What position is Waite ideal for.

[thegreenmachine]

More flamboyant and a match-winner as a forward. More consistency as a back. Like Trent Croad at Hawthorn, we have to accept him for what he is and realise that consistency is the name of the game in modern footy - and that makes him a defender. And, as we've seen, his consistency is good enough for a spot in the Vic team, and its not inconceivable he'd be AA at some point in the next few years.

Before the season I thought he was wasted in defence. Now, I've gone completely the other way - he's a defender, and we should leave him there for the bulk of his career.

Yeah I'll put my hand up and make a backflip on a statement I made on this board a couple of months ago. Keep him in defence for this year and maybe next year, let him settle at CHB for 2 reasons.
1. We are desperately short of ready made key defenders this year. Thornton has been brave but is relishing playing BP/HBF and in some games has got a surprisingly high amount of possessions. With Waite, we have a ready made CHB.
2. It is said that CHB is the easiest spot to play on the ground, CHF the hardest. A perfect CHB is one that can both keep his man in check and then attack when need be. Waitey has shown this year especially that he can do just that. As for his kicking, it's probably not that bad, but Waitey can be a bit laconic at times, though mind you he can perhaps look like he is because he can make things look very easy when playing an offensive role.
I still like the idea of him playing forward every now and then though or even on the wing/midfield. Perhaps he'll turn into a Stephen Silvagni type, a defender who can go forward if need be. Someone who can be among the best defenders in the competition but then can be a matchwinner in the forward line must be a rare breed, but Waite can perhaps be that person. This is just my theory though, but one I like.

 

[a1118374]

in a perfect world someone else stands up and forces him to go one way or the other. Hopefully hartlett when he comes back

 

[BlueYoss]

Consistency has always been Jarrad's undoing, whether he played forward, on the wing and even at CHB where Pagan used him a lot last year.

This year has seen Jarrad come along in leaps and bounds in terms of consistency, but to say this is due entirely to his 'new' position at CHB is IMO simply a misconception -especially in light of the fact that it was at the start of 2007 that Pagan first thought of trying Waite at CHB and he has really only started becoming consistent a year later.

IMO Jarrad's recent improvement in consistency has come from:

1. First and foremost: Recent good run with injury -the start of his career was plagued by injury. After playing 20 games in his debut season (2003), he missed the first 11 rounds of 2004 and a further 2 later on that season, he then played 21 games in 2005, but missed 2 early in 2006 followed by a further chunk of 7. Since his return in Round 16 of 2006 he has not missed a game! I also remember hearing that 2007 was his first full pre-season, which is understandable with all those injuries.
2. Being left in the one position to develop as opposed to being moved all over the ground.
3. Maturity, both in body and mind that comes only with the years.

I firmly believe that Jarrad is a a natural forward and a genuine matchwinner.

When our defence can afford to allow Jarrad to play in the forward line permanently, with his newfound and constantly improving consistency he will prove that as good as he is in defence, he is even better in the forward line.

He's a natural Backman, so keep him there.

A penny for a shred of rationale or logic in support of this outlandish claim?

 

[Silvagnis]

Forward is his best position because I'll always maintain he doesn't have the strength to hold a CHF in a show of strength and a one on one contest. He's good playing off his man and coming over the top using his athleticism to spoil on the move, but he doesn't have the build of a Harley or Croad who are bigger units and stronger through the legs and hips. There was a noticeable difference in body type and size when Waite was dragged for Croad who was an AA CHB a few years back.

Hopefully Waite plays CHB until Austin is ready because I have no faith in Hartlett's hamstrings and Waite knocking the rough edges of his game when he's 25. Bower is making less errors with each games he plays and is another tall who might allow us to move Waite forward if he bulks up.

He played a great game on Cloke.

Unfortunately we don't have the luxury of moving Waite forward and playing him as a mobile marking CHF like Riewoldt where his clangers won't be as costly.

Waite murdered Miller in round one of 2006 and should have kicked five that day.

Waite was BOG when he kicked another five against Hawthorn when Lance played full forward instead of the absent Fevola and drew two opponents to allow him to go one on one with his opponent. Waite playing forward will make life easier for Fevola, but Fev will still get most of the attention and allow Waite to flourish like he did against the Hawks. Waite will take what he's learnt at CHB and apply it to CHF by making life hard for the opposition's defenders when they're running the ball out of the backline.

Fisher will play on their third best defender instead of the second best defender if Waite plays CHF.

Win/win/win.

 

[Thrust]

If we get Hurley, Waitey gets current Richo roll. Love him down back at the moment tho. Almost always gets a punch, and when he doesn't it's cos his opponent has had 2 lead way up. Very affective and deserves AA the way hes going, especially with Egan missing half the season its his chance.

Nathan Bock is far far ahead of him at the moment, not to say waite couldn't be a late bloomer like mcveigh, improve drastically and become an AA CHB