the backline

[baconb]

Just wondering.
Since I am out of the Country I don't get to see the games.
I was wanting some comments regarding the backline. How has it been going? Who has stepped up? Who can make a big impact that isn't currently playing.

Thanks

 

[bluerookie]

Thornton been playing well bbacon hopefully pushing for AA selection at this stage, Jamison injured but promising young player who has serious leadership potential IMO one of the best KPD prospects we've had along with Bower who reminds me a lot of Sexton.

 

[Pamam]

Thornton was a rock on Sat night as well as against the Tigers!!!!
couldnt have asked more from the new General!!!

Waite has been in fine form the last 2 weeks. Provides great run, and his telling goals last week really deflated the tigers!!

Bower provides run but unfortunately was moved deep in the backline to cover Bradshaw after half time on sat, and his lack of strength was really telling.....now i am not saying this will happen all the time, coz Bradshaw is very hard to contest with one on one....but he could get found out in future games!!!

Johnson is serviceable, his contesting ability is a little suspect and was killed by Morton last week!! but has trecking near the forward half and passing it off nicely with his left boot!!

Scotland with limited pre-season has done well....cant really fault him!

Jamison had only one touch before he went off on Sat, has had an off pre-season, not his 08 self but now we have to wait for scans!

they are the main players so far in the 2 games!!!

 

[thylacine60]

BaconBoy, we get it. You're out of the country. Enough already! Must be painful not catching games but other than that you're as much out of the loop as anyone. Love your internet family.

PS: Our backline seems to be taking longer to develop than our ruck stocks. Who'd have thunk it?

 

[Jeremias]

Thornton has been excellent this season and remains an underrated player on these boards. Has done exceptionally well when man-on-man but also has the ability to create a bit of dash. He is the captain of our backline.

Jamison has continued his form from last season but unfortunately injured a shoulder on Saturday night. We are yet to hear about its severity but I'd expect him to miss a few weeks at least, which will be a massive loss. He is a gun.

Bower is solid if unspectacular. He struggles against bigger opponents as was painfully evident when he was switched on to Bradshaw on Saturday night when Jamison went down. Having said that, efforts on Cloke and Buddy last season make me inclined to think he just had an off night. He is still developing but he is solid and will be a good player for a long time. Tries to create run but he is awkward and his kicking is ordinary so I'd prefer he focuses on his 1 on 1 defending.

Johnson has been a really good find for us thus far. His kicking is magnificent and you can see why we chased him. Turnovers coming out of defense absolutely killed us last season and whilst it is still early in the season, we have seen nowhere near as many turnovers because the ball is in his hands. I actually like what I see from him in terms of body work on an opponent and he knows how to nudge his opponent away from the ball, however teams have tried (and succeeded a little) in singling him out and exploiting him in the air (eg. Morton). He is doing well but has improvement to come. Is also able to push through the midfield which is a bonus.

Not much to say about Scotland, he has been injured but that doesn't seem to have had too much of an effect on him and he is business as usual. Very solid player.

Waite was outstanding on Richo and was just about BOG to half time on Saturday night playing as a loose man in defense and blocking the path in front of Jonathon Brown. When Jamison went off, Waite moved to Mitch Clark and absolutely killed him but I am yet to determine whether that was because Waite was very good or because Clark is hopeless.

We still have issues sometimes dealing with the bigger forwards but this back 6 are doing well. Losing Jamison will hurt us but hopefully whoever comes in for him pick up the slack. Whether that be a tall (Setanta/Austin) or a small (Browne/Armfield/Anderson) is yet to be determined but those already down back will need to lift to cover Jamo's absence.

Another to mention is AJ who has been playing as a tagger and also in the back pocket. Did exceptionally well on Ablett in the preseason playing in the middle, and has backed that up by holding Nathan Brown in round 1 and giving Rhan Hooper an absolute bath on Saturday night.

