Paul Bower

[FootyEater]

Hey guys,
unfortunately i didnt get a chance to see the game yesterday, im mates with paully bower and was looking on the fan footy website and it showed him havin a score of 80 odd. what were your opinions of his game. i know he can play well at AFL level, but im thinking that he still needs to convince himself that he belongs.

cheers

 

[TorresIsGod]

Definitely needs the confidence in himself, he really struggled with the pace of AFL football when he first came into the side.

Last night he looked to back himself, which he always does, but seemed to realise he didn't have as much time as he normally thought he did, he tried to launch our attacks by running through the middle, turned the ball over on the odd occasion, as he does often, which frustrates me, but I was happy with his game last night.

 

[HBF]

Certainly stepped up so far this year, and could really make an impact in 2008. I'm hoping that he can play all year in the back half, and really stamp himself as a young gun in the AFL.

 

[Banga19]

Took a positive step last night.

Looks like he could develop into a more than useful player. He still has a very awkward running and kicking style but I have a feeling it's a little bit more effective than it appears.

But I do get the feeling he lacks some confidence and hopefully he'll gain a bit when we start winning!

 

[Will.B.Worth.Da.Waite]

He's rapidly becoming my favourite player. I've been talking him up since last year and I really think he has the attributes to be a star. As most have said previously, he needs to be more confident and sure of himself, but if he gets that going he could be very damaging

I'm also loving seeing Waite and Bower be more accountable. They've finally realised that their first priority is their opponent, with getting possessions coming second. Some good signs

 

[disconorman]

He's rapidly becoming my favourite player. I've been talking him up since last year and I really think he has the attributes to be a star. As most have said previously, he needs to be more confident and sure of himself, but if he gets that going he could be very damaging

I'm also loving seeing Waite and Bower be more accountable. They've finally realised that their first priority is their opponent, with getting possessions coming second. Some good signs

I agree - he's starting to become a favourite. Was very good last night.

 

[thylacine60]

He's definitely a cult favourite. Back in the 70's Jeff Thompson said he had no idea where the balls were going so he presumed the batsmen had even less. This is Bower. He has an unpredictable quality about him that once added to a sense of the game and some experience and confidence will see him a potent weapon in our backline. I love the bloke already and apparently it's a big and growing club.

 

[DaveyBlues]

Needs to do something about his hair tho... I can't take him seriously. He looks massively confused with a fro and that massive tat running like an unco out of defence.

 

[thylacine60]

Needs to do something about his hair tho... I can't take him seriously. He looks massively confused with a fro and that massive tat running like an unco out of defence.

Good point. He can wear long sleeves and cut his hair and that should straighten him up and minimize his confusion no end.

 

[Beloved]

Bower is certainly the next generation of Carlton's defence. I can see this guy playing with us until his 30's, leading the charge out of defence, teaching those new to the club.

 

[1eight6four]

I saw his first game and instantly liked him.

He can occasionally go on fruitless excursions and loop kicks........ yes that can be frustrating. But my intuition about this is he is player who has self doubts and thus is constantly encouraged to believe in himself, take risks etc. It might simply be an over-reaction. Lets face it - he is very young and he does not get easy assignments. And remember, outside of TBird we have not had any tall defenders. So he, like TBird, were thrown straight into the fire.......and look at Bret now -- the cool 'quarterback'.

I see him as a talented long term player. Once he feels he IS and AFL player, and really DOES believe in himself - he will relax and be a mean defender with rebound.

He can take a tall mark under pressure and has shown courage.

Good luck to him and CFC - always.

 

[bolz]

a very likely type. will play for Carlton well into the future, and become and above par rebound player. all the best to him

 

[judd5]

I was pretty impressed with his game on Saturday night, and he seems to be improving each week.

 

[AlecDuncan]

Needs to do something about his hair tho... I can't take him seriously. He looks massively confused with a fro and that massive tat running like an unco out of defence.

Go The Fro!

 

[FootyEater]

great to hear, thanks guys.

paul was a family friend from when he was 5, and i convinced his dad to let him play in our (sth mandurah) under 18's side when he was 14, even back then against guys much older than him he was dominating. back then the coach just stuck him on the wing and told him to go for it, no pressure and he'd rack up the touches all day. i have no doubt he will be a good long term player for you. i hate missing his games, but thanks for the update

 

[Jeremias]

He has improved a hell of a lot from last season and is actually starting to look comfortable out on the footy field which is very encouraging.

Looks like the coaching staff rate him as an important ingredient in our back 6 down the track so it's good to see him in the side and playing a lot. Is still prone to the ordinary decision making and bad kicks but they are getting less and less frequent by the week. He's also improving the defensive side to his game especially his accountability which is really what we need.

My only query is where he will end up playing. Will he remain a running, rebounding defender, or will he fill out in a few years to become a KP defender? He looks to have th body type that will enable him to fill out and become pretty big but I'm not sure if that role would suit him more than his current one.

Either way, it certainly is encouraging and refreshing to see some new faces down back that look like being part of the next solid Carlton defense. Bower is one of them.

 

[Will.B.Worth.Da.Waite]

He has improved a hell of a lot from last season and is actually starting to look comfortable out on the footy field which is very encouraging.

Looks like the coaching staff rate him as an important ingredient in our back 6 down the track so it's good to see him in the side and playing a lot. Is still prone to the ordinary decision making and bad kicks but they are getting less and less frequent by the week. He's also improving the defensive side to his game especially his accountability which is really what we need.

My only query is where he will end up playing. Will he remain a running, rebounding defender, or will he fill out in a few years to become a KP defender? He looks to have th body type that will enable him to fill out and become pretty big but I'm not sure if that role would suit him more than his current one.

Either way, it certainly is encouraging and refreshing to see some new faces down back that look like being part of the next solid Carlton defense. Bower is one of them.

I really hope he becomes a KP defender for us. I think he has all the attributes. He is tall enough, can fill out enough and be strong enough imo, and he is very quick and mobile for his size. I think he'll have good closing speed, and will beat most opponents when the ball hits the ground. In terms of physical attributes, I think Paul has it all. That's why i've rated him for so long. I honestly think he could become one of best defenders in the game. Would much rather see him playing in defense then on the wing. We have other blokes who use the ball better who can play on the wing. Put Bower on an opposition forward and let him run off him

 

[gbatman]

Is it just me or does he move and kick like Glenn Manton? Seriously though he's definatly gonna be a good player for many years, i'd love to see them give him a big job, he uses the ball so well, doesnt seem to get beaten and is growing in confidence and taking the opposition on, I think he'll be highly rated at the end of this season.