Spud best possie?

[HongKongRoo]

There has been some debate on here over where Firrito should be played. Does anyone remember the first 10 minutes against the tigers this year before he got injured, I thought he was as good as anyone, bullocking through the centre and delivering into the forward line. If he hadn't of been injured we would have smashed them.

I think he may be a bit of a surprise packet next year. People are going to be watching Wells, Boomer, JZ, Swallow, Anthony, no.5 but if spud stays fit I reckon next year he could be very damaging for us.

 

[Bigeasy]

Someone mentioned on another thread about Spud playing a similar role to Rooke. I think that suits Spud and would add some much needed grunt up forward. We need to hurt defenders physically.

 

[Carnthe]

There has been some debate on here over where Firrito should be played. Does anyone remember the first 10 minutes against the tigers this year before he got injured, I thought he was as good as anyone, bullocking through the centre and delivering into the forward line. If he hadn't of been injured we would have smashed them.

That was but 10 minutes in an otherwise forgettable season for Spud.

 

[GarnerSmash]

Half back flank is perfect for him. He is great with space in front for him to run into. I don’t think that he is a natural clearance player as his hands aren’t quite quick enough and he tends to get caught a little bit.

From the half back line he will still be able to get involved in the middle of the park at times to utilise his big body and will also be in a position to get into the defensive 50 as third man up in contests. When streaming forward from the back flank he has the penetration on his kicks to receive the ball from the middle to deliver deep into the F50. He has shown that he is more than capable of shutting down an opponent too. Play him on the smaller forward that leads high up the ground.


Or in a spot that gets plenty of sun.

 

[Wally Carter]

Half Back Flank

 

[spurs]

Back Pocket or HBF.Will not play in the middle and if he isnt careful he might be playing at NB.I guess that is why Gibbo left because he could see that he will struggle to find a position on the ground.Spud could be the same if our kids develop nicely.

 

[RooHooDoo]

Probably half back flank as others have said , but defensive forward is an interesting option too.

I would love to see him belting the crap out of a guy like Gibbs, then slotting a couple from outside 50. He has a fair old roost on that right foot and would only need a few opportunities to hurt you on the scoreboard.

 

[murray wrensted]

I think Half Forward is a great idea. He definitely plays, he gives way too much not to be picked week in week out.

 

[Wally Carter]

I think Half Forward is a great idea. He definitely plays, he gives way too much not to be picked week in week out.

Most offensive half backs would blow Spud up in 20 minutes.

It's a pity he's not a better mark or I would consider him for a forward pocket.

We would be better served putting Spud in the back pocket and moving Scotty McMahon up forward.

 

[DunderHead]

Most offensive half backs would blow Spud up in 20 minutes.

It's a pity he's not a better mark or I would consider him for a forward pocket.

We would be better served putting Spud in the back pocket and moving Scotty McMahon up forward.

You reckon Mcmahon's quicker and has a better engine than Spud?

 

[Wells Now Williams Fan]

There has been some debate on here over where Firrito should be played. Does anyone remember the first 10 minutes against the tigers this year before he got injured, I thought he was as good as anyone, bullocking through the centre and delivering into the forward line. If he hadn't of been injured we would have smashed them.

I think he may be a bit of a surprise packet next year. People are going to be watching Wells, Boomer, JZ, Swallow, Anthony, no.5 but if spud stays fit I reckon next year he could be very damaging for us.

Now there is some high class opposition to make a name for yourself in a steller 10 minutes.....

He is too small to be a key defender and to slow too man up the smaller ones....
He can't find the ball enough to be a midfielder.....

Tagger si only option and he is 3rd in line there given the amazing massive improvement of Levi.....I am still in awe how he smashed judd but just as much as the the Dal santo maulling when he was completely flying...
( Sorry I got off track )
He better make some place his own this year or send him to Gold Coast for a pick

 

[Wally Carter]

You reckon Mcmahon's quicker and has a better engine than Spud?

I wouldn't think there would be a lot of difference in the engine room, but Scotty is a better overhead mark and a slightly better kick.

 

[Kimbo]

Best possie? HBF I think, for reasons others have mentioned.

But I reckon his work in the midfield, though not brilliant, showed some signs that he can perform a role there, when required.

Most of all, I think Spud suffered from being moved around a bit too much (to fill holes in the backline, then the midfield). While he may not have the agility of some, he has the body to stand in and break tackles, and to lay them too.

Some of the comments, based on one season, seem ott to me. If the same vein of thinking was applied to Swallow's 08 season, he wouldn't have played 2009.

I am prepared to accept the evolution of the game, the development of teammates and changing team structure may make it difficult for him, but at the same time, there does seem to be a high degree of intolerance of form fluctuation.

 

[Wally Carter]

Now there is some high class opposition to make a name for yourself in a steller 10 minutes.....

He is too small to be a key defender and to slow too man up the smaller ones....
He can't find the ball enough to be a midfielder.....

Tagger si only option and he is 3rd in line there given the amazing massive improvement of Levi.....I am still in awe how he smashed judd but just as much as the the Dal santo maulling when he was completely flying...
( Sorry I got off track )
He better make some place his own this year or send him to Gold Coast for a pick

Bon has already signalled that Spud is going back to defence.

He is an excellent third tall match up.

I'd guess that He and Obst are fighting for the third tall defenders role.

