Opinion Round 5 Changes vs. Melbourne

[Taylor]

Walters has been down because half the games have seen him sat on as our only serious small forward.

 

[Freo88]

Walters has been down because half the games have seen him sat on as our only serious small forward.

Maybe so. Or being arguably our best small forward anyway he should be able to rise above that as he has shown previously.

In my view he's just in bad form - I'm sure the coaches etc won't be using the excuses of him getting the best small defender for why his output is slightly down.

 

[ydraw]

Maybe so. Or being arguably our best small forward anyway he should be able to rise above that as he has shown previously.

In my view he's just in bad form - I'm sure the coaches etc won't be using the excuses of him getting the best small defender for why his output is slightly down.

I think as well we should take note that both Zac Clarke and Pavlich have been clunking marks all year which means our 2 specialist small forwards have had less than the normal amount of opportunities to kick goals. These guys are basically in the forward line to crumb off marking contests, and there's nothing to crumb if the forwards are marking everything.

 

[theGav56]

i was leaning towards this sentiment myself ,and i love the bloke
then i watched the replay of the sydney game
suban stays full stop
same same ,MDB
i say out tabs in ballas,
the result is our best 22 on paper in my opinion
tabs ,a bit stiff but with clarke starting to take big grabs he's surplus to requirements and still a project

I think Taberner is in a different basket (certainly not the Sylvia basket). He is being effective by reducing the focus on Pavlich which is important, and which Ballantyne doesn't do. But with Taberner it is the long game being played. He is getting games into him with the expectation of him becoming better faster. Finals is when this could pay off, or next season. If there is a theory about selection for this week based on getting MCG experience, then Taberner is as important as anyone to get some of that experience.

 

[beetz]

Maybe so. Or being arguably our best small forward anyway he should be able to rise above that as he has shown previously.

In my view he's just in bad form - I'm sure the coaches etc won't be using the excuses of him getting the best small defender for why his output is slightly down.

Agreed. Good players find a way to beat any opponent.

 

[beetz]

I think Taberner is in a different basket (certainly not the Sylvia basket). He is being effective by reducing the focus on Pavlich which is important, and which Ballantyne doesn't do. But with Taberner it is the long game being played. He is getting games into him with the expectation of him becoming better faster. Finals is when this could pay off, or next season. If there is a theory about selection for this week based on getting MCG experience, then Taberner is as important as anyone to get some of that experience.

Well said.

 

[Taylor]

I actually think Ballantyne is our best small forward. I'd rate him as one of if not the best pure small in the competition.

Being the third or fourth priority in the opposition coaches planning affords you the luxury of looking like you're doing all the work when you get off the chain.

 

[Boppo]

No change this week.

 

[go_the_dockers]

I think Taberner is in a different basket (certainly not the Sylvia basket). He is being effective by reducing the focus on Pavlich which is important, and which Ballantyne doesn't do. But with Taberner it is the long game being played. He is getting games into him with the expectation of him becoming better faster. Finals is when this could pay off, or next season. If there is a theory about selection for this week based on getting MCG experience, then Taberner is as important as anyone to get some of that experience.

5 goals in 3 games is an awesome return as well. Would like a few more contested marks but he will never be a player that will get a lot of them.

30 goals in 20 games would be an unbelievable return, add the fact he is building experience, giving Pav more space and stretching the opposition defence having 3 talls (Clarke, Pav and Taberner) which means one will get a shorter opponent he should be named every week unless his form suffers significantly or he is injured.

 

[blue shark]

5 goals in 3 games is an awesome return as well. Would like a few more contested marks but he will never be a player that will get a lot of them.

30 goals in 20 games would be an unbelievable return, add the fact he is building experience, giving Pav more space and stretching the opposition defence having 3 talls (Clarke, Pav and Taberner) which means one will get a shorter opponent he should be named every week unless his form suffers significantly or he is injured.

Its funny how the new guy gets judged harshly by some on here, will Clarke better his return? The small forwards are yet to hit
their straps, but will get plenty of leeway.

 

[beetz]

Taberner is coming up to game 17. Enough said.

 

[Big Animal]

I think Taberner is in a different basket (certainly not the Sylvia basket). He is being effective by reducing the focus on Pavlich which is important, and which Ballantyne doesn't do. But with Taberner it is the long game being played. He is getting games into him with the expectation of him becoming better faster. Finals is when this could pay off, or next season. If there is a theory about selection for this week based on getting MCG experience, then Taberner is as important as anyone to get some of that experience.

Agree. Plus when tabs has played, pav hasn't been doubleteamed which is a massive upside. He just runs the second tall defender around the park

 

[poshman]

Talk of dropping tabs is premature imo. We need to be developing a second tall KPF. He is young, came through the rookie draft and is improving. He has a big tank, is tall and will get stronger. He is happy to pressure and tackle and has a decent kick on him. If he keeps improving at the rate he has he will be a very solid long term contributor at least.

Will he be a pav... most likely not. But then not many are.

