Versatility

[95blues]

I know Mick is a big fan of having players that an play anywhere, but I'm interested to hear peoples thoughts on the value of having a whole bunch of guys that play different positions game to game versus guys being allowed to establish themselves in a certain position.

For example - Sometimes I think I'd prefer to see us stack our backline with Jammo, Hendo and Waite and just do the best we can up forward with Levi, Menzel, Yarran, Garlett, Walker etc.

I know we'd struggle up forward, but we'd be rock solid down back.

The alternative is to keep mixing and matching all the time, while consistently having a huge point of weakness at each end that the opponent abuses for all its worth ie Westhoff situation. I would have put Waite on him immediately.

 

[ShanDog]

The last part of your post is contradictory. Putting Waite on Westhoff is an argument FOR having versatile players.

I like the concept of having a team playing the 'total football' style of what revolutionised soccer years ago, but it will require refinement to figure out just how much versatility is workable before it becomes too chaotic or ineffective.

 

[95blues]

The last part of your post is contradictory. Putting Waite on Westhoff is an argument FOR having versatile players.

I like the concept of having a team playing the 'total football' style of what revolutionised soccer years ago, but it will require refinement to figure out just how much versatility is workable before it becomes too chaotic or ineffective.

If you take my post to the nth degree yes. I'm ok with a swingman for a role like stopping Westhoff... but I am not ok with the current way we play where almost every player is in a different spot from game to game, often several times within the same game.

Let Gibbs play mid full time, Yarran HFF, etc etc. Let the guys cement a spot and develop a strength in a single reliable position before throwing them to the wolves all over the field for the sake of versatility.

 

[BluStreak]

Not totally disagreeing with you 95blues but having that versatility allows us a couple of options that having a set possie restricts.
For instance, versatility allows us to exploit match ups - Everitt on Lids last nite,
it got Yarran into the game more,
allowed Mick to switch players around so that we got up and going in the 2nd half.

I dont believe every player has to be a 'swingman' but having several strings to their bow helps our team.
Maybe having set players in the spine with versatile players surrounding them would provide the structure you are craving.

 

[95blues]

Not totally disagreeing with you 95blues but having that versatility allows us a couple of options that having a set possie restricts.
For instance, versatility allows us to exploit match ups - Everitt on Lids last nite,
it got Yarran into the game more,
allowed Mick to switch players around so that we got up and going in the 2nd half.

I dont believe every player has to be a 'swingman' but having several strings to their bow helps our team.
Maybe having set players in the spine with versatile players surrounding them would provide the structure you are craving.

Yeah it does have its benefits no doubt. It's just frustrating seeing really talented players being pushed all over the ground and never being able to settle. Walker is a prime example... 45 goal season at Half Forward... never been there since. Gibbs situation has been even worse. It's going to happen to Hendo too now... just let the guys settle.

 

[slashin_velvet]

I think weve taken versatility to a stupid level.

You want players who can play multiple roles - but you want them to be specialists in one area, and backup in others.

What you dont see on TV is players like hendo running to the defence and being unsure whether he is supposed to go forward or back.

 

[Franc de Borges]

The Henderson role is laughable.

Line up in forward line. Opposition kicks three in a row. Go back to defence.

I actually have bets as to how long the switch will take each week.

 

[thylacine60]

No you don't.