What to do with Tabs

[masai]

As I see it, Tabs is in, the others must now show why they should displace him.

Will make for some great pre-season competition at training.

 

[DMan 11]

Near goals, opposing coaches will not like to give 15cm+ height differences. Cam is significantly smaller, so tabs will draw the more mobile of the two tallest defenders, Ape the other. Cam will get whoever else is mobile, changing matchups if necessary.

Kersten needs to break into the team.

No Pav is a good thing for the talls.

You do realize tabs is 197cm and McCarthy is 195cm ??

 

[ilikepotatoes]

We'll be playing with 3 of Kersten, Taberner, McCarthy and Apeness. Clarke looks he's staying so he'll take a forward spot as the resting ruck. Apeness needs a big preseason otherwise he won't get so many games. Taberner will play 15+ games again next season.

 

[DMan 11]

I like that the forward line will be more mobile - suiting the ebb and flow trend.

What I like more is having bennell, hill x2 etc delivering the ball instead of the oft used 'bomb it to Pav' strategy.

Imo this is the litmus test for rtb, can he manufacture clean ball in or will we be pressured again like last year. Me thinks the strategy of hills, weller, bennell and a mobile fwd contingent give us the biggest chance of changing things up from last year.
I hope.

 

[Dormammu]

Having said that, on paper (If he puts in the hard yards) Kersten is an attractive prospect at CHF with his speed and 50+ kick, with McCarthy in the square with speed and size, Yarran as a third leading option who can crumb, Walters, Bennell and Brad Hill to run onto the loose ball. It's a highly mobile, flexible pacy forward line with the skill that arguably we have never had in that part of the ground, suited to the modern game. Can it also provide enough defensive pressure as well?

The $64 question.

 

[Admiral Byng]

The $64 question.

I'd happily donate the $64 to stop us bombing it long all the time.

 

[freo1997]

If we're being realistic, Kersten would not coming over to Freo to play reserves or be a fringe 22 player - he does that enough at Geelong. He would have been told he'll be a big part of our forward line, hence his request to join us. The mere fact that we're going after Kersten says that we consider him a better prospect than Tabs at this moment. Why would you go after the bloke and trade for him just for depth (and why would he agree to that willingly?!).

Apeness and Tabs will have to earn their stripes in the WAFL and force their way in, assuming no injuries. Both have not demonstrated yet that they will be C-B grade AFL quality. They'll need to show something extra in 2017 that's for sure.

Agree with this.

I think tabs has to reinvent himself as a ruck/foward as he has the athleticism/fitness to roam the field. Hes too vanilla in the front half. And yeah kersten wouldn't be coming here to play for peel. Absolute lock rd 1.

 

[Dormammu]

I happily donate the $64 to stop us bombing it long all the time.

You'll be paying twice as much to retrieve the ball when it's shoots back quickly into our D50.

 

[Van_Dyke]

Actually Tabs played as a defender in a derby and did quite well (it was the one where Sutcliffe took Darling to the cleaners).

I was crapping myself every time it was kicked to his opponent

 

[salim malik]

i dont buy into Ross' claims that Apeness is anything decent
i remember in these forums this time last year people penciled Apeness in their starting 22 and i didnt believe it then and i dont believe it now
I would say its more likely he would be delisted soon rather than becoming a best 22 player ,esp now with 2 fit young gun forwards traded in

Have you seen him play ? Hard to have an opinion from Melbourne.

 

[mightymouse75]

Have you seen him play ? Hard to have an opinion from Melbourne.

Ape will have to lift his rucking to a profesional level if he us going to be a force. Nothings shown me he is going to be a big time forward. Could be wrong. Hope I am actually ))

 

[Paracleet]

Tabs remains the only genuine key forward on our list, so not all hope is lost for him. McCarthy and Kersten are as much medium forwards as keys.

 

[mike91]

This. Tabs is improving all the time and in glimpses when Pav was not playing played very well when delivery was ok. Kersten, McCarthy and Tabs are competing for two mobile tall forward places on each wing. Who gets first crack will depend on the pre-season and NAB cup. Apeness/Clarke/211 may all play in the same team but one would always be on the bench at any given time. Walters/Ballas/Langdon probably competing for 2 spots in the forward line maybe one on the bench at any time.

