Analysis The Matt Taberner effect

[dockshark]

The thing is that this thread isn't just about Taberner. Its about our forward structure in general. If we had other key forwards we could try then everyone would be happy to see that happen. The fact is at the moment Taberner is the only key forward on our list. So until we recruit someone else he has to play.

This. I'm not sure how many posters here have ever played footy at any level. You must have a tall target in the forward line that can create contests in the air and either mark or bring the 50/50 ball down.

Tabs is not the forward messiah but undoubtedly we look more dangerous forward with him.

If there's a better option then let's see it.

 

[Nickos66]

Views on Matt Taberner are incredibly polarising on this board. Last week people were calling for his delisting now they think we would've won with him in the side. Its like reading that 100 page Priddis thread on the wce board

TBH close to all 50 pages are just forwardline deckchair shuffling.

 

[aussieviking]

Tabinar will never be a forward. I do however think he could play as a back.

I would try more talented players like Logue and Cox forward.Pearce when he gets back is probably the one that looks like he could play forward. Apexes is extremely doubtful but I keep hoping.

 

[ydraw]

Tabinar will never be a forward. I do however think he could play as a back.

I would try more talented players like Logue and Cox forward.Pearce when he gets back is probably the one that looks like he could play forward. Apexes is extremely doubtful but I keep hoping.

Taberner's biggest strengths are his leading and kicking for goal. Not sure how either of those translates to playing in the backline.

 

[meima]

Tabinar will never be a forward. I do however think he could play as a back.

I would try more talented players like Logue and Cox forward.Pearce when he gets back is probably the one that looks like he could play forward. Apexes is extremely doubtful but I keep hoping.

Big No , all the opposition small will crumb around him if he play defense waiting for him to drop uncontested mark .

 

[aussieviking]

Taberner's biggest strengths are his leading and kicking for goal. Not sure how either of those translates to playing in the backline.

He can lead but can't mark......His kicking is only average

 

[aussieviking]

Big No , all the opposition small will crumb around him if he play defense waiting for him to drop uncontested mark .

You might be right but he is not talented enough to be a CHF. I suspect he will clog our list for years while people hope he can produce goods consistently. As a key forward it will never happen

 

[ydraw]

He can lead but can't mark......His kicking is only average

He's the most accurate kick for goal in the team

 

[Kram]

He's the most accurate kick for goal in the team

Seriously is there anything Mr Taberner can't do?!

 

[meima]

He's the most accurate kick for goal in the team

The way you described Tab , look like he is AFL no 1 forward .

 

[Scham]

He's the most accurate kick for goal in the team

Delusional.

 

[ydraw]

Delusional.

No, he actually is. This isn't an opinion, it's an objective fact. This year he's kicked 6.1. Last year he kicked 18.6. Nobody else in the team comes close.

 

[Demons09]

Seriously is there anything Mr Taberner can't do?!

I'd rather Liam Jones.

 

[wayToGo_]

Thumbs up to ydraw for sticking up for Tabs. It's not his fault our tall forward cupboard is bare. He was a speculative rookie pick so I don't think it's fair to expect him to be our Great White Hope and then get stuck into him when he isn't. The problem is we really only have 4 tall forwards on our list, 3 are rookie picks (Tabs, Strnadica and Ueber) and the only one not has been continually injured (Ape). Neither McCarthy, Kersten or Cox are options that can play that primary key forward role. Tabs almost certainly isn't a great long term primary KPF option either but the reality is he is our only fit option for that role currently.

I'm not going to join the chorus of people criticising everything our club does but clearly this is an area we have been pretty poor in recruiting, conditioning and developing. I think we either have to back Tabs in for the rest of the season or just play with a small forward line from now onward - this continual shifting him in and out of the side would surely cause confusion for the forward line structures and midfield inside 50 entry strategies (assuming we actually have either of course).

 

[Unique Name]

No, he actually is. This isn't an opinion, it's an objective fact. This year he's kicked 6.1. Last year he kicked 18.6. Nobody else in the team comes close.

He's actually kicked 8.1 this year.

Over the last 2 seasons (22 games) he has kicked 26.7.

By far our most reliable setshot over the last two seasons.

 

[tonygeeks]

Apologies for plagiarising a previous poster but they put it perfect Tabs is exactly the type of player we need but well short of the quality so we should probably persevere for team balance etc . There are some opposition players that you just know when you see them named you are a great chance of winning the game . Unfortunately we have 3 or 4 of them


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[meima]

If Tab play, one of Kersten or cam Mac need to be dropped as simple as that.i rather one of mundy or fyfe playing forward than watching all three play together .

