Why can't Franklin take an overhead mark?

[Bosk]

Is he injured, is it his thumb or shoulder perhaps?

The reason I ask is because it was especially obvious in the 2nd half of today's game where Franklin was often left 1 on 1 in the forward 50 yet he didn't even bother flying for marks much of the time, instead it looked like he was trying to lead his opponent under the ball so he could turn and grab the loose ball.

Franklin is a wonderful player and I'm sure he will kick another bag shortly, but it baffles me how a bloke so tall and athletic could (on present form) be so useless when the ball is above his shoulders.
It simply defies logic unless he is carrying an injury or has been instructed by the coach not to fly for marks for some reason.

 

[Adelaide Hawk]

I've been on about this for a couple of years. If Buddy could take an overhead grab, he'd be the most dynamic player in the AFL, he'd be unbeatable. From where I sit, it's obvious no work is going into this area of his game. It really wouldn't be that hard to fix.

 

[Beandip]

he's 6'6" or some such, big weight, fast and can jump a mile... If he could stretch his arms up on par with Riewoldt or Roughie he'd be almost 12 feet off the ground including the jump... there is no defender that could stop that, period.

But this has -always- been his achilles heel. It did look worse than normal today, a giant of a man not contesting anything, just expecting his defender to go under it and be able to run onto it. Not going to happen against quality defense, Buddy.

 

[Bosk]

he's 6'6" or some such, big weight, fast and can jump a mile... If he could stretch his arms up on par with Riewoldt or Roughie he'd be almost 12 feet off the ground including the jump... there is no defender that could stop that, period.

But this has -always- been his achilles heel. It did look worse than normal today, a giant of a man not contesting anything, just expecting his defender to go under it and be able to run onto it. Not going to happen against quality defense, Buddy.

That about sums up my feelings perfectly.

Not only that, but today Franklin allowed Taylor & Lonergan to take numerous contested & uncontested marks in his vicinity which is why he must at least contest every marking situation.

I'm more than willing to concede Franklin the odd bad game (heck, he still managed to kick 3 goals) but his weakness in the air today was not a one off, and its REALLY going to hurt against top 4 sides if we keep feeding him the ball the majority of the time we go inside 50.

 

[JustKickIt]

Delivery doesnt do him any favours

 

[m1kest4r]

Delivery doesnt do him any favours

numerous times today it was kicked not to his advantage when he had 2/3 cats hanging off him

 

[bigbuddyboy]

He was killed by our inside 50 delivery We never game him or roughy a chance.

It was almost funny how we persisted with bombing it in long, and watching taylor mop up.

Geez i'd like him to be a hawk.

 

[Noneedforaname]

Why indeed.

The fact is he doesn't, and we still feed him the ball like that. Hardly Buddy's fault.

I'd like to see him lead more. That said, I'd like to see any of our forwards lead more.

 

[JustKickIt]

That poor delivery is why Lewis got hit, it set him up badly.

 

[Spanish Sahara]

He needs to get on his bike more and lead !!!

 

[Willie_Rioli]

lost his ability to take an overhead mark post 2008. wonder if it's related to him defying doctor's orders to be in the water after thumb surgery when it got infected surfing in Bali.

 

[PottSie2]

He needs to get on his bike more and lead !!!

Having a key forward that leads ???????

Too logical for Clarko. Better to have an empty forward line so we can stream out of defence and play the Benny Hill music when they look up and see no-one there.

 

[Lurkalot]

He needs to get on his bike more and lead !!!

This...our delivery is shabby at times but if the mids look up and see Franklin constantly behind his opponent then bombing it in high and long to him is their only option.

 

[Mervyn Beasley]

Its not so much his ability to grab the ball in his claws that is the problem.

Its the timing of his leads, his poor positioning when contesting, and his inability to go for the classic specky 'fly'.

 

[Bosk]

lost his ability to take an overhead mark post 2008. wonder if it's related to him defying doctor's orders to be in the water after thumb surgery when it got infected surfing in Bali.