 

[gbatman]

Just when I though jammo had stepped up as one of the leagues best full backs he got injured.
Thornton is playing great, so smart with great hands and disposal, read Brown's game like a childs book the other night.
Bower is serviceable and has a fair way to go, needs to stop playing from behind, tryed playing Bradshaw from behind and failed. Needs to get stronger.
Johnson's disposal is excellent but he can't play on anyone taller than him. Would like to see him be more physical.
Scotland is a bit rusty and underdone but he's pure class so he's getting away with it. He'll improve as the year goes on and his fitness picks up. Had a lot of operations and missed most of the pre season.
Joseph is a great find and has done some very good shut down roles on some very good players. Made Cousins run and work so hard he did a hammy. Still has a bit to learn in terms of expierence but'll get there.
Wate is one of the best attacking defenders in the league. So fast and skillful but is preferred on a weaker opponent as he's not the best stopper in our side. His kicking is the most improved out of all our players compared to when he started and is now quite good.

Our defence is alright but I'm not sure we can afford to lose any more talls unless Austin and O'hAilpin play well.

O'hAilpin is probably going to come in for Jamison and we are all hoping he can step up. Played well last season when he got fit only to get injured again.
Austin we haven't heard a lot about but when he gets a chance I have found he gets caught behind too much and like Bower needs to work on getting in front.

 

[phil8579]

Thornton has been excellent this season and remains an underrated player on these boards. Has done exceptionally well when man-on-man but also has the ability to create a bit of dash. He is the captain of our backline.

Jamison has continued his form from last season but unfortunately injured a shoulder on Saturday night. We are yet to hear about its severity but I'd expect him to miss a few weeks at least, which will be a massive loss. He is a gun.

Bower is solid if unspectacular. He struggles against bigger opponents as was painfully evident when he was switched on to Bradshaw on Saturday night when Jamison went down. Having said that, efforts on Cloke and Buddy last season make me inclined to think he just had an off night. He is still developing but he is solid and will be a good player for a long time. Tries to create run but he is awkward and his kicking is ordinary so I'd prefer he focuses on his 1 on 1 defending.

Johnson has been a really good find for us thus far. His kicking is magnificent and you can see why we chased him. Turnovers coming out of defense absolutely killed us last season and whilst it is still early in the season, we have seen nowhere near as many turnovers because the ball is in his hands. I actually like what I see from him in terms of body work on an opponent and he knows how to nudge his opponent away from the ball, however teams have tried (and succeeded a little) in singling him out and exploiting him in the air (eg. Morton). He is doing well but has improvement to come. Is also able to push through the midfield which is a bonus.

Not much to say about Scotland, he has been injured but that doesn't seem to have had too much of an effect on him and he is business as usual. Very solid player.

Waite was outstanding on Richo and was just about BOG to half time on Saturday night playing as a loose man in defense and blocking the path in front of Jonathon Brown. When Jamison went off, Waite moved to Mitch Clark and absolutely killed him but I am yet to determine whether that was because Waite was very good or because Clark is hopeless.

We still have issues sometimes dealing with the bigger forwards but this back 6 are doing well. Losing Jamison will hurt us but hopefully whoever comes in for him pick up the slack. Whether that be a tall (Setanta/Austin) or a small (Browne/Armfield/Anderson) is yet to be determined but those already down back will need to lift to cover Jamo's absence.

Another to mention is AJ who has been playing as a tagger and also in the back pocket. Did exceptionally well on Ablett in the preseason playing in the middle, and has backed that up by holding Nathan Brown in round 1 and giving Rhan Hooper an absolute bath on Saturday night.

Excellent post.

AJ has been awesome back there - it seems that we have a great mix of stoppers to go with the ball users. I wonder how good this kid will be when he picks up the speed of the game and gets some confidence up. Pace to burn.

Jamison is brilliant but we all know that

Thornton is one of the smartest backmen in the game. Sets up rebound and does a good stopping job. Helps the other blokes too.

Waite is in All Australian CHB form.

Johnson could be a very, very good flanker if he can concede a few less goals. Brilliant user. Lacking a little in the air - but apparently he works on that so well done by him.

Bower is more suited to the 195+ mobile forwards - not the gorilla players. Was a little disappointing but we must get games into him - hes part of the future and hes still very young. Look at the other tall blokes who went early in that draft - Ryder, Clark, Dowler, Bailey, Kennedy and Mckinley. Only ryder and mckinley have shown more / as much.