Thornton

[blue boy]

can anyone update me on how his pre-season is going

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

From what I have read, it seems T-Bird is going along nicely without standing out too much. Finished midfield in the time trials, has put on a bit of bulk but some have bulked up a lot. I think T-Bird is an instinctive footballer and it works for him so he wants to stay fit but he doesn't want to make drastic changes.

 

[blue boy]

i think if we can move him up to chb then we have a all australian in a couple of years

 

[Funkalicous]

i think if we can move him up to chb then we have a all australian in a couple of years

I agree, but he needn't change too much body wise. The best thing about T-Bird is his footy smarts. You may be able to pick out two or three better fullbacks but as a player who's primary job is to clear the ball from defence, Thornton beats them all. IMO his composure for a KPP defender is unmatched and partly wasted at Fullback. I recall the game against Melbourne rd 21 last season, of which IMO was his best game. He played the whole game at CHB and shut down Miller as well as gather over 20 possies. I thought he was just about BOG in that game. Combined with Teague and Livo having a rare good game, our defence looked it's best since a long time.

Here's hoping we'll have that defence more often.

 

[Joffe]

He has put on a lot of weight in the chest. No longer does his body look like a boys body, but now a mans body.

 

[blue boy]

thnx m8

 

[Kooley]

His steadiness and composure in defence reminds me alot of the way the Wakelin brothers play in defence.

 

[Abaddon]

His steadiness and composure in defence reminds me alot of the way the Wakelin brothers play in defence.

hes better than that

 

[Mr Teague]

I think T-Bird is one of the most underestimated defenders in the game. He plays on the number one forward every week and rarely has his colours lowered. The likes of Scarlett, Michael and the Waiklens have shown us that key defenders dont reach their prime until thier mid to late twenties so hopefully when Bret reaches that age he'll be unstoppable.

 

[ralphmalph]

I agree with most of the compliments thrown his way and also agree that as chb he could be very good but I think he still makes a few unforced errors (perhaps no more than any other player his age) and they are very costly for a key defender. Maybe that's why I remember them.

I don't mean to bag him but he is not yet the complete package.

Has he played any footy as a forward?