New player roles in 2012

GoBlues!

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You watch the guys at training where they practice positioning and getting to understand each others strengths and weaknesses, when to support, when to stand back and accept etc.
The more mixing of those pieces and the less understanding that there'll be amongst the group, and moreso when you take the leader away.
The move of Walker to the forward line and Yarran to the HBF worked out really well for us, because we just weren't getting enough quality and consistency out of them in their previous positions.

Jamison on the other hand is the General of the backline and rarely gets beaten. I don't see him as a swing type player. Moving him forward and creating a weakness in a defensive structure that is starting to click doesn't make a lot of sense to me.
 

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HARKER

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Thread starter #102
The move of Walker to the forward line and Yarran to the HBF worked out really well for us, because we just weren't getting enough quality and consistency out of them in their previous positions.
I think we all knew that Yarran was going to be developed into a mid and that turn down back just did him a world of good.
Expect him to be pushed a little further forward now that we have Russell and Tuohy pretty much ready to go.

I loved Walkers work forward this year, yet some of his best work was deep on the wings.
Had the motor to burn off his opponents collect the ball, then double back goalwards.
I doubt many (if any) forwards covered as much ground as he did this year.

Effectively we developed the boys to their strengths.
Jamisons kicking for goal is not a strength.
 

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That statement suggests he may see more action forward than back.
I should have said 'weak' opposition. .. BTW I can see both sides of the argument but if our backline is strong and our forward line malfunctions why not attempt to fill the gap and develop youth at the same time?
 

HARKER

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Thread starter #104
I should have said 'weak' opposition. .. BTW I can see both sides of the argument but if our backline is strong and our forward line malfunctions why not attempt to fill the gap and develop youth at the same time?
There's just something about continuity and games played together that gives backlines an edge. (see Geelong)
I know there are rotational policies that one can argue need to be applied, but the back six that I talk about are the ones that set-up that way at the start of the game.
I'm all for having a rotational forward half, but stability goes a long way to getting the most out of your backs.
Having said that Laidler and Duigan just slotted in seamlessly last year and to a large degree held the fort up, against the odds.
 

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I loved Walkers work forward this year, yet some of his best work was deep on the wings.
Had the motor to burn off his opponents collect the ball, then double back goalwards.
I doubt many (if any) forwards covered as much ground as he did this year.
Tbh I wasn't sure at the time whether moving Walker to the forward line was going to be a good move or not.

We all knew he has pace and is one of the quickest players at the club but it didn't seem to be a great weapon he made use of when he played in a defensive role. What really surprised me this year was his accurate kicking at goal - 56 goals and 27 pts, a massive effort and probably one of the most accurate forwards this year. Proved a lot of people wrong, me included, and kicked some great goals when we needed them.
 

HARKER

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Thread starter #106
Interesting listening to Ratten on SEN this morning.
Bartlett quizzed him about any possible new roles for players next year after the success we had with Yarran and Walker this year.

Russell:
Will be used more around the middle.
This makes perfect sense to try at the very least, with reasons which have already been covered in this thread.

Rowe:
Although not a new role, Ratten did suggest that he will be used as a crash and bash forward ala Duke Spalding.
Again makes perfect sense in respect to the forward line we have.
The more time that ball rolls to the advantage of Walker, Garlett, Betts and co. the more potent we will be.

Bower:
Will be trialled around the wing.
This is a real surprise, to me at least. Can't see it, but look forward to seeing how it may work.

Collins:
Will be trialled around the half-back line.
Not quite as surprising as the Bower notion as he does have a good kick and thinks fast on his feet.
Mmmmm. Have to see this one pans out, also.
 

marcmurphy#3

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Quite surprised by the moves of Bower and Collins. Russell to the midfield makes sense, and given our excess of half backs, he may find it easier to find a spot in it.
 

