Toast Our pillars

[pepalenko]

Jamo and Hendo.
Showing what a pre-season and no injuries can do. Probably the in-form defensive talls of the comp at the moment.
I haven't felt this comfortable when the ball is heading into our defensive 50 since Sexton and SOS were there. Both guys have among the best disposal efficiency at the club this year and have hardly been beaten.
I don't underestimate how these two are also rubbing off on guys like Tuohy and White, not to mention the back six are getting it done without the likes of Laidler and Duigan there.
More credit to Mick because we are seeing our defense solidifying and great sides start from the back.
Jamo and Heno, take a bow.

 

[le dominateur]

For the first time in years it actually looks like a solid defensive unit, plenty of rebound, spread and pace and importantly not undersized. Henderson's kicking today was sublime. If we can keep Walker, Hendo, Jamison, White, Touhy & Scotland on the park the Blues will be well on the way. MM has always favoured strong, taller players in his backline, think he has finally found the correct structure. IMO we need 1 more quick shutdown specialist so we can mix and match as required.

 

[Wickzki]

If we can get that one shutdown defender for the opposition small forwards we will be perfect. A Jacob Surjan type would put our defensive unit over the top.

I'll say this as well... Mick finally has our midfield displaying a defensive side to their game. This is becoming more apparent the longer the season progresses. The "downhill" tag is slowly but surely beginning to evaporate. This is absolutely pivotal.

 

[HBF]

Amazing what a difference a fit and in-form Jamison does for our structures and our back 6. He has been in amazing form, and really should be leading the role call for AA full back. Has barely had a goal kicked on him all year, is great in a one on one marking contest, and his field kicking has really improved as well. Hendo was epic down there today as well - i'd be tempted to play him on Riewoldt next week, and see if we can play Jamison in the Scarlett role on Monday night.

 

[pepalenko]

If we can get that one shutdown defender for the opposition small forwards we will be perfect. A Jacob Surjan type would put our defensive unit over the top.

I'll say this as well... Mick finally has our midfield displaying a defensive side to their game. This is becoming more apparent the longer the season progresses. The "downhill" tag is slowly but surely beginning to evaporate. This is absolutely pivotal.

Agreed, but we still have the most rebound 50s of any other side before this weekend, which suggests that our mids haven't worked as hard defensively to stop that ball getting in there. I'm looking forward to monitoring that stat as the year progresses, but I'm pleased with the constant improvement.

 

[ESKIE]

They are great these two, Hendo just seemed to be marking everything, I love the way Jammo takes it on and goes for a run.

Really solid thus far

 

[windows]

Simon White is starting to remind me of Nick Maxwell. He's improved out of sight.

 

[ODNBlue]

Simon White is starting to remind me of Nick Maxwell. He's improved out of sight.

That's insulting. Simon White can play football.

 

[gbatman]

yep, and Watching how Henderson and Jamison operate in tandem and cover for each other so well is a big plus, they both have a great understanding of each other and work well as a team within a team. Really like how they are complete players, can take marks, good with the ball in hand and can attack really well as well as stopping good players.

 

[Poseidon]

It's great having 2 solid key defenders, and a great supporting cast for them.
Really sucked when we relied on guys like Bower and Russell.

 

[ESKIE]

Melbourne where only 5 9 39 at 3/4 time

I lke to think it was our great defense not Melbourne beng crapola

Maybe a bit of both

 

[T2B_]

Really sucked when we relied on guys like Bower and Russell.

Oh dear God

Yeah glad that's over for sure.

Also can I just say a little thank you to Brisbane and Crazy Vossy for handing us that Henderson fella for our old drunkard full forward (and effectively giving us Lucas too).

Lachie has a wonderful head on his shoulders and it's so comforting having both him and Jamo down there. Just wish we could clone Hendo to plonk him forward as well

 

[TheRedPill]

Oh dear God

Yeah glad that's over for sure.

Also can I just say a little thank you to Brisbane and Crazy Vossy for handing us that Henderson fella for our old drunkard full forward (and effectively giving us Lucas too).

