Tabs

[Freomaniac]

As one of the training watchers being cited I'm pretty sure I've never said that Taberner has it all.
What I have said (over a year ago) is that of the rookie talls we had around he looked the most promising in terms of mobility and skills, an assessment that I think has been vindicated by him not only surviving the cut but being upgraded to the main list. From what I have seen of him this season he is still a fair way off an AFL tall forward and will never be a replacement for Pav. Pav is a once in 20 years player up there with Rievoldt, Tredrea and John Brown as the best of his era. I haven't seen anything to say he will even make it as an AFL player let alone reach Pav's level.

I'm pretty sure while I'm at it, that I never said Bucovaz was the answer to anything. I got excited by Joel Houghton's draft reel but never reported that he was burning up training and looking like the next Carey. I did watch him in the WAFL every week for a while with great hope and interest but never saw anything even remotely exciting. Sibosado I still think could play but he obviously had something wrong between the ears for AFL. He did some things at training and in the WAFL where I went WOW! but not often enough. When he did get a game by default when we were resting everyone I thought he actually look promising, managed to get his hands on the footy, make some nice moves, take a contested mark and have a shot on goal before blowing up before half time!

On Geelong giving their kids a go, Geelong have had one of the great midfields in the game and have been able to take skinny, speculative, tall kids like Kersten and Hamlyn and bury them in the VFL for a few years while we have been drafting for more immediate needs. The only exception to this is when we (inexplicably) left a ready to play power forward on the table (Darling) to take a skinny, speculative medium utility (Pitt).

We are going to be praying we can get a decent power forward though trading or free agency this year because we have nothing that is even remotely in Pav's league in the shed right now.

Excellent Post.

Tabs is a long way off to being a consistent footballer. Sibosado looked to become a decent tall forward at the time, I thought.

Still... despite freo being at the near top of the ladder, freo have given the kids a go too.

As for freos playing squad, i am more worried about the back line. Im certain Mcpharlin will be retired in 2014, Johnson could be gone next season too.

Frawley would be my dream pick. Great player who'd thrive in a backline he wouldn't have to hold up himself, and under the strictness of Lyon. But with Roos there now, it might be harder than it was a year ago.

Also, we'll never get a Pav replacement. All we need is a serviceable key forward who's reliable and goes well enough. A star would be great, but it's very unlikely. Unfortunately I have no idea where we'll be getting a full forward from...

Frawley would be tempting, but besides a chance to win a flag, any other reason he would want to head to freo? I rather take a chance on getting Cale Hooker from essendon or Rance from Richmond this season or in 2015. Both are WA guys and we could offer them good money.

I agree freo wont get a gun forward in the near future, the only guys I see kicking 30 goals as a key forward besides Pav are Apeness or Alex Pearce or Tanner Smith.

 

[dthom]

Replace Gumby with a tall marking midfielder.

• Improves midfield rotations
• no defensive pressure lost
• Adds more midfield run into the 18 onfield
• Still just as damaging, if not more than any 2nd string tall forward we plonk up there.
• Our tall mids have shown they can take a decent mark in the forward line.

Funnel all funds to R&D for the next 3 years in an effort to clone Fyfe?

 

[Nickos66]

^ I Forgot that one, thanks dthom

And Freomaniac, I agree with you re: McPharlin, he could well throw in the towel at the end of the season, however I have a feeling Johno might be a little more of an evergreen. The last few seasons he's just appeared to get better and better every pre-season. He doesn't cop a huge battering each week like Macca and many other players do, either.

 

[couldhavebeen]

I am in agreement with just about every post on here about Tabs and who should get a crack in our forward line but RTB and the match committee don't appear the agree with us .
During the preseason and practise games Apeness and Pearce weren't given much of a chance to play next to Pavlich at all which I find quite strange when you would think that it made sense if they were going to considered either of them to maybe fill that role at any time soon .
I thank Hannath has been earmarked for that roll and RTB wants him to get as much time in there before round 1 .
Taberner is being groomed for the CHF roll IMHO .
Its such a shame we still have so many talls injured or recovering from injury but in saying that its going to be "fun"trying to fit them all in to the team

 

[Fred Ziffel]

