Trent West

[_Me_]

Today could be the day he has arrived. If his form continues he could stay in the team with Ottens. That would leave the Hawk to improve on his awesome form to date. West can also go back if we need a rotation down back.

We might have found some more selection issues.

 

[catswhiskers]

Re: T.West

I have wanted to see West given game time to see what he has.

I have been disappointed in his leap. The first line ruckmen will find the going pretty easy if West has to lead our ruck division.

Around the ground he started slowly but over the last 3 quarters has contested well and made good position. His mark for a goal was just what is needed-nothing special but just what had to be done from a good position.

Still think he is in a direct contest with Vardy for the support role ( if they want to use a support role). Would like to see West given a couple in tandem with Ottens. Games on the trot have been denied him before and we can really freshen up the kid (Vardy) and see if West has more tricks in the bag. Or give Pods a break and play Vardy/West with Ottens

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Re: T.West

good game from west today albeit againsy poor opp.doesnt have vards leap but does tap well,was ok at the bounces and really good at the throw ins.simpson is a better 1st ruck prospect but for the 2nd role west is good.some days he'll win the HO's,some not,but today showed he'll give you total honest effort,really competitive 2nd efforts,he tackles,shepherds and most importantly will take marks when forward.you know what you'll get.while i feel vards will be a superior player in 4years time,if come sept in the heat of finals the coaches prefer that honest grunt to vardy who has more potential but might go physically missing in a final and only have 3 or 4 touches,i could understand that.

 

[Turbocat]

All I have asked is for him to get a fist full of games in a row. Give him an honest shot , considering the games Blake has been gifted over the years I still think he offers something that others on our list can not.

He is a midfield ruckman that can only get better the more he plays. He is dangerous when he drifts forward and can play back. He is an ideal 2nd ruckman and would compliment Ottens well. Vardy has more flash and probably will end up the better prospect but atm West is probably a better option.

The one thing today would have done for Trent and us is it put his name out there and he may have a few more options come end of the year if we cant give him more of a regular game.

 

[Vdubs]

Re: T.West

If Podsy is out for a few weeks with facial surgery, wonder if Vardy or West may get a FF spot. Hawkins stays.

 

[winty]

Re: T.West

If Podsy is out for a few weeks with facial surgery, wonder if Vardy or West may get a FF spot. Hawkins stays.

Apparently Moons played well in the VFL again today so he might get a look in if Pods is out after his month of fine form.

 

[CF]

Re: T.West

they would want to give west a few games as it does also help give him some trade value if he plays well.

 

[Gaz_Brownlow]

Re: T.West

Good solid player, will be a good second ruck - tossup between him and Vardy, but the physical presence of West could be the deciding factor.

Only minor criticism was he overthought a few handballs and was a little slow on the tempo, but that is more than likely a product of being off the pace of seniors.

 

[AM]

Re: T.West

If Podsy is out for a few weeks with facial surgery, wonder if Vardy or West may get a FF spot. Hawkins stays.

Understand the 'if' bit but where did you get the impression facial surgery was under consideration? We were listening to 774 on the way home and the report from the rooms was both he and Stokes were o.k. Early days, but I was heartened by that report.

 

[Gaz_Brownlow]

Re: T.West

AFL website and Scott post match mentioned that there is a 'slight' possibility of a fracture and/or bone bruising. The words cautious approach were again mentioned....seems like Big Moons will come back in next week and Pods will miss.

Very likely West and Otto' to form the ruck division over the next few weeks with a couple of games at home. Hard to keep West out when he put in such a solid effort....his big advantage is going to be that he will beat the majority of number two ruckmen (i.e. Leigh Brown types) and will be able to take a clunker every now and then. His kicking also looks to be a strong attribute!

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Re: T.West

Understand the 'if' bit but where did you get the impression facial surgery was under consideration? We were listening to 774 on the way home and the report from the rooms was both he and Stokes were o.k. Early days, but I was heartened by that report.

You'd think Podsy will still miss at least one week even if the scans are clear though.

I'd probably play both West and Vardy in that case and both get a crack at some real forward time, as well as ruck time.

I suppose they could bring back Moons though, but it makes more sense to let Vardy and West go head to head for that second ruck spot, Moons only makes sense if they think Pods will be out for any significant length of time IMO.

 

[you pick one]

Re: T.West

Johno, Otto,and Ling back this week,I'm not expecting to see Vardy or Moons this week.

On West I've been some what of a detractor when it came to this bloke,but could have kicked goals against the Lions and got two yesterday.

If he can play well enough to force the opposition to pay him more respect when drifting forward it all of a sudden makes life easier for the other big forwards.

Really has put himself right in the mix.

 

[dazbroncos]

Was impressed by Westy given his limited opportunites. I think with Otto getting older and possibly not around next year having Daws with Vardy and West as the rotations and Pods, Hawkins forward is a great list.

And if Otto sticks around you'd figure he would only play maybe 15 games next year with management

We have to get 3 off the list and with Blake, Mooney and Drum gone there are the 3 changes.

Presuming all above want to stay......

Go Catters...

Westy to play again next week too.....

 

[pinion]

did well today. exactly what you need from a second ruck in this era - reasonable ruck work, good around the ground and can go forward and kick a couple. needs a couple more games to prove it wasn't a fluke, but may have gone ahead of vardy (in the short term) with that performance

 

[CF]

Was impressed by Westy given his limited opportunites. I think with Otto getting older and possibly not around next year having Daws with Vardy and West as the rotations and Pods, Hawkins forward is a great list.

