Setanta's Marking

[pumped]

Apologise if this has been covered somewhere else. Am rapt as most are that Setanta has proven so consistent thus far in the season. He is perhaps my favourite player and may become a much better player than many would have believed. An area that he does seem to have slipped in a little is his pack marking. At various stages in his career and even in a pre season Optus Oval game he seemed to be much more confident in contested marking. I believe he has the ability to take strong pack marks but whilst the rest of his game has improved considerably his confidence in the pack mark seems to have slipped a little. Just wondering if this aspect could be missed because of his overall improvement? As I see it if he can regain his contested marking strength he will likely become a true power forward.

 

[Blue Bawls]

Are you taking into consideration that, with Fev gone, he's now a key forward target and gets a lot more attention? The good thing about him too is that even if the ball spills (creating opportunities for the small forwards), he's usually on his feet putting in a second and third effort.

 

[NAUGHT5]

There are about 2 good "pack" marks in the league these days.

Sides just dont kick it to packs anymore.

Brian Lake is one.

Setanta's marking is good for a guy who hasn't grown up with the game. But what is great is that he doesn't get out marked. If he doesnt mark it, it will hit the ground. Enter SLH.

 

[TwiggleyFanClub]

His marking is a bit hit and miss, but that may be him spending it before he's got it, now that he has more confidence to take the game on.

I'm more worried about his set shots.
I'd love to see the club to give him over to someone like Matthew Lloyd for regular goal kicking practice. Any improvement in this area will pay for itself many times over.

 

[BlueGibbs2011]

Setanta is gunning it. Let's just enjoy the ride rather than focus on any negatives!

Hey! Did i just say that - hypocrit!

Russell, Armfield and Setantrum are doing so well, forgive the odd blips and let em roll!

Only the top 5% of players in the league go round without some glaring deficiency. The rest all have something to work on and Setanta has come from nowhere to give us a competitive target!

 

[Gambelic]

Apologise if this has been covered somewhere else. Am rapt as most are that Setanta has proven so consistent thus far in the season. He is perhaps my favourite player and may become a much better player than many would have believed. An area that he does seem to have slipped in a little is his pack marking. At various stages in his career and even in a pre season Optus Oval game he seemed to be much more confident in contested marking. I believe he has the ability to take strong pack marks but whilst the rest of his game has improved considerably his confidence in the pack mark seems to have slipped a little. Just wondering if this aspect could be missed because of his overall improvement? As I see it if he can regain his contested marking strength he will likely become a true power forward.

This may sound stupid, but do you think he's going out there to try and take the pack marks or provide a contest and get the ball to ground ? With the small forwards we've got, plus his ability to bounce up and give a second effort it might be a smart play not to try and take them all the time.

 

[NAUGHT5]

This may sound stupid, but do you think he's going out there to try and take the pack marks or provide a contest and get the ball to ground ? With the small forwards we've got, plus his ability to bounce up and give a second effort it might be a smart play not to try and take them all the time.

If it's their to mark, he'll try and mark it.

But if he thinks he wont mark it, he's hell bent on getting it front and centre. Doing a great job.

 

[AlecDuncan]

He's not often in the same marking situations he was last year when he was the lead-up option and Fev was FF. These days he's more often than not jostling for a contested mark.

Also, I noticed one of his thumbs is heavily taped. Maybe he's carrying a hand injury?

 

[Blue Bawls]

He's not often in the same marking situations he was last year when he was the lead-up option and Fev was FF. These days he's more often than not jostling for a contested mark.

Also, I noticed one of his thumbs is heavily taped. Maybe he's carrying a hand injury?

Mild dislocation after he pulled it out of his butt and became an excellent forward. See?

 

[BluesMan]

All he has to do is make a contest, bring it to ground, then his little helpers are at his feet, burning off any opponent they put on them.

 

[carlton09]

cant remember were i heard it, might have been on the bounce. but someone mentioned that setanta more often trys to tap the ball to advantage rather then take the mark so that the likes of betts and garlett can crumb on the ground. almost like another ruckman in a contest. sounds like a good tactic though.

 

[Blue Bawls]

cant remember were i heard it, might have been on the bounce. but someone mentioned that setanta more often trys to tap the ball to advantage rather then take the mark so that the likes of betts and garlett can crumb on the ground. almost like another ruckman in a contest. sounds like a good tactic though.

That's what Hendo looked he was doing. Intentional?

 

[carlton09]

That's what Hendo looked he was doing. Intentional?

ud hope so, he struggles to mark the thing

 

[pumped]

This post is certainly not inteded to be negative in any way. Perhaps my term pack mark has also not accurately described what I mean. At times last year and in pre season Setanta was meeting the ball and jumping high for strong overhead marks. As some have suggested perhaps he has been instructed to just bring the ball to the ground. If this is the case then no problem. However I sense that he has lost a little of the confidence in his over head marking.Also seems to be mis timing his leap at various times throughout games. By suggesting this I am in no way lessening all the other great things he is presently doing.

