The Weakest Links

[Wood_Duck]

After one of the best team performances in a long long time and even a pretty good performance by the coach, who are our weakest links? We have Burton and Hart who will definately come back into the side when fit. Are Ladhams, Bode, M. Stevens and others still in contention given yesterdays performance? Where are we at with Skipworth, Shirley, Perrie, Begley and maybe even Doughty?

 

[Markthirtytwo]

After one of the best team performances in a long long time and even a pretty good performance by the coach, who are our weakest links. We have Burton and Hart who will definately come back into the side when fit. Are Ladhams, Bode, Stevens and others still in contention given yesterdays performance? Where are we at with Skipworth, Shirley, Perrie, Begley and maybe even Doughty?

For me only Perrie, Skipworth and Begley didnt standout yesterday. The others played blinders.

 

[Alex99]

Ian Perrie is a valuable performer in the forward 50 now, he will never win any AA awards but is a contributor who does his job. Leave him alone until the next generation of forwards are ready to stand up and take control (Hentschel, Watts and possibly Gibson). Scott Stevens was pushing for a game next week but cannot see it now after yesterday’s game.


BTW J Meesen will be pushing for a forward spot before Scott Stevens and Fergus Watts if he continues to take marks in the forward 50.

Robert Shirley and Hayden Skipworth will have a 2 weeks grace on any bagging and calling for them to be dropped (from me anyway) because yesterday both played fantastic and looked like they could offer something for the time being, but not in the long run.


Next week’s in’s and outs

In: Burton and Hart

Out: Doughty (because Van Berlo and Torney should not be dropped) and Begley

 

[drakeyv2]

BTW J Meesen will be pushing for a forward spot before Scott Stevens and Fergus Watts if he continues to take marks in the forward 50.

How did he go with Norwood?

 

[Alex99]

How did he go with Norwood?

8 marks…..3 goals 5 behinds…….the hardest thing is to get the cherry once he gets it that skill can be improved.

 

[just maybe]

Next week’s in’s and outs

In: Burton and Hart

Out: Doughty (because Van Berlo and Torney should not be dropped) and Begley

You're joking. Did you watch the game? Doughty will be so far from getting dropped it's not funny. He was definitely one of our best. And Torney won't be dropped, why even mention his name?

Most likely Van Berlo and Begley will go. Van Berlo's the future, but right now he is last on the list because he didn't have much to do. Maybe Skipworth in place of Van Berlo.

 

[Bockchoy67]

It's certainly an interesting issue...

IMO the only players that should be in contention for omission are Begley, Van Berlo and to a lesser extent Skipworth.

However, only Begley should be omitted. His performance yesterday was sub-standard and it looks like he really needs a run in the SANFL. He's lacking confidence, clearly shown by the dropped mark.

Van Berlo deserves another chance, mainly because he did very well for the minute time he was on the ground. His attack on the ball was fantastic for one so young and slight. If Burton comes back sooner rather than later, either Begley's or The Count's position may be filled.

Skipworth improved after his error in the first quarter, and managed to give the team some run. After he scored that goal I got the feeling he will stay in the team this week.

Another one that slightly frustrates me is the issue regarding Rhett Biglands. He's been very disappointing so far in his career, and his performance yesterday didn't lift my spirits. For a man of his size, he lacks intensity at the ball and drops easy marks. Unfortunately Clarke is underdone and Meesen needs more time in the SANFL, so Biglands will stay.

Is there any news regarding Burton's avaliability this week?

 

[mr snip]

there wasmention that Burton was still complaining of a bit of tightness in hamstring. So I dare say he will have another week on the side lines.

 

[Bockchoy67]

there wasmention that Burton was still complaining of a bit of tightness in hamstring. So I dare say he will have another week on the side lines.

In all honesty I don't think there should be a change this week if Burton is in the condition you stated.

It's not worth the risk. I would rather we keep this side and give Burton another week of recovery. There's no point in risking Burton, especially given our current form without him.

 

[CaptainDangerfield]

How can we honestly even contemplate dropping Van Berlo. What a great way to kill a kids confidence. He comes in, throws his body at a few contests with little regard for his own safety and gets dropped the following week. If there are any outs it has to be Skippy or Begley.

