Running Half Back/Wing Man Role

[Gambit78]

Benny Johnson is getting on. The hammies aren't what they used to be. And it seems to me we may have that "running half back - midfield rotation" role possibly available at times during this year.

Four names pop out at me - Buckley, Young, Clarke and Rounds - who could possibly fill that role. Was wondering how you rank these four and who would you likely replace Johnno with when the time comes?

(I'd thought about having Yagmoor and Seedsman in that list, but I reckon they're a little under-developed. Anyone else, feel free to add them on.)

 

[Swooop]

Hopefully BJ will be ok for this year though i know you're really asking for alternatives.
Heater of course, but of the younger brigade likely Marty's the most likely.
Caolan Mooney if he really kicked on could be a sensation there.

Don't know enough about Rounds to comment but others would know.

Tom Young would likely have the skills as well.

 

[Bloben]

I reckon yagmoor may play a few games this year and could eventually replace BJ in that role

 

[HFF]

The thing with Johnson, is that he is a very smart footballer. Sure, he only has one side but he knows when to carry, knows when to release and almost always makes the right decision via foot.

Now whilst someone like a Yagmoor may be able to fill this void, he will need to work on his decision making and composure with ball in hand. He was good in NAB 1 but he did blaze a few times when coming out of defence. Benny J doesn't just blaze. Also, his sidestep is very underrated which creates that bit of extra time required to sum it all up.

Marty Clarke is the most likely for mine at this stage. He has the composure and execution of foot and mind to make the right choice.

 

[Chief Ten Beers]

Clarke orYagmoor in my books would be a good choice.

I reckon even Taz could have a crack at leigh brown's role as he's quite mobile and can play forward, back and is solid. Not sure he could ruck though.

Reckon the real worry are decent crumbing forwards (no offense to Fasolo, he's good - but he'll need a lot of support).

 

[mattys123]

Marty Clarke, Heath Shaw and Goldsack would be the first 3 options for that position, with Shaw the obvious lock.

I'd like to see Heater given more reign this year to run forward, his attacking side of his game can be very dangerous, and we all know he loves kicking a goal.

Of the next generation, Rounds has played most of his VFL career off half back, but seems to have been played forward when in the seniors.

Then there's Yagmoor, Sinclair, Mooney etc, who have to prove they are good enough to get a game this year, although Mooney and Yags will be given plenty of time to find their feet.

 

[Chief Ten Beers]

Just quickly, where is Rounds? Injured?

 

[blaze036]

Just quickly, where is Rounds? Injured?

I think his playing tonight?
Was ready to play last week but rested after injuries in the preseason i think

 

[Ed D]

Unless I'm mistaken Ben Johnson hasn't really played a running HB game in years. Heath Shaw will take the position. Another name that hasn't been mentioned is Tom Young.

 

[Quicky]

The thing with Johnson, is that he is a very smart footballer. Sure, he only has one side but he knows when to carry, knows when to release and almost always makes the right decision via foot.

Now whilst someone like a Yagmoor may be able to fill this void, he will need to work on his decision making and composure with ball in hand. He was good in NAB 1 but he did blaze a few times when coming out of defence. Benny J doesn't just blaze. Also, his sidestep is very underrated which creates that bit of extra time required to sum it all up.

This sums up Johnsons strengths to a tee. His run and carry is very underrated and an area that the club definitely improve on this year. I think it was one of the main attractions in us getting Clarke back into the team.

Just quickly, where is Rounds? Injured?

Rounds was named in the team to take on the Dees tonight. He has had an injury interupted pre-season. Cant remember what with? Shoulder?

Unless I'm mistaken Ben Johnson hasn't really played a running HB game in years. Heath Shaw will take the position. Another name that hasn't been mentioned is Tom Young.

This. Ben Johnson has played more of a linking midfield role in recent times. I think in that midfield role is best suited to Clarke and Rusty.

Shaw, Maxwell and Davis were our half backs last year. I would be thinking who replaces Leon back there? I think Yagmoor in time but dt13 is spot on regarding his decision making which he will need to work on but that will come I think. For this season no one really stands out. Probably Goldsack or Brown but they are hardly like for like replacements and I think we miss out on creativity.

On Young I like him as a player but I don't think he has the defensive game to step into the breach at AFL level. We seem to be persisiting with him in defence in the VFL but I think he would be much more suited to midfield or forward myself.

