The Back Half

[Keys]

next year. That's when his contract ends

That might have been it - was a bit of a throwaway line at the end of the story about his 200th - wasn't sure if I heard it right so came here to ask the question as I would have thought he'd have more than this year left in him.

 

[pinkus maximus]

That might have been it - was a bit of a throwaway line at the end of the story about his 200th - wasn't sure if I heard it right so came here to ask the question as I would have thought he'd have more than this year left in him.

Taz is one of those guys who views footy as a job rather than a passion. If things get really tough for the team/him this year, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him walk out

edit: there was an interesting comment by Gerard Healy during the broadcast. He said that he didn't think Tarrant was in the right "headspace" to play forward and that the move back may save him from being lost to the game

 

[samseenee]

I'd like to see a back 6 that looks something like this:

FB: Hayden - McPharlin - Grover
HB: Broughton - Tarrant - Suban / Ibbo (swapping up to the wing)

Others to go back at times (ie when McPharlin is getting a run up forward for a bit) - Duffield, Mundy, Johnson. Dodd if we are desperate.

Grover should not move further forward than the centre circle, Hayden and Brughton can play swapsies between BP and HBF, as can Ibbo and Suban between HBF and wing. We really should fit Drum back there somewhere as well.

Taz looks to be a real keeper as a defender - was terrific tonight.

Players who should stay the f*** away: Head, Thornton, Murphy (not a defender... but certainly not a midfielder either...)

Then I think we would have a chance at actually defending rather than have a bunch of blokes running around like blue-arsed flies...


What would others like to see in each part of the ground??


I'd also like to see Pav played up forward... why take a fricken awesome forward and turn him into an average midfielder? Other coaches and teams must be laughing their arses off at the thought of Pav getting it 17-18 times and kicking 1 goal... Get it to him 15 times up forward and he'll kick 5 goals...

Peake can stay in the forward half - HF/FP until Mayne and Ballantyne are ready to go. Johnson looks better up forward than he does down back these days... Solly off the HFF, Des off the other one when he comes back... And what about Drum? He'd have to be a better option than Murphy, surely...

Who else / where else?

Couldnt agree with you more IP... do u have Harv's on speed dial by an chance?

 

[VolgaBoatman]

I think we are likely to see more of McPharlin in the forward line this year. He really sparked the side in the 3rd quarter, unfortunately kicked 1.3 and there was an out of bounds on the full somewhere as well, but he lifted the whole side.

I think Duffield probably needs to be back if Hayden isn't there, though he needs slightly more awareness - he gets past one player and occasionally two, but gets caught on some occasions trying to do too much.

We also had some pretty creative players down there, which is required more than ever without the rushed behind rule. It might be useful to play Mundy down there on occasions as well. Mundy got tagged in one of the quarters on Sunday, and obviously wasn't used to it. So if that happens again, maybe throw him down back for a while to get back into the game if he is struggling.

Suban and Broughton are too in-experienced at the moment to rely on both of them in the back-line, perhaps one at a time.

Also, I think Grover has to go back - one of our best defenders, only an average forward. Perhaps only forward as a pinch hitter.

 

[DockerLand1]

It is all coming back to damage control. Head was so clumsy and sloppy with his disposal that it easily cost us 3 goals from his mistakes.
We will be made to pay for those dearly against better sides like the Doggies.
Now personally I believe that we are a better side than the Dons. However, I have been to see Freo too many times at the Dome to think that we will win this based on being a better side.
As a result we need to sure up our defences.
McFarlane-needs to be back. If he is not kicking bags of goals up forward, leave that to Pav.
Grover-Back. He is a strong defender and committed, in the forward line the experiment has failed.
Dodd-Tagging midfielder. Again, so sloppy in defence that it is costing us goals by having him there.
Suban- Give him a good run off the HBF, his skills seem to be good enough.
Tarrant-Played a very good game there, showed the determination that should be shown by all of our defenders. Swingman.
M.Johnston- Is better playing forward and midfield than back these days.
His lackadaisical kicking in the back half is getting turned over too often.
Hayden-Our finest backman. Also one of our best players. When he is not in defence we are hurting.

It is time to reward skill and good football vision. As a result the following players should be banned from our backline.

Head-Banned from the whole team, forever. Amen!
Gilmore-Might be serviceable in the ruck and midfield on occasion but he is turnover city.
M.Johnson-Better up forward and the king of the telegraphed kick.

Players welcome on a rotating basis are.
Duffield-good disposal and enthusiasm to contest the ball.
Ibbotson-Good disposal and football brain.
Broughton-Will replace Head this week.
Mundy-When things are not going well midfield he has the brain and skills.

Back to you gang. Looking forward to a Freo victory against the odds this week with a strong backline.