Raines into the middle 08

[ize_]

Surely it's about time. He's not a career back pocket player IMO. Time to put some new players through the guts. Johnson will be an interchange/half back flanker, as will Tivendale and Hyde won't be getting a gig.

C - Raines Foley Coughlan

R - Simmonds (he's a ruckman, not a CHF!) Deledio Tuck

Plus Jackson, Tambling, Polo, Conners to get regular runs. Rotation is the key so we can have a young midfield getting used to the role. Tuck needs to stay because he is big and the clearence king. Will see how Coughlan goes. Deledio should play on ball swapping with Jacko in the forwardline, and Patto should be given plenty of time on ball too, as with Tambling.

 

[oh_my_hat]

It is a logical progression for Raines especially if we pick up Jordan McMahon this week. Doesn't he play off the half back line for the Bulldogs?

 

[tigertiger]

I think he said near the end of the season that he was going to be played on the ball next year. He probably didnt have the quality of local footy growing up and was not fit enough when he was drafted at 62.

I think he has been more then passable over the last 2 years given he has been playing in defence and is not that tall or big. I reckon he might even become a good tagger that can get plenty of the ball and kick long to targets with it

 

[Madtiger2006]

Surely it's about time. He's not a career back pocket player IMO. Time to put some new players through the guts. Johnson will be an interchange/half back flanker, as will Tivendale and Hyde won't be getting a gig.

C - Raines Foley Coughlan

R - Simmonds (he's a ruckman, not a CHF!) Deledio Tuck

Plus Jackson, Tambling, Polo, Conners to get regular runs. Rotation is the key so we can have a young midfield getting used to the role. Tuck needs to stay because he is big and the clearence king. Will see how Coughlan goes. Deledio should play on ball swapping with Jacko in the forwardline, and Patto should be given plenty of time on ball too, as with Tambling.

Jacko and Lids will be a great rotation from midfield to forward line. Lids is awesome off half back or up forward. Once he learns how to break a tag in the middle he'll be better than Judd. He's a much better mark and longer kick than Judd. He looks a touch quicker than Judd. Once he becomes a confident midfielder he will be a better player imo

 

[serpico66]

If Raines plays in the middle I expect him to spend the majority of 2008 in a neck brace. His continual habit of bouncing the ball (with his eyes lowered) as soon as he gets it will get him into a lot of trouble in a packed centre square.

They need to fix this habit before they consider moving him into the centre

 

[NQTIGER]

I think he said near the end of the season that he was going to be played on the ball next year. He probably didnt have the quality of local footy growing up and was not fit enough when he was drafted at 62.

I think he has been more then passable over the last 2 years given he has been playing in defence and is not that tall or big. I reckon he might even become a good tagger that can get plenty of the ball and kick long to targets with it

who? can kick to targets? raines? turnover king?

 

[itsintheblood]

It's a make or break year for raines. He really needs to step up. Been there long enough now and must show some versitility. Hiding in the back pocket can only get you so far.

 

[Simche]

He has shown nothing to suggest he actually has the motor to spend the better part of the day in the middle. Provided run out of the back half but has been worked out by opposition teams/crucified by the coaching staff this season (why oh why play him on Riewoldt). I genuinely hope he can build fitness this preseason but I have my doubts.

 

[RichosGuns]

Raines should stay in the defensive line in my opinion. I think he will be much more accountable next year and will bring more weight to the back line

 

[nugget_12]

i do like the idea of andrew in the guts but i also dont mind the idea of andrew playing as a sweeping winger....if he starts off on the wing and then sweeps in behind the HBF and creates drive from there it could be a perfect fit for him.
he gets his freedom to run and take players on and doesn't really have to worrry about close checking an opponent as much as he does in the BP.

 

[tigertiger]

who? can kick to targets? raines? turnover king?

Im? not? sure? which? question? to? answer? and which? is? a? statement?

 

[Tambling_30]

I think Raines could become another inside mid option for us, after all he does go in hard and has alot of courage and think he would be suited better to this role rather then playin on tarrant/riewoldt etc.

 

[Rancid_Beasties]

Raines has done alright on some bigger opponents. But Polo is the one that everyone is forgetting. He is our wildcard. Last year, everyone was touting him as a future captain, now everyone forgets him.

Polo has slightly better skills, has a huge tank, can kick goals, has better awareness and is taller and more of a modern footballer. Plus if you squint really hard he looks like judd. I think its the figjam sneer?