What's going on with Chris Knights?

[SunshineBoy]

How did VB edwards go did he play? Is he a lock for round 1 instead of Muscles?

Knights in case no one has said it Dud Delist.

 

[Rodney Dangerfield]

He's perpetually injured knights.
Was hoping he maybe might have had a slice of luck coming across but doesn't seem so.

 

[NUFC Tiger]

Have to say it, he's been doing his job since he got reinvented as a forward. Just lacks polish and class, but just about every contest he gets to he either marks or brings the ball to ground crashing packs. I would have him penciled in on his own merit.

Agreed on McGuane - hasn't been spectacular but has been solid and will compete - I would also argue that in the round 1 game, we should focus more on grit and guts than polish and silk (as Carlton, in general seem to go harder than ourselves in previous encounters hence they go onto win).

With Vickery being a bit slow to find his form, I would be tempted to play all 3 with McGuane playing as a permanent foil to Jack with Vickery and Maric rotating between ruck and forward.

Also with Waite unlikely to play, McGuane can go into the game without needing to wear a cup

 

[3rdManUp]

Knights playing for the burgers is a big plus IMO because I have a gut feel that McDonough will be something special and having Knights there to help his development will be pay dividends later.

 

[The full package]

Agreed on McGuane - hasn't been spectacular but has been solid and will compete - I would also argue that in the round 1 game, we should focus more on grit and guts than polish and silk (as Carlton, in general seem to go harder than ourselves in previous encounters hence they go onto win).

With Vickery being a bit slow to find his form, I would be tempted to play all 3 with McGuane playing as a permanent foil to Jack with Vickery and Maric rotating between ruck and forward.

Also with Waite unlikely to play, McGuane can go into the game without needing to wear a cup

How many rounds do you give Vickery. I don't mean to be disrespectful as I do think he will come on at a later age but right now, I don't think he looks much like the Vickery of 2011.

 

[NUFC Tiger]

How many rounds do you give Vickery. I don't mean to be disrespectful as I do think he will come on at a later age but right now, I don't think he looks much like the Vickery of 2011.

I would probably (or at least hope) we give him maybe a month - he's coming from some pretty big shoulder surgeries and from what I've heard from others, the prospect of even lifting your arms is a scary thought (let alone doing it in a contact sport).

He has shown some good signs in pre season while also having a lot of quiet games too. I think with Vickery, its a combination of both being rusty and also lacking confidence. 2011 is a fair while ago in footy terms and even in the handful of games he played last year, you could just see he wasn't right. I think if he can take a few big grabs, kick a few goals and do the simple things like involve team mates or lay a tackle, his confidence will grow a lot. Some reports have said he has been flying on the track so I'm hoping he just needs to find that belief again that he can play decent stuff at AFL level.

 

[THE_GUN]

How many rounds do you give Vickery. I don't mean to be disrespectful as I do think he will come on at a later age but right now, I don't think he looks much like the Vickery of 2011.

Vickery hant really played badly of what i have seen so far this pre season but things just havnt seem to have fallen his way - Yet, but they will

The thing the i have noticed in the games we have played is that our foward entries are not really ideal for big men and there have been so many passes directed at Vickery that have either been that little bit too high where the defender has been able to spoil or just short where the ball just doesnt get to him at the right point

Our foward entries are really not working to plan at the moment

 

[Conca Truck]

Some info on how Knights went in the practice match for Coburg.

“Chris Knights (11 kicks, 17 handballs, seven marks) was terrific with his run and carry and also linked up well from stoppages. He had a heap of the football for his three quarters

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2013-03-18/positive-signs-for-grimes-.workstation

 

[theflea]

I would probably (or at least hope) we give him maybe a month - he's coming from some pretty big shoulder surgeries and from what I've heard from others, the prospect of even lifting your arms is a scary thought (let alone doing it in a contact sport).

He has shown some good signs in pre season while also having a lot of quiet games too. I think with Vickery, its a combination of both being rusty and also lacking confidence. 2011 is a fair while ago in footy terms and even in the handful of games he played last year, you could just see he wasn't right. I think if he can take a few big grabs, kick a few goals and do the simple things like involve team mates or lay a tackle, his confidence will grow a lot. Some reports have said he has been flying on the track so I'm hoping he just needs to find that belief again that he can play decent stuff at AFL level.

Imo what i wanted to see from vickery isnt really about his shoulders. Its about more presence at the ball, jumping into a contest, marking or in the ruck, with a little reckless abandon.

 

[theflea]

Some info on how Knights went in the practice match for Coburg.

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2013-03-18/positive-signs-for-grimes-.workstation

28 for 3 q's is pretty good. Along with biscuit its good to see.