 

[arrowman]

VB - was on the ground for a short time and threw himself into everything. Now should be the start of his first 5-game stint. Don't play a youngster one game at a time, then drop him.

Begley - 50-50. Can't entirely blame him for yesterday's performance, after so much time out, and anyway he got better as the game went on, I thought. The only reason for dropping him would be if it was genuinely felt he would be better served by SANFL game time, and I doubt that.

Skipworth - I'm a fan - well, not a fan, but a "hopeful believer" but it has to be said he was, er, not among our best yesterday. IMHO the only genuine candidate for dropping.

But if Hart and Burton are marginal, then nothing is served by rushing them back, anyone who gets dropped after that effort yesterday would be very stiff.

 

[jtrain]

How can we honestly even contemplate dropping Van Berlo. What a great way to kill a kids confidence. He comes in, throws his body at a few contests with little regard for his own safety and gets dropped the following week. If there are any outs it has to be Skippy or Begley.

Only two players could be dropped on yesterday's performance:

1) Begley - he is useless - anyone who still wants to rate him ahead of mattner or doughty either cant accept that they are wrong or doesnt know the first thing about footy

2) Van Berlo - its tough on the kid but if benny hart and brett burton are fit and ready to go - he will have to make way for the senior players. i am sure his confidence wont be crushed - he seems to have a pretty good head on him and i am sure even he will realsie that he is behind hart and burton in the pecking order.

Skippy was okay, better last week against collingwood but doesnt warrant dropping at this stage. He is probably one of the last picked in our 22 each week but if he keeps on playing the way he is so far - i am pretty happy to have him as the 21st or 22nd player picked each week.

Perrie was not great - but we need him in the team as he is the only bloke that can provide a semi regular contest at centre half forward. scott stevens plays a similar role to hentshel and welsh - perrie is a bigger bullocking forward and even if he only drags in 5 or 6 marks a game and gets 10 possessions - that is all he will need to do to keep his spot.

Torney was excellent - he must stay in defence for the year.

 

[drakeyv2]

Skippy was okay, better last week against collingwood but doesnt warrant dropping at this stage. He is probably one of the last picked in our 22 each week but if he keeps on playing the way he is so far - i am pretty happy to have him as the 21st or 22nd player picked each week.

I thought Skipworth was pretty poor against both Port & Collingwood.

 

[Jars458]

Burton would be the only possible in this week. If he comes in Begley goes out.

Van Berlo should play the rest of the year, form permitting. We can carry one youngester on a frou man bench, especially one who attacks the ball the way he does.

He reminded me of a very young Kane Johnson when he first came into the team.

 

[jtrain]

I thought Skipworth was pretty poor against both Port & Collingwood.

I dont know what the stats were against collingwood although i was at the game and he looked alright to me. i think he pulled possessions in the high teens and got 15 possessions yesterday. that is pretty good for one of your second or thid string on ballers.

Despite one uncharacterisitically soft marking effort yesterday he also goes in pretty hard - which i'll note that van berlo also does.

Realistically, I think the only change we should make against Sydney is Begley out for Burton if Hart is marginal.

 

[Wood_Duck]

What about Mark Stevens, did he play in the SANFL on the weekend?

 

[Jars458]

What about Mark Stevens, did he play in the SANFL on the weekend?

Kicked 2 goals 5. he will need another two weeks at least for the mighty Eagles

Our forward line looked much better with more space for Welsh and Hentschel, without Stevens there. Given we are playing at the small SCG I doubt that Stevens will be selected this week.

 

[afc9798]

After one of the best team performances in a long long time and even a pretty good performance by the coach, who are our weakest links. We have Burton and Hart who will definately come back into the side when fit. Are Ladhams, Bode, M. Stevens and others still in contention given yesterdays performance? Where are we at with Skipworth, Shirley, Perrie, Begley and maybe even Doughty?

Can't let it go past that you have mentioned Neil Craig as a weak link. Firstly what evidence do you have to make this claim or are you just guessing at others' sentiments?
So far this year we have been over run by a top 4 candidate in West Coast, which we should never have lost, but we were very competitive. We have beaten Collingwood in Melbourne, something we haven't done since 1998 and this was achieved after letting the game slip initially. And now we have comprehensively beaten our biggest nemesis.

