Medium Size Defenders

[koutamarto]

Watching last nights game it is still evident that thornton still struggles to play a tight 1on1 checking role and that if the opposition play a decent 3rd tall we are screwed cuz we have to many midget defenders of the same mold. I honestly believe come finals time we need 3 KPB to allow the 3rd(thornton to go 3rd up or swing forward) which means 1 of our medium sizers will need to go. Say davies is dropped for Waite who is a walk up start.
One of these guys (only for team balance balance may need to be left out.)
Duigan, Laidler and Russel.
So my question is which 1 would it be? Imo it would be laidler as he adds less run than the others, is a bit slower and stats aside doesn't make as good as decisions. He can play a bit taller than the other 2 but not tall enough. I think Russel and Duigs add great leadership and strength down back.

It would be a hard decision but one that needs to be made for team balance IMO.

 

[AlecDuncan]

You have got to be kidding.

 

[koutamarto]

Definitely not saying that they arent in pit best 22. Maybe some1 like tuohy of army misses out then. The MC have consistently shown they are happy to go in small and back our running power. They know best I guess

 

[SE_Blue]

Duigan is extremely courageous and saves many goals with his spoiling (eg. against Cloke/Swan? I believe in the game against Collingwood)

Laidler intercepts a lot of kicks into the backline

Russell has come good after years of everyone being on his back.

None of them should or would go.

 

[gbatman]

B: Duigan Jamison Laidler
HB: Yarran Bower Russell

IC: Henderson/Thornton

This is our best defence we can come up with with every one 100%.

 

[Pafloyul]

You have got to be kidding.

Which manual of pointless clichés did you get that one from?

 

[Salaryman]

Is that a cliche or a negative imperative?

 

[Pafloyul]

Is that a cliche or a negative imperative?

If I knew what that was, I could tell you. Perhaps it's both?

Anyway, I mean to say, the OP wasn't so ridiculous as to deserve such a response. It rarely is.

 

[Jeremias]

Duigan, Laidler and Russell are all in our best 22.

Duigs and Laidler could hardly have been more impressive in their first year at the club. They have both certainly exceeded my expectations of them as I am sure they have for many other supporters. Both are in Carlton's best.

JR has not had a great season and is certainly down on form when compared to his last season or two but he will come good. Clearly suffered from having a severely restricted preseason due to injury but the club is putting measures into place currently to ensure that he is right to go sooner rather than later.

Laidler, Duigan and JR as I said are all in our best 22 and all form part of what we hope our strongest backline to be come the business end of the season. Team balance may be an issue but it is not one that can or will be fixed by dropping one of them.

 

[Pafloyul]

I think they are all in our best 22 but if we were to perfect our list, probably shouldn't be. That might be what's bugging the OP. The missing link is probably someone who could play on both the taller and the medium sized players.

I think on paper it reads a little too 'spare parts' at the moment.

 

[Jeremias]

Perfecting our list sounds lovely in theory but how realistic is that?

Of course we should always try to improve the team but this year at full strength I'd suggest the 3 boys mentioned are all comfortably in the team.

Regarding someone who can play on taller and medium sized players, Laidler has been asked to play that role at times and has done it admirably. Not suited to gorillas but has shown that he is capable of playing both taller and smaller than he is. The comparisons made between him and Milburn are very accurate in terms of style.