The case for defence: Waite

[Beloved]

The case for the defence: Waite

12:12 PM Sat 2 February, 2008
By Ben Broad in South Africa
Exclusive to AFL BigPond Network

CARLTON’S Mr Versatile, Jarrad Waite, believes a stronger midfield in 2008 will lead to a stingier Blues defence this year.

Carlton had little trouble kicking goals in 2007 but often leaked like a sieve at the other end, conceding over 300 points more than any other team.
Waite was sometimes part of that overwhelmed backline, which he says will be helped this year by a midfield featuring new recruit Chris Judd plus Nick Stevens, returning from a neck injury.

“Last year, especially having Nick going out, it put a lot of pressure on Marc Murphy and Andy Carazzo,” Waite told afl.com.au in Johannesburg on Friday.

“They haven’t had to experience the No.1 taggers before and it was tough for them.

“Hopefully this year, with the midfield a bit stronger, we should have the ball in our possession a bit more, so it should make our jobs down back a bit easier.”

Waite, who turns 25 on Monday, will be a key member of that defensive structure, with Bret Thornton, Jason Saddington and the rapidly-improving Michael Jamison also set to play big parts in holding down the Blues’ defensive fort.

“The way Ratts is speaking, I think I’ll be starting down back at the start of the year and see how I go down there,” Waite said.

“If he wants to change me then I can get moved around which is good for myself.

“I hope to play centre half-back. I wouldn’t mind making that position mine this year. I sort of got moved around a fair bit last year, so I wouldn’t mind making it mine.

“But whatever the team really needs, I’ll just go wherever.”

Waite’s ability to pinch-hit might prove invaluable. With strong hands and athleticism, he is a dangerous attacking weapon and has played in the forward line for much of his career – something he believes stands him in good stead when it comes to lining up on some of the game’s biggest names.

“I played a couple of games on Rooey [Nick Riewoldt] and Browny [Jonathan Brown] and yeah, it’s a really good experience because they’re the best players in the competition,” Waite said.

“They’re the guys you want to play on because you’re only going to get better and you learn so much from just playing a game on them.

“I think in today’s game you can’t just be a one-position player anymore. It’s just changing too much, which is good for the game.”
​

 

[DIG]

It was probably posted elsewhere on this board but there was an Age article, interviewing Ratts where he confirmed Waite will be CHB.

He also said CHF's up for grabs between likes of Cloke, Kruezer, Fisher.

Personally i like Waite at CHB. And i like him up forward too! Hopefully we don't have a gaping hole there. Losing Kennedy and even Whitnall...just hope it's not a problem area for us this year.

 

[Kooley]

waite is potentially the best chb in the competition. end of story.

 

[Beloved]

I'm not too sure we have much of an option than to play him at CHB, unless we can find someone during th pre-season who can live up to that role, alike Jarrod last year.

 

[BlueDevil]

yep. our forward line aint the problem. waite makes our spine look a hell of a lot better than if he were at CHF. we need him at CHB more than we do in our forward line. his run off half back could be an advantage also. the mans got more agility and speed than some people think.

 

[thylacine60]

yep. our forward line aint the problem. waite makes our spine look a hell of a lot better than if he were at CHF. we need him at CHB more than we do in our forward line. his run off half back could be an advantage also. the mans got more agility and speed than some people think.

Agreed. As long as people aren't expecting him to discontinue those "take on half the opposition" bouncing runs where he sometimes gets claimed. It's in his make-up and I for one am glad of it even though it can hurt when it backfires. When it comes off it's ****ing poetry in motion, the bloke moves like a bloody big puma.

25 years old tomorrow I believe. We have a lot of Waitey to see yet.

 

[BlueYoss]

Agreed. As long as people aren't expecting him to discontinue those "take on half the opposition" bouncing runs where he sometimes gets claimed. It's in his make-up and I for one am glad of it even though it can hurt when it backfires. When it comes off it's ****ing poetry in motion

Very well put

the bloke moves like a bloody big puma

This is not the first time I have heard the puma similie, why does it seem familiar? Or is it just because he really does move like a big puma?

