The pace we need

[BOND 007]

Having watched West Coast this year, it seems their play is predictable and lacks flair. Games are won in the midfield and the Eagles midfield is slow and workmanlike at best. Players who have pace such as Rosa have poor disposal, and there is a sameness about the majority of the players.
Watching other teams it becomes apparent how much flair, pace and excitement the aboriginal boys bring to the game plan of the side. IMO it is the key ingredient the Eagles are missing and I dont believe they can solve the problem within the current squad.
I believe Andrew Lovett would be the answer to many of the Eagles problems (without bringing any of his own). He has all the onfield attributes they need - pace, ball winning skills, finishing skills, goal kicking skills - and at 26 is really in the prime of his career.
At years end his contract is up and I hope the Eagles would be willing to offer Essendon their 2nd round pick for this guy.

 

[CursoryMercenary]

Having watched West Coast this year, it seems their play is predictable and lacks flair. Games are won in the midfield and the Eagles midfield is slow and workmanlike at best. Players who have pace such as Rosa have poor disposal, and there is a sameness about the majority of the players.
Watching other teams it becomes apparent how much flair, pace and excitement the aboriginal boys bring to the game plan of the side. IMO it is the key ingredient the Eagles are missing and I dont believe they can solve the problem within the current squad.
I believe Andrew Lovett would be the answer to many of the Eagles problems (without bringing any of his own). He has all the onfield attributes they need - pace, ball winning skills, finishing skills, goal kicking skills - and at 26 is really in the prime of his career.
At years end his contract is up and I hope the Eagles would be willing to offer Essendon their 2nd round pick for this guy.

Lovett is good but I doubt we will go down that road. Swift, Houihan, Ebert and capable and quick.

 

[Eastern Rangers]

Westcoast drafted speed and this is the third thread on this. Endurance and ability in contested situations will win you more ball and win you games. Speed is needed to break the game apart and create space. I dont rate Lovett all that highly.

Our Midfield lacks experience, no team not Essendon, not Melbourne or Fremantle has put such a young midfield group together and got away with it on game day.

 

[thesmallprint]

4 of the people we drafted this year were in the top 8 for 20m sprints at draft camp, none on them have played yet.

 

[gx122]

Sounds like another Swift thread!

The answer is Swift! No need to trade for speed when we can draft and develop guns like Swift.

 

[Jimmy_the_Gent]

I don't know, Lovett would bring leadership and a strong character to the group.

And at just 26 he'd be about the 34th youngest player on our list.

Maybe he could retire just before our premiership window opens?

Sounds like exactly what we need.

 

[beatlesmith]

Kane Lucas. Do it.

 

[bigburger]

Generating pace from players running with the ball is only one way of doing it. Geelong don't have any ultra quick mids and they still do it. Its through clean crisp disposal and correct decision making into space. That will come when our youngsters are more experienced and know without even thinking where to put the ball in a contested situation. Besides all that in the last draft we picked 4 blokes who at the camp were in the top 10 for the 20m sprint. Once they come along we will be quick...very quick.

 

[Mattman93]

Oh yeah well i don't see your club.....oh wait

I agree with BB in that individual pace has become less important to a side than the pace of the ball movement, with fast, clean handballs to space.

 

[mitchzz]

Lovett is good but I doubt we will go down that road. Swift, Houihan, Ebert and capable and quick.

Ebert isn't quick.

I don't think we need Lovett.

Lewis Jetta is the man.

 

[lewigie]

I read somewhere that he was 17, then read somewhere else that he was 20.

Which is right?

 

[wirra44]

What about Ashley Smith didn't he get the fastest time for the sprints at the draft camp

 

[gx122]

What about Ashley Smith didn't he get the fastest time for the sprints at the draft camp

Fastest non-Aboriginal in history of draft camp too. But going by people's reports he isn't fit enough yet.

 

[lewigie]

Seems to be playing deep in the backline.

 

[bigburger]

What about Ashley Smith didn't he get the fastest time for the sprints at the draft camp

Won't play for quite a while unless he picks up his attitude by all reports.

 

[larrikin]

Ebert isn't quick.