What more could Craig have done to date with a list that many are tipping to be a bottom 4 contender? I think to date he's done a great job and I am willing to accept that he's achieved far better than I thought he would. I'm now starting to see what the club saw in him and when you look at the other options we had available ie: Wallet or Eade, Craigy is stacking up so far. Long way to go I know, but the early signs are that he has the players playing for him and executing his instructions.; He is addressing problems as they occur and going out of his way to provide positive reinforcement.

I think Craigy would sleep pretty well at the moment. Now if he drops Skipworth this week, he'll go up another notch.

 

[Mong]

Van Berlo did nothing to keep his spot but I agree with others, you don't put a first gamer in, give a quarter of game time and then drop him. He needs to be given a decent go to find his feet.

 

[Wood_Duck]

Can't let it go past that you have mentioned Neil Craig as a weak link. Firstly what evidence do you have to make this claim or are you just guessing at others' sentiments?
So far this year we have been over run by a top 4 candidate in West Coast, which we should never have lost, but we were very competitive. We have beaten Collingwood in Melbourne, something we haven't done since 1998 and this was achieved after letting the game slip initially. And now we have comprehensively beaten our biggest nemesis.

What more could Craig have done to date with a list that many are tipping to be a bottom 4 contender? I think to date he's done a great job and I am willing to accept that he's achieved far better than I thought he would. I'm now starting to see what the club saw in him and when you look at the other options we had available ie: Wallet or Eade, Craigy is stacking up so far. Long way to go I know, but the early signs are that he has the players playing for him and executing his instructions.; He is addressing problems as they occur and going out of his way to provide positive reinforcement.

I think Craigy would sleep pretty well at the moment. Now if he drops Skipworth this week, he'll go up another notch.

Please read carefully what I said. "a pretty good performance by the coach, who are our weakest links? " OK I forgot a question mark. But it still reads as a question not a comment. Geez some people on this board are pent up and just cant wait to jump down someones throat.

 

[Mad Dog]

I would bring in Burton (if fit) and Ladhams for Skipworth and Begley.

harsh after a win - but that's the pecking order.

NC will bring in Burton if fit for Begley.

I'm still assuming Hart and Clarke are not available.

but if they were they would come in for Shirley and Biglands.

 

[tribey]

Next week’s in’s and outs

In: Burton and Hart

Out: Doughty (because Van Berlo and Torney should not be dropped) and Begley

Why would we want to drop Doughty after his best game since 2002? x 1000

 

[Wood_Duck]

I would bring in Burton (if fit) and Ladhams for Skipworth and Begley.

harsh after a win - but that's the pecking order.

NC will bring in Burton if fit for Begley.

I'm still assuming Hart and Clarke are not available.

but if they were they would come in for Shirley and Biglands.

Clarke for Biglands, hmmm, once I would have agreed with you no questions asked. I dont reckon that one is so stright forward these days. Biglands can get better and just looks badly out of form at the moment. Thanks christ for Hudo. On the other hand I'm just not sure what Clarke has to offer these days. He looks bloody slow, is not likely to take a mark at this stage of his career and his body is very fragile. Coin toss for me.

 

[Mong]

Exactly. If Doughty didn't get dropped after last week, he sure isn't going to get dropped now.

 

[Mad Dog]

Clarke for Biglands, hmmm, once I would have agreed with you no questions asked. I dont reckon that one is so stright forward these days. Biglands can get better and just looks badly out of form at the moment. Thanks christ for Hudo. On the other hand I'm just not sure what Clarke has to offer these days. He looks bloody slow, is not likely to take a mark at this stage of his career and his body is very fragile. Coin toss for me.

I'm happy with that.........Clarke is only marginally in front IMO. Given Sydney is a small ground I'd even be tempted to give the Vet another week off - especially 'cos travelling in a plane to a small ground for someone with a back injury doesn't really make sense..........perhaps take him the following week to the TD against the Bull ********s and play the 3 of them.