 

[Canyouhearthedrums]

I don't think you're too far off the mark but I would describe it more as a problem with his overhead marking. There have been quite a few situations this year where he should have gone with two hands over his head but tried to take it on the chest and the ball came to ground.

Certainly something to work on going forward...Loving his work at the moment though.

 

[parrot]

Thought his marking was pretty good. Took some great over-head grabs V Port, and a few on the lead. He doesn't often lead with hands out in front of him for some reason - more comfortable marking on the chest which gives his opponent a better chance. If he's outnumbered 2 or 3 to 1, he'll usually try to take out the defenders and just bring the ball to ground i.e. play the percentages. Does that very well. He's a clever footballer. Improving all the time.

 

[The Coach]

I have not watched the game again but can remember thinking he was dropping a few and was particularly wondering where the small forwards were as they never seemed to be in camera shot

 

[SurreyBlue]

Still 2nd guesses himself too much and makes takes the wrong options at times.
Needs to lead and hold his marks more often but as others have said is improving and that is all we can ask. I still cringe when he makes the play but I guess that is because I don't know what to expect from him right now. If he keeps improving at this rate ... who knows. Strangely though, I am enjoying watching him this year and I couldn't say that previously.

 

[Massive Attack]

You should hear yourself, Surrey Blue:

Still 2nd guesses himself too much and makes takes the wrong options at times.
Needs to lead and hold his marks more often but as others have said is improving and that is all we can ask. I still cringe when he makes the play but I guess that is because I don't know what to expect from him right now. If he keeps improving at this rate ... who knows. Strangely though, I am enjoying watching him this year and I couldn't say that previously.

It's almost as if Setanta's sole reason for being is to please you.

I love it when Setanta goes near the ball because anything can happen and that's what makes him a nightmare for the opposition, which it sounds like you're a member of...

I dunno, but I'm guessing he couldn't care less what detractors like you reckon, anyway...

All we can ask is that you improve...

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

Contested marking isn't his problem. He has 9 contest marks out of 33 in total. Fevola has 11 contested marks out of 32 in total, just as a comparison.

Setanta just doesn't lead out a lot because usually our smaller forwards are running back inside 50 to take the ball while Setanta is propping and holding back one or two of the bigger defenders. Fev isn't leading as much as he is leaving space for Brown.

It's just the role, nothing to be concerned about.

 

[The Coach]

Contested marking isn't his problem. He has 9 contest marks out of 33 in total. Fevola has 11 contested marks out of 32 in total, just as a comparison.

Setanta just doesn't lead out a lot because usually our smaller forwards are running back inside 50 to take the ball while Setanta is propping and holding back one or two of the bigger defenders. Fev isn't leading as much as he is leaving space for Brown.

It's just the role, nothing to be concerned about.

I was concerned about not seeing the little guys getting under his feet and thought early he was fumbling something shocking (I think, I am remembering last weeks game) I am a fan - he will be a valuable part of our forward line for a few years because if nothing more he is a perfect 3rd tall.

 

[SurreyBlue]

You should hear yourself, Surrey Blue:



It's almost as if Setanta's sole reason for being is to please you.

I love it when Setanta goes near the ball because anything can happen and that's what makes him a nightmare for the opposition, which it sounds like you're a member of...

I dunno, but I'm guessing he couldn't care less what detractors like you reckon, anyway...

All we can ask is that you improve...

 

[40yearBLUE]

Carlos has 19 marks inside 50 of which half were contested. I suspect that contested marks inside 50 are not a measure we want to be high in though, contested marks are low percentage options. We are running the ball in and spotting up options or are specifically set up for the ball to spill to ground with nippy running forwards. Carlos is working well and his marking is nothing to be concerned about. Forward line working a treat at the moment. If we have any issues at all it will be getting some confidence into Hendo, but even as I type this I am mindful that he will take a while and we need to be patient, the gun that fires from 1st season is the exception not the rule, we had this conversation last year with Yazz and Rich and I am very happy we have Yazz. Hendo will take a little longer.

 

[Sublime]

Setanta is gunning it. Let's just enjoy the ride rather than focus on any negatives!

Hey! Did i just say that - hypocrit!

Russell, Armfield and Setantrum are doing so well, forgive the odd blips and let em roll!

Only the top 5% of players in the league go round without some glaring deficiency. The rest all have something to work on and Setanta has come from nowhere to give us a competitive target!

Watching Setanta play, i liken to riding something like this:

You're up, you're down, you cringe, sweat, your heart rate gets up sky high, then its over, he's slotted the goal and you're smiling again! Its entertainment in its highest form!

 

[OldBlueFan]

I posted in one of the match review threads that Setanta definitely shaped to palm or knock the ball toward one of the small guys (I think it was in the Saints game) and I saw him do it at least once in the Port game. As some have said, the little guys didn't seem to be around as much in the Port game.

I reckon it's a strategy that they've worked on and not having to deal with egos anymore is allowing them to implement it to perfection.