He currently plays decoy for pav, and is another option when needed. Clarke has been taking marks on the run. But not standing wrestling or when bodying his man. It was only a fortnight ago that harry taylor made him look silly fairly consistently in those situations.

He needs to stay in the team. If he can kick another 5 goals over the next three games I would be happy. If he can replicate that through the end of the season we will have found another reliable avenue to goal, which will free walters, balls and mayne up more as more work will start to be put into tabs.

 

[Eski3]

5 goals in 3 games is an awesome return as well. Would like a few more contested marks but he will never be a player that will get a lot of them.

30 goals in 20 games would be an unbelievable return, add the fact he is building experience, giving Pav more space and stretching the opposition defence having 3 talls (Clarke, Pav and Taberner) which means one will get a shorter opponent he should be named every week unless his form suffers significantly or he is injured.

Keep in mind 2 of his games were against Geelong and Sydney, hardly easy beats if you're a key forward, and he was subbed out in both. If he kicks 3 against Melbourne this week he is on track for 2 goals a game

 

[beetz]

When do the boys fly out? Will be interesting to see who gets left behind.

 

[poshman]

afl.com.au article - ballas definite starter.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-05-01/dockers-confirm-ballantyne-a-certain-starter-against-demons

Surely they dont take 25?

 

[mightydockers]

I actually think Ballantyne is our best small forward. I'd rate him as one of if not the best pure small in the competition.

Being the third or fourth priority in the opposition coaches planning affords you the luxury of looking like you're doing all the work when you get off the chain.

Walters is a proven finals performer. Ballaz still hasn't shown he's capable of performing in finals unfortunately.

 

[Taylor]

Walters is a proven finals performer. Ballaz still hasn't shown he's capable of performing in finals unfortunately.

The only finals game I can see in the last few years where Ballantyne wasn't playing is the Port game, the latest final. The others are much closer on output, except Ballas had the opposition best defender trailing him.

Not to get too far off point, Walters is down on output because Ballas was out, now that he is back they make each other more productive. I think the team kicks almost four more goals with both in the side than without.

 

[mightydockers]

The only finals game I can see in the last few years where Ballantyne wasn't playing is the Port game, the latest final. The others are much closer on output, except Ballas had the opposition best defender trailing him.

Not to get too far off point, Walters is down on output because Ballas was out, now that he is back they make each other more productive. I think the team kicks almost four more goals with both in the side than without.

Walters has been one of our best finals performers, whilst Ballaz has probably been one of worst. Walters - 19 goals in finals. Ballaz - 6 goals in finals. I concede that ballaz in the past has generally taken the best defender but you cannot possibly say that they have been close on output in finals.

I definitely agree with you that Walters will be much more productive with his partner in crime back though.

 

[Taylor]

Walters has been one of our best finals performers, whilst Ballaz has probably been one of worst. Walters - 19 goals in finals. Ballaz - 6 goals in finals. I concede that ballaz in the past has generally taken the best defender but you cannot possibly say that they have been close on output in finals.

I definitely agree with you that Walters will be much more productive with his partner in crime back though.

Certainly not if goals scored is the total measure.

I'm not convinced that Walters would perform better if he was played under Ballantyne's position, but I would have preferred two Walters in the grand final.

 

[youmewe]

Ballantyne's career record against Melbourne:

6 games - 4 goals, 2, 3, 3, 4 and 3.

He feasts on Demons ... what else would you expect from a little devil?

 

[beetz]

Certainly not if goals scored is the total measure.

I'm not convinced that Walters would perform better if he was played under Ballantyne's position, but I would have preferred two Walters in the grand final.

Don't forget Walters plays a lot higher for longer periods than Ballantyne. His skill set and non-slip footy boots as compared to Ballantynes are far superior and utilised more away from goals.

 

[Taylor]

Don't forget Walters plays a lot higher for longer periods than Ballantyne. His skill set and non-slip footy boots as compared to Ballantynes are far superior and utilised more away from goals.

I see his value as more of a pressure act player creating spillages and goals for everyone else, his speed closes the gap so quickly that knowing he is buzzing around puts pressure on defenders. He seems to have an involvement directly on the kick out from the behind every couple of games from that sprint to the player trying to play on, turning it over up the ground or being smothered.

I think Ballas is one of our most important players for keeping the ball between wing and the goals, if he is tackling hard early in the Melbourne game I expect lots of fumbles and turnovers at half forward, Walters collects the spillages and kicks the goals but Ballas will make it happen.

It's like Clancee in the middle, he is scary physical and opposition players know quickly that he will hurt them.

 

[Freo Dr]

Suban had zero free kicks against last game.
One against the Eagles.
One against the Cats.
Three against Port.

Which ones were holding the ball?

All three of his free kicks against Port were HTB. Cannot remember since then then - likely one at least is high tackle- but clearly it was noted and he is probably adjusting based on that.

 

[Boppo]

Ballantyne is a great leading forward as well. With Tabs, Pav, Clarke, Mayne and son son a mid should be able to find a lead up target easy enough