Opinion Who can we turn into a tall defender?

[geelong_crazy26]

Assuming we pull of the trade with Clark we will be in a position where we have a number tall forwards and tall forwards/2nd ruckman on all list. At the same time our 3 defenders are 29+ so who could be turned into a defender ?

These are a list of tall forwards and forwards/2nd rucks

Hawkins
Clark
Vardy
Bicavs
Walker
Kerstin
brown

Obviously its a no for Hawkins and Clark but what about the other 5 ?

 

[Biggy_Boy]

Hamling.
Kolodjashnij.

 

[Turkey Tom]

IF (and a big IF) Clark can get on to the park most games, then there is no real room for Walker as a forward. Try him as a key defender. Too many positive attributes to have him languishing in the VFL.

 

[BlakeyNoFlakey]

I thought Blicavs did a reasonable job a few times he played down back this season for a guy who's not a defender. He still has a bit to learn in the role, no doubt, but his height and gut running ability would make him a handy weapon as a tall defender. He takes a mark too. Obviously he needs to spend some time there to develop into the role better (along with some coaching), but he has potential as a tall defender.

 

[GFrost]

Any reason Walker couldn't do a Lonergan? Forward who becomes a stopper.
Walker, Blicavs, Kolo, Hamling... If we don't spend time transitioning out Lonergan, Mackie, Rivers next year we're bonkers. (And by "we" I mean the club, not us. We're brilliant )

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

Hamling, Kolodjashnij and Brown (if he stays) are the obvious ones. I've seen practically nothing of him, but James Toohey also sounds like an intriguing prospect. Good size, 'old'/mature for a second year player (21 at the start of next year) and even some of the stuff that might prove to be a good indicator of his scope for development, or might mean nothing (dux of St Kev's, suggests his work ethic and discipline would be right up there).

As it stands though, I think we're in a (kind of) fortunate position, in that any two of Taylor/Lonergan/Rivers is fine against 75% of the opposition forward lines in the league and there is very little to suggest that any of those three will retire at the end of next year. All of them are pretty damn close to the peak of their powers. Therefore, it's probably going to cost us Brown this year, but we can pump games into our other tall defenders (providing they're worthy of them) while giving them relatively 'soft' opponents, the third targets, as they grow into their senior guernseys.

There needs to be a strategy in place, but I really don't see it as a massive issue. Especially not if Frawley is on his way.

 

[BlakeyNoFlakey]

I'm surprised no one has said Jansen yet, apparently we don't need 21 other players, just him.

 

[Cataholic]

Well, Stokes is slowing down a little and might enjoy being released down back against the.....oh, wait

 

[cynical]

Blicavs seems like the logical choice as a 2nd tall possibly first if he improves enough.

He is never going to be good enough on a wing and unless he significantly improves his ruckwork and marking around the ground at best he is only a useful second ruck.

Brown is the other versatile option, if he can improve that bit more he can be thrown around forward and back.

Kolo and Hamling can also be getting games next year.

Don't think Walker reads the play well enough nor has the smarts, wouldn't hurt his development to spend some more time there in the VFL.

Plenty of options

 

[Jimmy Yamazaki]

Well hence why we're after Frawley,26 and slots strait into the back-line to replace Lonners.

Failing that, I wouldn't mind the club looking at the GWS boys or give it to Kolo if he's ready to play AFL.

 

[strauchnyy]

Our most dire position on the ground for th medium to long term is key defenders, not rucks.

In 2016, there will be no lonergan, no rivers. Only Taylor who will be 30.

Kolo looks like he will make it. But appears more suited to as the 3rd tall, like rivers.

Hamling is a long shot to play at the highest level, let alone become a player. I would probably draw a line through him to be honest.

This is why we are going hard for frawley.

If we don't land frawley, draw a line through weller/lavarde/blakley/dogoey with our first pick, as we MUST draft a key defender, that can take the no.1 forward, ie a fullback. We will have to pick one of Goddard, marchbank or lever (unlikely).

Re the op... The only player on our list that could potentially be moulded into KPD is blicavs. If we fail to land frawley, lock blicavs in the defence group day 1 of preseason to learn the craft. I think with a few years in defence, blitz can become a decent fullback.

Frawley however is crucial IMO.

 

[Glassjaw]

Any reason Walker couldn't do a Lonergan? Forward who becomes a stopper.

