I guess reading through some posts in regards to our first two competitive games of the season there are still a few negatives being mentioned. In particular this is in ht edirection of a couple of players (we know who they are...same names, different season).
When looking at the other sides in the pre season NAB Cup I can see we will struggle to beat the likes of West Coast, Freo, etc..this is to be expected as we are still short in a few possies.
Here is my two cents worth based on the players that I have noticed above the others:
Houlihan - Yes, maligned by many. I can see some improvement in his game, his body seems about right now to take the bumps and he is experienced which is what we need. However, he does seem to float in and out of a game, and does tend to be slow in releasing the ball, and often gives it up.
Jury is out on how well he will do this year.
Cloke - For me he has tried 100% and seems really switched on to do well. Skills at times are a problem, but his ruck work is pretty good and being a big body is what we need. Reckon he will do well in '07.
Ackland - See above, and a handy fill in forward.
Kennedy - I know he is young, but for me he should be a bit more involved. Would like to see him at full forward, and Fev at CHF.
Betts - Some negative comments on him in other threads. To me he is one of our best tacklers, and is handy in the middle. Being there of course lessens his chance of kicking a goal, but he has done some very good chases and tackles in the Cup and I can not see why he is copping a bit of flak from some. He is OK by me.
Gibbs - Needs more game time, and to be given a specific role. At the moment it seems he is put on and ends up chasing his tail. Will be very good, but this year is a learning one, and one to build his strength.
Murphy - Best so far for us, if he can stay injury free that would be a bonus. Say that because a few tackles he has copped by the opposition seem to be targeted to his shoulder area...are they doing this deliberately ? Probably..
Kouta - Very good so far, if only his kicking for goal was as good as years gone by.
Lappin - Does the hard stuff and is pretty good in that area for a small man.
O'Hailpin - Learning still, and will do well against the lumbering forwards like Brown, Gehrig, etc. Is found out though against smaller. pacy forwards.
Now...our depth.
Couple of posts saying we lack depth still. The telecast vs Hawks said we had our best vs the Hawks who were minus 6-7 of their best. I would dispute we had our best out there. I beleive Saddington should not be in our best. I know he tries hard, but his skills and stregth are not good enough...unless he can improve. For me Bower should fill that role. And as for depth we have Hartlett, Anderson, Hampson and Benjamin in the wings to name four who I think will add a lot to our side and should be in the best 22. With Anderson we will have a fast re-bounding defender, similar with Hartlett and Bower. There is our depth for down back.
With Benjamin we may have our version of Buddy Franklin, possibly even better.
And the reports on Hampson read that he could fill in for either Cloke or Ackland, if a bit raw.
So yes, I think we will struggle to beat the best, but when switched on we should be good enough for a few wins (7-10 not unrealistic).
As for the coaching panel...just need time for Braddles and Ratten to stamp their class on the tactics side and hope they have the influence to make it happen, like moving Kennedy to full forward, which to me is logical as Fev can kick it 60 metres he can easily roam CHF.
Thoughts anyone ? Positive ones please...not just shoot down ones, but lets discuss what we can all see now, instead of what we saw in the last couple of years player wise.
And to end, anyone know when Benjamin will be fit again ?
When looking at the other sides in the pre season NAB Cup I can see we will struggle to beat the likes of West Coast, Freo, etc..this is to be expected as we are still short in a few possies.
Here is my two cents worth based on the players that I have noticed above the others:
Houlihan - Yes, maligned by many. I can see some improvement in his game, his body seems about right now to take the bumps and he is experienced which is what we need. However, he does seem to float in and out of a game, and does tend to be slow in releasing the ball, and often gives it up.
Jury is out on how well he will do this year.
Cloke - For me he has tried 100% and seems really switched on to do well. Skills at times are a problem, but his ruck work is pretty good and being a big body is what we need. Reckon he will do well in '07.
Ackland - See above, and a handy fill in forward.
Kennedy - I know he is young, but for me he should be a bit more involved. Would like to see him at full forward, and Fev at CHF.
Betts - Some negative comments on him in other threads. To me he is one of our best tacklers, and is handy in the middle. Being there of course lessens his chance of kicking a goal, but he has done some very good chases and tackles in the Cup and I can not see why he is copping a bit of flak from some. He is OK by me.
Gibbs - Needs more game time, and to be given a specific role. At the moment it seems he is put on and ends up chasing his tail. Will be very good, but this year is a learning one, and one to build his strength.
Murphy - Best so far for us, if he can stay injury free that would be a bonus. Say that because a few tackles he has copped by the opposition seem to be targeted to his shoulder area...are they doing this deliberately ? Probably..
Kouta - Very good so far, if only his kicking for goal was as good as years gone by.
Lappin - Does the hard stuff and is pretty good in that area for a small man.
O'Hailpin - Learning still, and will do well against the lumbering forwards like Brown, Gehrig, etc. Is found out though against smaller. pacy forwards.
Now...our depth.
Couple of posts saying we lack depth still. The telecast vs Hawks said we had our best vs the Hawks who were minus 6-7 of their best. I would dispute we had our best out there. I beleive Saddington should not be in our best. I know he tries hard, but his skills and stregth are not good enough...unless he can improve. For me Bower should fill that role. And as for depth we have Hartlett, Anderson, Hampson and Benjamin in the wings to name four who I think will add a lot to our side and should be in the best 22. With Anderson we will have a fast re-bounding defender, similar with Hartlett and Bower. There is our depth for down back.
With Benjamin we may have our version of Buddy Franklin, possibly even better.
And the reports on Hampson read that he could fill in for either Cloke or Ackland, if a bit raw.
So yes, I think we will struggle to beat the best, but when switched on we should be good enough for a few wins (7-10 not unrealistic).
As for the coaching panel...just need time for Braddles and Ratten to stamp their class on the tactics side and hope they have the influence to make it happen, like moving Kennedy to full forward, which to me is logical as Fev can kick it 60 metres he can easily roam CHF.
Thoughts anyone ? Positive ones please...not just shoot down ones, but lets discuss what we can all see now, instead of what we saw in the last couple of years player wise.
And to end, anyone know when Benjamin will be fit again ?
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