Saddington

[GPW1]

Just wondering how Jason Saddington has been looking at training?

I know we're all excited about our youngsters getting a game, but I reckon he could be a bit of a wildcard for us if he can get into some sort of form. If he can hold down a spot in the defence, taking say the 2nd-3rd best forward, it would really free up the likes of thornton/lappin/bower to run with the pill without as much risk of getting caught out on the rebound.

Could also mean Lance can stay forward rather than going back to plug the holes in our leaky defence a la 2006.

Thoughts?

 

[C4[2]Yo`DooR]

In all honesty, he's been looking great.

He had surgery in October, and the Club thinks they have found what was wrong with his knee. He's been running freely at training and doesnt look hampered by his knee at all.

He could be the wildcard for us this year IMO. He'd want to be ... as he's out of contract in November !

 

[2centsworth]

He has bulked up and and looks very fit. Let's hope he can stay injury free and gives himself every chance.

 

[bluboy]

He avoids body contact in a way that Houlihan does and will not be in our best 22.
Depth player at the very best.

 

[HBF]

He avoids body contact in a way that Houlihan does and will not be in our best 22.
Depth player at the very best.

That's a bit harsh.
As for his form, I agree with what C4 said. Looks pretty good out on the track, and really could surprise a few this year.

 

[Jeremias]

I wouldn't expect Saddo to be a regular player for us in 2007.

I would much prefer to see the younger players play down back, with Saddo as a reserve in case of injury, lapses in form, or just a need for extra defenders.

Hopefully our defense looks something like this:

B: O'hAilpin--Hartlett--Russell
HB: Thornton--Whitnall--Scotland

 

[Melbdave81]

A defense with Thornton, Saddington, O'hAilpin and Bower in it doesn't look to bad on paper. Saddington's experience would be of huge benefit to our young defenders. Hopefully he can stay fit for the whole season.

 

[Melbdave81]

I wouldn't expect Saddo to be a regular player for us in 2007.

I would much prefer to see the younger players play down back, with Saddo as a reserve in case of injury, lapses in form, or just a need for extra defenders.

Hopefully our defense looks something like this:

B: O'hAilpin--Hartlett--Russell
HB: Bower--Whitnall--Scotland

What about Thornton? Also, I am hopeful that Hartlett get on the park in 2007 but he is going to need to get some games under his belt before he's going to play full back in the senior side.

 

[Il Naso De Gastev]

A defense with Thornton, Saddington, O'hAilpin and Bower in it doesn't look to bad on paper. Saddington's experience would be of huge benefit to our young defenders. Hopefully he can stay fit for the whole season.

Doesn't look that good either.

 

[Jeremias]

What about Thornton? Also, I am hopeful that Hartlett get on the park in 2007 but he is going to need to get some games under his belt before he's going to play full back in the senior side.

Completely forgot about Thornton, I'll put him in now.

As for Hatlett, if he stays injury free, he has what it takes to play full back.

He'll be played there once again in the NAB Cup and regional challenge games, and I expect him to play some games back there during the season.

The backline I provided may not be from round 1, but later in the year I expect it to look somewhat like it.

 

[Melbdave81]

Doesn't look that good either.

Well, give us something better

 

[Jeremias]

Doesn't look that good either.

And why would that be?

 

[BlueFeaver]

I wouldn't expect Saddo to be a regular player for us in 2007.

I would much prefer to see the younger players play down back, with Saddo as a reserve in case of injury, lapses in form, or just a need for extra defenders.

Hopefully our defense looks something like this:

B: O'hAilpin--Hartlett--Russell
HB: Bower--Whitnall--Scotland

Saddo could fill that CHB role of Lances, this would allow Lance to play forward or back as he pleases. This is a ideal scenario IMO.

My defence would look something like this:

B: Bower O'hailpin Scottland
HB: Thornton Saddington Walker

And maybe from what the training reports have revealed, Waite may have a role in there somewhere. Walker to the wing and Waite on HBF.

 

[Il Naso De Gastev]

And why would that be?

