Toast Smedts up forward

[The Casey Cat]

Forward pressure between himself and Motlop was unlike anything I'd seen this year. After a few chases their whole backline became nervous when in possession and resorted to just bombing the ball out when in possession, which fell straight into our hands. Great game.

Yep. Smedts and Duncan were both especially active in our press/zone last night charging all around the place making it very tough for the Bombers. Plus Smedts' tackling and physical pressure was absolutely manic ALL night. This is why suddenly things were so much easier for us.

 

[Belisarius]

Sure he will be mid at sometime in the fiuture - as he has the height and pace not just the weight yet to fill that role.

So for now - yes play him forward so we can get time into him at the senior level.

Can use his pace to create forward pressure and take the odd mark. I like his kicking style - and think he will kick a few goals if he gets enough opportunities.

Still behind Guthrie, Walker and Motlop - as one of the new kids. However this is Billie's first real season - so he is catching then fast.

Still needs to do a bit more (like Murdoch) to still be in the side when Bartel, Bundy and Varcoe come back into the side.

Still yet to see what all the hype was about him - but I know too many fans and have posted that he will be a gun player not to take note.

Maybe when he is a 20 game veteran he will blossom ???

 

[vinum coupe]

I thought he was very good in the last 2 quarters. After I bagged him at 1/2 time for never having influence on any passages of play.

I was thinking today, it's interesting that Geelong seem to be struggling to find suitable defenders.
Gillies was given a try and then went out. Same with Horlin Smith. Smedts has been moved forward. Guthrie has been pushed to sub. Hunt has been moved to the tagging role.....

 

[Leeds17]

Just needs to learn to make better decisions, hopefully will come in time, other parts of his game last night were fantastic

 

[LongBomb]

I thought he was very good in the last 2 quarters. After I bagged him at 1/2 time for never having influence on any passages of play.

Yeah, he really made you look stupid.

 

[vinum coupe]

Oh no !!!!!!!
What will I do ?

Gee I forgot that 2 quarters of footy make a player.
We better get Kingsley back.

 

[strauchnyy]

Sure he will be mid at sometime in the fiuture - as he has the height and pace not just the weight yet to fill that role.

So for now - yes play him forward so we can get time into him at the senior level.

Can use his pace to create forward pressure and take the odd mark. I like his kicking style - and think he will kick a few goals if he gets enough opportunities.

Still behind Guthrie, Walker and Motlop - as one of the new kids. However this is Billie's first real season - so he is catching then fast.

Still needs to do a bit more (like Murdoch) to still be in the side when Bartel, Bundy and Varcoe come back into the side.

Still yet to see what all the hype was about him - but I know too many fans and have posted that he will be a gun player not to take note.

Maybe when he is a 20 game veteran he will blossom ???

Don't agree that walker is ahead of him. I like walker's hunger for the contest, but unless he drastically improves his kicking, he will never make it IMO. Walker is probably the worst kick (for goal and field kick) that i have seen from one of our players in a long time. Harsh but that's how I see it. Let's hope he can really improve this area.

In relation to smedts I feel he has been a bit unfairly judged this yr. I don't think he has the body to compete at afl level yet but has still been given games by Scott. Taking that into consideration I believe he has performed above expectations. He is extremely agile and creative and plays exactly like a young pendlebury. I think it may take him a few years but I really think he will be in the top 5 players at the club in 5 yrs (when out next generation are up and going).

 

[Micksy]

He's looking the goods!

Oh Billy!

 

[hbk_aus]

Oh no !!!!!!!
What will I do ?

Gee I forgot that 2 quarters of footy make a player.
We better get Kingsley back.

In all fairness VC, if two quarters doesn't make a player, then two quarters is also too early to be bagging a player...

 

[Belisarius]

I think that Walker's kicking will improve overtime - but it may never be flash. Better if he is nullifying big forward opponents than shooting for goal.

That said - I reckon he will make it. Too early to judge really but just like the cut of his jib.

 

[Turbocat]

Its just finding a spot to get games into the newbies. Its why Im not adverse to letting Brown play back for a while. Whether Billy becomes a forward long term will become clearer over time. To me his body is a long way short on strength on what he would ideally have. Add some strength to his agility and he could be Enright's replacement . Add some gut running and he could play mid. It will sort itself out once he has played 50-75 games and 3 or 4 pre seasons.

 

[cynical]

looks like he will become a top player just based on a few smart things he did

should be a lock in the forward line for the rest of the year, great pressure around the contest

went past stokes last night

 

[vinum coupe]

In all fairness VC, if two quarters doesn't make a player, then two quarters is also too early to be bagging a player...

It wasn't 2 quarters. I've been saying it for a while.