Lonergan was a defender who was idiotically thrown forward, then rightfully put back in the backlines. Opposite of Smedts and Varcoe, who are hopefully one day to return to their more natural positions.

 

[Teriyakicat]

I'm surprised no one has said Jensen yet, apparently we don't need 21 other players, just him.

Nobody mentioned Jensen because we can't get him on the park!

As for JANSEN.... Daniel McL is away, travelling....

 

[GFrost]

Nobody mentioned Jensen because we can't get him on the park! As for JANSEN.... Daniel McL is away, travelling....

Has anyone ever actually seen Jansen and Daniel McL in the same phone box at the same time?

 

[Teriyakicat]

Has anyone ever actually seen Jansen and Daniel McL in the same phone box at the same time?

lol

Not sure....
We'll know for sure if they're one and the same, if Jansen disappears for 2 weeks, like DMcL says he is going to be doing

 

[winty]

Maybe we can put someone like Smedts through the following procedure over summer to transform them into a tall defender....

http://indianapublicmedia.org/amomentofscience/a-painful-way-to-grow-taller/

 

[Teriyakicat]

Maybe we can put someone like Smedts through the following procedure over summer to transform them into a tall defender....

http://indianapublicmedia.org/amomentofscience/a-painful-way-to-grow-taller/

That's a whole new type of 'growing pains', isn't it? A wheelchair for 6 months or however long?? Forget it- we'll just add lumps of leather to the bottom of Billie's boots- or make him wear long pants and hide small stilts underneath.
He can double as a ruckman, in emergencies, in that case!

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

Our most dire position on the ground for th medium to long term is key defenders, not rucks.

In 2016, there will be no lonergan, no rivers. Only Taylor who will be 30.

What? Why? Jared Rivers hasn't even turned 30 yet and both are likely top 10 finishers in the B&F.

 

[Turbocat]

Few names that have a degree of backline familiarity on that list. Blitz has shown potential , Brown in pich if we have two others as lockdown.
I think the 3 unnamed Kolo, Hamling,Toohey all have something to offer.

The unusual one would be Kersten. Was thinking the other day when there was an article on Panos, that players hat size often endup playing different roles to their norm.
Could he play as a rebounding HB. He is apparently quick of the straightline , and a great kick. No idea if it would work just something about his body shape & strength appeals coming of the backline

 

[BlakeyNoFlakey]

What? Why? Jared Rivers hasn't even turned 30 yet and both are likely top 10 finishers in the B&F.

It surprises me how many here are writing off Rivers all of a sudden. He still has a good 2-3 years left in him I suspect.

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

It surprises me how many here are writing off Rivers all of a sudden. He still has a good 2-3 years left in him I suspect.

I can't imagine anyone would be expecting Josh Gibson to make 2015 his farewell tour right now...why Rivers and Lonergan (to a lesser extent)?

 

[you pick one]

What? Why? Jared Rivers hasn't even turned 30 yet and both are likely top 10 finishers in the B&F.

Probably goes some way to explaining our finals strait sets exit this year,but agree there maybe a couple of years left in both barring injury.

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

Probably goes some way to explaining our finals strait sets exit this year,but agree there maybe a couple of years left in both barring injury.

In what way? As far as I'm concerned, both had very good years and I don't see how such a backhanded compliment can be justified.

 

[The rabbi]

Assuming we pull of the trade with Clark we will be in a position where we have a number tall forwards and tall forwards/2nd ruckman on all list. At the same time our 3 defenders are 29+ so who could be turned into a defender ?

These are a list of tall forwards and forwards/2nd rucks

Hawkins
Clark
Vardy
Bicavs
Walker
Kerstin
brown

Obviously its a no for Hawkins and Clark but what about the other 5 ?

I still wonder at times how Walker would go if he was given an extended time in KPD.
My query on him would be his footy smarts and disposal.
Physically, I think that he is up to it but I very much doubt that the has the defensive mind and skills.

The other talls listed would get murdered in my opinion.

 

[you pick one]

In what way? As far as I'm concerned, both had very good years and I don't see how such a backhanded compliment can be justified.

It's not a back handed compliment,I just happen to believe if our on ballers and forwards filled the top 10 spots we may have beaten a few more of the better sides,our backline all-round was good and Rivers excellent.