Your defense

[Embers]

Personally I think its escaping scrutiny and im not sure why. You seem to place alot of blame at the inaccurate kicking of Pav and Tarrant ignoring the fact that Rocca and Davis kicked 9 goals between them and ran free all night. Its a big problem which you have failed to resolve. ATM your defence is like

FB: Hayden McPharlin Dodd
CHB: M.Johnson Grover Mundy

Theres a problem as I see it. That defense is way too tall for an AFL team. Nowadays forward lines are getting shorter yet your defense is one of the tallest ive ever seen. McPharlin has been playing at FB but simply hes not a FB. Hes very weak body to body and struggles to outmuscle any KPP forward. Was towelled last night playing on a FF. McPharlin is a CHB and beats players with his speed not his strength. Gets exposed at FB. Hadrill is the only real FB in your team but hes always injured.

Star of this defense is Hayden. Very underrated and had a superb year. Provides alot of run too. M.Johnson provides some run too but apart from those 2 no run or attack comes from this defense. Grover Dodd Mundy are tallish type defenders. Too tall to be a small defender. Too small to be a KPP. None of them are providing any run and all 3 are kind of just there. All 3 are VERY similar type defenders and your team cant play all 3 at the same time with success I feel.

ATM its a top heavy defense which is physically weak and providing little run. Need and should give Headland a role in the backline with his damaging disposal. Free up Johnson moreso then ususal. Play McPharlin at CHB. Bring Hadrill in the second he is fully fit and drop two of Grover Mundy Dodd Thornton and replace them with a small like Ryley Dunn etc. A defense like

FB: Hayden Hadrill Mundy
CHB: Johnson McPharlin Headland

All of a sudden looks alot better/smaller. Your defense has alot of similar players. You also have Drum in reserves who is a okay 3rd tall defender. Too many of those types in the team and should be looking to trade one or two. IMO your defense is a big weakness yet i never see it discussed.

 

[sabre_ac]

Considering how consistently we get spanked out of the middle, I think our defence ultimately is our first line of attack.

Hayden, Mundy, Johnson and McPharlin are exceptional rebound players.
Our problem is our midfield cant/dont assist our guys down back, far too often we have a one on one situation with our midfield running free foward to create space.

Agreed we need Hadrill back, but it is very touch and go whether he will ever play again.
Grover has filled the void perfectly, but untill our midfield are able to step up assist the backline, or Sandilands can get back to fill the gaps. Our backline will look like it is struggling.

Dodd is an exceptional stopping player, and consistently does the job on the mobile big men like the franklin's or the Riewolts.

 

[Embers]

Considering how consistently we get spanked out of the middle, I think our defence ultimately is our first line of attack.

Hayden, Mundy, Johnson and McPharlin are exceptional rebound players.
Our problem is our midfield cant/dont assist our guys down back, far too often we have a one on one situation with our midfield running free foward to create space.

Agreed we need Hadrill back, but it is very touch and go whether he will ever play again.
Grover has filled the void perfectly, but untill our midfield are able to step up assist the backline, or Sandilands can get back to fill the gaps. Our backline will look like it is struggling.

Dodd is an exceptional stopping player, and consistently does the job on the mobile big men like the franklin's or the Riewolts.

Im surprised you think you have exceptional rebound. Everytime I go to Freo games over the past 2 years live I have made note to my mate next to me how stagnant the backline always looks. Johnson Hayden are good rebounders. So far this season Mundy and McPharlin have provided little to no help in this area. Esp Mundy who looks to be labouring abit. Might be injured.

Dodd is a decent player. SHould be used more in the middle maybe of the bench but hes not a starter because hes very similar to Johnson who is better then he is. I remember CC pre season promised to put Johnson and Mundy into the midfield. This hasnt happened for whatever reason and its hurting.

 

[FlyHigher]

I agree there should be a defensive re-suffle but not that combo.

