What are we Missing

[tesseract]

I think you are discounting the ability of Jordan Jones a little too much.

He's a very polished young backman who has been holding down CHB and FB for Peel.

I'm not discounting Jordan Jones as a player. I think he'll be a good player for our team and will have a long career with us. The way he's playing and developing at Peel suggests this, and I'm very pleased with his progression.

I just don't think that JJ is a CHB. He's not tall enough at 189/190cm. He needs a lot more bulk too. But mainly, it's his style of game that just isn't suited to becoming a KPB. He likes to run out of the back line and play like a HBF. That's the way I see him going.

BTW, when I mentioned he has likeness to Bones, I meant it as in height, size and style of play, not in skills.

 

[tesseract]

Sounds a bit stupid to play a player in the position he wants just to avoid him getting upset.
You play where you are best suited and where the team needs you.
Jackovic & McIntost were both recruited as forwards and ended up champion backmen. Brown & McKenzie are the future of the backline.

I understand what your saying.
Brown has a lot of value on the open market as a young and promising player and would be well sort after if he decided he didn't want to be at the Eagles any longer. If he became disgruntled for not being played as a forward, after being reassured that he will be used as a forward, he may use that as a reason to get what he wants at another club.
Yes, it may seem sulky if that's what he does. But it's not out of the question.

 

[bunsen burner]

I'm not sure why we're worrying about a CHB? Glass's retirement is 4 seasons away. We don't have a gap there for the foreseeable future. Our gap is still our midfield. Just because we have a lot of young kids doesn't necessarily mean that parts all fixed. We don't know how good they will be because we need 3 of them to be out and out stars. The main thing we've missing right now is a midfield. To a lesser degree a crumber and an attacking HBF that can run lines.

 

[tesseract]

I brought up the issue of a CHB now because it takes talls longer to develop, even though Glass will be around for perhaps 4 years, we'll want a ready made replacement to fill that void immediately, considering that our premiership window in 4 years may be opening up by then. We wouldn't want a newbie stepping into a KPB post when we are taking a tilt at a flag.
IMO, it's best to be prepared for eventualities such as Glass' retirement and start putting plans into action now. Glass' retirement will be a big blow for the club, but we could soften the blow if we have a decent player with a few years experience ready to take his place.

This year at draft time, I expect we'll grab 2 midfielders with our first 2 picks (especially if we receive a PP) unless we grab Butcher. I think that 2 top young midfielders would complete the midfield rebuild.

A FP crumber would come with a 2/3/4 round pick. Travis Colyer this year and hopefully Brandon Matera next year will put this issue to rest.

As for a HBF, Jordan Jones is looking quite a likely type to fit that role probably from next year sometime. He's looking the goods for Peel ATM.
Hopefully Ash Smith, sooner rather than later can get his hussle on and become a HBF/HFF as well.

The CHB issue is a non issue if Mitch Brown were to be played there permanently.

 

[no1bankteller]

I agree. Rowan Jones was a total hack of a footballer, but did the job of blocking in stoppages to allow ball players like Judd to run at the footy. When the time comes we'll probably have another Rowan Jones.

Our team structure and lack of blocking for Kerr - referencing the work that Rowan Jones and Chick used to do for our midfield and how they are missed.


Btw I agree that RJ was not a very skilled player but he was an unltimate team man. He did whatever needed to be done for the team to be sucessful - except kick goals that is

 

[lewigie]

I agree. Rowan Jones was a total hack of a footballer, but did the job of blocking in stoppages to allow ball players like Judd to run at the footy. When the time comes we'll probably have another Rowan Jones.

Mark Nicoski?