Tabs V Alex P

[salim malik]

The game isn't going to be won or lost in our defense. If it is we shouldn't even worry about the grand final. We should be killing them out of the middle and at stoppages.
My problem is that Ross is playing guys like AP and Ibbo forward just to fit Dawson in. Against Melbourne & GWS Dawson has seemed to me a liability back there (quite a few goals down my end were directly due to his stuff ups). He just hasn't had the game time this year to get any sort of continuity going. We shouldn't be pushing other defenders to other positions just to fit him back there.

You weren't at the derby then because Alex was way out of his depth with only Silvagni to help him out.Kennedy,Darling and WC'S resting ruck was to strong for him. Ibbo won't play forward. I could see Alex playing forward and switching with one of our tall defenders if we get in trouble forward but he won't keep Zac out of the side.

 

[stax on the mull]

You weren't at the derby then because Alex was way out of his depth with only Silvagni to help him out.Kennedy,Darling and WC'S resting ruck was to strong for him. Ibbo won't play forward. I could see Alex playing forward and switching with one of our tall defenders if we get in trouble forward but he won't keep Zac out of the side.

Usually concur with most of what you say Salim, but not on this.

Butcher got hold of A Pearce on the weekend, but I don't agree that's an accurate assessment of A Pearce performance in the Derby.

Pearce went back after starting forward and helped limit the damage after the initial onslaught, but with our horrendous use of the ball for most of that game, the regular turnovers accounted for a lot of clean entries where the defenders where caught out 1 on 1, and more so Silvagni, Johnson and Ibbotson.

One of J Hills crumbed goals in the last quarter came from a contest with A Pearce where Mzungu hit the contest front on and spoiled A Pearce in a good marking position, but I reckon you'd be hard pushed to give many examples where A Pearce was pushed aside in a contest in the Derby.

Johnson was probably the rusty one, Silvagni had a hard time on Kennedy mostly, but after McPharlin was a withdrawal we played smaller and a few times the mismatch forward was with Ibbotson on taller players eg In the first quarter, where Lycett outmarked Ibbotson the goalsquare, albeit from an unpressured kick to advantage.

I'd probably think Dawson ahead of A Pearce for a key defensive role, but I think A Pearce has some currency for a place, more so as a forward who might swing back when needed. His most impressive performance this year was when he was one the very few good players against Hawthorn in the debacle down in Tasmania.

 

[Stuart88]

You weren't at the derby then because Alex was way out of his depth with only Silvagni to help him out.Kennedy,Darling and WC'S resting ruck was to strong for him. Ibbo won't play forward. I could see Alex playing forward and switching with one of our tall defenders if we get in trouble forward but he won't keep Zac out of the side.

I was at the derby and I remember thinking "thank god Dawson wasn't playing or this could have been even uglier"

 

[salim malik]

I was at the derby and I remember thinking "thank god Dawson wasn't playing or this could have been even uglier"

You're not serious. Taking the piss,very funny.

 

[Stuart88]

You're not serious. Taking the piss,very funny.

He has been average in the 3 games he has played this year. You're kidding yourself if you believe otherwise. You're hoping he can come in and turn everything around in a final. If it's gonna be a wet game without Buddy, I'd rather a more rebounding type defender back there.

 

[Gekko71]

We need both Tabs and a second ruck for the finals - if Sandi goes down without a true backup ruckman then there go a lot of our clearance wins, and thereby some midfield dominance. Sandi needs to rest during the game.

We need Tabs up front over Alex, good as Alex is. Alex and Tabs up front would both draw a spare tall defender away from Pav, but Tabs up front will draw a stronger tall defender than Alex would.

 

[Kenyan]

You weren't at the derby then because Alex was way out of his depth with only Silvagni to help him out.Kennedy,Darling and WC'S resting ruck was to strong for him. Ibbo won't play forward. I could see Alex playing forward and switching with one of our tall defenders if we get in trouble forward but he won't keep Zac out of the side.

I was at the derby and Alex played forward initially then switched down back - he was extremely competitive and far from being out of his depth. Since coming into the side he has rarely ever been beaten. As for having the support of another defender, they always have a 2 on 1 situation regardless of who it is. I think Alex should switch between forward and back regularly in the game.

 

[salim malik]

He has been average in the 3 games he has played this year. You're kidding yourself if you believe otherwise. You're hoping he can come in and turn everything around in a final. If it's gonna be a wet game without Buddy, I'd rather a more rebounding type defender back there.

The derby would have been different if he had played.The Dawson hate is unfounded and mostly by those who have no idea.

 

[tek87]

Tabs looks physically stronger and more dangerous forward and he would have great motivation after last years final effort. i hope he can redeem himself. but Alex P is a reasonable backup in case of injury or form. also dont play non ruckmen in the ruck in finals. it doesnt work!

 

[UFO Tatsu]

You're not serious. Taking the piss,very funny.

Unfortunately he is serious. He is Dawson's memories.

 

[UFO Tatsu]

He has been average in the 3 games he has played this year. You're kidding yourself if you believe otherwise. You're hoping he can come in and turn everything around in a final. If it's gonna be a wet game without Buddy, I'd rather a more rebounding type defender back there.