FB: Hayden Hadrill Mundy
CHB: Johnson McPharlin Headland

 

[SPEEDWAGON]

Personally I think its escaping scrutiny and im not sure why. You seem to place alot of blame at the inaccurate kicking of Pav and Tarrant ignoring the fact that Rocca and Davis kicked 9 goals between them and ran free all night. Its a big problem which you have failed to resolve. ATM your defence is like

FB: Hayden McPharlin Dodd
CHB: M.Johnson Grover Mundy

Theres a problem as I see it. That defense is way too tall for an AFL team. Nowadays forward lines are getting shorter yet your defense is one of the tallest ive ever seen. McPharlin has been playing at FB but simply hes not a FB. Hes very weak body to body and struggles to outmuscle any KPP forward. Was towelled last night playing on a FF. McPharlin is a CHB and beats players with his speed not his strength. Gets exposed at FB. Hadrill is the only real FB in your team but hes always injured.

Star of this defense is Hayden. Very underrated and had a superb year. Provides alot of run too. M.Johnson provides some run too but apart from those 2 no run or attack comes from this defense. Grover Dodd Mundy are tallish type defenders. Too tall to be a small defender. Too small to be a KPP. None of them are providing any run and all 3 are kind of just there. All 3 are VERY similar type defenders and your team cant play all 3 at the same time with success I feel.

ATM its a top heavy defense which is physically weak and providing little run. Need and should give Headland a role in the backline with his damaging disposal. Free up Johnson moreso then ususal. Play McPharlin at CHB. Bring Hadrill in the second he is fully fit and drop two of Grover Mundy Dodd Thornton and replace them with a small like Ryley Dunn etc. A defense like

FB: Hayden Hadrill Mundy
CHB: Johnson McPharlin Headland

All of a sudden looks alot better/smaller. Your defense has alot of similar players. You also have Drum in reserves who is a okay 3rd tall defender. Too many of those types in the team and should be looking to trade one or two. IMO your defense is a big weakness yet i never see it discussed.

that is the biggest load of shit i have ever read.

we have to deal with 20 more inside 50's per week than you at wc.

heath black?

hayden is our best? he was spanked by davis.

mcpharlin has been beaten for the first time this year.

 

[estibador]

hayden is our best? he was spanked by davis.

Ease up on Hayden there Speedy. No way was he 'spanked' by Davis. He was exceptionally clean and gave us great rebound all night.

Some of Davis' goals were top class. One was from the mark of the year and another was after Hayden spoiled brilliantly only to see his fellow defenders lose the contest at ground level and have the ball dished back to Davis for the snap.

I can't remember Hayden actually losing a one on one contest all night. Occasionally he gets exposed on the rebound after he pushes forward but that's because along with MJ and Blackie he sets up all our attacks from the backline.

I'll not hear another word against Roger. If I was around for the buddy draft I would have taken him for sure.

 

[Belnakor]

we have to deal with 20 more inside 50's per week than you at wc.

heath black?

WE're missing Health black and Butthead Schammer from that backline, that setup would obviously only be used for tall attacks.

WCE defenders look like superstars because you can count on the fingers of one hand the amount of times the opposition is able to give a good pass to their forwards, their midfielders have so much run the opposition is never in the clear. Our defenders on the other hand have alot to do because of a weak midfield. Grover/Black/Hayden/McPhalin is 4/6 good, if not great players, add in Johnson and Schammer.. thats a bloody good backline imo.

 

[theGav56]

WE're missing Health black and Butthead Schammer from that backline, that setup would obviously only be used for tall attacks.

WCE defenders look like superstars because you can count on the fingers of one hand the amount of times the opposition is able to give a good pass to their forwards, their midfielders have so much run the opposition is never in the clear. Our defenders on the other hand have alot to do because of a weak midfield. Grover/Black/Hayden/McPhalin is 4/6 good, if not great players, add in Johnson and Schammer.. thats a bloody good backline imo.

With our "weak" midfield, why are you putting Schammer in the backline, where he was very ordinary when he has actually been played there?

 

[E Shed]

No one even mentioned Thornton who is dashing through the lines again.
We were looking a bit like the team that won 9 straight on Friday night mostly (to my eyes) in the way Johnson and Black were setting up play and kicking long into the forward line. Not much has been made of the fact that Jonno has been a little quiet since coming back from his ridiculous suspension. He is one of the cleanest ball handlers I've ever seen and his vision and decision making are second to none, he just hasn't had enough of it yet but is starting to get hold of it more now, as is Black. With those 2 sweeping half back Mundy becomes less accountable and drifts up forward to bring the ball in and link up. Also there is less over possession as we bring it through as all these guys will switch from half back with a 50 M pinpoint kick.
Dodd is a a Gun, hard as nails and rarely beaten in any contest. Also one of the frist defenders to completely adapt to the hands in the back rule this year. Rodger is a football genius, enough said. Elvis has been much underated this year, just because he hasn't taken mark of the year yet he's mostly doing his job. Grover would be a fair shot at AA when at his best.
I'll take our defence over most thanks.

