Player Review vs Dogs

[Geelong_Bisons_#36]

Thought Beams was BOG tonight, Pendles a close second.
Shaw, Swan and Sidebottom all very good.

Positives:

Keefe - Super impressed with his start to the year. Looks very unco when kicking but seems to be able to hit the target regardless. I think it gives us great flexibilty when Tarrant comes back to have 3 possible talls who can play forward and back. (Keefe, Taz and Reid).

Clarke - I thought he was very good tonight, loved his run off half back. Great to have him back.

Sinclair - excellent forward pressure all night. Best game for the club. Has to get a game with our talls inability to keep the ball inside F50.

Goldsack - I thought he was good tonight despite only having 8 possies. Kicked well for goal and his pressure was good. Lays a hard tackle

Other mentions:

Wood - TBH I thought his ruckwork wasn't too bad, not great at centre bounces, but servicable around the ground. However, his inability to take contested marks is so frustrating.

Dawes - Like Wood, I'm so frustrated with this guy at the lack of contested marks he takes. Doesn't seem to be able to launch at the ball in pack situations. Not sure if 2nd ruck is his best position either.

Buckley - Had a period in the 2nd half where everything the touched turned to poo. Was good around the contest, attacks it hard and provides run on the fringes, but u just can't carry a player in AFL today who turns it over as much as he does. 7 clangers.

Cloke - I think u can excuse the bloke for having 1 poor half of footy, but wasn't his best game. Lake beat him all night, except that 1 mark in the goalsquare in the last.

THE UMPIRING - Have to say that there seemed to be 2 sets of rules out there tonight. Holding that was paid in the WBD F50 wasn't in ours. CLoke and Dawes get r*ped every week with holding the man frees that aren't paid to them. I think that is the worst umpired game of footy involving us I have seen in a few years. That #17 is shocking.

 

[Boris the Contradiction]

O'Brien needs to learn two things:

1) He is allowed to punch. He nearly always tries to mark it in the contest and he is actually that good overhead.

2) When he has front spot, don't run around your opponent and grab him from behind. Just stand your ****ing ground son!

 

[Dundalis]

Overall
Keefe - I thought he was very good. Not sure we dont want Reid and Brown in those defensive roles long term but gee he would be unlucky to miss. He beat Jones easily. Moved fwd in the last 45 mins and I thought he was good in providing a target and a contest.

I'm curious as to why this is? I can't think of one thing Brown does better than Keefe. Keefe for my money is also a far more intelligent footballer. He's younger and has played less football, if you want to talk about room for improvement.

Brown has terrible defensive technique. He is ALWAYS in the oppositions back. He gave away a few frees in the game but there were at least another 2 or 3 times when he got into his opponents back that the umpire missed and he got away with. If they were called they could have been significant given how close they were to goal. Brown has had this problem his whole career. He doesn't get much of the footy, which is probably a good thing, because while he is a thumping long kick, he's not far away from Chris Bryan territory in terms of his vision. It's basically kick it as long and far as possible.

He's obviously got some talent, but I don't see what all the fuss about him is. I take Reid and Keefe as the long term key defenders every time.

 

[Snoop Dog]

I'm curious as to why this is? I can't think of one thing Brown does better than Keefe. Keefe for my money is also a far more intelligent footballer. He's younger and has played less football, if you want to talk about room for improvement.

Brown has terrible defensive technique. He is ALWAYS in the oppositions back. He gave away a few frees in the game but there were at least another 2 or 3 times when he got into his opponents back that the umpire missed and he got away with. If they were called they could have been significant given how close they were to goal. Brown has had this problem his whole career. He doesn't get much of the footy, which is probably a good thing, because while he is a thumping long kick, he's not far away from Chris Bryan territory in terms of his vision. It's basically kick it as long and far as possible.

He's obviously got some talent, but I don't see what all the fuss about him is. I take Reid and Keefe as the long term key defenders every time.

Browns efforts in the GF which was only 3 games ago for him I think is why the club would still have him as preferred FB. Keefe is very good but I woudl think Tarrant, Brown and Reid are the preferred backs. I wonder if they may slot Keefe in with the backs and push Tarrant fwd. Are we to top heavy then?

Also would love to see Keefe develop as a 2nd ruck. I know its been trialled but he has all the the athletics credentials for it.

 

[Cousin of Daicos]

Yeah surprised to see so many knocking Buckley. I'm aware he cost a couple of goals, but Toovey and O'Brien have been doing that for years and you all seem to love them unconditionally.

