FA KPF we have been desperate to get our hands on, but he came from the rookie draft.

Financially cheap too.

 

[E Shed]

At worst next week we can expect a good link up option and focal point at CHF, only live can you see just how hard this bloke works. Did really well to set up the Ballantyne HTB goal even if the kick was a bit lofted, a feature of his game has been his ability to get others involved and his hands below his knees are surprisingly good.

that was the thing that impressed me the first time I saw him at training last year. They were doing a drill with ground balls and he was by far the most agile below his knees of the rookie falls we had at the time. That and his lateral movement are really impressive. It was always the marking and in particular contested marking that seemed his weak point but he seems to be getting the hang of it now.

 

[StingBitten]

This bloke is almost like a midfielder as well (and an agile one at that) - he's all over the ground finding that ball and his disposal efficiency and speed is lightning quick. Had a look at a couple of his games at the start of the year and reckon he's put on at least 2-3 kilos as well. His transformation is amazing but ultimately I think it's a credit to Ross and the coaching team who just seem to manage to get the absolute best out of any player that really wants to be there. This is why I don't think Sylvia has any long-term future at our club, he's not interested whereas Taberner has 2012 Son-Son-type passion.

 

[Simmofreo]

That is true.
This is where the added benefit of his presence will have value for Pavlich. Just his presence has changed the entire dynamic of our forward line.
The Hawthorn game, just putting aside their weakened forward line, made us more attacking than I have seen under Ross Lyon over four qtrs.
With Sydney having a team defence plan similar to ours but also a potent forward mix, it means we can give them a new problem.
It certainly wasn't like that the last two times we have met them in Sydney.
Taberner has changed us a lot and this Sydney game could be the most defining moment in his career; Heck he was impressive against Port with his mobility.

However the fact he has had 3 good weeks is perfect because Sydney will plan for him. This will free up one of the more experienced finals campaigners like Pav

 

[Gekko71]

However the fact he has had 3 good weeks is perfect because Sydney will plan for him. This will free up one of the more experienced finals campaigners like Pav

A good point. I thought at the start of the Port game that they had developed a plan to counter ballaz and walters as they took a long time to get into the game... But I don't think they had put together a plan for Tabs he's too new. It was his efforts that helped keep us in it for the first two quarters in a big way. Sydney won't make the same mistake. If Clark can also step up and threaten as a forward option it will help. Clark doesn't need to be a heavy scorer to stuff up opponents planning and force changes mid-game, he just needs to constantly threaten to score - that's enough to keep them guessing

 

[The Anchorite]

This bloke is almost like a midfielder as well (and an agile one at that) - he's all over the ground finding that ball and his disposal efficiency and speed is lightning quick. Had a look at a couple of his games at the start of the year and reckon he's put on at least 2-3 kilos as well. His transformation is amazing but ultimately I think it's a credit to Ross and the coaching team who just seem to manage to get the absolute best out of any player that really wants to be there. This is why I don't think Sylvia has any long-term future at our club, he's not interested whereas Taberner has 2012 Son-Son-type passion.

Keen to learn and follow the process, too - once he got his head back from the rush of taking the grabs he very deliberately went back to mark his mark.

 

[Lost_Deputy]

Also good to see Tabs taking the sensible hair approach from Pav. Always liked that the Skipper looked like he just got out of a tux

 

[masai]

Also good to see Tabs taking the sensible hair approach from Pav. Always liked that the Skipper looked like he just got out of a tux

Just keep him away from the "Inkman", like alot of the other young lemmings !!!.

Pav & Kep, darn good role models.

 

[Fred Ziffel]

Just keep him away from the "Inkman", like alot of the other young lemmings !!!.

Pav & Kep, darn good role models.

Very good point.
Inkmen are not good.
We have many untainted leaders at the club.

 

[Nickos66]

Just keep him away from the "Inkman", like alot of the other young lemmings !!!.

Pav & Kep, darn good role models.

He's got a dial you could set your watch to, no danger of getting inked up the wazoo - I wouldnt've thought.