 

[SteeleSide11]

Luke Rounds would be perfect, Yagmoor will be introduced slowly. At the moment DT has it and will probably stay there, also Wellingham in spurts for a breather.
Marty Clarke???

 

[Ed D]

Rounds was named in the team to take on the Dees tonight. He has had an injury interupted pre-season. Cant remember what with? Shoulder?

I'm pretty certain he had hip surgery which was why I was surprised to see him listed to play tonight. I hadn't seen his name mentioned in recent times but he must have been training with the guys recently.

 

[doppleganger]

??? It is a position / role that we have more than ample coverage.

H.Shaw and Harry O are basically two AA standard running HBs.

Tarrant's flexibility, and Reid's attack means we could opt to play the following backline

Toovey, N.Brown, Tarrant
Maxwell
H.Shaw, Reid, Harry O

That would be the best HB line in the game by a long way.

B.Johnson may not even be a lock himself if Bucks wants a taller backline.

Then you have all of the younger guys, Young, Clarke and Goldsack would be leading the charge....although feel that Clarke and Goldsack will be used further up the ground.

 

[Quicky]

I'm pretty certain he had hip surgery which was why I was surprised to see him listed to play tonight. I hadn't seen his name mentioned in recent times but he must have been training with the guys recently.

Thats right. Shoulders were last season. He hasn't had much luck. He's definitely been training he's been in the latest training pics. Interested to see which position Buckley uses him in. He has the versatility to play forward, back, midfield. Given his interupted preseason and the increased liklihood of injury that is associated with being underdone I think he is a good chance to be a sub or at least used sparingly. Last thing he needs is another injury!

 

[Scodog10]

??? It is a position / role that we have more than ample coverage.

H.Shaw and Harry O are basically two AA standard running HBs.

Heath Shaw fits the criteria, but Harry O'Brien isn't suited to playing the role of a wingman IMO.

Of the players listed I'd have Clarke pencilled in for that role in 2012. However long term I'd be looking at going with Seedsman or Yagmoor. I personally like naturally gifted footballers and those two look like they're just that. The concerning thing is that Geelong have a plethora of that particular type waiting in the wings (Hunt, Guthrie, Smedts, Hornlin-Smith and Motlop)......

I tell you what though if I was to go out and source one from another club Steven Motlop is the bloke I'd chase. He looks set to explode this year in that half back/ wing role much the same as Yarran did last year.

 

[Gambit78]

??? It is a position / role that we have more than ample coverage.

H.Shaw and Harry O are basically two AA standard running HBs.

Tarrant's flexibility, and Reid's attack means we could opt to play the following backline

Toovey, N.Brown, Tarrant
Maxwell
H.Shaw, Reid, Harry O

That would be the best HB line in the game by a long way.

B.Johnson may not even be a lock himself if Bucks wants a taller backline.

Then you have all of the younger guys, Young, Clarke and Goldsack would be leading the charge....although feel that Clarke and Goldsack will be used further up the ground.

Yeah, I wasn't really thinking of the players already established in the team - more about those coming through behind them. And you say ample cover, but as it was pointed out earlier, Johnson is a pretty smart player - coupled with the loss of Leon Davis - and I look at players like Young and Buckley, and wonder 'yeah, physically they might fit the bill, but are they as intelligent?'

I think we have ample cover in the sense of quantity, maybe, but not sure of the quality. That linking half-back/midfield role is more important to us than missing small forwards, I think.

As for Rounds - I feel like I've been waiting forever for him to come on.

 

[Ed D]

Heath Shaw fits the criteria, but Harry O'Brien isn't suited to playing the role of a wingman IMO.

Of the players listed I'd have Clarke pencilled in for that role in 2012. However long term I'd be looking at going with Seedsman or Yagmoor. I personally like naturally gifted footballers and those two look like they're just that. The concerning thing is that Geelong have a plethora of that particular type waiting in the wings (Hunt, Guthrie, Smedts, Hornlin-Smith and Motlop)......

I tell you what though if I was to go out and source one from another club Steven Motlop is the bloke I'd chase. He looks set to explode this year in that half back/ wing role much the same as Yarran did last year.

Well, a team normally only needs a couple of running players off the backline so you don't need too many. I think the Pies are pretty comfortable in that area. Motlop looks good but unfortunately also seems injury prone, and hot & cold like the other Motlops.

 

[The Royal Sampler]

I think Seedsman is probably the best long-term like-for-like replacement we have, time will tell if he's up to it.