I am in agreement with just about every post on here about Tabs and who should get a crack in our forward line but RTB and the match committee don't appear the agree with us .
During the preseason and practise games Apeness and Pearce weren't given much of a chance to play next to Pavlich at all which I find quite strange when you would think that it made sense if they were going to considered either of them to maybe fill that role at any time soon .
I thank Hannath has been earmarked for that roll and RTB wants him to get as much time in there before round 1 .
Taberner is being groomed for the CHF roll IMHO .
Its such a shame we still have so many talls injured or recovering from injury but in saying that its going to be "fun"trying to fit them all in to the team

I saw it more, as Scott Gumbleton was going to line up with Pav and let Apeness and APearce develop for a season.
I am of the view Taberner will be used sparingly this year and right now, because of Gumby's injury, Jack Hannath will play and rotate with Sandi through the goal square.
When Zac Clarke plays, there is a real chance Ross may go with the two ruckmen plus Jack and Pav. I believe that was going to be the go with Gumby .

 

[Grape Bear]

I know the rap on Big Jack is his lack of mobility and speed, but to be fair, Gumby is not exactly Speedy Gonzales himself, and from the (very) few training run I saw, he also has the turning circle of the Titanic. His strength was the ability to clunk strong marks up forward and the ability to creat a contest. He was also being used as an occasional ruck. Gumby was also a good kick for goal.

Big Jack is a good field kick, has a bit of agro, and already has a filled out frame and will not be rag dolled as easily as Tabs will be at this point in their career. Jack needs to build his confidence and fitness... Not an athlete-Type, so I'm not sure how much he can develop more agility. In the context of what they must have been practicing with Gumby, Jack is more a like for like replacement.

 

[theGav56]

I saw it more, as Scott Gumbleton was going to line up with Pav and let Apeness and APearce develop for a season.
I am of the view Taberner will be used sparingly this year and right now, because of Gumby's injury, Jack Hannath will play and rotate with Sandi through the goal square.
When Zac Clarke plays, there is a real chance Ross may go with the two ruckmen plus Jack and Pav. I believe that was going to be the go with Gumby .

I see it a bit differently. If Clarke came back I would see it opening the door for Taberner if his form warrants. Angry Jack gets a look in because he can ruck, but Clarke removes that need. If he isn't earning his keep as a forward then I would lean towards Taberner. And if he is earning his keep as a forward then I am not sure I would bring Clarke in.

 

[Grape Bear]

BIg Jack seems to have more forward nous than Zac has despite being ahead in senior footy. Zac, however, provides us with run, fitness, and the ability to grab marks all over the ground. Zac absolutely thrived as Number 1 ruck. If it weren't for the fact that Sandi monsters everyone, I would've thought that the go would be Zac in the ruck 60 percent or more of the time with Sandi spending most of the time resting forward and being second ruck.

I also think that the inclusion of another tall marking target, whether it's Jack or Gumby, is what Ross was saying that we had to lose some (defensive run and pressure) to win some (more goals). The second lumbering marking target then frees Pav from the double team, gives us someone else to kick to who can mark or get the ball to ground for our smalls, and frees Mayne to run amok as a third tall or small or dangerous defensive forward.

 

[theGav56]

I am not convinced about the idea of Sandilands being up forward for 40% of a game though. He is a pretty awesome shock weapon, but that would diminish if you overwork it.

 

[Grape Bear]

I am not convinced about the idea of Sandilands being up forward for 40% of a game though. He is a pretty awesome shock weapon, but that would diminish if you overwork it.

Good point. I still think he makes a better forward than Clarke. Oddly enough, Clarke is probably more of a weapon when resting down back, in my perception. Capable of out-marking opposition forwards, super athletic and can run it out of defense. Is he a good field kick?

 

[Wigarus]

I am not convinced about the idea of Sandilands being up forward for 40% of a game though. He is a pretty awesome shock weapon, but that would diminish if you overwork it.

The problem really is that he never gets paid the free kicks he deserves. If he did he would be good for a couple of goals a game imo.

 

[Grape Bear]

The problem really is that he never gets paid the free kicks he deserves. If he did he would be good for a couple of goals a game imo.

Sandi is like a Christmas tree - always has more than one ornamental player hanging off his arms and body...