HARKER

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Thread starter #109
Quite surprised by the moves of Bower and Collins. Russell to the midfield makes sense, and given our excess of half backs, he may find it easier to find a spot in it.
Bower and Collins surprised me too, but that's not really to say that's the way it will end up.
Maybe just trying to get some new attributes into them in the off-season
 

zeeCFC

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Appreciate the write up Harks, I really like the Bower/Collins moves. Collins is a sublime user of the ball and Bower's line breaking skills would be great to see higher up the ground.
 

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Reckon giving Bower a go on the wing is an excellent idea, albeit something I would have never thought of myself.

Quick, evasive, breaks lines, keeps his feet and is very strong one-on-one (when not conceding height and weight, which he won't be doing on the wing). The only thing that might hold him back would be his disposal, which whilst neat and pretty effective, lacks the penetration that you might want from someone regularly delivering inside 50.

Definitely worth a try. :thumbsu:
 

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HARKER

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Thread starter #112
Reckon giving Bower a go on the wing is an excellent idea, albeit something I would have never thought of myself.

Quick, evasive, breaks lines, keeps his feet and is very strong one-on-one (when not conceding height and weight, which he won't be doing on the wing). The only thing that might hold him back would be his disposal, which whilst neat and pretty effective, lacks the penetration that you might want from someone regularly delivering inside 50.

Definitely worth a try. :thumbsu:
That's my biggest concern.
Just love the idea of Yarran and Simpson hitting targets from outside 50.
Bower though? Can't see it yet, but then again I doubted the idea of Yarran down back last year. :eek:
 

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Good to see Ratts with some innovative thinking.

I just cant see Bower as a wingman though. Id love for him to prove me wrong, but I just cant see him doing it. Yes he has good disposal efficiency but I think he will just run himself into too much trouble and wont have the awareness to play this role. As already stated he doesnt have that deep kick into the foward 50 either.

May still have a spot in our backline, and move Yaz up onto a wing (which quite alot of people here have already suggested)

Like I said im happy for Emu to prove me wrong, but I just cant see this working
 

HARKER

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Thread starter #114
Good to see Ratts with some innovative thinking.

I just cant see Bower as a wingman though. Id love for him to prove me wrong, but I just cant see him doing it. Yes he has good disposal efficiency but I think he will just run himself into too much trouble and wont have the awareness to play this role. As already stated he doesnt have that deep kick into the foward 50 either.

May still have a spot in our backline, and move Yaz up onto a wing (which quite alot of people here have already suggested)

Like I said im happy for Emu to prove me wrong, but I just cant see this working
I doubt Ratten would go back to s situation where we have players that will turn it over in our back half, hence I understand Collins being trialled.
All our backs are now prepared to take their opponent on, run off them and then capable of executing to advantage.
Jamison took a step up last year, Henderson fit into his position like a glove with Duigan and Laidler more than capable of fitting into the coaches edict.
Throw in Yarran, Tuohy and Russell into the mix and we'll give our opponents coach, plenty of headaches.
 

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I doubt Ratten would go back to s situation where we have players that will turn it over in our back half, hence I understand Collins being trialled.
All our backs are now prepared to take their opponent on, run off them and then capable of executing to advantage.
Jamison took a step up last year, Henderson fit into his position like a glove with Duigan and Laidler more than capable of fitting into the coaches edict.
Throw in Yarran, Tuohy and Russell into the mix and we'll give our opponents coach, plenty of headaches.

Ive got high hopes for Tuohy this year and think we will find him playing most games

I think Bower will find it hard to break back into the back line, (esspecially with guys like Russel and our younger guys pushing for a spot)... and just isnt suited to a wing. Get a feeling he will be gone at the end of next year.

As you said Hendo.. mate is he going to be a CHB or what, the boy can seriously play and we have found his positon. Jamo AA last year if he stayed fit and hopefully he can produce that form again/ improve this year. Our backline is going to be really strong and have me just as excited as our foward line we have built
 

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I've said before I like JR in the middle doing some grunt work and protecting Judd. He's big bodied and has an appetite for the contest.