Nailed it. Wait til pre season is over and pre season games have been completed, by then we'll know what our forward line will look like. People are underrating and under valuing Tabs progress massively. Tabs is one of our best marks in the team and is also a good kick for goal. We might play all four, with Tabs playing higher up the ground like Saint Nick, would be a very good option to kick long down the wing to. I'm backing him in for a big pre season.

 

[Screen Name]

I personally think we will start with McCarthy and Kersten as the keys with Apeness playing the resting ruck.

Then it will be up to form for when Taberner and Clarke get their chance.

We are still rebuilding, so the upside of the first three has to come first.

 

[mike91]

I personally think we will start with McCarthy and Kersten as the keys with Apeness playing the resting ruck.

Then it will be up to form for when Taberner and Clarke get their chance.

We are still rebuilding, so the upside of the first three has to come first.

Why does Kerstens upside have to come before Tabs?

 

[Screen Name]

Why does Kerstens upside have to come before Tabs?

I just think he does. Drafted with a pick in the 30s rather then rookie draft ( I know that doesn't count for a lot), has a better kick, is more mobile, Tabs marking is not great despite height advantage, Kersten managed to break in to a team with a HEAP of talls where Taberner has dropped out of a team that only had one. Again I guess it's personal opinion.

 

[scon]

They'll all fight for a start.
When the incumbent gets it wrong....

 

[Screen Name]

They'll all fight for a start.
When the incumbent gets it wrong....

Much better position to be in rather then having Pav and some ruckmen lol

 

[Schauermann]

Taberner, Apeness, Kersten and McCarthy for 3 tall spots in the forward line. Just play the best 3. Probably will need to sort out the best combination aynway.
Good thing is all 4 coudl easily improve and none is only depth atm...

There will be injuries and out of form player anyway. For the whole list it is nearly 2 player for 1 spot in the best 22...

 

[mike91]

I just think he does. Drafted with a pick in the 30s rather then rookie draft ( I know that doesn't count for a lot), has a better kick, is more mobile, Tabs marking is not great despite height advantage, Kersten managed to break in to a team with a HEAP of talls where Taberner has dropped out of a team that only had one. Again I guess it's personal opinion.

You make very valid points and we're all entitled to an opinion, so fair enough mate. I'd argue that Tabs' marking is actually pretty good, I'd say he was our number one marking forward this season, better than Pav.

 

[FreoMonocle]

You do realize tabs is 197cm and McCarthy is 195cm ??

There are times when my pen licence needs to be revoked, that was one of those times.

Beer or Pen licence, no competition

 

[E Shed]

Taberner very much down the pecking order now for mine. He's not even in the same postcode as McCarthy as a footballer. Cam has way more nouse and natural ability. Even Kersten who is yet to set the world on fire looks way more like he belongs at AFL level.
Having said that, Tabs is the definition of a project player and so far he's always managed to find a level I didn't believe he had. Its such a relief we aren't looking to him to lead the forward line post Pav, McCarthy has the flair and confidence to be top dog while Tabs can fight it out with Kersten for second fiddle. Ape can play Ruck.

 

[kingswood71]

Could Tabs play a tall mobile wing like Richo or Reiwoldt?

Yes. Yes. Yes.
Watched every game Tabs has played. Looks far more comfortable when up the ground. Said it before and stand by it The guy could become an awesome wing, link up player out of defense...nice kicks into Kersten, Yarran and McCarthy leading in the 50 !

 

[Steinfreo]

You make very valid points and we're all entitled to an opinion, so fair enough mate. I'd argue that Tabs' marking is actually pretty good, I'd say he was our number one marking forward this season, better than Pav.

Its the eye test for me with Tabs something is just off. Also I think where he takes his marks matters. Im still on the fence though has shown steady improvement for sure.

 

[rodney hoo]

Yes. Yes. Yes.
Watched every game Tabs has played. Looks far more comfortable when up the ground. Said it before and stand by it The guy could become an awesome wing, link up player out of defense...nice kicks into Kersten, Yarran and McCarthy leading in the 50 !

He's got a good tank but not the speed for a wing IMO.