Steele Sidebottom.

[Gone Critical]

Liked what I saw of Sidebottom yesterday but dont see him being rushed into the side yet

He started slowly but racked up a lot of possies as the game progressed. Was elusive and got mostly outside ball. Lot of dinky posessions and at times was wayward with disposal and lacked penetration. Have no doubt he will develop nicely but isnt as advanced as Beams

Yesterday McCarthy (BOG by a mile until injured) Cook and Blair were clearly our best midfielders and Stanley also contributed more than Sidebottom. His development isnt going to be comprimised by a few more weeks in the 2nds.

Next week Cook should come in for Johno and hopefully Stanley for Dick. If Shaw is out maybe Goldsack and Rocca needs a place.

Disagree that MM doesnt play youth. Recent seasons he has been known for debuting youngsters and expecting them to pull their weight immediately. Also means he expects them to earn their place. We cant really go on what happens at training and work around the club but on VFL form this week Sidebottom will need to wait a while yet

 

[jefffff34]

You were in fine voice yesterday day Dave, dark blue shirt and eating a box of something that didn't look that healthy. What did you think of umpire 11? He made Justin Schmitt look even handed.

I believe they had "double standards"

Cameron Wood needs "MORE INTENSITY" too!

 

[Optimax]

I believe they had "double standards"

Cameron Wood needs "MORE INTENSITY" too!

As close as dave would get too Cam wood needs a kick up the bum

 

[FuManchu]

I believe they had "double standards"

Cameron Wood needs "MORE INTENSITY" too!

I thought we had a good one in Woods, but he seems to have a pulled heart muscle and its going to cost us dearly (again). We have no rucks at all. Fraser isnt even in the top 15 rucks in the game.

But Sidebottom would do well to have a month or two playing ressies. he and beams were always going to be projects in their first year. Any senior game time is a bonus.

 

[rose jam]

I Fraser isnt even in the top 15 rucks in the game.
.

Ah his form this year has been the equal or better of any other ruckman so far. Injury free Fraser is the man.

 

[ChipDouglas]

I believe they had "double standards"

Cameron Wood needs "MORE INTENSITY" too!

Wood was driving miss daisy for a half then there was a bit of nastiness in the middle and the big plank Simpson and Wood had a bit of a how do you do. From that point he dominated the ruck contests, maybe he just needs a smack in the head to find the right emotional pitch.

 

[FuManchu]

Ah his form this year has been the equal or better of any other ruckman so far. Injury free Fraser is the man.

He beat Melbourne's 'no rucks' and the other night he struggled to get first hand on the ball at centre bounce against geelongs number two. he is a ruck rover, good around the ground, but at centre bounce his only skill is to jump early and hopefully put off the other ruck.

To persist with him in the ruck will only shorten his career as he is injury prone in that position. He could be more use in another position. I reckon if rocca doesnt come up, throw him up forward, push Cloke closer to goal, let fraser roam forward of centre, maybe bring N Brown into the CHF area.

 

[Palmer Stoat]

And can we dispell the myth of Sidey being slow, I read one review describing him moving like molten lava, thats just wrong. He's not a burner like the Davey's but not many are, but he's got another gear to get out of trouble and the anticipation and quick thinking that allows him to get a head start on the rest.

Sidebottom is slow. He's agile and has good anticipation and kicks both sides, so he compensates in other areas, but he's clearly not quick over the ground.

EDIT: He also has a good engine, which helps too.

 

[ChipDouglas]

Sidebottom is slow. He's agile and has good anticipation and kicks both sides, so he compensates in other areas, but he's clearly not quick over the ground.

In the same way Jimmy Bartel is slow. Just for some reference points Alwyn Davey is lightening, Rhyce Shaw is quick, Steele and Bartel are average and Stephen King is slow.

 

[Palmer Stoat]

In the same way Jimmy Bartel is slow. Just for some reference points Alwyn Davey is lightening, Rhyce Shaw is quick, Steele and Bartel are average and Stephen King is slow.

I don't think being quicker than a 200cm 100kg ruckman means you ain't slow, especially if you're a mid. And I don't think Bartel is quick either. But Bartel just shows that pace over the ground, while a great attribute, is just one among many. It would be nice if Sidebottom were quick, but he's not, and that's no disaster: he has other attributes.

 

[Rohan Coventry]

Fraser
Lonie

Only got his first game as James Clement was injured (RD 1 01)

Goldsack

Took an injury to Wakelin to get a game.

Beams

Was a last minute inclusion owing to injury. Should have played RD 1.

Clarke

Got his 1st Run half a season in. Not sure if these are the best examples on your part.

In 07 we had a massive injury list & it's the typical way MM bloods youth. If there is a small injury list MM we play his favorites at the expense of youth.

 

[smiddaz123]

Thomas is the only player to have walked right into our side from recent memory.

 

[Optimax]

Thomas is the only player to have walked right into our side from recent memory.

kids too should have to earn a spot in the team

Do you all generally believe kids should just play because they are 17,18,19yo?

 

[mdc]

kids too should have to earn a spot in the team

Do you all generally believe kids should just play because they are 17,18,19yo?