Thornton - Good ordinary player. Hardly a star, but a solid contributor being asked to do too much.
Saddington - 4 poor seasons in a row. Capable of taking a 3rd-4th best forward only.
O'hailpin - Potential, potential, potential. Looks a good thing but still have my heart in my mouth whenever he gets the ball.
Bower - Another rookie, hasn't shown anything yet.

I reckon you could look at 14 other backlines in the comp and come up with a group that would pants this lot.

 

[Jeremias]

Saddo could fill that CHB role of Lances, this would allow Lance to play forward or back as he pleases. This is a ideal scenario IMO.

My defence would look something like this:

B: Bower O'hailpin Scottland
HB: Thornton Saddington Walker

And maybe from what the training reports have revealed, Waite may have a role in there somewhere. Walker to the wing and Waite on HBF.

Walker should play a full season on the wing. He has fulfilled his apprenticeship in defense and is now ready to move up the field.

Saddo and Setanta are not a good combination to play in the key defensive posts. Saddington is NOT a key position defender. Much prefer him running off a flank, that's where he plays his best football. If we have Saddo at CHB that puts far too much pressure on Setanta, which won't be good for him yet. We need another big body back there, which is why I say Lance. I don't want him as a permanent forward.

Scotland belongs on a half back flank. That's where he plays his best football as it enables him to move freely into the middle.

And Waite should not play in defense. We need him up forward.

 

[Jeremias]

Thornton - Good ordinary player. Hardly a star, but a solid contributor being asked to do too much.
Saddington - 4 poor seasons in a row. Capable of taking a 3rd-4th best forward only.
O'hailpin - Potential, potential, potential. Looks a good thing but still have my heart in my mouth whenever he gets the ball.
Bower - Another rookie, hasn't shown anything yet.

I reckon you could look at 14 other backlines in the comp and come up with a group that would pants this lot.

Saddington isn't in the defense I provided. I said I don't really want him there unless it is absolutely necessary.

O'hailpin has shown plenty of improvement. Sure, his disposal can sometimes look ordinary, but he is actually pretty effective. We don't have many other options, anyway. I'm happy for him to be back there.

Thornton has proved himself to be a very good defender. He has been played in the wrong position in the past, as he is not a key position defender, but nonetheless has performed excellently. He is a good player, and he will return to his best as he is given more freedom on the field by playing on the flank. Defenders, 23 years old, with nearly 100 games experience don't come around very often at all. He is a very valuable player for us.

Bower isn't a rookie. Although he's only played 2 games, he has shown maturity and composure beyond his years. Won't be an immediate starter in defense from the beginning of the season, but the defense I provided, as I said, is one for later in the season. He'll play quite a few games in 2007, many off the bench, but I expect him to be a starter down back by the end of the season.

As for your last comment, what are you trying to prove? We have one of the weaker defenses in the league. I know that. But we can only play the players we have. And these are the best defenders we have at the club. Most are young, but they're looking pretty promising. Results won't be immediate, but we need to give them time.

 

[Bluebear]

I wouldn't expect Saddo to be a regular player for us in 2007.

I would much prefer to see the younger players play down back, with Saddo as a reserve in case of injury, lapses in form, or just a need for extra defenders.

Hopefully our defense looks something like this:

B: O'hAilpin--Hartlett--Russell
HB: Thornton--Whitnall--Scotland

That full back line has played less than 30 games between them...........we don't want another Livo!

I actually agree, and have been saying so all summer.
Saddo is fit, has always played above his height/weight, and will add experience, and some muscle to the backline.

To suggest that he shirks contests the same way hoops has in the past is ridiculous.

Saddo will be the wildcard next year, and will give our developing younsters that little bit of time and support they need. To expect Bower/Hartlett/O'Hailpin to regularly beat their opponents is too much.

 

[blues4flag]

We're building some depth (about time, too) and there will be a few guys unlucky to miss out, but that's a positive. I'll be very surprised if Saddington can return to his form 2002 and prior - unfortunately for him injuries have ravaged his career. Hopefully he can regain some of his previous form, but can't see him in the seniors too often this year, although if he does regain that form, than his experience will be very helpful in defense.

