The Banfield Conundrum

[charles202]

I think that this will be one of the toughest choices (along with Tippett) for the club in the trade period.

Toddie has a weapon that is elite (speed), the commentators were talking about how fast Green was in the forward line, Banfield has another gear on top of that.

As he has an elite tool to work with he does have trade value, if he has two bad seasons in a row that value will only be minimal next year.

I guess with most trade periods it will come down to what we offered, we do have other small quick players who could fill a role up forward but none of them have elite speed. Tough call to make and one I am very glad I don't have too.

 

[POBT]

I've always had the impression that not being a one-touch player might come down to having smaller hands or slower reaction time. I'm not sure if either of these apply to Banfield, but it would be my assumption.

It used to be said that someone's reaction time was extremely difficult to change (and perhaps one of the key factors or measures that distinguished athletes at higher levels from others). I read somewhere recently that talked about new training techniques for athletes to improve reaction time, so perhaps this has changed.

You may be right.

Having said that, I reckon Old Den's view could equally apply (that it is a concentration issue). I've seen Banfield collect the ball cleanly at pace enough times to suggest that he has the capability. Whether he has some physical/mental constraint that stops him from doing it regularly is another thing.

 

[Brisbane2013]

Trade Bait

 

[Caiphus]

It's psychological I'm pretty sure with Banfield. He seems to have gotten worse with the fumbling because he is thinking about it too much instead of playing instinctively. He would be a good player in a good side where he is given the luxury to just play his natural game and **** up occasionally. At the moment he is a bit of a luxury, and it seems that he has been given a lot of instructions about what he needs to do and hasn't processed them to the point where they become instantaneous. He needs a little more time for everything to click and become innate. I am well prepared to be patient with him.

No reason to write him off yet, but I wouldn't be surprised if he starts in the 2s next year to eventually work himself into some form.

 

[Ray Button]

According to Clarke, Banfield has been carrying a knee injury for some time and won't be playing in the Grand Final.

I think, between injury and a patch of bad form, he deserves a go next year. As has been mentioned above, he's still a fast little bugger capable of exerting a ton of defensive pressure. The rest he can work on.

It was great yesterday seeing Green getting the ball and burning off opponents - something that has been largely lacking at the Lions over the past couple of years.

 

[cmt26]

A good player in poor form, it happens to all small forwards, be patient and he'll come good. They are probably the second most frustrating position on the ground to wait and develop behind tall forwards, as their form can be so dependant on a bounce going their way or not. One day they kick 4 goals and seem a hero, the next they barely get a touch and seem like a spud.
I doubt he'd get traded, we know he has the talent, it's all about finding a way back to form.

 

[Harris Specter]

Definitely not trade bait!!

We don't give up on a player who has shown a lot in his first two seasons and had an injury-riddled season this year.
I'll give him another year to show us he's capable of it again. His speed around contests and breaking away in clearances is a HUGE asset.

I'll admit I've got a soft spot for him, but he has been very harshly judged this season with a suspected injury cloud over him.

 

[Bucking Beads]

I think we should keep him unless we get an offer too good to refuse. He has talent and is a player that could be essential to us in the future. It just depends if he can turn it around next season.

 

[Paulborracho]

How would we compare Cal Bartlett to Banfield?

I think Green is twice the player of Banfield. Can Bartlett come into a similar role???

 

[matwt73]

I have long thought Banfield was a limited player, very keen, hardworking, honest but with skill limitations. Having said that I would have described Shaun Hart the same way, and he came out ok.

I think we need to find him a knew role. He is not as good with his hands or his finishing as some others so I think Green and Zorko are better small forwards, maybe recast him as a tagger with genuine pace to go the other way. Though we will need to teach him how to male a tackle stick. I'd like us to keep him, and find him a role.

 

[PattyKwasagun]

I think we should keep him unless we get an offer too good to refuse. He has talent and is a player that could be essential to us in the future. It just depends if he can turn it around next season.

That was my thought with this from the start. Yes, it would be great to give him another year and see if he comes good, but then we're running the risk that if he doesn't, he'll be up for de-listing rather than trading. This year, we can actually get some value for him in a trade - a fair bit imo.

It's a risk trading him, but it's also a risk keeping him on. I'm still undecided.

 

[Leuy LongerCombo]

Would prefer him to be at the club next year, has something special about him as we all can see with the highlights.

Keeping him at the club gives competition for spots, which is only a good thing, Adds depths to the club for when injury strikes. As stated I think Green will be moved to the middle as he was rated as a clearance specialist in his junior days and shows signs that he could really help in one of our team biggest deficiency, Zorko plays a higher half forward role pushing up the ground, I've got no concerns that all 3 fit and firing could play in the well in the same side.

As for potential trade bait, I couldn't see him getting anything better than a late second rounder/third round selection, so id prefer a potential player trade. Koby Stevens / Tom Swift would be worth a look, but don't know if their viable to get or just another Big Footy trade theory.

