Where should Polak play?

[LongBombFromOutside50]

After watching him have stints up forward in todays game, I thought he looked very dangerous and from two deliveries inside fifty, he took one mark on the lead and set up another shot at goal by attacking the ball hard on the lead and handballing it to the running Pavlich.

Now that McPharlin and Parker are both fit and capable of holding key defensive positions, I believe he should continue to have stints up forward as long as he isn't the number one forward for the majority of the time. If he is our number one forward he will come under constant scrutinty from the opposition and cop physical pressure that may be too much for his raw body to handle at this stage.

On average, it usually takes AFL footballers three years for their bodies to mature and develop to the standard of AFL level (mainly midfielders - KPP take a little longer). Next year will be his third season in the AFL and he will perform 100% of the pre-season training activities with the rest of the squad (first year players perform 50% of the pre-season training activities, second year players performe 80% and third year players 100% under Connolly, Larcom and Ball).

Hopefully he will add more muscle to his body over the next pre-season and be capable of holding a key forward position sometime next season.

Also, what's with his set shot kicking? In his first set shot kick (against Brisbane) his run up was poor and he went too close to he man on the mark. In his kick for goal against Collingwood it was wobbly off the boot.

Finally, does anyone who regularly goes to training sessions know what his running ability is like? He seems fairly quick for a big man and able to keep up with most forwards but I'm not sure whether he'd be able to lead and present himself for the whole game?

 

[dasler]

Anywhere where Polak is effective i think is the answer. Needs to practice abit of kicking for goal and put on some muscle. He was a very very goods junior forward. Looks bright though if his shoulders hold up.

 

[Kenny_01]

Ummm, definitely CHB this season.

Putting him forward next season would probably be a good idea but we have to be careful that that won't disrupt our structure. The penetration of his kicking will also improve and he will need to work on a set routine when lining up for goals. Right now, it's just nerves combined with a lack of technique.

 

[Freo Hitman]

CHB is the go.

We have our spine set for the next 8 years.

Haddrill - FB
Polak - CHB
Hasleby - C
Pavlich - CHF - The day is coming when he will play exclusively here
Longmuir - FF

 

[Kenny_01]

Throw in McPharlin there somewhere as well and Croad will be good back up when he finds some form again.

 

[Milkman]

I've been saying for weeks that polak should play forward. Good to see it's on connolly's mind too.

 

[Lockyer24]

CHB.

 

[sabre_ac]

Originally posted by Freo Hitman
CHB is the go.

We have our spine set for the next 8 years.

Haddrill - FB
Polak - CHB
Hasleby - C
Pavlich - CHF - The day is coming when he will play exclusively here
Longmuir - FF

hrmm
I hate to say this but I think we should trade Haddrill to the eagles and try and snare Kerr.
Or another quality midfielder from another club, yes he is a good player but in my opinion McPharlin is better so I say we trade him while his value is high.

I would have it like so.

McPharlin - FB
Polak - CHB
Haselby - C
Pavlich - CHF
Longmuir - FF

With Croad and Woods in the mix somewhere and McPharlin and Polak thrown into the forward line occasionally.

Very strong spine for years to come with the likes of Headland and Schammer in the Midfield with them.

 

[Kenny_01]

Nah, I'd rather keep Haddrill because we would never get Kerr. If Richmond have a ****house season like they are, maybe Coughlan would be tempted to come home? He should be our #1 target. Haddrill is great value for money, always does his job, very reliable... just a very good player to have all round. He is still under-rated around the competition so we wouldn't get as much for him as he is worth.

 

[LongBombFromOutside50]

Yeah, I'd trade Croad before Haddrill. His market value would probably be higher as well, so we'd get more for him.

If we remove Pavlich from our midfield to play at CHF, it leaves us with Hasleby, Headland, Bell, Carr and Schammer in the middle. This midfield lineup would not have the depth of quality to match the top sides. I agree Coughlan should be our main target, but we'd have to give Croad and a relatively high draft pick for him at least.

 

[Kenny_01]

Hasleby, Schammer, Headland, Carr, Bell and Pavlich occasionally is a good midfield but I think it lacks 2 things. One tough strong midfielder than can go in and get contested possesion and an explosive winger that can burst around packs and kick a goal.

 

[LongBombFromOutside50]

Originally posted by Kenny_01
Hasleby, Schammer, Headland, Carr, Bell and Pavlich occasionally is a good midfield but I think it lacks 2 things. One tough strong midfielder than can go in and get contested possesion and an explosive winger that can burst around packs and kick a goal.

Agreed on the first point. We definitely lack a tough, in and under midfielder with some grunt that will win contested possessions, but I'm not sure whether I agree on the second point.

Headland, Schammer and Pavlich all have the explosive pace to burst around packs and kick a goal. Pavlich is more likely to take the ball from the ruck, break free from the opposing ruckman with his pace and kick a goal, like he did against Adeliade earlier in the year and against WC last year.

Headland and Schammer in particular are very dangerous in the pack situations as they both have the explosive pace and smarts to gather the ball and kick a goal, similar to what Judd does at WC.

Headland is also our major ball carrier.

 

[Ripper]

Originally posted by |D_J^B_J|
We definitely lack a tough, in and under midfielder with some grunt that will win contested possessions,

That is where Cookie is a barometer for how we will go. When he has come to play we are good but if he is having an off day it really hampers us. Anther like player Coughlan etc would help tremendously.

 

[Kenny_01]

Originally posted by |D_J^B_J|

Headland, Schammer and Pavlich all have the explosive pace to burst around packs and kick a goal. Pavlich is more likely to take the ball from the ruck, break free from the opposing ruckman with his pace and kick a goal, like he did against Adeliade earlier in the year and against WC last year.

Headland and Schammer in particular are very dangerous in the pack situations as they both have the explosive pace and smarts to gather the ball and kick a goal, similar to what Judd does at WC.

Headland is also our major ball carrier.

All 3 are quick but Schammer is the only one that can really accelerate quickly and can evade opposition. We look a better side when Walker is playing on the wing running forward with his pace but his disposal isn't flash. A tough young midfielder should definitely be our main priority though.