Trent West

[Bomber Man]

Seemed to be in the scheme of things 2 years ago and has dropped right out of the Geelong scene. As Ottens nears the end, does he have a place in the side with Blake when Vardy and Simpson are coming through?

 

[Turbocat]

Re: What's going on with Trent West?

I have heard he was gone last year till Mumford decided to live in Coat Hanger City. He apparently signed a 1 year contract so unless things change he will be looking for a new home at years end.
Id like to see him get a go , he certainly would be getting games at some clubs.

 

[True Blue Cat]

Re: What's going on with Trent West?

I believe he had been playing extremely well in the VFL then injured himself the week before Otto so there was no chance of him coming in that week.

 

[AM]

Re: What's going on with Trent West?

Seemed to be in the scheme of things 2 years ago and has dropped right out of the Geelong scene. As Ottens nears the end, does he have a place in the side with Blake when Vardy and Simpson are coming through?

Toss in Tomahawk showing some signs of being more than useful, a one year contract and salary cap issues and things aren't looking all that hopeful for Trent going forward. I'm sure there will be a queue for his services if things don't work out with us. The Hawks could do with him right about now.

 

[alfy!]

Re: What's going on with Trent West?

How old is the bloke?

 

[AM]

Re: What's going on with Trent West?

How old is the bloke?

Turns 23 in October

 

[Gaz_Brownlow]

Re: What's going on with Trent West?

Turns 23 in October

Is definitely worth hanging onto...offers a lot in terms of positional flexibility. It is likely that he would be approached by teams like Hawthorn, Gold Coast and even West Sydney at this stage. Would be that mature age with the right conditioning to make an imediate impact to a team.

I would have loved to see him ruck with Blake, but with Pods coming in and giving a lease of life to Hawkins around the ground (who to tell the truth is about the equal of West in terms of ruckwork and size)....it is hard to see any room for him. As long as Ottens is getting himself right for finals, then it is very hard to imagine West or Simpson getting a serious crack at things.

You would have to imagine the Hawkins / Ottens combination will be tossed around a fair bit over the next months. It is a distinct possibilty.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Re: What's going on with Trent West?

He was (along with Blake) unsigned at the start of trade week, so obviously he was close to leaving (whether that would have been his desire or the club's who knows). I really rate him as both a tap ruckman and particularly with his mobility and athleticism, which I believe is very important for ruckmen the way the game is going.

I hope he is given chances in the seniors later this year (it's not like he'd be being gifted a game, because he was one of our best in the VFL before his hamstring injury, and he was one of our few good players last week in a losing side). Hopefully even next week he may get a game if there's a spot. I get the sense he may leave for opportunities elsewhere, but I hope it doesn't happen. I'd hate to go into 2011 with Blake, Dawson and Vardy being all the ruckmen we have on our list (and with Otto's age, this has to be considered as a real possibility).

 

[TheYid]

West.

I know he's been injured a bit, but he's been good in the twos lately. What I want to know is does the forum think he has a future at the Cats? I rather like his form, but Simpson now seems to be the next ruckman to be picked if we need to promote someone.

Is he likely to get traded? I would have liked to see him selected this year to test him further rather than Simpson (who admittedly is taller by 8cm or so).

Any thoughts?

 

[D BRIDGE]

Re: West.

He aint up to it.
Ive said it before and ive said it again. Simple as that.
Forget about him and Gamble to.
Not worth a penny on the trade table either.
Destined to be delisted.

 

[alfy!]

Re: West.

Gamble might get a go at another club, but I agree.

 

[TheYid]

Re: West.

On the "Bomber knows" thread here currently underway we are praising him because he sticks with players that the fans hate because he knows...which makes me wonder what he knows about West...why wasn't he delisted last year? Is he potentially still good enough or not? Given that he has done so well in the twos, is Simpson picked before him just on size? Is he going to be developed for another role outside of the ruck?

 

[D BRIDGE]

Re: West.

TheYid it doesnt matter if he is tried in other positions or not because it wont change the fact that he just aint gonna cut it.
We want quality in our team and not some battler and he aint it.
Simpson gets a game ahead of him because he is better than him.
West isnt tall enough to play as a pure ruck in the AFL or agile or skilled enough to play key position so just move on because he will be at the end of the year.

 

[TheYid]

Re: West.

TheYid it doesnt matter if he is tried in other positions or not because it wont change the fact that he just aint gonna cut it.
We want quality in our team and not some battler and he aint it.
Simpson gets a game ahead of him because he is better than him.
West isnt tall enough to play as a pure ruck in the AFL or agile or skilled enough to play key position so just move on because he will be at the end of the year.

Then why did they keep him this year? That's my question. They must be still trying him out.

