Tapscott 2012

[RandB]

I'm not sure we have seen enough of him (yet) to know where he will be his most damaging. His frame is handy to have anywhere on the ground and he has a nice booming kick which would make you happy to play him forward, middle or back.

By reports he's had the odd training session with midfield coach Brian Royal which is promising but I don't know how much to read into that. I get the feeling the club want as many players as possible who can have a midfield stint if required but it may not be full time.

One of the more intriguing scenarios of season 2012 IMO.

Anyway, what are people's thoughts on where Tappy will do his best work in years to come and how the club will use him this year?

(I realise that by the time the NAB cup comes around we'll have a better idea but for the sake of discussion and all...)

 

[Crusty Demon]

Forward of centre IMO. Because he's not tall, he would have to play on the small forwards of the competition if he were to play defence. He's not quick enough, or tight enough(from what we have seen), to hold down this role. Yes he has a booming kick that can potentially set up play, but if he's getting goals kicked on him consistently, what's the point.

I think he'll end up settling on a forward flank playing a Stu Dew type of role. The Bull will only need 12-15 possies to create havoc across the F50 arc. He can kick 60m and will be stronger than most opponents. Another pre season or two and he will have the endurance to be a tackling machine as well. He could also end up being a gun midfielder, if he works on endurance, which is nowhere near where it needs to be for an elite midfielder. If Dane Swan can become elite, there is hope for The Bull. He has that natural desire to win the ball. But personally, I'd like to see him moved permanently to a forward flank...

 

[ThePuppetMaster]

I think he should really model himself on Paul Chapman.

Suits him to the 't'.

 

[richskee]

I think he should really model himself on Paul Chapman.

Suits him to the 't'.

Agreed, nugget midfielder that rests forward.

 

[Andy_Mac]

Of the guys that are going to be around for the at least the next 5 years I see Jones, McKenzie, Viney and Gysberts as pure midfielders that really have limited scope to play other positions. We also have Sylvia and Trengove who are first choice mids, so that's the first 2 rotations covered. I think guys like Blease and Tappy even Grimes whilst will get a run through the middle need to find a position primarily elsewhere (Tappy on a flank and Blease on a wing is my preference).

 

[RandB]

Forward of centre IMO. Because he's not tall, he would have to play on the small forwards of the competition if he were to play defence. He's not quick enough, or tight enough(from what we have seen), to hold down this role. Yes he has a booming kick that can potentially set up play, but if he's getting goals kicked on him consistently, what's the point.

Crusty I agree with much of this. This is what makes him such an interesting prospect for mine coming into the season. He belongs on the park - we know this, but your points about speed and height are valid. It would be foolish to pidgeon hole him in any respect but I would like to see him pick up a yard in pace.

Neeld and his blank canvas make this all the more interesting. The thing with Neeld though is that he doesn't mix his messages so whatever his role is you know it will be quite specific compared to under Bailey. I can't wait to see how he's used actually.

I think he'll end up settling on a forward flank playing a Stu Dew type of role. The Bull will only need 12-15 possies to create havoc across the F50 arc. He can kick 60m and will be stronger than most opponents. Another pre season or two and he will have the endurance to be a tackling machine as well.

Purely from a spectator pov I would love to see him on a forward flank in a role not too dissimilar to Sylvia. I'm not too sure about his agility but IMO Neeld will try to turn him into a power type player like Swan at Collingwood who can deliver value middle or up forward.

You're right about his tank though, he can develop that over time like any player and the midfield training should hold him in good stead wrt that.

 

[Ghost of Grinter]

Midfield resting in the pocket or on a flank.

Tapscott is a touch freakish around goals, very smart player.

Id be leaning on throwing him in the midfield and resting him in
the pocket and other games probably playing him solely on
a flank - back or foward, pays to be versatile.
With such a booming kick, big frame and great skills it definately
makes him a very versatile player.

 

[Demon 16]

He needs to lose size and increase fitness, and I see him as an attacking mid.

 

[ThePuppetMaster]

He's looking a bit trimmer I think, he definitely needed to lose a bit of bulk.

 

[stickman11]

is a very good mark, loves to bust into a pack - long kick? anywhere on the field he'd be a bull.

 

[Crimson Azure]

He's looking a bit trimmer I think, he definitely needed to lose a bit of bulk.

Yeah I thought the same thing, must have been a strong focus with cardio for him & less time in the weights room.

Looks more built for AFL now.

 

[Demons2012]

Pity he can't share a few of his muscles with gysberts, Watts and co. I would've though he'd only need to lose a couple of kg's to be similar to Jones which is a good AFL build for mine.

Interesting discussion.

 

[lukemaggers]

Neeld is coming over from Collingwood where the reason they can run teams off their legs because they so many players on the park that can run through the middle. I think he will be looking to bring that to the Dees.

In saying that, I don't see Tappy as a permanent midfielder. I see him in the Paul Chapman mold definitely as was stated before. He is sort of like a Chappy clone. When he does run through the middle his strength will be a real asset.

 

[richskee]

If he was drop say 5/6kg could that effect his booming kick? Seems like he uses that weight to create distance ala dew.

 

[RandB]

He's looking a bit trimmer I think, he definitely needed to lose a bit of bulk.

You're right TPM, he definitely looks a bit lighter on.

Of course, the beauty of Tappy is that even though he may have improved the skinfolds and lost a few kgs, he still has the natural frame and shoulders to deliver a solid (and importantly legal) bump.

 

[Crimson Azure]

If he was drop say 5/6kg could that effect his booming kick? Seems like he uses that weight to create distance ala dew.

No it wont, it is his style of kicking & natural strength through the legs that give him length in his kicking. As long as he doesn't try to create a more efficient style of kicking he'll keep his distance. He is also, like Dew, strong/solid through the hips/thighs.

I was always a big kick of the footy & weight (more or less weight) never affected the length of my kicks.

 

[DeeWong6996]

Personally, I don't think Tapscott will ever become a high possesion accumulating mid. I see him geting 15-20 touches a game across the half forward line and maybe even contributing with the goal or two.

 

[richskee]

No it wont, it is his style of kicking & natural strength through the legs that give him length in his kicking. As long as he doesn't try to create a more efficient style of kicking he'll keep his distance. He is also, like Dew, strong/solid through the hips/thighs.

I was always a big kick of the footy & weight (more or less weight) never affected the length of my kicks.

Fair enough.

On a side note how far could the ol'crimson launch it?

 

[ThePuppetMaster]

Crimson is correct, it's all technique and leg speed.

A bloke from school could kick the ball 70metres with a drop punt (and yes, he's on an AFL list) and he probably wieghed 65kg's (5'11ish) sopping wet.

 

[Crimson Azure]

Fair enough.

On a side note how far could the ol'crimson launch it?

I'll call it first, get ready for some solid E-stats.

I could kick it about 60 meters on a good kick, when I was fit I had quite a similar build to Tapscott actually, but sadly that was many years ago.

 

[BiggerPotential]

I would love to see him be a swing man. Forward or back depending who we are lining up against.

I dont know where he is best suited, all i know is he has huge potential.

 

[On the bench]

Was recruited & likened to Paul Chapman,so what do they do put him in the backline!

So play him like a Chapman & use him as a high forward like Chapman!