 

[Johnny_3]

Perfect backline would be

Sentanta, Hartlett, Thorton
Scotland, Lance, Waite

5 reasonably big players there. No chance of getting stretched as far as heightwise.

Later in 07 i'd expect.

Sentanta, Hartlett, Thorton
Bower, Waite, Walker/Scotland

Lance can move to CHB
and still 5 talls.

 

[Jeremias]

Perfect backline would be

Sentanta, Hartlett, Thorton
Scotland, Lance, Waite

5 reasonably big players there. No chance of getting stretched as far as heightwise.

Later in 07 i'd expect.

Sentanta, Hartlett, Thorton
Bower, Waite, Walker/Scotland

Lance can move to CHB
and still 5 talls.

5 talls is too much...aim for 3

 

[BlueBelle]

A defense with Thornton, Saddington, O'hAilpin and Bower in it doesn't look to bad on paper. Saddington's experience would be of huge benefit to our young defenders. Hopefully he can stay fit for the whole season.

Completely agree. Experience counts for a lot with a young team and if Saddo can stay fit, I think it will be another positive for us.

 

[Jeremias]

That full back line has played less than 30 games between them...........we don't want another Livo!

I actually agree, and have been saying so all summer.
Saddo is fit, has always played above his height/weight, and will add experience, and some muscle to the backline.

To suggest that he shirks contests the same way hoops has in the past is ridiculous.

Saddo will be the wildcard next year, and will give our developing younsters that little bit of time and support they need. To expect Bower/Hartlett/O'Hailpin to regularly beat their opponents is too much.

Regarding the full back line, I expect that to be it late in the season, not immediately. Of course I don't expect it straight up, but we need to start playing these guys. They are the future of the club, we need to see what they have to offer. Harts will debut early in the season IMO, and the others will play close to 22 games. Around round 18 or 19 I expect to see that backline, no earlier. Gives us some insight into 2008.

Saddo isn't a key position player. Whether we like it, someone will be needed to play out of position until our bigger defenders develop. That's why I want Lance down back, and not Saddington. Saddington is not a KPP, and he would only be taking the position of Bower/Russell/O'hAilpin-something I don't want to happen. Saddo is NOT part of our future. The others are.

Comparing the others to Livo is just ridiculous. Completely different scenarios.

 

[Bluebear]

Saddington is not a KPP, and he would only be taking the position of Bower/Russell/O'hAilpin-something I don't want to happen. Saddo is NOT part of our future. The others are.

Russell a KPP? Read what you type before hitting the submit button J.

Comparing the others to Livo is just ridiculous. Completely different scenarios.

Not ridiculous at all. If you run with O'Hailpin, Bower, Hartlett and Russell in the same backline you have swett FA experince among them. Regardless of who was in the other two positions they would just be watching a slaughter.

Yes, O'Hailpin has taken some strides, but gets turned too easily on the run.
Yes, Hartlett has the size we want, but hasn't done ANYTHING........EVER.
Russell looks to have bulked up, great, but has yet to deliver in an AFL match.......period.

I agree with you J that we hope these guys develop and fulfill the promise that we all think they have. But to say that throwing them in the deep end couldn't cause them to loose confidence and become a Livo........it can happen all too easily.

This, by the way is also why we recruited the older "hacks" a few years back. Their job wasn't to win games, it was to take the beatings that we were always going to get, and shield what few talented players we had from the bloodshed. Surprisingly we fininshed 10th, but the real job had been done, and now we have Fevola, Thornton, Fisher, Walker, Simpson, and Waite as very good players to thank for that policy.
Had we "gone with the kids" as many have suggested, then one or two of the above may well have succombed to the pressure of being mauled, and joined Livo on the scrap heap.

Saddo will not be part of our future, but he can help guide and protect those that will, by taking the pressure off them a little.

 

[Jeremias]

Russell a KPP? Read what you type before hitting the submit button J.

I didn't say Russell was a KPP. I said as Saddo is not a key position defender, he won't take the place of one. Instead, he'll take the place of Setanta, Bower, or Russell, who don't play as KPP in our defense, and won't.