 

[pinion]

Re: West.

Then why did they keep him this year? That's my question. They must be still trying him out.

probably because mumford left. he'd have started the year as the third option for the ruck behind ottens and blake, and would have been a real chance to play senior footy when ottens inevitably became injured. then, i think west was unavailable when ottens missed the game against freo so dawson got the gig.

west's form has been good in the reserves, but at the same time he's dropped form third ruck to the fifth option now. which is a shame, because i think he has something. with two new teams on the way he'll get a senior spot somewhere

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Re: West.

I don't know whether West is gone.
On the fact that he can't get games, probably. When Bomber was asked about it at his presser last week he went on about "we don't give up on people" and referred to Lonergan etc, but maybe that's just a diversion to avoid saying West is gone.

Personally I think he could be a good ruckman if he got a chance, but he hasn't.

My biggest issue though is if he gets delisted, in all likelihood that leaves us with only 3 ruckmen on the list for next year (if we win the flag, I can see Otto going out on a high), one of whom is a 3 or 4 gamer, and the other is a 19 yo who isn't ready. (We're going to find it incredibly hard too to find a decent ruckman in this draft) Now yes Blake is durable, but surely that's far far far too risky. We've seen with Hawthorn what happens when you don't have enough fit rucks. If Mumford leaving was good enough for him to stay last year, then surely he should stay at the end of this year for the same reason. Even if I thought he probably wouldn't make it, I still wouldn't want to be delisting him unless I thought the cover was adequate, and it isn't.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Re: West.

Then why did they keep him this year? That's my question. They must be still trying him out.

He, Mumford and Blake (along with Wojo) were the uncontracted players in trade week. It was fairly obvious if Wojo stayed on one of the other three was going to be traded/delisted. Mumford went so West stayed.

 

[Turbocat]

Re: West.

I don't know whether West is gone.
On the fact that he can't get games, probably. When Bomber was asked about it at his presser last week he went on about "we don't give up on people" and referred to Lonergan etc, but maybe that's just a diversion to avoid saying West is gone.

Personally I think he could be a good ruckman if he got a chance, but he hasn't.

My biggest issue though is if he gets delisted, in all likelihood that leaves us with only 3 ruckmen on the list for next year (if we win the flag, I can see Otto going out on a high), one of whom is a 3 or 4 gamer, and the other is a 19 yo who isn't ready. (We're going to find it incredibly hard too to find a decent ruckman in this draft) Now yes Blake is durable, but surely that's far far far too risky. We've seen with Hawthorn what happens when you don't have enough fit rucks. If Mumford leaving was good enough for him to stay last year, then surely he should stay at the end of this year for the same reason. Even if I thought he probably wouldn't make it, I still wouldn't want to be delisting him unless I thought the cover was adequate, and it isn't.

Pure , if he is available for selection and they have gone past him , he is gone either thru our delist or his seeking another club.He knows we have recruited Mumford, Simpson and Vardy with him on the list. No matter what is said, it indicates minimal chances for the future.

As far as our weakness in depth of rucks , I dont think its that bad.

I noted a while ago that our history of the way we have groomed our emerging ruckmen , that in Y1 and Y2 its not unusual to not see them at all. By Y3 a handful of games is then the granted , perhaps to let the emerging player to realise to what he has to aspire. In Y4 , if the position is available its time to play.eg. Blake was drafted in 2003 and played 8 in 2006 and 22 in 2007 . Simpson is in Y3 if he can play 4+ games this year he is on track to be a regular next year which he will not with Ottens still here , its why IMO , next year may be Otto's last. Just like when Barnes got pushed out when King was ready to go Otto probably will be too.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Re: West.

Pure , if he is available for selection and they have gone past him , he is gone either thru our delist or his seeking another club.He knows we have recruited Mumford, Simpson and Vardy with him on the list. No matter what is said, it indicates minimal chances for the future.

As far as our weakness in depth of rucks , I dont think its that bad.

I noted a while ago that our history of the way we have groomed our emerging ruckmen , that in Y1 and Y2 its not unusual to not see them at all. By Y3 a handful of games is then the granted , perhaps to let the emerging player to realise to what he has to aspire. In Y4 , if the position is available its time to play.eg. Blake was drafted in 2003 and played 8 in 2006 and 22 in 2007 . Simpson is in Y3 if he can play 4+ games this year he is on track to be a regular next year which he will not with Ottens still here , its why IMO , next year may be Otto's last. Just like when Barnes got pushed out when King was ready to go Otto probably will be too.

I agree he's probably gone, for the reasons you have stated.

And if he sees the writing on the wall and decides to go himself, it's perfectly understandable. I was talking about us deciding to give him the boot which is an altogether different scenario.

