Round 8: Who does Nathan Bock play on?

[Vader]

Yes, he's not Bock quality, but I didn't realise "real" meant "All-Australian".

Maybe I should have replaced "real" with "proven" or "quality".

 

[Schulzycrow]

If Bock is on Walker that's okay. He will still get plenty if he and the mids delivering it to him are smart. If they keep the ball low and out in front of a hard leading Tex then all Bock Bock can do is an arm slap or hold. If it is bombed in like so often last season then Bock will have the upper hand, not rocket science, just needs some football smarts. Club would be well aware of Bocky's strengths and weaknesses.

 

[KUNG FU]

I do agree that their recruiting movements were interesting.

Perhaps it was about keeping the squad within a reasonable amount that is manageble with a normal amount of staff? (obviously Salary cap isn't an issue)

Yeah, I agree that's probably the case. But geez, I could have happily culled a lot of those players, especially some of the zone selections.

Maybe I should have replaced "real" with "proven" or "quality".

Yep, we're not in disagreement. I was just being a pedant.

One big tick I can give the Clayton & co is that a sizeable share of their experienced players came from the backlines. They're gonna need it. I'd happily select a entirely random team from our list and still call us favourites against GC.

 

[TubbsFarquhar]

If Bock isn't injured, then it will probably be Walker, Bock would be destroyed if he played on anyone else. This leaves Tippett's likely opponent to be Coad with Brown on Porps.

 

[Coopers]

I don't expect Walker to get much of the ball if bocky is on him, but as the preseason is showing, Tex has a huge tank, so you'd think he'd be asked to run Bock around all game long.

If there really is no viable option for GC to put vs Tippett, I'd like to see Pagan's paddock... you'd think he'd mark it, or win the free 50% of the time. And the other 50%, you'd expect Tippett to beat most other tall blokes below his knees.

So... If Bock goes back on Tippett, that's a win as it limits Bock's run. If he stays out long on Walker, Tex just has to keep him away from defence.

 

[sydney_crow]

Tippett is probably too tall for Bock. Knights, Dangermouse & Henderson are all too quick for him.

His ideal match-up would be Walker - and it would be hard to see Tex getting a touch all day if Bock is fit and in form.

Surely it's an indictment if we fully expect one of our two KPFs not to get a touch against a player who is good, often very good, but not great.

Tex will be coming up against players of the quality of Bock each and every week throughout the season and I expect (and for us to have success we need) that he will more than hold his own in those ranks this year.

 

[fabs33]

I was thinking that the best possible solution, like some other people have already suggested, would be for Bock’s opponent to play as a decoy forward, limiting Bock’s time around the ball. This would prevent him from leaving his opponent to double team someone like Tippet and also prevent him from taking part in quick counterattacks.

 

[NTRabbit]

Bock will take Tippett, almost certainly. It's not like you can use the height difference to discount it - how many of Tippett's other regular opponents are his height? Truth is only Dustin Fletcher has come close.

 

[Crow-mo]

why are we pretending Bock is good one on one negator?

that's never been his his thing, he's a hurt you going the other way, make you accountable defender. Rutten is the guy who stops people, Bock is the guy who goes running and bouncing at every opportunity. He's a system defender who can be exposed in a poor outfit. not sure the GC will have that fluid defensive system for a couple of years yet.

 

[Allefgib]

why are we pretending Bock is good one on one negator?

that's never been his his thing, he's a hurt you going the other way, make you accountable defender. Rutten is the guy who stops people, Bock is the guy who goes running and bouncing at every opportunity. He's a system defender who can be exposed in a poor outfit. not sure the GC will have that fluid defensive system for a couple of years yet.

I always felt Bock had the body strength, and ability, to not get exposed to badly in one out marking contests. Not as good as truck, glass, scarlett etc defenisively but definitely held his own AND then hurt you the other way.

Definitely better than Stevens in both categories (though not as good as Stevens in taking 3rd man up marks).

Davis seems a better defender than Bock.. but obviously hasn't shown much going the other way at all.