I don't think we need Lovett.

Lewis Jetta is the man.

Ebert's quick enough, so is Masten

Top pace is over rated IMO - look at Geelong's midfield - none of them would be in the league's 20 quickest midfielders.

Edit - Sorry Bb - didn't realise you'd you'd already made this point

 

[Eagle87]

Wow this thread started badly and its been all downhill since.

Clearly we arent a quick team. Clearly in a zone based league, speed helps. We have drafted a number of quick kids none of whom have played.

For the OP's benefit, Rosa isnt quick. He is like watching a slow-mo replay except its live action. There is a big difference between running all day and running fast. Rosa is very average in the speed stakes.

In addition, while I love Ebert, he is not quick. Looks like a speed walker when he runs!

That said, S Selwood is quick, Masten is ok speed wise, Swift good, NickNat good, Shuey good and Smith exceptional ......

Once a few of those guys come on we will be fine.....

 

[Keys]

You forgot Priddis E87.

He's quick

 

[thesmallprint]

Top pace is over rated IMO - look at Geelong's midfield - none of them would be in the league's 20 quickest midfielders.

See Wojcinski

 

[Eagle87]

You forgot Priddis E87.

He's quick

Lightning!

I see sideshow streaming down the wing and I have Matera flashbacks!! ....

..... unfortunately Wally....

 

[mitchzz]

I read somewhere that he was 17, then read somewhere else that he was 20.

Which is right?

Lewis Jetta?

I heard 20 or maybe 21.

I asked why he wasn't in the WA U18 side and thats the response I got.

 

[mitchzz]

Ebert's quick enough, so is Masten

Top pace is over rated IMO - look at Geelong's midfield - none of them would be in the league's 20 quickest midfielders.

Edit - Sorry Bb - didn't realise you'd you'd already made this point

Except for Wojinski maybe?

 

[lewigie]

Lewis Jetta?

I heard 20 or maybe 21.

I asked why he wasn't in the WA U18 side and thats the response I got.

So many Jettas!

Aaron and Callum are two more playing down here.

Too old for a second round draft pick? May fall down to us for a third round?

Aaron Jetta, Neville Jetta, Lewis Jetta, Clinton Garlett and Graham Taylor will celebrate finishing Year 12 tomorrow night at the school’s graduation ceremony.

That was in 2008.. So he's the same age as Neville?

 

[Eagle Ant]

So many Jettas!
Aaron and Callum are two more playing down here.
Too old for a second round draft pick? May fall down to us for a third round?
That was in 2008.. So he's the same age as Neville?

No that just means he Graduated at the same time.

Lewis Jetta was nominated in the draft last year and from memory I think he was born in 1989.
EDIT:
04/05/89 to be precise.
Heres the link to AFL draft tracker in 08 he is in the player list just scroll through to find him.
http://afl.com.au/draft/index.htm

 

[Eagle Ant]

What about Daniel Wells from North Melbourne ???

Make an offer they cant refuse

Lets say Staker & Hansen for Wells.

Stats:
Born: 03/02/1985 = 24yrs.
debut: 2003
Drafted: WA Peel thunder pick No 2 in National Draft

Bio:
After being selected with pick two in the 2002 National Draft, Wells had a huge weight of expectation on his shoulders in the early part of his career but has been able to play a significant role through the midfield since his debut in 2003.

At the start of 2008, Wells was urged by his coach Dean Laidley to use his pace to challenge the opposition which resulted in him taking his game to a new level. The exciting midfielder averaged 22 possessions a game throughout 2008 and was instrumental in North Melbourne’s strong late season form.

He finished sixth in the Syd Barker Medal and represented Australian in the International Rules series against Ireland.

Wells will be looking for an even stronger season in 2009, as North Melbourne try to fill the void left by Jess Sinclair and Shannon Grant.

Stats for 09 in Averages per Game:
Kicks, Hndbls, Disp, Mrks, FrF, FrA, Tck, Gls, Bhd
14.25, 5.25, 19.5, 5.50, 0.75, 0.25, 2.5, 0.5, 0.0

Height: 180cm
Weight: 78kg