Not ridiculous at all. If you run with O'Hailpin, Bower, Hartlett and Russell in the same backline you have swett FA experince among them. Regardless of who was in the other two positions they would just be watching a slaughter.

Livo started as a forward. Due to our deficiencies, he was quickly forced to be a defender, and was thrown into the deep end too early and he hadn't truly learned the art of being a defender yet. Setanta started as a forward, but has now made the transition to defender. All the others are very comfortable down back. Not like Livo at all. In fact, completely different.

Yes, O'Hailpin has taken some strides, but gets turned too easily on the run.

So, we are not going to play him because of that? Setanta is valuable to the team as he is hard to match up on. He will learn how to become a better player once he gets more experience.

Yes, Hartlett has the size we want, but hasn't done ANYTHING........EVER.
Russell looks to have bulked up, great, but has yet to deliver in an AFL match.......period.

Hartlett has shown, at least in the NAB Cup, that he could be a very valuable player for us. He won't start in the seniors, but he will be given every opportunity to play there, and will play quite a few senior games this year. He is one of the better defensive prospects we have. If we don't eventually try him, how are we going to know what he can add to the team?

I agree with you J that we hope these guys develop and fulfill the promise that we all think they have. But to say that throwing them in the deep end couldn't cause them to loose confidence and become a Livo........it can happen all too easily.

As I have show, Livo was a completely different scenario. I'm not saying we should throw them into the deep end immediately! I said that the defense I put forward is one for the end of the year, and not before. And that's what we should be aiming for.

This, by the way is also why we recruited the older "hacks" a few years back. Their job wasn't to win games, it was to take the beatings that we were always going to get, and shield what few talented players we had from the bloodshed. Surprisingly we fininshed 10th, but the real job had been done, and now we have Fevola, Thornton, Fisher, Walker, Simpson, and Waite as very good players to thank for that policy.
Had we "gone with the kids" as many have suggested, then one or two of the above may well have succombed to the pressure of being mauled, and joined Livo on the scrap heap.

That was when we were really affected by the loss of draft picks. Now we are starting to look much better with our list of kids, and they must eventually be tried. No use having them if we aren't going to test them out. We are not a chance to play finals footy this year. Let's see what they have to offer us in this year of development. If we don't, we may never do it. They may be able to help us out big time, but if we dont give them the opportunity to, how are we to know?

Saddo will not be part of our future, but he can help guide and protect those that will, by taking the pressure off them a little.

I agree, Saddo isn't part of our future. He may become useful, but I do not want him to be played ahead of those that may have a future wth the club. Saddo may get some games, but hopefully not at the expense of our future.

 

[Bluebear]

Saddington is not a KPP, and he would only be taking the position of Bower/Russell/O'hAilpin-something I don't want to happen. Saddo is NOT part of our future. The others are.

Comparing the others to Livo is just ridiculous. Completely different scenarios.

So when you wrote above, the others are...........you only meant some of the ones listed. Needs to be clearer to avoid misunderstandings.

Hartlet was torn to pieces in that NAB cup match, so no, your arguement re similarities with Livo holds no water.
Regardless of where players start their careers, they often end up in different positions.
The point with Livo was the he, like T-bird, was expected to match up on bigger, stronger, more experienced opponents. The weekly floggings shot his confidence. Martyn was brought in in a last ditch effort to save Livo but it was too late - saved T-bird though so still worth it IMO.

My point is not that Saddo should be in ahead of these guys regardless. My point is the backline in particular needs a balance of experience and youth.
Balance. Bower and Hartlett both need game time, but not before they are ready. Hartlett needs to show something iin ANY match.......NAB cup, VFL.......backyard footy........before he gets a run.

Secondly, why isn't Saddo, at 194cm and 88kg a KPP......when Bower at 192.5cm and 87kg, or Hartlett at 195cm and 88 kg are?

Saddo plays tall and strong, and may need to fill a position in the seniors until Hartlett proves that he can:
A) Remain fit
B) Beat an AFL quality forward.

He has done neither in his time in the AFL.
I, along with you hope that he does, but Saddo IMO can step up and help our side until Harts earns a spot.