Collins as half back also makes sense because of his speed and disposal, especially if Yaz goes to a wing.

Bower on the wing is interesting. I like the idea of improving a player by finding a better fit for their skills, as with Walker this year. Good that Ratts and co are willing to experiment and you'd have to think that Bower may have had some input.

But I love Yaz and Simmo on the wings.
 

zeeCFC

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I've said before I like JR in the middle doing some grunt work and protecting Judd. He's big bodied and has an appetite for the contest.

Collins as half back also makes sense because of his speed and disposal, especially if Yaz goes to a wing.

Bower on the wing is interesting. I like the idea of improving a player by finding a better fit for their skills, as with Walker this year. Good that Ratts and co are willing to experiment and you'd have to think that Bower may have had some input.

But I love Yaz and Simmo on the wings.
He's actually not too quick, but agree with the rest :thumbsu:
 

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I think we have a big bodied potentially very high B grade mid in Russell.
I really think he could excel if given a good crack.

Personally I'd like to se Yaz continue at half back for the majority of 2012. He had an excellent 2011 but I think he still has plenty to learn. Short stints sure, but leave him at half back, get 2 excellent years of top line footy under his belt and he'll be better for it. He's already a very good player but he's far from the finished article.

I know were all keen to unleash him but I just think we need to be patient.
 

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I think we have a big bodied potentially very high B grade mid in Russell.
I really think he could excel if given a good crack.

Personally I'd like to se Yaz continue at half back for the majority of 2012. He had an excellent 2011 but I think he still has plenty to learn. Short stints sure, but leave him at half back, get 2 excellent years of top line footy under his belt and he'll be better for it. He's already a very good player but he's far from the finished article.
There is sense in that Naughts. Yaz's best off half back was electrifying, and if he can produce that more often next year, and even (please Lord) get better, we will have one of the most potent weapons in the comp. I wouldn't be at all averse to him staying there for another season. However, the thought of him closer to goal is also pretty damn exciting. Reckon his amigos think so too.:thumbsu:
 

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Bower:
Will be trialled around the wing.
This is a real surprise, to me at least. Can't see it, but look forward to seeing how it may work.
Makes sense to me as the wingers are often the ones to get back and block the holes in defence. Bower lose in defence for us is a good thing, has the pace to get back there in good time and to run and carry it out as well as having the height to be dangerous as a lose player in the air. I remember watching Scotland and Duigan playing wing V North this year doing this countless times.

Collins looks like a quick player who likes to have space in front of him and also needs new strings to his bow, i've often though of half back for him too.
 

thylacine60

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Anyone else hear the clown on 3AW tonight suggesting Tex has to go into the mid-field next year? Said our forward line was sweet without him and Judd and co needed the chop out? Tell me someone else heard this lunacy. :cool:
 

zeeCFC

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He's been great in the midfield when allowed short bursts but he's a match winner up forward. Any simple comparison would see how vastly more important he is up forward.
 

Azul

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Walker's poor shoulders. :eek: Wasn't he told [citation needed] he'd never play midfield again because of structural unsoundness?

Huge risk.
 

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Aaron Joseph to be part of the midfield rotations. I can't recall his kicking being as good as it was in the last round against the Saints. Was always OK on the run with his pace and agility giving him time, but his set kicking from the backline was surprisingly accurate. So good overhead for a small. Ability to play forward, mid and back could see him go past Ellard and Armfield. Smarter than Armfield. More tricks and speed than Ellard. Might be a "poor man's" Foley as a small mid.
 

thylacine60

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Aaron Joseph to be part of the midfield rotations. I can't recall his kicking being as good as it was in the last round against the Saints. Was always OK on the run with his pace and agility giving him time, but his set kicking from the backline was surprisingly accurate. So good overhead for a small. Ability to play forward, mid and back could see him go past Ellard and Armfield. Smarter than Armfield. More tricks and speed than Ellard. Might be a "poor man's" Foley as a small mid.
Yep. Simmo as well. Yazz improving.
 
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