Vertical Leap-less?

[Turbocat]

Watching Tarrant take another car mark over Scarlo, watching that other kid that the Pies did the the big hide on ,Russling, I was reminded how jumpless we are up forward, back, in fact almost everywhere.
As much as the recruiting dept deserves pats on the back over the last 5-6 years I cant think of too many guys who take off like these two. Lonergan and H look the most promising of our forward talls but both seem to be more likely to take leading marks. KK is what he is, even from what Ive seen of young NA23 he is not a super high mark like his old man.
Is our policy not to focus on jumping abilty? Is it not considered as important as other areas?

 

[Fall Out Boy]

Being able to get a kick is considered higher than athletic ability, and rightly so.

Luke Buckland is one on the list who can jump, same goes for Wojcinski and Bartel. Not a great deal there.

 

[Macpop]

Phat,
How far, or will Buckland get a chance this year, I heard he started on the forward line against Williamstown, but was moved down to full back and did quite well and did a couple of good runs down the ground which finished in goals. Can anyone add to this, because I thought towards the end of last year he was a cert to get games this year, even his pre season form was great, was has happened to this kid?.

 

[Fall Out Boy]

I'm far too biased to make a fair judgement about Buckland, Macpop.

I love him and have a huge opinion of his abilities.

 

[Turbocat]

Being able to get a kick is considered higher than athletic ability, and rightly so.

Luke Buckland is one on the list who can jump, same goes for Wojcinski and Bartel. Not a great deal there.

The players that you have mentioned Phat are not likely to KP players.Ive got no problem with their prioirty, its just that players like Tarrant have that extra way to combat a backman.It may handy to be able to jump as a smaller guy but it can create hasles too, who stays down etc.
Could Buckland become that third tall in the backline?Im just not sure on him.(Ive read his brother is quite handy as well.)
As good as Rooke has been this year I still dont think our backline is in tune. We need to find a legit third tall and from what Ive seen I dont see that player on our list at this time

 

[nananana catman]

Phat,
How far, or will Buckland get a chance this year, I heard he started on the forward line against Williamstown, but was moved down to full back and did quite well and did a couple of good runs down the ground which finished in goals. Can anyone add to this, because I thought towards the end of last year he was a cert to get games this year, even his pre season form was great, was has happened to this kid?.

On his performances in the VFL this year of which I have seen quite a few, he doesnt warrant promotion to the senior list. Whether he does or not is another thing. Admittedly he gets put against a much bigger opponent each week, given our backline difficenies, his leap is simply amazing though.

 

[go_the_cattas]

Didn't Andrew Mackie get drafted to the club with a fairly high vertical leap?

 

[Fall Out Boy]

Didn't Andrew Mackie get drafted to the club with a fairly high vertical leap?

He didn't go to the camp, so if he did record a high vertical leap, it was done behind closed doors.

 

[go_the_cattas]

Ah ok, just remember hearing that at the stage when he was drafted....thanks

 

[Macpop]

Go the cattas - is that Bucklands brother that plays for Geelong Amateur seniors if that's him I watched him on Saturday he kicked 5 goals in the first half and then spent the rest of the game at fullback, could have kicked 10 if left on the forward line.
Is it true he's only 16, because he looks a big boy.
Phat - can this kid jump he was taking marks over everyone and I mean over them.

 

[lowbo]

we could always bring in McCarthy if high marks are what we're after.

I'd probably see 2-3 screamers every round on average, as opposed to plenty more contested marks and millions of other possession, so having a Tarrant/Robertson is more a bonus luxury than a selection criteria.

 

[go_the_cattas]

Go the cattas - is that Bucklands brother that plays for Geelong Amateur seniors if that's him I watched him on Saturday he kicked 5 goals in the first half and then spent the rest of the game at fullback, could have kicked 10 if left on the forward line.
Is it true he's only 16, because he looks a big boy.
Phat - can this kid jump he was taking marks over everyone and I mean over them.

Macpop, is that in D2 VAFA? I wouldn't know as I live in Sunbury, however if it is this section in the VAFA, I'll check with some of the senior boys at my club Rupertswood, as I'm pretty sure we and Geelong are the only undefeated sides in D2.

 

[Macpop]

No its the Bellarine Football league

 

[Partridge]

Watching Tarrant take another car mark over Scarlo, watching that other kid that the Pies did the the big hide on ,Russling, I was reminded how jumpless we are up forward, back, in fact almost everywhere.
As much as the recruiting dept deserves pats on the back over the last 5-6 years I cant think of too many guys who take off like these two.

Good point, but at the same time Tarrant is a key forward who does NOT average 2 goals a game. As much as he takes a great grab every now and again, his strength is on the lead. Be great to find a forward who can take big marks again - God knows it won't ever be Kingsley - but I'd rather Kingsley or Ottens (or Playfair, sorely missed) taking 10 marks every week on the lead first.

 

[Turbocat]

Good point, but at the same time Tarrant is a key forward who does NOT average 2 goals a game. As much as he takes a great grab every now and again, his strength is on the lead. Be great to find a forward who can take big marks again - God knows it won't ever be Kingsley - but I'd rather Kingsley or Ottens (or Playfair, sorely missed) taking 10 marks every week on the lead first.

Yes , of course one wants the Bread and Butter before the Jam and Cream. The thing is when you can only lead you are easier to shut down. Gary Ablett Snr is an eg. of this. He could take them on the lead, go either way after the mark but get in front of him to far and he would use you for rodeo practice. In the end, if the forward has heeps of options it causes panic,it cause's the double team and creates options for those around him.
Tarrants conversion is not much better than KK and he does lead a long way up the field. Riewoldt does the same sometimes but when fit and staying at home he is simply one of the most damaging forwards around. Can run, can jump, can mark , can kick can really hurt you

 

[Partridge]

Yes , of course one wants the Bread and Butter before the Jam and Cream. The thing is when you can only lead you are easier to shut down. Gary Ablett Snr is an eg. of this. He could take them on the lead, go either way after the mark but get in front of him to far and he would use you for rodeo practice. In the end, if the forward has heeps of options it causes panic,it cause's the double team and creates options for those around him.

True, God knows we'll all be rejoicing when we find a key forward capable of taking big marks again. Think Gardiner's got a pretty good leap, perhaps he might improve enough. Playfair's marking (and playing) has improved considerably. Yeah we just need the younger Ablett to step up or someone similar.

 

[Vaughan Pitt]

Strangely, Kingsley states in this article that he used to play basketball and jumping high was his biggest asset. Maybe if someone can get in his ear...

Rooke has a good leap, Milburn has a good leap, Mackie has a good leap and we don't see it much but Playfiar with a run-up has a decent jump on him too. Much of it is timing - leaping and landing on a player's shoulders gives you that extra second to mark the thing. That's part of what made Ablett Sr so extraordinary - he could simply jump high enough to get enough hangtime to mark the ball, rather than relying on getting a ride from someone underneath (tho it didn't hurt). See last quarter of 89 prelim v Dons to see what I mean.