I think the point is that people believe the kids should play, if they're the best option, despite being 17,18,19yo

 

[Optimax]

I think the point is that people believe the kids should play, if they're the best option, despite being 17,18,19yo

Agreed but people bellowing for sidebottom must of completely missed the first VFL report that suggests he started poorly and ended up ok

Stanley really is the only player we can use that line for this year, wellingham, dawes, reid, etc have all been poor in the seniors and ok in the VFL

As in practice match form wood is another and Maccaffer wasnt overly special yesterday either supposedly

 

[jefffff34]

Wood was driving miss daisy for a half then there was a bit of nastiness in the middle and the big plank Simpson and Wood had a bit of a how do you do. From that point he dominated the ruck contests, maybe he just needs a smack in the head to find the right emotional pitch.

I think you missed my point that DTM did indeed yell this out about 57 times during the game.

 

[FuManchu]

Agreed but people bellowing for sidebottom must of completely missed the first VFL report that suggests he started poorly and ended up ok

Stanley really is the only player we can use that line for this year, wellingham, dawes, reid, etc have all been poor in the seniors and ok in the VFL

As in practice match form wood is another and Maccaffer wasnt overly special yesterday either supposedly

It all depends on how you view this year.

If it is a developmental year, you play them. If you think you have a real crack at the flag, you play them a bit, to blood them, but your primary focus would be fielding the side that will play in September.

Finishing 6th or worse would be developmental.

mmmmmmm, I know what year it is, I wonder if some of the dreamers do?

 

[Optimax]

It all depends on how you view this year.

If it is a developmental year, you play them. If you think you have a real crack at the flag, you play them a bit, to blood them, but your primary focus would be fielding the side that will play in September.

Finishing 6th or worse would be developmental.

mmmmmmm, I know what year it is, I wonder if some of the dreamers do?

4th 5th or 6th for me personally

But i wont just play kids for the sake of it, blooding kids out of form can be detrimental and crush their confidence as they continually get beaten, some it works for but most of the time it does not see dawson of hawthron as an example plyed his trade in the VFL after getting killed in the seniors lands at St.kilda and looks a key defender

 

[Rohan Coventry]

mmmmmmm, I know what year it is, I wonder if some of the dreamers do?

According to McGuire we are challenging for a flag. I haven't heard MM's views on this.

A loss is easier to take if you play kids such as Sidebottom. If you're playing old favorites such as Johnson, it's a clear sign a coach is playing for a contract at the expense of the development of the side.

 

[FuManchu]

4th 5th or 6th for me personally

But i wont just play kids for the sake of it, blooding kids out of form can be detrimental and crush their confidence as they continually get beaten, some it works for but most of the time it does not see dawson of hawthron as an example plyed his trade in the VFL after getting killed in the seniors lands at St.kilda and looks a key defender

We better find some form at CHB, CHF and FF then if we want to have a real crack.

 

[Optimax]

We better find some form at CHB, CHF and FF then if we want to have a real crack.

CHB Reid/brown both currently out of form

CHF Trav/dawes both currently out of form

Ff trav/dawes/anthony all currently out of form and rusling currently returning from injury

 

[FuManchu]

According to McGuire we are challenging for a flag. I haven't heard MM's views on this.

A loss is easier to take if you play kids such as Sidebottom. If you're playing old favorites such as Johnson, it's a clear sign a coach is playing for a contract at the expense of the development of the side.

Anyone who understands the machinations of a boardroom can see EM's ploy here. Under pressure to deliver the one thing he has promised a number of times and yet to, he bungs it all back on the coach and if as most likely will happen, we dont get a flag, he can make MM an easy scapegoat ( which he is anyway). Eddie buys some time by making way for a favorite son.

Does anyone think Caro wouldnt have written that article if she didnt know that the board would be a little restless with Eddie? She gets leaked stuff all the time. And its not hard to see that Pratts sone in law wouldnt take too kindly to eddie giving old Pratty a serve, in the way Eddie does when he gets usurped.

All we can hope for is that Pratty carks it soon, Alex takes over and we start making offers to players that cant be refused

But yes, MM hasnt said a word and I bet he wished Eddie hadnt either. Subtle criticisms by Bucks also puts more doubt on MM's tenure. It would be machiavellian if it wasnt so easy to see what was happening.

 

[FuManchu]

CHB Reid/brown both currently out of form

Reid's never had 'form'. But I reckon CHB might be his spot, if he can get an aggression infusion.

Brown I reckon is lost at CHB and I think his aggression is being dulled by having to play negative roles. Move to CHF or even FF and see if he can be sparked.

CHF Trav/dawes both currently out of form

Cloke: I think other sides have figured out if you let him play up ground and wide he does minimal damage. Should be played deeper. Geelong didnt even put their best back on him, I think that says something about how is viewed at the moment.

Dawes: mmmmmmm, like Reid, needs to put his hand up this year for a position and win it and hold it.

Ff trav/dawes/anthony all currently out of form and rusling currently returning from injury

Anthony: no ground game, if he doesnt have a good marking game, he is out of the play. Desperately needs a FF to take the heat off him.

Rusling, a better option than Anthony, only due to size, but he too has no ground game. Either way, he needs to get on the ground and stay on the ground or he will become another Tom Davidson. Great in theory, but no pratical application

 

[Optimax]

Its from that set of kids and then probably blight.reed down back that our spine will come from fu.

All get game time in the seniors as well and Jmac, Sharrod, beams, cook etc have all being gievn midfield game time in the seniors as well.

Its not like we havent tried to find coverage in these positions

 

[Xx_Toomey_xX]

Bring him in Johnsons out so try him this week collingwood is lacking in the midfield so we need to bring in some young players like him. We took the chance with Beams and he looks like a good player. So try Steely.