Our backline.

rgauci

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Thread starter #1
We really lack a quality small defender. And a quality big defender. We have numerous quality mid-sized blokes but neither at each end of the spectrum.

We have really missed Hayden and Walker in games this season. McPharlin is a damn good CHB and a pretty good FF. I thought Polak could play CHB but he's struggling.
 

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rgauci

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doppo said:
Haddrill goes alright aswell.

at 188cm he's hardly a giant. Plays out of his weight division continually. He should be less bulky and play on the third tall. Johnson may yet become our FB. But is a long way off.

At the moment our 190cm (Parker) is playing on the opposition FF, presumably their tallest, our 194cm (Polak) is playing CHB, typically a more athletic, smaller, rebounding position compared with FB. Our 195cm (Johnson) is taking the third tall and rebounding off him.

191cm Thornton is playing the role of Wirrapunda/A.Jones/Hodge and is the sweeper in defence. While we don't have a defender (who's fit) under 188cm.

We definately have a very odd mix in defence.
 

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#4
We sure are missing the likes of Hayden with his run out of defence. Add Walker, Haddrill and Matty Carr into that mix and our back line should change considerably.

Polaks confidence is obviously well and truely down, the way he dishes off with hand balls instead of kicking himself, regardless of the pressure the player he is dishing off too is under. He's not backing himself and that's evident throughout his entire game at the moment.

I'd sooner see Gilmore getting a run at the moment, he's full of confidence and deserves a run. Polak just needs his confidence back and maybe the WAFL is the place for that.

I want to take another swipe at Scotty too hotty Thornton. The guy just doesn't come to play if the game turns into a one on one scrap. He's a bigger girls blouse than woods. Both play the game well as an extra man in defense, but if that's the not the style CC intends going in with, leave him to play in the WAFL.
 
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#5
Yes Rash Thornton has been exposed over the last few weeks. great link man but is lacking when he has to man up. What about Second Chance being used as a small defender has played in defence for subi and done well. also as a tagger.

Webbster is also struggling playing up the field. Maybe a return to his original position of HBFwouldn't hurt?

Polak is very good as the third man up but he took looks out of his depth manning up. He should watch video of how Michael and Leppers punched the ball 40m there way??
 

pav_is_god

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#6
The problem isn't our backline its our midfield. For all the skill and experience in there its too bloody inconsistent and the only player that gives his all each week is Cook - and he ain't exactly the next M. Voss.
 

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#7
rgauci said:
We have really missed Hayden and Walker in games this season.
For sure. As I have said elsewhere we can cover for one of them but not both. This is made worse by the abcence of Haddrill as Parker has been forced to do his job instead of being the trouble shooter who can go to anyone with the end result that we are effectively missing our three fastest defenders.

The bright spot is that Johnson & Mundy are looking the goods and more games will only be good for them. Both are not what you would call pacey though.
 

Scham

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#8
Dodd also become very important in the absense of Hayden and Walker.

Dodd usually tags a quick damaging midfielder.

His injury was telling on Sat night, because it exposed our slow midfield, ie Bell on Akka?
 
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