25 years old tomorrow I believe. We have a lot of Waitey to see yet.

I'll drink to that

 

[Pamam]

I'll play with myself to that

*Edited for accuracy

 

[BlueYoss]

*Edited for accuracy

How many times do I have to tell you that I don't look at Jarrad the same way you look at Marc and Bryce...

 

[Pamam]

How many times do I have to tell you that I don't look at Jarrad the same way you look at Marc and Bryce...

hhaha

sure u dont!!!

 

[borissey]

I thought the guy jobbed Jarrad first, and when he wasn't looking?

 

[TerryWallet]

Waite is the most overrated and overhyped player Carlton have had for a long time.

Everyone talks about him as though he's still a young improving player. He's not. He's 25. A year or more older than Judd.

I wish the Carlton hard heads had of had a dose of reality and traded him while his stock is (remarkably) high. Him or Thornton should have been traded.

Now that we are stuck with him i reckon his only position should be on a wing opposite Simpson. His athleticism,height and occasional brilliance can be handy there while his stuff ups, lack of concentration and general football stupidness hopefully won't hurt us too much.

 

[borissey]

Waite is the most overrated and overhyped player Carlton have had for a long time.

Everyone talks about him as though he's still a young improving player. He's not. He's 25. A year or more older than Judd.

I wish the Carlton hard heads had of had a dose of reality and traded him while his stock is (remarkably) high. Him or Thornton should have been traded.

Now that we are stuck with him i reckon his only position should be on a wing opposite Simpson. His athleticism,height and occasional brilliance can be handy there while his stuff ups, lack of concentration and general football stupidness hopefully won't hurt us too much.

Overhyped depends on how much hype he gets so you may be right, but Waite's main problem is injury and the occasional big mistake. He's had 2 big years for us, 2007 and 2005, and in those he was one of our best players.

imagine how good we'll be when we can afford him on the wing as you suggest. Wing / floater half forward he'll be unstoppable.

We're one KPP short, maybe two, so he needs to fill that breach.

 

[Dima]

Waite is the most overrated and overhyped player Carlton have had for a long time.

Everyone talks about him as though he's still a young improving player. He's not. He's 25. A year or more older than Judd.

I wish the Carlton hard heads had of had a dose of reality and traded him while his stock is (remarkably) high. Him or Thornton should have been traded.

Now that we are stuck with him i reckon his only position should be on a wing opposite Simpson. His athleticism,height and occasional brilliance can be handy there while his stuff ups, lack of concentration and general football stupidness hopefully won't hurt us too much.

What do you mean stuck with him? He would be in the best 22 of any team in the afl! If we are to win a premiership in the next few years he will have to be one of the ones firing!

 

[TerryWallet]

The fact that he's 25 and people are still wondering what he can do or where he should play just about sums him up.

Waite is our Courtney Johns or Clive Waterhouse or Des Headland etc.....ie: he's not much bloody good.

 

[BlueYoss]

The fact that he's 25 and people are still wondering what he can do or where he should play just about sums him up.

Waite is our Courtney Johns or Clive Waterhouse or Des Headland etc.....ie: he's not much bloody good.

Of course someone who takes Tambling over Franklin would think that Waite is shit!

 

[AlecDuncan]

Waite is a gun, but I'm not convinced he's consistent enough to hold a key defensive position the way greats like Dean, SOS, Sexton, Doull, Southby, etc. did. The job he did on Roo showed he has the talent, but other occasions suggest he doesn't have the concentration to always mind opponents.

At heart he's mercurial and attacking. More like a modern day Crosswell with a team attitude. I'm more inclined to let him play wherever he plays well and move him until he does.

 

[Donstuie]

I miss Peter Dean