Enforcers - do not have to be massively built or be able to follow through with threats. Just show physical confidence.
We have pretty much none (except Maxwell maybe). Watching Waite and Thornton push our players into the turf at ball ups prove we have no physical presence at important times. We want to play nice, clean footy (which is great) but doesn't fill the team with the confidence to do anything.
Half of toughness is bluff. Being able to show confidence when you are unsure. Glenn Archer said he was always scared at the start and didn't start playing that well until he refused to be pushed around anymore (or words to those effect). Looking at our list, we dont have the physical presence to lift those around in hard times.
Players like Waite and Thornton are in no way tough but at least show superiority to those around them. Campbell Brown and Cam Mooney can go too far but generally use bluff and intimidation to make teammates walk taller.
Does Brett Kirk take shit? No but he is special like Voss. Beau Waters, Adam McPhee, Andrew Welsh, Josh Carr, Steve Baker, Michael Osbourne, Darren Milburn, Matthew Scarlett etc etc are all enforcers that make their teammates walk taller. They are no stars (maybe Scarlett) but everyone knows how important they can be in their sides.
Players like the Scott brothers from Brisbane, Dean Wallis, Martin Pyke would have struggled to have played much AFL if they had the temperament of a calm composed person. They used their bluff and won premierships.
Looking at our list (and we obviously miss Scott Burns) we really struggle. Anyone feel free to take the challenge to name our enforcers at AFL level.
Maxwell, Bryan, Pendlebury (does well for size) and Leigh Brown try at times but players laugh more than anything. Cloke plays footy
H OB, HShaw, Clarke O Bree, Cox, Goldsack, Lockyer, Wellingham run straight ahead but dont intimadate. Rocca should but doesnt.
Corrie, Toovey, Wood, McCaffer, almost prefer non contact.
Didak, Leon, Thomas Fraser, Medhurst, Dick, etc are skillful and rely on that alone, along with the kids like Sidebottom, Beams which is all that is expected of them. We have HEAPS of these that rely on skill but struggle when the heat is on because they are not physical.
We dont have the balance right. Blame drafting or coaching - you choose - but I think coaching can rectify this.
Look at the Hawthorn, North Melbourne, Brisbane premiership teams. Alot of 'tough' nuts because if you wanted to play in the team that how you played. Lets get that attitude at Collingwood mostly to give the confidence to our skillful players to show their wares. Get them cockie, like all premiership teams are, and they will develop in a great environment.
We have pretty much none (except Maxwell maybe). Watching Waite and Thornton push our players into the turf at ball ups prove we have no physical presence at important times. We want to play nice, clean footy (which is great) but doesn't fill the team with the confidence to do anything.
Half of toughness is bluff. Being able to show confidence when you are unsure. Glenn Archer said he was always scared at the start and didn't start playing that well until he refused to be pushed around anymore (or words to those effect). Looking at our list, we dont have the physical presence to lift those around in hard times.
Players like Waite and Thornton are in no way tough but at least show superiority to those around them. Campbell Brown and Cam Mooney can go too far but generally use bluff and intimidation to make teammates walk taller.
Does Brett Kirk take shit? No but he is special like Voss. Beau Waters, Adam McPhee, Andrew Welsh, Josh Carr, Steve Baker, Michael Osbourne, Darren Milburn, Matthew Scarlett etc etc are all enforcers that make their teammates walk taller. They are no stars (maybe Scarlett) but everyone knows how important they can be in their sides.
Players like the Scott brothers from Brisbane, Dean Wallis, Martin Pyke would have struggled to have played much AFL if they had the temperament of a calm composed person. They used their bluff and won premierships.
Looking at our list (and we obviously miss Scott Burns) we really struggle. Anyone feel free to take the challenge to name our enforcers at AFL level.
Maxwell, Bryan, Pendlebury (does well for size) and Leigh Brown try at times but players laugh more than anything. Cloke plays footy
H OB, HShaw, Clarke O Bree, Cox, Goldsack, Lockyer, Wellingham run straight ahead but dont intimadate. Rocca should but doesnt.
Corrie, Toovey, Wood, McCaffer, almost prefer non contact.
Didak, Leon, Thomas Fraser, Medhurst, Dick, etc are skillful and rely on that alone, along with the kids like Sidebottom, Beams which is all that is expected of them. We have HEAPS of these that rely on skill but struggle when the heat is on because they are not physical.
We dont have the balance right. Blame drafting or coaching - you choose - but I think coaching can rectify this.
Look at the Hawthorn, North Melbourne, Brisbane premiership teams. Alot of 'tough' nuts because if you wanted to play in the team that how you played. Lets get that attitude at Collingwood mostly to give the confidence to our skillful players to show their wares. Get them cockie, like all premiership teams are, and they will develop in a great environment.