 

[Nick Lions]

Good player with elite defensive pressure. He's had a crap year, we should keep him unless he wants out.

 

[Karnezis_13]

Green looks to have a higher ceiling to me than Banfield.

Would a Banfield<->Silvagni trade go through?

Because neither are in their respective teams 22 atm, but both would probably be in the other teams 22.

 

[PattyKwasagun]

Green looks to have a higher ceiling to me than Banfield.

Would a Banfield<->Silvagni trade go through?

Because neither are in their respective teams 22 atm, but both would probably be in the other teams 22.

I'd be hesitant, personally, as I think while Silvagni could be very valuable depth-wise for us, I'd like to get someone with a bit more upside for Todd. Hence why I was keen on the trade for Swift, but it seems that I may be the only person left in the country who rates him as a footballer.

 

[Stocka]

Green looks to have a higher ceiling to me than Banfield.

Would a Banfield<->Silvagni trade go through?

Because neither are in their respective teams 22 atm, but both would probably be in the other teams 22.

I doubt that Banfield would be in Fremantle's best 25 and I also doubt that Silvagni would be a walk-up start at the Lions.

 

[WhiteLionFeva]

Banfield's pace and defensive pressure are the very things that make him tradeable, unlike Hawksley, Sheldon & Stiller who have no outstanding attributes.The emergence of Zorko and Green and the potential of Bartlett to add to the mix next year (as well as a fit Ash McGrath) would make this the perfect time to try and get some value for him, but only if the price is right.

 

[Bert Man]

If next year is as bad as this year was he will have no value trade him now.

 

[maroon and blue]

A fellow who is solid, fast and can chase down opposition players deserves to be tried in the back line. Back pocket is my suggestion for next year.

 

[MSB ROYS]

We had a pretty good run with injury numbers this year probably with only 6 or so people injured at one time. People seem to want to get rid of all of our depth players, which means 10 injuries or more would spell likely defeat.

 

[The Flying Belgian]

My personal theory is that he's so worried about kicking the ball correctly which I know the coaches have continually worked on with him, that his mind leaps ahead. He needs to he back in the frame of mind of just getting it, rather than worrying about spending it.

 

[POBT]

If next year is as bad as this year was he will have no value trade him now.

By that logic, we should also be trading anyone whose 2012 did not meet expectations. Polec and Karnezis would be 2 who'd join him on the trade list.

 

[PattyKwasagun]

By that logic, we should also be trading anyone whose 2012 did not meet expectations. Polec and Karnezis would be 2 who'd join him on the trade list.

But they have shown enough potential as footballers to suggest they're on the improve. I'm still unsure whether or not Todd is actually a good footballer. Leaning towards keeping him on now, though.

 

[POBT]

But they have shown enough potential as footballers to suggest they're on the improve. I'm still unsure whether or not Todd is actually a good footballer. Leaning towards keeping him on now, though.

As I said earlier, a goal a game as a small forward suggests there is something to work with. Sure, it was in a crap season but he has a top 10 B&F finish to his name too.

I'm also not sure I follow the logic that the guy who has played 50 games, a number of which were at the required level or above, has less credit in the bank than the guys who have played about 10 and have really only showed glimpses to date.

The logic of "trade him now while he's worth something" just doesn't make a lot of sense to me. If he's worth something, he's worth keeping. If he's not going to be worth anything in a year's time, why would another club want him?

 

[PattyKwasagun]

As I said earlier, a goal a game as a small forward suggests there is something to work with. Sure, it was in a crap season but he has a top 10 B&F finish to his name too.

I'm also not sure I follow the logic that the guy who has played 50 games, a number of which were at the required level or above, has less credit in the bank than the guys who have played about 10 and have really only showed glimpses to date.

The logic of "trade him now while he's worth something" just doesn't make a lot of sense to me. If he's worth something, he's worth keeping. If he's not going to be worth anything in a year's time, why would another club want him?

But I think it is undeniable that our list has evolved considerably over the past year. With Longer, Docherty, Polec, Karnezis, Golby, McGrath, Drummond, Leuenberger, Staker and Maguire presumably good chances of being in our best 22 next season, there are quite a few from our most recent game that will need to drop off. Granted, only two or maybe three others on our list are capable of effectively playing Banfield's role, but with such strong competition for spots, will he be able to work his way back in? I think he'd need to show very good form in the reserves to do so (assuming he isn't named for our first match of the year), and I'm just not sure whether or not our list has gone past him.

To be honest, I've never been completely convinced of his skills as a footballer, which undoubtedly makes me more than a little biased in this discussion. I've always seen him as an 'almost' player. Almost sticks a tackle, almost cleanly gets the ball, almost snaps a beauty - but is never quite there. Hopefully he is able to turn it around next year though and make me a believer.