Lachie has a wonderful head on his shoulders and it's so comforting having both him and Jamo down there. Just wish we could clone Hendo to plonk him forward as well

Haha yes, good point. God bless Crazy Vossy!

 

[Faz 2000]

The Henderson Forward bandwagon must be crashed/on fire in a ditch now, surely.

The pair of them look great.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

Agreed, but we still have the most rebound 50s of any other side before this weekend, which suggests that our mids haven't worked as hard defensively to stop that ball getting in there. I'm looking forward to monitoring that stat as the year progresses, but I'm pleased with the constant improvement.

It's not really about how many times it goes in there. It's the manner in which it goes in there. If the opposition are bombing it in there from the centre of the ground and our midfielders are getting more rebound 50s and not having to go too deep to get them, then I'd credit the midfield pressure.

If it goes in there, they are going to score or we are going to rebound. We kept Geelong, Adelaide and Melbourne to less I50s than their season average while Richmond and Collingwood got significantly more than their season average. We are 3rd in Rebound 50s and 6th in Inside 50s which suggests to me our midfielders are working harder defensively than offensively.

Last year we were 15th in rebound 50s and 9th in inside 50s. I reckon this is a pretty telling turnaround, showing we are not working forward of the ball as much as we were. I'm certain that the quality of the opposition's inside 50s has diminished from last year. Interestingly we were 4th in tackles last year and 8th so far this year. I believe this means we are on our bike a lot quicker and standing defensive side far more often so getting back to help first, rather than having to tackle opposition mids who get there first.

We do have more rebound 50s than the top teams though, so I am wondering whether our propensity to go right back inside our defensive 50 to switch the play is counted.

 

[OldBlueFan]

For the first time in years it actually looks like a solid defensive unit, plenty of rebound, spread and pace and importantly not undersized. Henderson's kicking today was sublime. If we can keep Walker, Hendo, Jamison, White, Touhy & Scotland on the park the Blues will be well on the way. MM has always favoured strong, taller players in his backline, think he has finally found the correct structure. IMO we need 1 more quick shutdown specialist so we can mix and match as required.

I agree with this. Can't remember the last time I felt as though our defenders were a better than even chance to win the contest when the ball is heading into our defensive half. They seem to be working well together and also getting to the loose ball faster than their opponents. They're also showing a fair amount of faith in each other; you can count on one hand in each game where they've all gone up and left forwards alone on the deck.

Obviously Jamo and Lachie are the keys, but being able to depend on White to compete well and then Walker, Scotland or Touhy to add some dash and bring it out reliably has been a real bonus thus far.

It will be interesting to see if the MC have enough faith in Zach to let him go to Milne this week.

 

[PumpyChowdown]

I wouldn't be getting too carried away. We did just play Melbourne and they had no Watts, Dawes or Clark in their team.

That being said, we are starting to certainly look more of a solid unit down there. Mick's mantra has always been "defense, defense, defense", and it seems that he's picked who he thinks is the best back 6 and is sticking with them. Hendo has come on in leaps and bounds (being injury free for the first time in a long time helps) and Jamo is playing to his potential. White is looking really good to.

Loving it. Hopefully the next 4 weeks can see the boys gel even more, and then carry that form through to the end of the season.

 

[Omega Blue]

white has improve out of sight but i think i prefer laidlers best if he can ever recapture it

 

[sacamano]

Yeh Laidlers is a more all round consistant performer. That being said if White continues to play the way he is playing the bloke is going to fast become a very important part of the team

 

[gbatman]

With Henderson and Jamison, it's really good to see how if one of their opponents leads near the other defender that they will switch opponents making it harder for them to be beaten on the lead and conserving energy. Something we haven't seen playing just 1 proper key position sized player so often in the past. Watching a player lead, get away from Henderson on the lead only to have Jamison drop off his man and take him and Henderson and Jamison to swap opponents in that instance against Melbourne is a fine example of how well they are working together.