 

[Wally Carter]

But I reckon his work in the midfield, though not brilliant, showed some signs that he can perform a role there, when required.

I also think he can still play a role in the midfield rotation. It's not as if we are that strong there yet.

Most of all, I think Spud suffered from being moved around a bit too much (to fill holes in the backline, then the midfield). While he may not have the agility of some, he has the body to stand in and break tackles, and to lay them too.

Lets not tiptoe around the facts. He is another player butchered by Laidley by trying to make him a KP defender.

 

[Kimbo]

Lets not tiptoe around the facts. He is another player butchered by Laidley by trying to make him a KP defender.

It's just easier to let you discuss this one with DR.

 

[NMFC Est 1869]

Half-back, but do we have a spot for him there!!?!?!?!

 

[Wells Now Williams Fan]

Bon has already signalled that Spud is going back to defence.

He is an excellent third tall match up.

I'd guess that He and Obst are fighting for the third tall defenders role.

Fighting for a spot with a guy who has played less than 10 games is exactly where he is at.....

Quite liked Obst last few games more than him also.....

 

[DJ Dupree]

Half back. And I do think there's a spot for him there, with Gibson gone, JWS gone (admittedly, he was only there for a year) and a couple of changes here and there.

I wouldn't mind seeing Thompson, Grima, Obst, Pratt, Firrito, Wells (off half back, Hodge/Mcleod style) in defence, with Hansen going forward and McMahon forward and rotating through the middle. I also remember being very impressed with Urquhart when he went in the middle, and perhaps he and Wells could rotate off half back and pinch hit in the middle.

Seems to me that we have the defence sorted, and I think a few of these guys that have proven themselves can go into the middle and into the forward line where we have struggled. Spud, while servicable in the middle, is better as the 3rd man in defence. Hard nosed, not a lot of polish about him, but able to shut down an opponent.

 

[DunderHead]

Firrito has a long penetrating kick, can break tackles, good enough engine to play midfield, is super aggressive and wears number 11 for a reason. You guys are smoking crack if you don't think he's easily in our best 18.

 

[shiraz]

Firrito has a long penetrating kick, can break tackles, good enough engine to play midfield, is super aggressive and wears number 11 for a reason. You guys are smoking crack if you don't think he's easily in our best 18.

I am looking forward to seeing Pratt and Firrito back in form and together down the back. With Grima and Thompson taking the two tallest, Firrito is ideal as the third tall. He will absolutely smash a third tall defensively, and will be able to make the focus of his game his rebounding (as opposed to playing a mismatch on a key forward aka 2008), which will be great for the team. His kick is long and good when he has the time to wind up (ie. space to run in to). He should also be in a position to come in as the third man up, as he has the toughness and courage to back in to contests. The thought of Grima and Thompson as the towers and Firrito and Pratt as the support/enforcers is awesome. They both possess the right attributes for tough defense and competent rebounding. I find it much harder to figure out where Hansen should fit in to be honest... I'm also a little uncertain about persisting with Rawlings as a small defender... But as far as Firrito goes, I'm looking forward to him having a great year at HBF.

 

[tazaa]

Spud best possie is to find form. We can chose where a players best position is but form is all that matters. Look how Hale Jones and Pratt all fell from grace and are now not even in our best 22. Spud may join them unless he starts to become a damaging player. Arch didn give him number 11 for no reason that is true. Maybe with Arch coming back to the club in that specialist role it may be the lift Spud gets. Nevertheless 2010 will be a crucual year for Spud to see if he can cement his spot in our 22 and be apart of our push for a flag. ATM anyway the bloke who took spuds old number ironically should have been given 11. Greenwood finished off 2009 brilliantly. And is easily ahead of Spud in our 22.

 

[DarwinRoo]

I also think he can still play a role in the midfield rotation. It's not as if we are that strong there yet.



Lets not tiptoe around the facts. He is another player butchered by Laidley by trying to make him a KP defender.

He didn't try to make him into a KP defender. We had no options and Spud was one of the strongest players so was put there out of necessity. Who else could we have put there? Petrie and take him away from the forward line? Watt and watch the bloke get slaughtered week in, week out? The bloke we were hoping to play FB retired before the start of the year. Those are the facts. Not the bullshit that you continually come up with.

Did you notice how with Thompson, Hansen and Grima being on our list and ready to play Spud stopped playing as a FB. Why do you think that is? Might have something to do with Laidley having key defenders available to him.

And by the way Spud >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Obst. Competing for a spot my arse.

 

[Rippednew1]

Spud isn't needed in the middle as much as he was at the start of this year.
Add Greenwood, Jack and Swallow the middle has got some grunt. Take away Power and Rawlings and it's a different ball game to the backfoot wtf midfield Laidley was so keen on.
Back to the backline for Spud alongside Pratt to give us a tough, solid defence. Scotty M up forward. Hansen played down back at least for 2010, need to build this kid to his potential as a priority, wont happen up forward.
Spud is dangerous pushing up the ground and should be able to exploit a few forwards with a game plan that includes some positivity and covering of team mates. A coach that knows how to include individual talents should easily tilt the balance in terms of Spuds overall effectiveness playing in his ideal spot off the half back line.

 

[NiceCunnington]

I've been his biggest critic but if you watch the replays his good games were very good.

Should be the perfect Gibson replacement and do a much better job IMO. Certainly has better awareness and a far more damaging kick.