And if Otto sticks around you'd figure he would only play maybe 15 games next year with management

We have to get 3 off the list and with Blake, Mooney and Drum gone there are the 3 changes.

yeah i agree with this. Blakey will get the chop more due to his attitude I think. This keeps our future ruck stocks as Simpson, Vardy, & West. I have even heard Scotty talk about Vardy being more important as a CHF than a ruckman for the future.

Ottens 31 is very close to gone and if we won the flag this year I wouldn't be surprised if he leaves after that.

If Hawkins & Brown step up a level with those three as the ruck combo then the future actually looks bright for KP forwards & Ruckmen.

The small & medium guys are looking good too.

The next wave of recruitment has to be for the backline. With Milburn 34, Scarlett 32 & Wocjinski 31, Enright 30, Mackie 27, J Hunt 29, Taylor 25, Lonergan 27.

 

[Farmer2Goggin]

Re: T.West

Good solid player, will be a good second ruck - tossup between him and Vardy, but the physical presence of West could be the deciding factor.

Only minor criticism was he overthought a few handballs and was a little slow on the tempo, but that is more than likely a product of being off the pace of seniors.

Agree with this - has got the physique to have an impact in the Finals provided he keeps delivering. Needs to be given a chance with a few more games and I feel confident he will improve rather than taper off. Great skills for a big guy - particularly set shots at goal.

 

[InnocentBystandr]

Re: T.West

I've always supported this guy, and I hope they give him reasons to stay at Geelong. I think his ability around the ground, especially as a tall defender, and the impact of the sub-rule will make him a very attractive prospect for a lot of clubs in need of a utility ruck-man who can offer him a game in the 'firsts' every week. He was a Geelong supporter as a young'un so maybe that may be enough?

 

[LifeSpan-Void]

Re: T.West

I've always supported this guy, and I hope they give him reasons to stay at Geelong. I think his ability around the ground, especially as a tall defender, and the impact of the sub-rule will make him a very attractive prospect for a lot of clubs in need of a utility ruck-man who can offer him a game in the 'firsts' every week. He was a Geelong supporter as a young'un so maybe that may be enough?

Given that he's the only guy from the 05 draft left on the list not to have played even 20 games, I'd say being a Geelong supporter has kept him around for 2 seasons longer than anyone else would have stayed. I think he's a more prudent choice for second ruck at this point, Vardy needs a couple more preseasons to run out a full year in a contending team.

 

[TheYid]

Re: T.West

The big question is after Ottens retires: Vardy/Simpson or Vardy/West as ruck combo? Simpson's disposal hasn't been all that good. I prefer West.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Re: T.West

The big question is after Ottens retires: Vardy/Simpson or Vardy/West as ruck combo? Simpson's disposal hasn't been all that good. I prefer West.

To be honest all three (not necessarily all three in the same side every week, but certainly all three here and pushing for games), given we aren't stocked for talls on the list, a few are about to retire and Mitch Brown's body is at least 2 or 3 years off playing key position (and may never be strong enough for key position) so we need all three playing well, gives us depth in both ruck AND forward line.

 

[TheYid]

Re: T.West

To be honest all three (not necessarily all three in the same side every week, but certainly all three here and pushing for games), given we aren't stocked for talls on the list, a few are about to retire and Mitch Brown's body is at least 2 or 3 years off playing key position (and may never be strong enough for key position) so we need all three playing well, gives us depth in both ruck AND forward line.

Fair call. Will Mitch Brown ever play AFL? Is his body too fragile?

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Re: T.West

Given that he's the only guy from the 05 draft left on the list not to have played even 20 games, I'd say being a Geelong supporter has kept him around for 2 seasons longer than anyone else would have stayed. I think he's a more prudent choice for second ruck at this point, Vardy needs a couple more preseasons to run out a full year in a contending team.

Agree with that, it amazes me that so many Geelong supporters are so prepared to write West off when he's played about 2 games in each of his 5 years and then gone back to the 2's, where he's repeatedly played well and never been brought back in.

While I rate Vardy as a better talent over the long term, West has never really been given sufficient opportunity to show what he can do.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Re: T.West

Fair call. Will Mitch Brown ever play AFL? Is his body too fragile?

I think he'll play, well I hope so because he has so much talent. But I suspect that at 20, with 2 shoulder recos under his belt, his body may never develop enough to be a true CHF in the modern game, more of a flanker with an incredibly good footy brain, so we still need as much depth in true talls as we can get our hands on.

 

[bobbycatsfanme]

well done Westy hope he makes it after such a long time trying. Would be another great story.

 

[Farmer2Goggin]

Re: T.West

The big question is after Ottens retires: Vardy/Simpson or Vardy/West as ruck combo? Simpson's disposal hasn't been all that good. I prefer West.

I think they will give Dawson every chance at the number 1 spot - 206cm speaks for itself. On that basis Vardy and West contend for the number 2 spot and we will probably look in the draft for a back up as Blake surely will go. I am in the Hawkins as a key forward camp with only occasional runs in the ruck to freshen him if needed.
I think Trent has enormous upside as he has been impressive with such little time in the 1's. Love the way he runs forward and can take a grab. He could be anything once he adjusts to the tempo.