Fasolo and O'Brien were by far the worst on the night. Which is obviously far more disappointing for Harry who really really REALLY needs to be dropped.

Cloke got better, and I thought given the circumstances and the context, Wood was actually serviceable.

Was disappointed to see Swan almost compeltely revert back to pre-ANZAC Day Swan.

Beams is finding a new level, which is great, and I'm glad Steele is settling down and taking the lair out of his game which frustrates me so much.

Keefe is phenomenal for a guy who was playing soccer until some years ago. Amazing to think we have 4 capable key backmen.

 

[Dundalis]

Browns efforts in the GF which was only 3 games ago for him I think is why the club would still have him as preferred FB. Keefe is very good but I woudl think Tarrant, Brown and Reid are the preferred backs. I wonder if they may slot Keefe in with the backs and push Tarrant fwd. Are we to top heavy then?

Also would love to see Keefe develop as a 2nd ruck. I know its been trialled but he has all the the athletics credentials for it.

Sorry but I don't get how a player can live off one performance. I put way more stock into how a player does over the course of a season, because even average players can have one outstanding game, even in the biggest game of all.

It's an easy call to make given he played one great game against a great opponent in a flag for us, and to just say he's the future longterm FB without actually analysing his game over a period of time to see what his strengths and weaknesses are. As I've said, plenty of players have played like superstars in Grand Finals who were anything but.

Tarrant and Reid when fit would be our preferred backs, but Keefe is just a flat out better player than Brown IMO. He's also obviously more versatile when it comes to playing talls, able to go with resting ruckmen. Keefe's sole issue has been confidence. Brown to me has significantly more issues.

It's a joke how much crap Keefe was receiving on this forum last season when he was called up and played out of position. Like a 20 year old who's barely played the game is supposed to come in and dominate a position he's never played before? Buckley gave him a chance this year and once he's had confidence shown in him, he's started playing well. And Bucks has kept him in his position despite players returning from injury because he's deserved to keep it. I hope he doesn't get demoted to the VFL due to a player living off one performance from 2 years ago.

 

[Cousin of Daicos]

Sorry but I don't get how a player can live off one performance. I put way more stock into how a player does over the course of a season, because even average players can have one outstanding game, even in the biggest game of all.

It's an easy call to make given he played one great game against a great opponent in a flag for us, and to just say he's the future longterm FB without actually analysing his game over a period of time to see what his strengths and weaknesses are. As I've said, plenty of players have played like superstars in Grand Finals who were anything but.

Tarrant and Reid when fit would be our preferred backs, but Keefe is just a flat out better player than Brown IMO. He's also obviously more versatile when it comes to playing talls, able to go with resting ruckmen. Keefe's sole issue has been confidence. Brown to me has significantly more issues.

It's a joke how much crap Keefe was receiving on this forum last season when he was called up and played out of position. Like a 20 year old who's barely played the game is supposed to come in and dominate a position he's never played before? Buckley gave him a chance this year and once he's had confidence shown in him, he's started playing well. And Bucks has kept him in his position despite players returning from injury because he's deserved to keep it. I hope he doesn't get demoted to the VFL due to a player living off one performance from 2 years ago.

I actually agree with you, but Brown was hardly a pleb during the latter part of 2010.

He was very good for us outside the towelling Buddy gave him. But Buddy towelled Reid THIS year, so should Reid go instead of Keefe or Brown?

Keffe kept Buddy essentially statless while on him, Reid copped 5 goals. Reid is far more injury prone than Keefe also.

If it was up to me, Reid would go out of the side before Brown or Keefe does. Brown has been great since returning this year.

But I do agree with the principle of your post, I just don't agree that Brown would be 'living off one performance from 2 years ago'.

 

[blaze036]

Sorry but I don't get how a player can live off one performance. I put way more stock into how a player does over the course of a season, because even average players can have one outstanding game, even in the biggest game of all.

It's an easy call to make given he played one great game against a great opponent in a flag for us, and to just say he's the future longterm FB without actually analysing his game over a period of time to see what his strengths and weaknesses are. As I've said, plenty of players have played like superstars in Grand Finals who were anything but.

Tarrant and Reid when fit would be our preferred backs, but Keefe is just a flat out better player than Brown IMO. He's also obviously more versatile when it comes to playing talls, able to go with resting ruckmen. Keefe's sole issue has been confidence. Brown to me has significantly more issues.