Wait. Are you saying that he can be good? And here I thought you just didn't rate him.

 

[couldhavebeen]

Tabs would be ahead of Alex at the moment and also has finals experience in his favor as well .
Despite Clarkes poor performance against Port I think RTB will go with him against Sydney . Having watched him in Peels Game against Perth Zac was playing his best game for 2 years before he was concussed IMHO . Zac was making a statement to RTB and the match committee that he had heard the message and was responding to it .
My gut feeling is that he hadn't fully recovered from that knock when he played against Port .
Hannath is too far behind in his ruck work and has failed in every game to be the support for Pav in the forward line . Alex is too sore to be considered for a spot against Sydney and he is not a ruckman .
Sandi will need help in the ruck and we would seriously dent our chances if he tried to ruck all day and had to front up the next week RTB would not put all his eggs in one basket so that is why IMO Clarke will play .

 

[Stuart88]

Wait. Are you saying that he can be good? And here I thought you just didn't rate him.

Do you have anything to add other than personal digs/sarcasm? Great thing about this forum is being able to get different people's views on things, what's yours?
For the record I don't hate Dawson, I just don't rate him as highly as some on here.

 

[salim malik]

Do you have anything to add other than personal digs/sarcasm? Great thing about this forum is being able to get different people's views on things, what's yours?
For the record I don't hate Dawson, I just don't rate him as highly as some on here.

He is not being personal .He is asking a legit question.

 

[Stuart88]

He is not being personal .He is asking a legit question.

Didn't sound legit. Anyway yes of course he "can be good" and I hope he is. I just doubt he can turn it around.

 

[Stuart88]

Unfortunately he is serious. He is Dawson's memories.

What is "Dawson's Memories"?

 

[sproketman]

Dawson plays every finals match. He's part of our best back six, no question about that.

 

[itsduffy]

Whatever team we field... in Ross we trust.

 

[UFO Tatsu]

He is not being personal .He is asking a legit question.

Semi-legit

Didn't sound legit. Anyway yes of course he "can be good" and I hope he is. I just doubt he can turn it around.

My opinion? He is an important player and we thought we would sorely miss. The emergence of Ibbo and AP meant he wasn't missed at all. IMO ever important to our back six and I am glad he is back for the finals.

IMO, I find it odd that you think he "can be good" at all considering you were spouting the exact same things last season when he was actually playing very well and stringing games together.

 

[Frigate]

I was at the derby and I remember thinking "thank god Dawson wasn't playing or this could have been even uglier"

Most footy fans have the knowledge about AFL that true defenders are extremely hard to come by. Most people respect and love having Dawson in the team and know he is critical to our success.

Stuart88, you represent the minority that assume as Dawson seems to not look and walk like an athletic footballer, and his unorthodox spoiling techniques represent a poor footy player. On the contrary, he is extremely effective and rarely beaten.

If you could enlighten us as to how many times Dawson has had a bag of goals kicked on him then maybe you can justify your comments.

The reality is that A.Pearce and Dawson are completely different players, with different roles. Zac and McPharlin hold the key defender positions. Pearce is more in competition with Johnson and even Ibbotson, although with A.Pearce in it allows Ibbo to go forward.

 

[Frigate]

Back on topic, I really like Tabs, as he is a solid mark when he is on song. He is also a strong lead and a tough body. He has that X factor that we sometimes miss on the half forward line as a marking option. For this reason I pick him, especially now that Griffen is out. If it is wet, then there is no point even considering him though, he has struggled when the pill is wet.

I would love A.Pearce to be in the team, as he has earned his place with a consistent year, however the question is where does he play?
I would say he may be an emergency as for the first time this year we are full strength (Griff the exception).

The other one that comes into calculations now is Zac Clarke. In the opening 8 weeks, I was thinking "finally this bloke is starting to look like a player", then he went to rubbish again. There is still hope for Zac.

 

[blue shark]

I think both have a long term future with Fremantle, and both have shown enough in a very short time. Different styles of player, with Alex
the better swingman, but if played forward, will become a power forward, Tabs will always be the hard leading type.
Will be interesting to watch Alex fill out, and if he is anything like a young skinny kid from Lake Grace, feel sorry for the opposition.

 

[Stuart88]

Semi-legit



My opinion? He is an important player and we thought we would sorely miss. The emergence of Ibbo and AP meant he wasn't missed at all. IMO ever important to our back six and I am glad he is back for the finals.

IMO, I find it odd that you think he "can be good" at all considering you were spouting the exact same things last season when he was actually playing very well and stringing games together.

lol he "can be good" in the way that john butcher "can be good"

 

[UFO Tatsu]

lol he "can be good" in the way that john butcher "can be good"

Cool. Now we understand each other.

 

[sij1981]

We need both Tabs and a second ruck for the finals - if Sandi goes down without a true backup ruckman then there go a lot of our clearance wins, and thereby some midfield dominance. Sandi needs to rest during the game.

We need Tabs up front over Alex, good as Alex is. Alex and Tabs up front would both draw a spare tall defender away from Pav, but Tabs up front will draw a stronger tall defender than Alex would.

Tabs needs to however learn the team leading patterns, there have been many a times where he gets in Pavs way in a marking contest dragging his defender there.