 

[dominguez]

With Johnson and Thornton back in the side I'd like to see Dodd released to the midfield and Matt Carr released to East Freo, but I've been happy with our defence this year.

It was interesting that Matt Carr spent time deep in attack Friday night. Macca's goal kicking>>>>Cookies goal kicking>>>>Solomon's goal kicking>>>>>>Matt Carr's goal kicking.

 

[rgauci]

McPharlin is the problem at the moment. Your a little one eyed if you don't think he is off the boil.

From the sidelines he looks disinterested. Perhaps its fitness, i'm not sure.

But several times he gives up on the chase over longer distances. He often gives his opponent a 10m headstart and backs his pace to catch up. You can't do this in modern day football.

The coach has had to improvise and put Grover at FB. He's done reasonably well but we've needed a third man up to affect the spoil. Often allowing for crumbers like Leon Davis and Ash McGrah to dominate.

Everyone blames the small defender. But poor Roger Hayden is stuck between helping his FB get the ball to ground and following his man.

 

[rgauci]

With Johnson and Thornton back in the side I'd like to see Dodd released to the midfield and Matt Carr released to East Freo, but I've been happy with our defence this year.

It was interesting that Matt Carr spent time deep in attack Friday night. Macca's goal kicking>>>>Cookies goal kicking>>>>Solomon's goal kicking>>>>>>Matt Carr's goal kicking.

Best suggestion i heard all day. Except 1 difference. Parker to return and Dodd to midfield.

 

[dominguez]

Best suggestion i heard all day. Except 1 difference. Parker to return and Dodd to midfield.

Thornton has taken Parker's spot and it will be hard for him to make the 22. Grover, Thornton, McPharlin, Hayden, Black, Johnson and Mundy are enough defenders even if we decide to remove Dodd from the backline.

It will be interesting to see if Colonel Parker can get back in, even at his best he wouldn't stand out at wafl level because he's not a high possession winner. He played on a wing in his first game for Subi, not sure if that will continue. I'm going to South v Subi next weekend, Parker will probably get Farmer if they play him in the back six.

If we are going to make the eight Parker will be available for selection until our season is over, but if it is impossible for us to play finals in round 21 he'll come in for a farewell game.

 

[theGav56]

Best suggestion i heard all day. Except 1 difference. Parker to return and Dodd to midfield.

I prefer seeing M Carr in the team than bringing Parker back, though I have no idea how he has gone in the WAFL. he was particularly ordinary this year, and given how hard it was for the selection committee to drop him, I hope it is equally difficult to bring him back.

 

[Lach72]

Best suggestion i heard all day. Except 1 difference. Parker to return and Dodd to midfield.

Interesting, because, bless his cotton socks, we need Parks to provide a few more turnovers and run around with the turning circle of a Mack truck to help us out.

Time has caught him up unfortunately/

 

[Embers]

Interesting, because, bless his cotton socks, we need Parks to provide a few more turnovers and run around with the turning circle of a Mack truck to help us out.

Time has caught him up unfortunately/

Parkers been the whipping boy however since hes been gone the defense hasnt exactly improved out of sight has it. Thornton has taken over and while hes okay I still see him as surplus to requirments as you would prefer Johnson to be the running tall instead of Thornton. Thornton would make good tradebait. I could see a ton of teams chasing him.

Your defense is the 5th worse in the competition atm for points against and I dont think they provide anywhere near the run of most other defenses. Black might make a difference however he aint much of a defender. Gets the ball but down deep in the square isnt a place id want him. Hayden gets burned sometimes like against Davis because hes busy providing nearly all of the run and drive from defense.

Mundy has provided literally no run this season. Same with McPharlin and Grover who both seem to stand around. Dodds too focused on his man which leaves Johnson and Hayden to do it all by themselves. Even Glass provides run for Eagles. Its a important part of todays game which Fremantle dont do very well.