I'm afraid I must disagree on ruck depth. If come next year Otto is putting his feet up in retirement, and West is gone, we are one serious injury away from throwing Vardy to the wolves, and I say that because the ruck is the one position where you can't throw guys in who aren't physically ready (why do you think Hawthorn are playing Skipper...I'll give you a clue, it's not because they think he's a great ruckman). Now who knows, Blake and Simpson might be incredibly durable, and we get away fine, but it's incredibly risky. Hence it's my rationale for saying if I was running the list, even if I thought he probably won't make it, there's no way I'd be giving West the boot, at least not for one more year. It's my opinion, which I don't expect everybody to agree with, I just think it's rational enough that it's fair enough for me to hold it.

On your other stuff, yes I agree with you. The model seems to be, warehouse ruckmen until year three. Which I support. Bodies need to develop, as does the skill.

 

[Turbocat]

Re: West.

Yes there are risks.Injuries to ruckmen are probably the worst because any club can not keep one or two ruckmen happy at a time. Any ready for a game usually get offers from other clubs or chase's a chance from elsewhere. Its sort of like being a Wicketkeeper in Cricket.

Now it maybe that West go's , Blake falls over and Simpson and Vardy are asked to hold the fort. It would be tough but I don't see any imediate alternatives. Blake is at stage where if all the work put into him is worth it he will be our #1 guy. Simpson needs games to advance , to recruit another Ottens type would only deny him his shot like we have done to West. It maybe that Ottens would be happy to hang around knowing he will play a max. of 10 games , after all thats all he has played the last couple of years.

Perhaps there is one alternative. The Mumford scenario. Ottos goes and release's $$$ , Blake and Simpson are 1 & 2 , and while Vardy is promising he is at least a year or two off our planned ruck cycle.So is there a 22 year old mature body guy who could be given a Rookie chance. I really haven't studied the base Leagues but if there is 1 (Mumford) there is probably more. That way Vardy and other players like Hawkins are protected , we have a backup plan and who knows , we may find another unexpected guy who could alter all our plans.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Re: West.

Yes there are risks.Injuries to ruckmen are probably the worst because any club can not keep one or two ruckmen happy at a time. Any ready for a game usually get offers from other clubs or chase's a chance from elsewhere. Its sort of like being a Wicketkeeper in Cricket.

Now it maybe that West go's , Blake falls over and Simpson and Vardy are asked to hold the fort. It would be tough but I don't see any imediate alternatives. Blake is at stage where if all the work put into him is worth it he will be our #1 guy. Simpson needs games to advance , to recruit another Ottens type would only deny him his shot like we have done to West. It maybe that Ottens would be happy to hang around knowing he will play a max. of 10 games , after all thats all he has played the last couple of years.

Perhaps there is one alternative. The Mumford scenario. Ottos goes and release's $$$ , Blake and Simpson are 1 & 2 , and while Vardy is promising he is at least a year or two off our planned ruck cycle.So is there a 22 year old mature body guy who could be given a Rookie chance. I really haven't studied the base Leagues but if there is 1 (Mumford) there is probably more. That way Vardy and other players like Hawkins are protected , we have a backup plan and who knows , we may find another unexpected guy who could alter all our plans.

Ha...I like that line...good work.

Agree with your post too. Like the fact that you at least understand where I'm coming from.

For what it's worth, I don't want Otto to retire, I'm just saying it's possible and maybe even likely. It would be great if he could hang around for a while just to play the 10 games as you say, but realistically you can't chew that much cap $$$ if that's all he's going to play. Anyway we'll see what happens.

I hadn't thought of the rookie list idea, but particularly with the mature age thing it is an option for us next year. I would prefer that just in case next year, because if Vardy has to be thrown to the wolves, or Hawk has to be put into the ruck full time, I will be so nervous about injuries that I'll have to cover my eyes.

 

[Turbocat]

Well the way its playing out tonight , he may get a game yet

 

[Topper Harley]

Well the way its playing out tonight , he may get a game yet

probably as a key forward.

 

[Brasil2007]

Could he play in defence? Or not mobile enough?

 

[Rosso]

Out of favour I'd think. You can understand Dawson coming in against the giant Sandi v Freo earlier in the year but with Cox & Nat, two of the more mobile guys in the comp, I'm puzzled as to why West wasn't given a crack. Perhaps they wanted to see how high Nat could jump??

West looked more than handy and a step above VFL level earlier in the year whether it be in the ruck or at CHF. Depending on the Mooney injury and perhaps JPod and the MRP he may get a gig through necessety. Unless they are prepared to have Lonners as a key forward (if the others miss) then it's pretty slim pickings.