Pickett- Forward or back?

[davey_magik]

This will probably come up this year at one point or another, but where do you think Choppy is more suited, the forwardline or running off the HBF?
Personally I think he could do both and get the occassional run on the wing, aside from being a very hard player sometimes people forget how good his skills are and he is a genuine matchwinner.

 

[Bartram_Class]

I think thats the great thing about him, he can play both so we can really play him where we need him but i think with Yze taking a more defensive role this year, he should play the majority of his games on the forward line.

 

[rick James]

Actually, ask a few Port fans, he was rarely played back much while there - whilst he provides great run he really isn't very accountable in the backline.

He will play forward with us, if anything, his inclusion might free up Yze to the backline again (though I hope not as the thought of Davey, Yze, Robbo, Pickett as the small/mid size forward brigade is just insanely awesome). Pickett will probably find himself on the wing every now and then though.

Anyone whose seen the training reports able to confirm if he's been predominantly training with the mids and forwards, as I speculate?

 

[QPower]

Actually, ask a few Port fans, he was rarely played back much while there - whilst he provides great run he really isn't very accountable in the backline.

He will play forward with us, if anything, his inclusion might free up Yze to the backline again (though I hope not as the thought of Davey, Yze, Robbo, Pickett as the small/mid size forward brigade is just insanely awesome). Pickett will probably find himself on the wing every now and then though.

Anyone whose seen the training reports able to confirm if he's been predominantly training with the mids and forwards, as I speculate?

Quite right. Pagan stopped playing him back before he came to Port because he became too loose. We faced the same issued and played him forward also.

At his best he is a unique and brilliant player, a match winner. Last year 'playing forward' meant occupying the front bar as far as Byron was concerned. Hope the Dees can get the best out of him as the game needs players like him firing.

 

[The Shev]

He would be a great asset up forward. He has experience and class that all good forwards need. His main role won't be to kick goals, but to create goals and keep the ball inside 50. His toughness and aggression will be very helpful.

I honestly believe Melbourne has the best set of small/medium forwards in the game. Robertson, Davey, Green, Yze, Pickett, Bruce, etc...

 

[Deestroy]

With Yze going back he has to go forward, you can't have 2 totally unaccountable players in a backline. His toughness and goal kicking ability will be a big asset up forward, for the few games he isn't suspended.

By the way, he's still a ****.

 

[The Shev]

But he's our ****.

 

[Deestroy]

But he's our ****.

True that.

 

[davey_magik]

He would be a great asset up forward. He has experience and class that all good forwards need. His main role won't be to kick goals, but to create goals and keep the ball inside 50. His toughness and aggression will be very helpful.

I honestly believe Melbourne has the best set of small/medium forwards in the game. Robertson, Davey, Green, Yze, Pickett, Bruce, etc...

I honestly believe we have more scoring power in our side than any other team in the competition yet it is a case of our team being able to go both ways and able to still win games when sides play very tight on us and try to shut us down.

 

[puddingfactor]

Play him forward.

I think the accountability of our small defenders is a bit of a concern.

When Whelan got hurt last year, I thought we looked pretty average.

It's all very well to play a quick, running game, but there were times when blokes like Brown just weren't accountable enough and we got hurt pretty bad.

 

[CaptainObvious]

play him back

 

[Unleash Hell]

Play him forward.

When Whelan got hurt last year, I thought we looked pretty average.

Agree with both points.

One of my mates who followed Fitz and Lions said Wheels plays alot like Chris Johnson. Wheels is the general of our backline IMO.

 

[goDees22]

Agree with both points.

One of my mates who followed Fitz and Lions said Wheels plays alot like Chris Johnson. Wheels is the general of our backline IMO.

yep, definitely the general, always cool under pressure. i always thought biz was because he was always calm and whenever nicho got the ball and crapped himself or browny started runnin round in circles theyd give it to him, but with his dropoff in form, whelan is definitely the general. what team did he take that mark against where he just dived in front of them, full stretch and stole it?

 

[davey_magik]

yep, definitely the general, always cool under pressure. i always thought biz was because he was always calm and whenever nicho got the ball and crapped himself or browny started runnin round in circles theyd give it to him, but with his dropoff in form, whelan is definitely the general. what team did he take that mark against where he just dived in front of them, full stretch and stole it?

That was against the Kangas up at Manuka I think, dove right in front of Grant and took it.
He was BOG that game. If Wheels can stay injury free and plays reasonably well he would be a very good chance for AA.
I can see Rivers becoming a general of the backline in the future as well. Jeez he takes a good pack mark.

 

[Unleash Hell]

yep, definitely the general, always cool under pressure. i always thought biz was because he was always calm and whenever nicho got the ball and crapped himself or browny started runnin round in circles theyd give it to him, but with his dropoff in form, whelan is definitely the general. what team did he take that mark against where he just dived in front of them, full stretch and stole it?

Yeppa i seen that game, I think it was versus the Roos at Marnaka (Sorry about the spelling). I don't remember what round could even have been a pre season last year.

But he also took a hit in rd 20 against Geelong, after making a rare mistake (3rd qtr?), which with Phil Read sparked one of the best comebacks and wins i have ever seen. I watched the other day and it still has me inspired and in awe of his courage and leadership.

 

[pafc4life]

i reckon at this point he would be best suited to the half forward line, without knowing too much about the dynamics of the Melbourne lineup for '06

IMO he is a goal kicker and should be used as such. Can also produce the spectacular on occasion and it's always handy to have someone like that roaming up forward.

 

[Groove]

has anyone heard how picketts fitness is going? I really hope he pulls his finger out for you guys, because he is a gun.

 

[Macca19]

I cant recall him ever being played in defence once in his time at the Power. Was either on the forward flank/pocket or roaming somewhere on the wings. As QPower said, Pagan stopped playing him in defence a couple of seasons before he came to us because he just stopped being accountable.

On the other hand, I think he needs a set role in a team. Too many times with us he looked completely lost...just roamed around nowhere near the ball for sometimes halves at a time and didnt look interested at all, yet when he was challenged he always did ok. So a move back to defence may be just the thing he needs - keep his mind on the job and try and get some of that Byron magic back. The last thing you want is a lazy Byron running around with no direction....possibly the least useful player in the league when that happens.

 

[davey_magik]

I cant recall him ever being played in defence once in his time at the Power. Was either on the forward flank/pocket or roaming somewhere on the wings. As QPower said, Pagan stopped playing him in defence a couple of seasons before he came to us because he just stopped being accountable.

On the other hand, I think he needs a set role in a team. Too many times with us he looked completely lost...just roamed around nowhere near the ball for sometimes halves at a time and didnt look interested at all, yet when he was challenged he always did ok. So a move back to defence may be just the thing he needs - keep his mind on the job and try and get some of that Byron magic back. The last thing you want is a lazy Byron running around with no direction....possibly the least useful player in the league when that happens.

Perhaps an example of that would be the final vs the Kangas last year? Pickett had about 3 touches.
I think he'll be told to be aggressive in the forwardline and help contribute to keeping the ball locked in. If there's one thing I like about him he has the grunt and hardness but also the skill and matchwinning ability to boot.