 

[theGav56]

Good point. I still think he makes a better forward than Clarke. Oddly enough, Clarke is probably more of a weapon when resting down back, in my perception. Capable of out-marking opposition forwards, super athletic and can run it out of defense. Is he a good field kick?

I could see Clarke playing the loose man in the backline. He has not made the grade as a forward yet and needs another role. We have never really had a ruckman/defender have we? I guess it is too disruptive for a defence whereas ruckmen going forward can create mismatches.

 

[Fred Ziffel]

I am not convinced about the idea of Sandilands being up forward for 40% of a game though. He is a pretty awesome shock weapon, but that would diminish if you overwork it.

If he got paid the free kicks that he should he would be unbeatable in the square. But they will not give him the frees that the rules provide for.
It is totally insane how he gets mauled in marking contests without getting a free kick paid.
Zac Clarke up forward simply has not worked. He is a ruckman.
We can rotate Sandi through forward pocket if he is being teated fairly by umps if not, rotate off the bench with Zac.

 

[Wigarus]

Good point. I still think he makes a better forward than Clarke. Oddly enough, Clarke is probably more of a weapon when resting down back, in my perception. Capable of out-marking opposition forwards, super athletic and can run it out of defense. Is he a good field kick?

I don't see it personally. He can't out mark opposition defenders and I reckon that most forwards are better at marking than defenders.

 

[theGav56]

The problem really is that he never gets paid the free kicks he deserves. If he did he would be good for a couple of goals a game imo.

Yes fully agree.

The other thing is that he is critical to our kick-ins providing a great target to plan around.

Anyway it is going to be interesting to see what happens with our rucks. I am hoping that any changes are the result of a player such as Clarke demanding his role in the team rather than Sandilands being "managed".

 

[theGav56]

If he got paid the free kicks that he should he would be unbeatable in the square. But they will not give him the frees that the rules provide for.
It is totally insane how he gets mauled in marking contests without getting a free kick paid.
Zac Clarke up forward simply has not worked. He is a ruckman.
We can rotate Sandi through forward pocket if he is being teated fairly by umps if not, rotate off the bench with Zac.

Sandilands spends around 80% of the game rucking doesn't he? Waste of a bench spot if that is the case.

 

[Fred Ziffel]

I don't see it personally. He can't out mark opposition defenders and I reckon that most forwards are better at marking than defenders.

Yes fully agree.

The other thing is that he is critical to our kick-ins providing a great target to plan around.

Anyway it is going to be interesting to see what happens with our rucks. I am hoping that any changes are the result of a player such as Clarke demanding his role in the team rather than Sandilands being "managed".

One serves the other.
Sandi needs to be fully fit firing in the finals and Zac Clarke is very much improving ruckman. Griffin a bit better though, so it is going to get interesting mid season.
Either way I see Taberner developing this year with limited games for us.

 

[Fred Ziffel]

Sandilands spends around 80% of the game rucking doesn't he? Waste of a bench spot if that is the case.

He cannot continue with that workload though IMO. He must be managed this year without it compromising our season.

 

[theGav56]

He cannot continue with that workload though IMO. He must be managed this year without it compromising our season.

Why would you sit them on the bench though when we are lacking talls in the forward line?

 

[Lach72]

I don't really rate Taberner. He makes Arctic melt seem quick

 

[Wigarus]

I don't really rate Taberner. He makes Arctic melt seem quick

HERESY!!

Prepare to be flamed sir!

 

[Clems Knee]

I don't really rate Taberner. He makes Arctic melt seem quick

He might be good in a year or two. But I can't see the potential at this stage.

To me big Jack Hannath is showing more with his aggression and marking under pressure than Tabs atm.

I've been wrong before though. As we all have.

 

[ilikepotatoes]

The potential is in what he has produced at WAFL level. Just look at his round 9 performance: 25 possesions, 12 marks and 3 goals, he is also no slouch when it comes to tackling either. He has potential, whether he can reach it or not is another question.

 

[bone2468]

To be Fair, Tabs only played in games were it was either low scoring/raining/or an absolute flogging.... Give the kid a chance i think he deserve selection over Big boy Hannath. Because he has more mobility/speed/and would score more goals then hannath could. Dont ride him of just yet.