 

[The full package]

Imo what i wanted to see from vickery isnt really about his shoulders. Its about more presence at the ball, jumping into a contest, marking or in the ruck, with a little reckless abandon.

And I wonder if this will happen in the ones or does he need to find his feet at Coburg in his own time. I hope their isn't to much pressure on him as this could have a backward effect.

 

[The full package]

28 for 3 q's is pretty good. Along with biscuit its good to see.

Discussed in another thread, make a nice fit for our sub round 1.

 

[Riskingheadandshin]

Imo what i wanted to see from vickery isnt really about his shoulders. Its about more presence at the ball, jumping into a contest, marking or in the ruck, with a little reckless abandon.

Surely this comes down to a matter of confidence, that his shoulder has healed and he has a full range of motion, ride the bumps etc. When he feels right I am hopeful he will attack packs again.

Anyway, it's a Knights thread, great to see he racked em up on the weekend. Really hope he can have an impact at some stage this year.

 

[theflea]

And I wonder if this will happen in the ones or does he need to find his feet at Coburg in his own time. I hope their isn't to much pressure on him as this could have a backward effect.[/quot

Unfortunately its in his head, perhaps from when he did his knee.

 

[theflea]

Surely this comes down to a matter of confidence, that his shoulder has healed and he has a full range of motion, ride the bumps etc. When he feels right I am hopeful he will attack packs again.

Anyway, it's a Knights thread, great to see he racked em up on the weekend. Really hope he can have an impact at some stage this year.

Imo he has done since he was drafted so i dont think its a form confidence thing moreso 'im worried i might do my knee again' thing.

 

[NUFC Tiger]

Imo what i wanted to see from vickery isnt really about his shoulders. Its about more presence at the ball, jumping into a contest, marking or in the ruck, with a little reckless abandon.

I think there is a bit of mongrel in Vickery, from time to time you just see tidbits that he has a bit of aggro under his skin. I think if we can harness that, he will truly arrive as a player as his physical contact work probably could use some work (especially if he is going to be playing in the ruck). In saying that though, he needs to find a balance and be able to control that aggression without it boiling over (can't have him getting rubbed out for games or giving away frees with the new ruck rules).

As Riskingheadandshin said, I think its just a bit of confidence that he needs. He's been out a long time and is probably a bit cautious in testing out his body in more intense match situations than he would get in training.

Back onto Knights though, sounds like he had a blinder for a 3 quarter game. Could be a very handy link up player in the midfield. IIRC he was the sub in the Richmond game we played at AAMI last year and had arguably his best game kicking a few goals. Maybe worth a look for round 1 if he is fit enough.

 

[richolovesgoal]

He's had a calf complaint the last few weeks. Played 3 quarters for Coburg on the weekend and had 28.

 

[The Goon]

28 / 3 quarters = on track for a 37 possession game. Outstanding.

 

[smasha]

Great signs and Grimes went in hard also for a half and came off 100 percent.

 

[Capitano_Cotch]

Would still love Knights to play round 1.
If we can have Knights, Vlastuin, Chaplin and Petterd all play it will make our team far less predictable.
Seeing as Carlton have had our measure for the last 10 or so games, this might not be a bad thing.
The old element of surprise.

 

[Groupie_]

I wonder what his chances of playing next week look like

 

[theflea]

I think there is a bit of mongrel in Vickery, from time to time you just see tidbits that he has a bit of aggro under his skin. I think if we can harness that, he will truly arrive as a player as his physical contact work probably could use some work (especially if he is going to be playing in the ruck). In saying that though, he needs to find a balance and be able to control that aggression without it boiling over (can't have him getting rubbed out for games or giving away frees with the new ruck rules).

As Riskingheadandshin said, I think its just a bit of confidence that he needs. He's been out a long time and is probably a bit cautious in testing out his body in more intense match situations than he would get in training.

Back onto Knights though, sounds like he had a blinder for a 3 quarter game. Could be a very handy link up player in the midfield. IIRC he was the sub in the Richmond game we played at AAMI last year and had arguably his best game kicking a few goals. Maybe worth a look for round 1 if he is fit enough.

Yes just to finish off vicks has the mongrel but in the wrong manner. Put it in the way you play, not at the man when play stops.

On knights, he could be very handy i reckon and will be surprised if he's not in the 22 come rd1.

 

[Jozzy]

Will be playing for Coburg again this weekend.

 

[NUFC Tiger]

Will be playing for Coburg again this weekend.

That's good, more minutes under the belt. Maybe a late minute inclusion for the Carlton game if he is fit enough and form and training efforts warrant it.

 

[Robbo92]

Yeah even with his limited seniors appearances I wouldn't rule him out of round 1 at all. Is probably up against it in terms of selection but wouldn't be a big shock at all if he plays. I suppose most of it hinges on how he goes this weekend with Coburg.