I like the look of him. I just haven't liked the fact he's had bugger all influence on any contests this year.
At the moment he is a poor mans Brennan.

He needs games. I know that.

 

[vinum coupe]

looks like he will become a top player just based on a few smart things he did

should be a lock in the forward line for the rest of the year, great pressure around the contest

went past stokes last night

No he didn't. What game were you watching?

And I am not knocking Smedts when I say that. I am sticking up for stokes. He did a stack of hard work. Watch the game again.

 

[bulletproof]

Once he stops getting brushed off the ball he will be a really dangerous player, too many times he gets himself into a good position and he is pressured out of it. I would be still slightly worried about taking him into a final, I think he is about 9 months away still. He only really got involved in the game last night when the pressure was off.

There is so much natural ability there though it is impossible not to be excited about what he will become. I think he could be a Walker (Carlton) type, a very dangerous match up. A forward line of Menzel, Smedts, Hawkins, Motlop and Vardy has more potential than any young forward line in the league. Some injury concerns there but if we get them healthy we are going to run some up some huge scores in years to come.

 

[hbk_aus]

looks like he will become a top player just based on a few smart things he did

should be a lock in the forward line for the rest of the year, great pressure around the contest

went past stokes last night

Not even close. As disappointing as Stokes has been this year, he was good in the clinches last night. Smedts was decent but has been very quiet overall this season, which is completely understandable given its his first year of any senior footy.

 

[Footy Smarts]

I thought this deserved a bump after last week. You can see he looks much more at home in the forward line and his forward pressure has been vital in turning around our season.

A couple of moments last week were superb. The mark running back with the flight on the wing was courageous. Also in the last quarter his clean pick up of the greasy ball going at pace while turning to set up Hawkins for a shot at goal was complete class. Doing that under such a pressure situation with the game in the balance is a massively positive sign. Also I thought his body work was much improved. He's still not strong but he know how to protect the ball or protect space with his body.

In the last 5 games or so he's gone from looking all at sea to cementing his spot in the team. Great signs of things to come and he's showing why Wells rated him so highly.

 

[fpm84]

That terrific one handed mark on the wing was right in front of where I sit... crowd was very excited.
Creative, skillful and confident - a great combination and Smedts looks to be a long term player for us.

 

[David the Cat]

That terrific one handed mark on the wing was right in front of where I sit... crowd was very excited.
Creative, skillful and confident - a great combination and Smedts looks to be a long term player for us.

Don't forget courage...I have seen him take a couple of marks of late that called for backbone. He has it.

Coming along very nicely....another pre-season and a little more bulk won't hurt. And yes...could well be a 200 gamer. Has Geelong in his veins.

 

[Belisarius]

Watched Cats last 3 games last night - and I reckon that Smedts has made a difference to the forward pressure we are currently applying with good success.

Better than I thought he had been. Kicks a few goals, does chase and tackle. If he can get the pill another half dozen times will be a very good player for us. Has the speed and skills - just needs the obligatory 'time' to get accustomed to AFL footy tempo.

 

[Turbocat]

Needs to focus on conversion a bit more , hopefully the more he does it the more he will feel comfortable. Like a few others if looks good now , he will look far better in 2-3 years

 

[Vdubs]

Watched Cats last 3 games last night - and I reckon that Smedts has made a difference to the forward pressure we are currently applying with good success.

Better than I thought he had been. Kicks a few goals, does chase and tackle. If he can get the pill another half dozen times will be a very good player for us. Has the speed and skills - just needs the obligatory 'time' to get accustomed to AFL footy tempo.

I hope our young inexperienced skinny types like Smedts, Motlop etc have the wherewithal to avoid the Hawks' known assassins-Guerra, IN PARTICULAR, who make these types the object of their attack.

 

[Jhye Clark 13]

Once he builds a little more muscle and is able to hold his ground in contests a bit more, we'll see one hell of a player. He has the skills to become an all time great of the club.(just wait)

He was the only player in his draft I was hoping to obtain.

Once he adds a few more components with a little bit more experience..............boy I'm lost for words.

 

[Smedts_2]

Once he builds a little more muscle and is able to hold his ground in contests a bit more, we'll see one hell of a player. He has the skills to become an all time great of the club.(just wait)

May not come as a surprise given my user name, but I agree. I can't remember being this excited about a recent debutant. And with Selwood, Hawkins (he started well, even if he flattened off thereafter) and Bundy in recent memory, that's a big thing.

 

[David the Cat]

Once he builds a little more muscle and is able to hold his ground in contests a bit more, we'll see one hell of a player. He has the skills to become an all time great of the club.(just wait)

He was the only player in his draft I was hoping to obtain.

Once he adds a few more components with a little bit more experience..............boy I'm lost for words.

I lol'd.