Toast Thurlow should never go back to the VFL again!

[David the Cat]

some good info here, I'm trawling more from a SC point-of-view, sounds like he's cemented his spot, considering trading him in, any of you supercoaches done that? defence is a wasteland this year.

very handy player.

been in my side for 3 weeks….he's a good option.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

To be fair, he was the sub in quite a few games last year.

I hate the sub rule and strongly wish it were gone.

 

[GHS33]

Where does he fit once Mackie comes back? Personally I hope we keep him on a HBF and free up Mackie onto a wing.

 

[Daniel McL]

You know he's good when he is in my SC side #2307LastWeek

 

[Cezz The Catter]

Has anyone else noticed Thurlow's kicking (especially field kicking), seems ordinary for his standards?

In 2015 he was rated one of the most lethal kicks on the list, other than Duncan and Selwood perhaps the best in our squad and certainly best for kick ins. With Touhy taking the kick ins (god knows why) and Thurlow moved up the ground has hid midfield position hampered his gracious toe? Or perhaps his body is still gaining confidence after his VFL.

One things for sure he just isn't looking as dangerous and we are in desperate need of some real line breaking foot skills. I'm not asking him to become Trent Mckenzie here but I think Thurlow's season has probably been a stalemate comparative to his 2015.

 

[Cursed Cat]

Has anyone else noticed Thurlow's kicking (especially field kicking), seems ordinary for his standards?

In 2015 he was rated one of the most lethal kicks on the list, other than Duncan and Selwood perhaps the best in our squad and certainly best for kick ins. With Touhy taking the kick ins (god knows why) and Thurlow moved up the ground has hid midfield position hampered his gracious toe? Or perhaps his body is still gaining confidence after his VFL.

One things for sure he just isn't looking as dangerous and we are in desperate need of some real line breaking foot skills. I'm not asking him to become Trent Mckenzie here but I think Thurlow's season has probably been a stalemate comparative to his 2015.

Yes and no Cezz - I reckon he's just been generally off the pace and struggling to find his feet at AFL level after his year off.
Without that split-second to compose himself he's often found himself with barely enough time to squeeze out a handball, let alone a sizzling pass.

We're well off for small-to-mid sized defenders at the moment too so he's not really able to exploit his kicking prowess from kick-ins, which had previously been a big asset of his.

I think his past two weeks have been pretty encouraging though; today was the first time that I thought he looked to have confidence enough in his frame to absorb a hit. Been a slow road back but that was always on the cards, with some luck he may be running into better form on the cusp of finals.

 

[FredLeDeux]

Has anyone else noticed Thurlow's kicking (especially field kicking), seems ordinary for his standards?

In 2015 he was rated one of the most lethal kicks on the list, other than Duncan and Selwood perhaps the best in our squad and certainly best for kick ins. With Touhy taking the kick ins (god knows why) and Thurlow moved up the ground has hid midfield position hampered his gracious toe? Or perhaps his body is still gaining confidence after his VFL.

One things for sure he just isn't looking as dangerous and we are in desperate need of some real line breaking foot skills. I'm not asking him to become Trent Mckenzie here but I think Thurlow's season has probably been a stalemate comparative to his 2015.

Playing on the wing, he's often kicking hurriedly and under more pressure than he was in defence.
Defenders always kick more accurately, on average, than on-ballers.
But he has noticeably placed himself under more pressure sometimes by over-estimating how much time and space he has.

PS Tuohy taking the kick-ins gives us the option, when appropriate, of having the team's longest kicker just blast it into the centre of the ground.

 

[catempire]

I think his kicking has always been and is still excellent. His 2017 has been underwhelming for other reasons, mainly just looking off the pace of it and a bit lost. But I have been encouraged by his past recent form. He'll be fine.

 

[Daniel McL]

I think his kicking has always been and is still excellent. His 2017 has been underwhelming for other reasons, mainly just looking off the pace of it and a bit lost. But I have been encouraged by his past recent form. He'll be fine.

Once Mackie retires I expect Thurlow to be moved further back to cover his loss as they are very similar players. I can see Thurlow after another full pre-season + more confidence in his knee be just as damaging as Tuohy running off the half back line & onto the wing. Will be a star.

 

[Cezz The Catter]

Yes and no Cezz - I reckon he's just been generally off the pace and struggling to find his feet at AFL level after his year off.
Without that split-second to compose himself he's often found himself with barely enough time to squeeze out a handball, let alone a sizzling pass.

We're well off for small-to-mid sized defenders at the moment too so he's not really able to exploit his kicking prowess from kick-ins, which had previously been a big asset of his.

I think his past two weeks have been pretty encouraging though; today was the first time that I thought he looked to have confidence enough in his frame to absorb a hit. Been a slow road back but that was always on the cards, with some luck he may be running into better form on the cusp of finals.

He had a few chances today, he had space and time to take the 2-3 balancing steps required for a missile pass I50. I don't mind what we're doing with him don't get me wrong. I think he has shown enough to prove he is a best 22 player. Agree, will benefit from stringing a few games together.

Playing on the wing, he's often kicking hurriedly and under more pressure than he was in defence.
Defenders always kick more accurately, on average, than on-ballers.
But he has noticeably placed himself under more pressure sometimes by over-estimating how much time and space he has.

PS Tuohy taking the kick-ins gives us the option, when appropriate, of having the team's longest kicker just blast it into the centre of the ground.

Fair call re: Tuohy. I think that plan is desperately hindered by the fact that at pace forward of the centre isn't much chop right now though.

I think his kicking has always been and is still excellent. His 2017 has been underwhelming for other reasons, mainly just looking off the pace of it and a bit lost. But I have been encouraged by his past recent form. He'll be fine.

I think he's definitely been building form as far as accumulating possession goes. I'm used to pinpoint passes by him though which has been slightly disappointing, right now Kolo is actually using the ball by foot very well.

 

[Willo_]

I think his kicking has always been and is still excellent. His 2017 has been underwhelming for other reasons, mainly just looking off the pace of it and a bit lost. But I have been encouraged by his past recent form. He'll be fine.

I agree with that comment on the kicking... and the off the pace and a bit lost has impacted his kicking in the sense that he has simply taken safe options mostly.

The last couple of weeks he is starting to feel it more, particularly last week, and with confidence he takes bolder options, and quicker... and that makes us a more dangerous side IMO

 

[Tony Barber]

Slightly off topic but regarding kicking.
Does it shit anyone else to tears when danger kicks off one step?
It pretty much never hits the target because it has to loop to get there.

 

[Cezz The Catter]

Slightly off topic but regarding kicking.
Does it shit anyone else to tears when danger kicks off one step?
It pretty much never hits the target because it has to loop to get there.

I'd have to say no, I remember 2 instances when he went off 1 step out of the backline and hit targets. He's never going to be the most efficient in the side, simply because his kicking lets him down at times. I've kind of accepted that if you're getting the hardball and breaking away from clearances at the pace he does you're gunna flop balls.

 

[Biscut]

I'm actually liking Thurlows game at the moment. Clearly he's still building from the reco, however every game he's played this year has been better than his last. Could be a real find for us deep in the finals!