Symes will be The One

[Vince Van Mackay]

I reckon, Bassett was far more than 'serviceable' which we will all find out next year.

His form was patchy at best this year, it did improve nearing the end of the season however.

I think we've already seen what it will be like without Basset playing at his best both this year and last. Basset at his best is correctly intercepting forward entries, at his worst (which was at some points this year) he was an ordinary defender that made mistakes. Likely due to being underdone and not fit enough to actually play, but played anyway. Which would explain why he improved later in the season with Match fitness.

I think he can be replaced effectively, as in his role can be played. But we will miss out on that little bit of class and reading of the play he had, which is a shame. One player doesn't make a team.

 

[Damp Squarie]

He is nowhere near good enough at the moment IMO to be permanently in the midfield. I think he will stay in the HBF and rotate a few times a game into the midfield.

...and this is where is will become a solid player HBF

 

[Crow-mo]

You dont seem to know much about Bassett. To suggest he is not a club man because he was rookie listed by Melbourne before jumping at the oppurtunity to come home sums up your arguement. Bassett made it the hard way. He was overlooked by the Power when it chose its original squad ( picked up his younger bro Scott, who although very talented was never as dominant as Nath) after standing a young Warren Tredrea in a Port v Norwood final were Bass gave him a touch up. They chose Daniels instead, one of Ports original stuff ups that doesnt get much of a mention. He was overlooked in that draft and was rookie listed by the Dees, his only chance of getting into the AFL system. By memory he played some great football early on but cracked a sternum and was also diagnosed with diabetes whilst living in Melbourne as a teenager. Bass was very serviceable as a full back, he was only beaten by the gorillas of the league, Sav etc... As a 3rd defender he was superb. Made AA once but was very unlucky to miss out on at least one maybe two other occasions.
Say what you like about Bass but questioning his service to the AFC as a team man is just pathetic. Especially if your arguement is based on the fact he had to start of at Melbourne

very good, and very accurate summation of the situation freddy.

 

[Peninsula Boy]

Bassett was probably one of the more irritating hence great players for your club. The amount of times that Bassett would mark the ball in the back 50 uncontested use to tear my hair out. You always knew the guys on your team who had no footy brain because their kciks would invariably end up with Bassett. He was an outstanding third tall/regulator down back, sweeped the back exceptionally well, brilliant decision maker and got your forwards thrusts going. Definitely one of the Crows I use to hate the most and the one I hoped had a niggling injury and wouldn't play against us. As a fullback, average to good but you could see he would always give it his all. As a third tall, one of the best, always filled in the cracks of the other defenders- like Chad - I also have a sneaking suspicion he might make it as a coach as well if given half a chance.

He will be hard to replace.

 

[-VC-]

It wasn't so bad for Port. He always seemed to get injured against you guys!