White is complementing things so well. If we lose Jamo or Hendo mid game, at least we know we have a player who can step up and fill in a key position plus he is playing outstanding footy right now. Has never really had a proper preseason and has always really been made to play key position but now is back fit and in the third tall role that suites him so well and his running, height, strength and strength in the air is shining through. Will make things hard for Laidler to get back in but he just needs to focus on his game and improving and things will happen for him too.

Great seeing some height, strength and stability in defence as well as our run.

 

[T2B_]

I wouldn't be getting too carried away. We did just play Melbourne and they had no Watts, Dawes or Clark in their team.

Probably would have made them a worse side TBH.

 

[toomuchsparetime]

I think Malhouse has managed White (and other depth fringe players) really well.

White was a standout on the track over the preseason so deserved a crack in the 1's early in the season. His performance in the first 5 rounds wasn't great to be honest. I was beginning to think he was a lock down defender with not much else to offer.

The look on White's face when he was sbbed (forget what match) was the look of a man who knew he was going to get dropped and by inference, that his career could possibly be over.

Against Melbourne (admittedly not a powerhouse outfit) White showed himself able to intercept mark, link up out of the backline, drop off his player when required, but needs to improve his spoiling technique. In past seasons, players were given 2,3,or4 games to show their stuff. If they didn't perform then they'd be dropped and offered a match covering for an injury later in the year where they had to star in ordered not to be dropped again. No wonder we lagged behind in development and depth.

White's had his 6 games now and the spot's his to lose. Laidler is picking up some form so we are for the first time in a win-win situation depth wise in the backline. Last years injury plague built some real depth through the midfield with McClean and Bell. The talls in the forward line are a few few years behind in development because of Henderson going back and the others being either not natural forwards or relatively young. Wonder what Malthouse is doing to fast-track KPF development?

 

[BM123]

I think Malhouse has managed White (and other depth fringe players) really well.

White was a standout on the track over the preseason so deserved a crack in the 1's early in the season. His performance in the first 5 rounds wasn't great to be honest. I was beginning to think he was a lock down defender with not much else to offer.

The look on White's face when he was sbbed (forget what match) was the look of a man who knew he was going to get dropped and by inference, that his career could possibly be over.

Against Melbourne (admittedly not a powerhouse outfit) White showed himself able to intercept mark, link up out of the backline, drop off his player when required, but needs to improve his spoiling technique. In past seasons, players were given 2,3,or4 games to show their stuff. If they didn't perform then they'd be dropped and offered a match covering for an injury later in the year where they had to star in ordered not to be dropped again. No wonder we lagged behind in development and depth.

White's had his 6 games now and the spot's his to lose. Laidler is picking up some form so we are for the first time in a win-win situation depth wise in the backline. Last years injury plague built some real depth through the midfield with McClean and Bell. The talls in the forward line are a few few years behind in development because of Henderson going back and the others being either not natural forwards or relatively young. Wonder what Malthouse is doing to fast-track KPF development?

I agree with 90 % with what you said but your been a bit harsh on White considering his last three games have all been acceptable and Malthouse said that the only reason White was subbed was becuase even though everybody was playing well somebody still needed to come off for AJ in the dying stages of the game.

 

[The_Wookie]

I think Malhouse has managed White (and other depth fringe players) really well.

White was a standout on the track over the preseason so deserved a crack in the 1's early in the season. His performance in the first 5 rounds wasn't great to be honest. I was beginning to think he was a lock down defender with not much else to offer.

Seriously?

Hmm ok he wasnt even in the team for the first 3 rounds, he spent those games in the Northern Blues while his spot was occupied by Laidler, Bootsma and Laidler. He played well against West Coast, and his last two matches have been excellent. Im not really sure who you were watching for the other 3 games where "he wasnt great". Not only wasnt he great, he wasnt even there.

Round 1 team
Round 2 team
Roiund 3 team

 

[mikeythemoocow]

Its really great having a few genuine big blokes down back. Havent had anything like this since we were able to steal Mr 300 Mick Martyn from North