 

[dominguez]

Parkers been the whipping boy however since hes been gone the defense hasnt exactly improved out of sight has it. Thornton has taken over and while hes okay I still see him as surplus to requirments as you would prefer Johnson to be the running tall instead of Thornton. Thornton would make good tradebait. I could see a ton of teams chasing him.

Thornton has Crohn's disease and has to monitor his workload over summer, that's why he never plays from the start of the season, because he needs to build fitness through the wafl. He is a handy player with no trade value.

 

[dockers_bengals]

Thornton has taken Parker's spot and it will be hard for him to make the 22. Grover, Thornton, McPharlin, Hayden, Black, Johnson and Mundy are enough defenders even if we decide to remove Dodd from the backline.

It will be interesting to see if Colonel Parker can get back in, even at his best he wouldn't stand out at wafl level because he's not a high possession winner. He played on a wing in his first game for Subi, not sure if that will continue. I'm going to South v Subi next weekend, Parker will probably get Farmer if they play him in the back six.

If we are going to make the eight Parker will be available for selection until our season is over, but if it is impossible for us to play finals in round 21 he'll come in for a farewell game.

IMO Thorton is a more rebounding defender and isn't dodd playing a more permanant backman so it does look like dodd has his spot now and I agree that if Hadrill or parker were playing that I cant see us fitting both grover and mcpharlin in.Wasn't mcpharlin playing forward and only returned to chb when grover got injured

 

[dominguez]

IMO Thorton is a more rebounding defender and isn't dodd playing a more permanant backman so it does look like dodd has his spot now and I agree that if Hadrill or parker were playing that I cant see us fitting both grover and mcpharlin in.Wasn't mcpharlin playing forward and only returned to chb when grover got injured

McPharlin moved back during the midseason shuffle. McPharlin into the backline with Dodd, Carr into the midfield, Schammer to half forward, Medhurst and Polak to the WAFL.

 

[pistol17]

McPharlin is the problem at the moment. Your a little one eyed if you don't think he is off the boil.

From the sidelines he looks disinterested. Perhaps its fitness, i'm not sure.

But several times he gives up on the chase over longer distances. He often gives his opponent a 10m headstart and backs his pace to catch up. You can't do this in modern day football.

The coach has had to improvise and put Grover at FB. He's done reasonably well but we've needed a third man up to affect the spoil. Often allowing for crumbers like Leon Davis and Ash McGrah to dominate.

Everyone blames the small defender. But poor Roger Hayden is stuck between helping his FB get the ball to ground and following his man.

One ordinary week and we have a problem with McPharlin? Has been good all year, he finally gets beaten and he has a problem.

 

[Belnakor]

With our "weak" midfield, why are you putting Schammer in the backline, where he was very ordinary when he has actually been played there?

Schammer did alright in the backline. Once his kicking was sorted out he played well. He is available to drift backwards if need be, which is why Embers saying out backline is too tall is stupid. We've got the cattle if we need to, and we've proven we've got a good backline.

 

[Belnakor]

One ordinary week and we have a problem with McPharlin? Has been good all year, he finally gets beaten and he has a problem.

Agreed, I don't see whats wrong with Lukey so far, hes had a pretty good season all in all, though i do think he'd be happier up forward, he needs keep his ego in check and realize he sucked up forward.

 

[newlander77]

I think he's partially right. McPharlin should be played at CHB with Thorton along side him. Then the team will generate some run out of defense and really be damaging once more.

I would love to see Haddrill back in the side. How is he going with his rehab this time does anyone know?

 

[dominguez]

I would love to see Haddrill back in the side. How is he going with his rehab this time does anyone know?

Playing crap footy for Perth. Needs to turn it around in the next month and press for selection for Freo, if he doesn't he'll probably be delisted at seasons end.

 

[Freo Blood]

I think he's partially right. McPharlin should be played at CHB with Thorton along side him. Then the team will generate some run out of defense and really be damaging once more.

I would love to see Haddrill back in the side. How is he going with his rehab this time does anyone know?

McPharlin at CHB is my preference for sure. Am constantly wary of him being outmuscled and not desperate enough for full back. If he's at FB needs to take some of Dodds angry pills!!