Thornton's role next season?

[TNBT]

Trade week suggests otherwise

Like I said, he is a solid player, but still has his issues. I guess those issues (attitude, etc) were deemed to be too much for him to be worth taking a chance on.

 

[acambo]

Should have been de-listed. The side would be going backwards if he gets a game.

 

[Erko Blue]

I doubt he'll have much of an impact at AFL level again,
although I believe he has the physical tools needed to so.

It really seems purely mental; the hissy fits, spats with players and umpires, general softness. These things can be almost slightly sortoff maybe semi-tolerated when you are constantly losing.

But the dynamic at the CFC has changed dramatically since Thornton was the fulcrum in the back half.
2010 saw him playing a defensive, 'losing' brand of football that left us all feeling cold and frustrated, thus he was left to rot with the ghosts of 'Naughties' past.

It has been publicly said that he has to change the way he plays, simple as that.
Whether it be as a forward or a defender he has to make some drastic changes to his attitude and play a style of football that will gel with the team.

I am not writing him off yet but he will have to work harder than ever to just have his name mentioned by the M.C.

 

[rp84]

Trade week suggests otherwise

Agreed.

Not good enough for our backline, which at best is average (for now). Most clubs would prefer to try out a big rookie or draftee than waste a couple hundred k on a player that won't play more than 3 or 4 games on a very bad list.

 

[Red Bull]

Thornton should play in the nick maxwell role!!!!!!

Well he is a massive w***er ......

 

[PeeKay]

Hey guys, just wondering where you guys rate Thornton's career at given he was said to be done (in terms of being offloaded in trade week).

He obviously didnt get a deal done, what will 2011 bring for him? Had a shocker last season, but I thought was quite good in 09.

Is he finished or will we see a rejuvinated Bret Thornton next season?

Ratten has indicated he wants Thornton to play a different role in 2011 and my guess it could be in the forward line. Since we don't have a FF (I don't want Waite there) then I can see Thornton playing FF. He's a strong overhead mark, is relatively quick, can kick straight from a set kick, has 160 games experience and has an OK the defensive side of his game.
So, instead of playing other players out of their best position, he could be our man. At least until some of our new younger forwards develop.

 

[blue gunslinger]

physically mentally snd skillfully offers little
time has passed him by

 

[Dramoth]

Ratten has indicated he wants Thornton to play a different role in 2011 and my guess it could be in the forward line. Since we don't have a FF (I don't want Waite there) then I can see Thornton playing FF. He's a strong overhead mark, is relatively quick, can kick straight from a set kick, has 160 games experience and has an OK the defensive side of his game.
So, instead of playing other players out of their best position, he could be our man. At least until some of our new younger forwards develop.

Levi would be a better option as a FF than Thornton right from the start of next season. He is a natural forward and with the rest of the pre-season training into him will be a lot fitter and harder than Thornton.

Thornton doesnt know how to lead properly as a forward and was always behind his man last season when he played forward. And the only time he was in front on the lead, he ended up giving away 50 for staging for a free.

 

[TNBT]

Ratten has indicated he wants Thornton to play a different role in 2011 and my guess it could be in the forward line. Since we don't have a FF (I don't want Waite there) then I can see Thornton playing FF. He's a strong overhead mark, is relatively quick, can kick straight from a set kick, has 160 games experience and has an OK the defensive side of his game.
So, instead of playing other players out of their best position, he could be our man. At least until some of our new younger forwards develop.

You don't want Waite at the position that he played his best footy in last season and where he best fits in the team?

 

[Dramoth]

Got another role for Thornton apart from water boy or orange carrier...

Bike stand

 

[parrot]

I'd be delighted if Thornton could re-invent himself, and be a valuable part of our team. He deserves a lot a of respect, because he was one of the few defenders that stood up during our dark years. At his peak, he was excellent.

He used to be a fantastic negating defender. The problem is that his ability to negate effectively has deteriorated as he's been adding more of a rebounding role to his game. In the modern game defenders have to be BOTH good one-on-one negators and good re-bounders. That's a bit of an Art i.e. knowing when to leave your opponent, and when not to, and having an understanding with your team-mates and covering each other in the heat of battle. Thornton was great when he was just playing an isolated negating role, but has struggled when the role of a defender got more complex.

 

[Juddys_navy_blues]

Got another role for Thornton apart from water boy or orange carrier...

Bike stand

Gee thats not very nice.













On the bike racks of the world.

 

[blue gunslinger]

You don't want Waite at the position that he played his best footy in last season and where he best fits in the team?

waite needs to grow up and play smarter with less emotional BS

 

[Azul]

Waite and o'hAilpin --> daylight --> Hampson and Kreuzer --> even more daylight --> Thornton at FF.

Forgetting he's an U18 AA defender, I'd play Watson at FF long before giving Thornton a go there. MW is quality, reads the play exceptionally well, can take a grab, runs in straight lines and could roost them from 50m+.

Sorry Bret but you're a third tall in defense only. This talk about re-invention is poppycock - he needs just to get back to basics and enjoy playing footy again. Confidence will flow into form...

 

[Bluebear]

By the reports I read of Ants games he was doing that at the end of the season and was not rewarded with a berth in the 1's. I always wondered why but it seems he was not deemed worthy, seems his attitude was felt to be crap and the m/c's (in refusing to pick an in form player) was also questionable.

Too experienced to be not given another go if both parties can bury the hatchet but I'd guess he will need to make every post a winner if given an opportunity.

Can't see that he'd be a great get for GWS if he spends this season in the Ants again

Some players.......well.... the game just catches up with them.

In 2009 Thornton was our "Mr reliable" in defence in that he often got (due to one of Bower or Jammo being injured) a number one or two defensive role, at which he often exceeded expectations......but he was also our quarterback. play was often directed through him rebounding.

This year, his one on one defensive efforts dropped, and Russ and Gibbs took over the rebounding roles. Along with Bower running hard.......the ball just wasn't directedt through T-bird as much and when it was (maybe feeling the pressure) his disposal seemed to drop off.

Reads the play well so will always appear "too good" for VFL, but was found out this year. I would be surprised if White amongst others didn't push ahead of him.

IMHO if T-bird plays seniors our injury list will be very sorry reading. He knows this I suspect, hence the trade request. Will be the new Wiggo, with far fewer list cloggers ahead of him in line for the chop at contracts end.

 

[HBF]

Not in our best 22 anymore, and will struggle to get any serious AFL game time in 2011. Would much rather give Austin a serious crack at that CHB spot.

 

[Blueboys7]

He will only make an appearance in the senior side if we are riddled with injury. In saying that, if he performs on another level in the 2's then there is a place for him but the likelyhood of this happening is slim to none.