I've considered that too, yet surely if his thumb was that big an issue it would also be affecting his ability to handle the ball at ground level and there's been no sign that's the case.
It's only when the ball is above his head that he seems uncertain which leaves me to believe that one or both of his shoulders may be causing him problems.

Still, I really have no idea what's going on with his body behind the scenes and he certainly looks perfectly fit when he takes the field, I can't remember the last time he showed major signs of discomfort.


In any event it's very hard to believe that Franklin could simply 'lose' his ability take an overhead mark without their being at least one major cause behind it.

 

[toomanysquibs]

I'In any event it's very hard to believe that Franklin could simply 'lose' his ability take an overhead mark without their being at least one major cause behind it.

Agreed. Have been certain that something's up there since the Pre-lim in 08'.

No consistent overhead marks or even attempts at them since qtr 1 in that game.

That said, he doesn't lead like he did that year either - and that's definitely not his hands or shoulder.

 

[fugu]

Why indeed.

The fact is he doesn't, and we still feed him the ball like that. Hardly Buddy's fault.

I'd like to see him lead more. That said, I'd like to see any of our forwards lead more.

Having a key forward that leads ???????

Too logical for Clarko. Better to have an empty forward line so we can stream out of defence and play the Benny Hill music when they look up and see no-one there.

This is the more pertinent point.

For two and a bit seasons we've employed a forward structure that doesn't include a CHF - the most important position fwd of centre. Buddy doesn't lead up the guts, Roughy doesn't lead up the guts and it's just terrible. We're hobbling ourselves for reasons that would seem to have more to do with theory than reality.

I can understand not playing a CHF when you don't have any decent forwards, but when you've got two of the best it's bizarre.

John Barker used to carry the can for our forward structure but it's pretty obvious Clarko has always called the shots and on this I reckon he got it hopelessly wrong.

 

[Rioli2Gunstall]

All day the ball was kicked over his head, the one chance he had to take a good overhead mark he took it in the pocket and goaled.

 

[randall boner]

He needs to get on his bike more and lead !!!

spot on

 

[50metres]

When hes one on one kick it over his head and let him run to it ... as Franklin cant mark to save his life he always looks for the free or gives up.

 

[Cdreamer]

He needs to lead to the ball carrier more often he has the athletic ability, it baffles me to see him taking on one sometimes two opponents in a wrestling match rather than getting on his bike!

 

[DrEvil]

Is he injured, is it his thumb or shoulder perhaps?

The reason I ask is because it was especially obvious in the 2nd half of today's game where Franklin was often left 1 on 1 in the forward 50 yet he didn't even bother flying for marks much of the time, instead it looked like he was trying to lead his opponent under the ball so he could turn and grab the loose ball.

Franklin is a wonderful player and I'm sure he will kick another bag shortly, but it baffles me how a bloke so tall and athletic could (on present form) be so useless when the ball is above his shoulders.
It simply defies logic unless he is carrying an injury or has been instructed by the coach not to fly for marks for some reason.

What bugs me more was that he did not contest to bring the ball to the ground, it was as if he was just waiting for the ball to go over the back for him.

 

[macdaddio]

At one stage he didnt even bother to put his hands to mark the ball he just shruged it off, very bizzare to see, maybe he still has a sore thumb or his shoulder has reinjured over time..

 

[Mitchemx]

Makes no sense as he has all the natural attributes. One thing he does poorly is read the drop of the ball. He seems to be forever and a day running under the ball. At times he doesn't even make a contest.

What makes even less sense is that he continually sits deep in the forward pocket calling for the ball to be kicked on top of his head. Looks dangerous when he gets out on the lead and uses his pace to put a gap between himself and his defender. Bewilders me why the coaches have not done something about this.

 

[Roby]

Buddy wakes up, looks at himself in the mirror and says. "Shit, I'm 6,6" tall."

He is a small forward/winger/midfielder who his just happens to be two meters tall.