 

[Rob]

Tabinar will never be a forward. I do however think he could play as a back.

I would try more talented players like Logue and Cox forward.Pearce when he gets back is probably the one that looks like he could play forward. Apexes is extremely doubtful but I keep hoping.

He's not a defender's shoelace. He can't mark.

Only prospect is to turn him into a version of Zac Dawson that can kick.

 

[Freomaniac]

The thing with Tabs and getting dropped was that his ruckwork was bog average in his last couple of games. This added to Griffin being just bog average in general. Tabs as a ruck relief worked ok when Sandi was around but otherwise we just get slaughtered in the middle.

Tabs should be played at FF and could indeed be played instead of McCarthy/ Kersten. All three have sucked of late but the bigger issue is the midfield/ ruck. Griffin/ Tabs getting slaughtered and our midfielders struggling to touch the ball.

I agree that Tabs makes a decent contest and he should play at FF. His centre square ruck-work is terrible...jumps early is ourbodied etc. He can ruck in the forward half but not in the centre.

I think they missed an opportunity to give Darcy a crack. Yes his fitness is not up to scratch yet but his tap work is next level good. Griffin is so bad around the ground it wouldn't matter if Darcy just planted himself a kick behind the play (or forward of the play in our case) at CHB/FB.

I would bring Tabs in for Kersten. Kersten needs a run at Peel to find some form.

Tabs is to me the opposite to Zac Clarke. Remember him being towelled up by Darren Glass in Derby's of the past and Brian Lake in the 2013 GF and just about any half decent KPD since. But he is quite a good ruckman when not half cooked with his knee. Tabs is just s**t in the ruck I'm afraid. Apeness sitting on the pine injured for best part of 3-years and having dodgy knees has been a killer for the club.

Solid post.

As for Darcy, He is only a rookie ruckman. We don't expect miracles from him this year. He should get a game very late into the season at the worst. If freos season is over with 2-3 games to go, give him a game.

As for Tabs, this time last year he kicked 5 goals. I reckon he would of got 2-3 this game too.

 

[Freomaniac]

Anyone who can watch that farce and still not understand Taberner's importance to our forward structure is thick as shit.

Yep... He isn't the greatest player or the most talented player on the list. But you can deny he adds something on the table.

As I said, I predicted at best he can be a 30 goal a season forward, not that its a bad thing. But freos Forward line looks different without him. Kersten and McCarthy got a handful of disposals each.

Taberner in my view is Similar to Jono Griffin and Zac Dawson. You play them because its better than nothing. None of those 3 are superstars

Zac Dawson does get criticized for his kicking but he plays a role. But you play him if all other defenders are injured. Hence why Dawson played lots of games last year as it was better than him to play at CHF than a 180cm Key forward.

Griffin gets games as Sandi and Clarke are injured. Yes he provides a contest but is better than playing nothing or a skinny 85 kg skinny teenager ruckman. I would Play Griffin and Darcy in the same team if both Sandi and Clarke are out.

As for tabs.... Tabs has to play. If Apeness was available, I would play him over tabs in some games.

But overall... Tabs has to play each week this season.

 

[mike91]

Tabs is easily our best marking forward, but sure, lets continue to say he can't mark and bag him, it's not like McCarthy and Kersten are showing him up. Who do you honestly think will mark it/bring the ball to ground out of Tabs, McCarthy and Kersten?

 

[DudleyDocker]

Got to hand it to you ydraw, through sheer persistence and determination you have turned the tide of Taberner hate into an outpouring of support. I think it only needs two more miracles and you will be eligible for sainthood.

 

[FreoMonocle]

The "cant kick" thing comes up again and again, which is bizarre. Clear deficiencies, e.g. marking and some brain farts at times with which you can use for argument (or yelling), but people choose to bring up something completely untrue because those pitchforks have 3 prongs - there is no use in just using 2 of em.

Same with other players when the pitchforks are out, guilty of everything under the sun, including the last biscuit that I took personally from the biscuit jar.

 

[kingswood71]

Cant mark?...
Seriously. Equal most contested marks in a game ever by a Freo player with 7.
He does drop some he perhaps should hold, but at least he creates a contest.

 

[meima]

Cant mark?...
Seriously. Equal most contested marks in a game ever by a Freo player with 7.
He does drop some he perhaps should hold, but at least he creates a contest.

The problem is not contested mark , dropping uncontested mark and allow opposition to rebound quickly.