Mclaren - Defense

[barnesy]

At 194cm, with reasonable mobility, reasonable skills, and solid mark, is it time that we look at Mclaren as an option down back next year.

Naturally speed off the mark is a question, and have seen examples of bad decision making (who hasn't though).

And rotate him in the ruck to rest Ackland.

With the right match up.

Surely our tall defensive options:

Thornton
Ohailpin
Hartlett / Mclaren (unknown quantity)

Other defenders:

Bower
Flint
Bannister
Walker (hopefully more midfield)
Saddington (?)

I think it's worth a look, he needs to reinvent himself next year, otherwise as a second string ruck, and with Aisake probably being promoted he maybe on the outer.

 

[HBF]

He could do it, but he wouldn't be my first option. Certainly mobile enough

 

[stokesy]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think he played a couple of games - or quarters - in defence last year on the resting ruckmen in the forward line.

It wouldn't bother me seeing him try in defence on a more full time basis.

 

[Corrosion]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think he played a couple of games - or quarters - in defence last year on the resting ruckmen in the forward line.

It wouldn't bother me seeing him try in defence on a more full time basis.

He most certainly did, and he was a solid defender. Kept with his opponent and had a great defensive fist. It would be worth a shot in the back-line.

 

[stokesy]

He most certainly did, and he was a solid defender. Kept with his opponent and had a great defensive fist. It would be worth a shot in the back-line.

Yes I remember him punching the ball towards and over the boundary line a couple of times, good one percenters.

 

[bluesfan]

Yeah, it's defiently worth more of a punt with him down back on occasions. I think that maybe he should start down back and rotate with Ackland when he needs some relief and with Bryan as well. McLaren starts down back, Bryan on the bench and Ackland as number 1 ruck. Seen him at times down back this year and impressed me. Has a very good fist, punches the ball hard and well. And he is very mobile and solid down there, as he can be tried up forward as well if needed. Will depend on the opposition and matchups of course but I would like him, Bryan and Ackland in the same side each week.

Also want the AFL to extend the interchange bench by 2, which means there will be 6 interchange spots. Thoughts???

 

[SA Blue]

I could see him playing similarily to Holland from the Dees. Large, not overly mobile, but the strength in one on ones.

 

[bluesforever]

Yeah well he has the strength, but correct me if im wrong but he seems slow, each time I have gone to watch him playing defence he seems a little clueless when players are on the lead. For example he played down back on Stafford, he was beaten easily when it came to reading the play mostly on the lead, and Stafford wasn't the most mobile forward in the comp...

But maybe, he certainly is good one on one in the air. I guess if we are flooding it wouldn't matter too much.

 

[notting18]

Hey carlton ppl,
In his last season with us he played the entire of the last half of the season inthe reserves at CHB... if hed stayed im pretty sure we were grooming him for that role.

I personally think he is underated and definietly could hold down a key defensive post.. GOOD LUCK

 

[parrot]

At 194cm, with reasonable mobility, reasonable skills, and solid mark, is it time that we look at Mclaren as an option down back next year....

I'd prefer Setanta, Bower, Hartlett, Flint, or Edwards as tall defenders before McLaren.

 

[AlecDuncan]

Will depend on the opposition and matchups of course but I would like him, Bryan and Ackland in the same side each week.

Hell will freeze over before all three are in the same side during the H&A season (anything's possible in the NAB Cup).

 

[M_I_G]

the only memories i have of mclaren playing in defence are bad,mistakes leading to turnovers and other undesirable outcomes, however i'm probably just naturally remembering the bad moreso than the good, so im sure he probably do some good stuff and i'm all for attempts to strengthen our defensive line

 

[j-ham]

Dear God I hope Hartlett's injury problems are over. (No disrespect to McLaren intended)

 

[barnesy]

If Hartlett, Bower, Edward, and Flint are ready, then yep for sure, but meant as an intering while they find their feet.

 

[Buster the hawk]

If Hartlett, Bower, Edward, and Flint are ready, then yep for sure, but meant as an intering while they find their feet.

As a he is a local lad, i really hope young Flinty does well for you guys ,played a couple of games in the Magpies (Sale) seniors as a 16/17yr old at CHB and killed them ,was reminisent of a young Tommy Alvin IMO.He has always been a fairly humble sort of fella as well unlike his fellow Blues team mate from down here .

 

[smithos]

unlike his fellow Blues team mate from down here .

McLaren?

 

[WalkerTexasRanger]

Hell will freeze over before all three are in the same side during the H&A season (anything's possible in the NAB Cup).

Have you ever been to Canberra in the winter? I know completely off topic - but I always think of the phrase hell freezing over - when in Canberra during winter. It sure is hell and is F%^kin cold

 

[Jeremias]

McLaren should only be in defense if he is defending an opposing resting ruckman, or if he is playing as a loose man. No way would I consider him for a key defensive post otherwise.

 

[TheBlueblood]

hell presty from the pies gets like 10 kicks a year but still gets the job done...

 

[Buster the hawk]

McLaren?

Yeah ,loves ringing his mates back home on the mobile and then not hanging it up so they all know what he's up to.

 

[smithos]

Yeah ,loves ringing his mates back home on the mobile and then not hanging it up so they all know what he's up to.

hehe, okay

 

[konstas_87]

At 194cm, with reasonable mobility, reasonable skills, and solid mark, is it time that we look at Mclaren as an option down back next year.

Naturally speed off the mark is a question, and have seen examples of bad decision making (who hasn't though).

And rotate him in the ruck to rest Ackland.

With the right match up.

Surely our tall defensive options:

Thornton
Ohailpin
Hartlett / Mclaren (unknown quantity)

Other defenders:

Bower
Flint
Bannister
Walker (hopefully more midfield)
Saddington (?)

I think it's worth a look, he needs to reinvent himself next year, otherwise as a second string ruck, and with Aisake probably being promoted he maybe on the outer.

Dylan Mclaren was actually a CHB as a junior, only played ruck for us because of injuries.