It's a joke how much crap Keefe was receiving on this forum last season when he was called up and played out of position. Like a 20 year old who's barely played the game is supposed to come in and dominate a position he's never played before? Buckley gave him a chance this year and once he's had confidence shown in him, he's started playing well. And Bucks has kept him in his position despite players returning from injury because he's deserved to keep it. I hope he doesn't get demoted to the VFL due to a player living off one performance from 2 years ago.

Agree 100% with everything written, very good post

 

[Tbone McGraw]

Yeah surprised to see so many knocking Buckley. I'm aware he cost a couple of goals, but Toovey and O'Brien have been doing that for years and you all seem to love them unconditionally.

Fasolo and O'Brien were by far the worst on the night. Which is obviously far more disappointing for Harry who really really REALLY needs to be dropped.

I think the problem with buckley is his supposed strength is his long kicking and to a lesser extent his run from defence. However his strength would be another players weakness as he continually. turns it over. We all know tooves disposal is his weakness but he offers so much more as a run with/ shut down defender. Buckley just doesn't offer anything else besides his long kick.

As for harry, i am not sure what is going on with him but he has credits in the bank. I will back him to come good as he has in the past.

 

[Bay Pie]

Sorry but I don't get how a player can live off one performance. I put way more stock into how a player does over the course of a season, because even average players can have one outstanding game, even in the biggest game of all.

It's an easy call to make given he played one great game against a great opponent in a flag for us, and to just say he's the future longterm FB without actually analysing his game over a period of time to see what his strengths and weaknesses are. As I've said, plenty of players have played like superstars in Grand Finals who were anything but.

Tarrant and Reid when fit would be our preferred backs, but Keefe is just a flat out better player than Brown IMO. He's also obviously more versatile when it comes to playing talls, able to go with resting ruckmen. Keefe's sole issue has been confidence. Brown to me has significantly more issues.

Hardly 1 performance. Nate had 4 goals kicked on him from 4 games that whole final series. He played on Barry Hall, Podsiadly and Reiwoldt twice. Keefe will get monstered by J.Brown and Hawkins. Keeffe is not a good body on body defender.

You're being quite hypocritical here as you are judging Keeffe on his 6 games this year but won't judge Nate on his past 6 games. You talk about judging players over a period of time yet you've come to a conclusion re: Keeffe after watching 6 AFL games.

FWIW, I like Keeffe and think he can be a very good player for us but I'd feel a hell of a lot safer with a ball kicked deep to a one on one with Nate instead of Keeffe. The pictures are still in my head from earlier this year of him being lead to the ball by the speedster, Sam Jacobs. That just shouldn't happen.

If you want to go back further, have a look at Nates 2008 when the same age as Keeffe is now. He held down key back all year and did it very well playing on J.Brown, when he still had some legs, Pavlich and Richo among other key defenders.

 

[Tbone McGraw]

Didn't brown shut down crameri in his first game back on anzac day. Crameri was in superb form and then kicked 4 in first quarter on weekend before injury.

Not sure who nate was on against dogs but our defence seemed fine.

Those saying nate has had only a couple of good games have very short memories but that seems the way on Bigfooty

 

[Pie eyed]

Didn't brown shut down crameri in his first game back on anzac day. Crameri was in superb form and then kicked 4 in first quarter on weekend before injury.

Not sure who nate was on against dogs but our defence seemed fine.

Those saying nate has had only a couple of good games have very short memories but that seems the way on Bigfooty

Giansiracusa...did a fine job of milking a few frees....even the commentators mentioned it.

Not that there is anything wrong with that.

It's just that there is holding ala Cloke and holding ala Giansiracusa.


ps. We mustnot be doing too badly as no-one has even mentioned Presti for a year and a bit.....

 

[Brad Goodman]

I'm really concerned about some having no qualms on judging someone first few games back after missing 18 months.

 

[istillbelieve]

It amazes how generous Posters have been to Maxwell's game, had a hand in first three Bulldog goals. His attempted handball to Swan in defence was laughable & if it had of been done by Buckley or Sinclair everyone would be screaming aloud with indignation.
His season to date is far below what is required.

 

[TheGreatGrundy]

Didn't brown shut down crameri in his first game back on anzac day. Crameri was in superb form and then kicked 4 in first quarter on weekend before injury.

Not sure who nate was on against dogs but our defence seemed fine.

Those saying nate has had only a couple of good games have very short memories but that seems the way on Bigfooty

I am sick of reading criticism of Nathan Brown. The guy put Crameri out of business and if he had a quiet or ordinary game against the Dogs, maybe this had as much to do with the lack of a suitable opponent than any deficiency in his game. There is no pleasing some supporters.