 

[Crow-mo]

I always felt Bock had the body strength, and ability, to not get exposed to badly in one out marking contests. Not as good as truck, glass, scarlett etc defenisively but definitely held his own AND then hurt you the other way.

Definitely better than Stevens in both categories (though not as good as Stevens in taking 3rd man up marks).

Davis seems a better defender than Bock.. but obviously hasn't shown much going the other way at all.

I don't have a problem with that, i'll go with hold his own - but no more. he's been exposed too many times, when our midfield has let us down against quality opponents. I don't think her's poor, or below average, but he is not a smothering suffocating defender. I don't get this idea that he is a scarey matchup for us, or that walker wouldn't get a touch.

 

[Allefgib]

Agree with all that mate. Can Tex run with Bock the other way..? Quite keen to see the match-up to be honest.

I really hope Bock gets back to his best and we can see how much Tex has developed (should the match-up go that way).

 

[FR0GGY]

why are we pretending Bock is good one on one negator?

that's never been his his thing, he's a hurt you going the other way, make you accountable defender. Rutten is the guy who stops people, Bock is the guy who goes running and bouncing at every opportunity. He's a system defender who can be exposed in a poor outfit. not sure the GC will have that fluid defensive system for a couple of years yet.

Seem to recall him more than holding his own against Riewoldt and Franklin. I'm sure theres been others.

 

[Crow-mo]

Seem to recall him more than holding his own against Riewoldt and Franklin. I'm sure theres been others.

I don't think you do.

 

[Crow-mo]

Agree with all that mate. Can Tex run with Bock the other way..? Quite keen to see the match-up to be honest.

I really hope Bock gets back to his best and we can see how much Tex has developed (should the match-up go that way).

Personally, in that scenario I hope tex doesn't even try to follow him the other way. the GC will not have the midfield strength to retain possession, to allow Bock to go galloping. you can only go for a run upfield if you think there is a fair chance that your midfield won't turn it over; and I see GC as too young for that right now.

I believe Bock will run, and that he shouldn't as he doesn't have the upfield protection. so I'd rather Tex ran to space, and got free in the 50 whilst Bock is chasing kicks.

 

[FR0GGY]

I don't think you do.

nah couldnt remember round 2 2009 V Stkilda
or round 14 2008 V Hawthorn where bock carved him up to such an extent Buddy went into the midfield and then went nuts.

 

[Crow-mo]

agreed, I don't you do.

what great defensive job did you think he did in either?

ps. Bock is more than mobile enough to follow Buddy to ANY part of the ground.

 

[NTRabbit]

agreed, I don't you do.

what great defensive job did you think he did in either?

ps. Bock is more than mobile enough to follow Buddy to ANY part of the ground.

The only time I can recall Bock going back and doing a proper defensive job is a game against Carlton where Rutten landed badly on his back some time in the first half; Bock went back and I believe Fev did not kick another, but I'm not sure, and given the state of the teams at the time it could have been all down to the midfield anyway.

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

We do realize that in the AFL most defenders, even the very best get beaten one on one a very large amount of times. That's not a criticism but a simple face because with solid ball movement and a lack of pressure, the forward has so much more room to move in.

It's the zoning off, leaving your own player to help out and getting help from the 3rd man up that helps build that defensive pressure. This is why Bock, Rutten, Massie, Stevens, and Ben Hart were able to work as a cohesive unit. Once they were left one out with the forward, the odds on them winning the contest, decreased dramatically and this is not a criticism of the players mentioned as it happens to Scarlett, Glass, and other defenders across the board.

Nathan Bock was successful in Adelaide because we had a very solid zone defensive.

 

[VSTone]

I'd expect Bock to be injured by R8, but if he isn't then I'd be surprised if he didn't line up on Walker who will be on 20ish goals by then!

I reckon your spot on...

 

[afc1991]

Bocky named as VC of the GC.

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

Bocky named as VC of the GC.

Congratulations to him, I imagine he would have received the same position (within the leadership group) had he stayed in Adelaide.

I have no hard feelings towards Nathan.