Our foot skills

Fryman

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Thread starter #1
Something has bothered me about us this year, and after watching the games against Collingwood and Adelaide it finally dawned on me. I don't think our kicking is up to scratch, including shooting for goal (obviously).

Out of the current list I would only have 2 players who are elite with their delivery, Dal and Goddard.

Then there is a group of players who may not be penetrating but through good decision making generally kick it to advantage when they get it. E.g. Harvey, Fiora (probably closer to elite), Ball, S.Fisher, Montagna, Baker, Hayes.

It is the group below them that are the worry in my opinion, we have too many guys who are either poor with their technique, or just make terrible decisions. Riewoldt and Gehrig would have to be here as there conversion rate is fairly ordinary at the moment. It would include : Riewoldt, Gehrig, Rix, Blake, Max, A. Thompson, C. Jones, Gram, L. Fisher (turns it over too often by foot), X. Clarke (just plain stinky from set shots).

Am I being too harsh, or do you think we maybe need to look at recruiting players who are longer and more precise kicks? I genuinely believe we have missed Heath Black's long left foot and also Peckett's silky delivery this year.
 

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#2
I genuinely believe we have missed Heath Black's long left foot
To this day ive been frustrated that we didn't try to do more to entice him to stay with us. His penetrating and precise kicking in 2004 (especially to G and Rooey) was a big asset for us. In addition, Black is a midfielder that kicks goals on the run (esp. from 50-55m) which is an area where our stocks are low.

As far as recruiting goes its definitely something that shouldn't be considered when choosing a draft prospect. However, i wouldn't totally focus on disposal skills as they are skills that can be developed over time given the player has a reasonable technique.

The main thing that frustrated the hell out of me from friday night was our midfielders inability to kick goals. IMO we should have won on friday night by 4-5 goals. in the 2nd and 3rd qtrs we had several pretty easy chances for goal that weren't converted. Goose had a shot from 30m, Montagna had 2 shots from within 50m, Ball missed one from 20-25m slight angle snap, Dal was running onto one that he tried to kick out of mid air from 10m (was difficult but a guy with his amount of skill should kick that).

Most of the players i named had good games tho. Its just that, on another night we might've been made pay for our inaccuracy as we have been earlier in the season. We must be more clinical if we want to be a team that plays in the finals.
 

sainter

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#3
I don't think there was much we could have done to keep Black, he wanted to leave for family reasons. His partner was from WA and she wanted to go home.

I have to agree with our disposal not being up to scratch. The other night our tackling and defensive pressure was huge and in the end our kicking didn't cost us but it's definitely something we need to improve. We have players working hard to make space and we can't seem to hit them on the lead often enough. It makes Riewoldt's effort the other night all the more remarkable.
 

ChrisL#12

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#4
Although we couldn't avoid it, Black for Fiora was not a good trade for us. Black certainly wanted to go but I feel we could have done more to get someone other than Fiora. Definately is not of the ilk that Black was in '04
 

Persevering Saint

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#5
Spot on Shadow Fox.

I just could not believe it when Bally missed that goal. Throw in that Gehrig hit the post, what was it, THREE TIMES, and well...

Mind you, we also had some blinders for the night, like that Birss one, so maybe that evens things up a bit.:D
 
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