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Zac

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Lach72

Lach72

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Veteran 10k Posts 30k Posts TheBrownDog Ex-Moderator
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Location
Perth
AFL Club
Fremantle
Other Teams
Freo and Bulldogs, ManU
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-sport/barlow-in-line-for-shock-afl-recall-20110607-1fq8u.html

Fremantle ruckman Jonathon Griffin has performed strongly since coming in for the injured Aaron Sandilands, while Harvey said he was also pleased with the work of 203cm tap specialist Zac Clarke, who was used largely as a big-bodied midfielder against Hawthorn.

"I thought he was good until halftime," Harvey said.

"I thought he gave us a different angle there in the midfield.

"I think in time you are really going to see this guy emerge so we're going to persevere with this.

"I'm not saying he's a ruckman. He may well be a running midfielder depending on circumstances.

"I think you'll find he'll emerge as a midfielder, albeit six-foot eight. But he can run with the best of them."
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Harves is going all Sheeds on us.

Really not sure about this, to be honest.
 
You know what other player gets to run all around the ground like a midfielder? The ruckman.
 

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Didn't we try the 2 ruckmen in the centre setup throughout the preseason, and got smashed in every game?
 
Seriously, the only other coach to try this move is Worsfold, which pretty much sums up its effectiveness right there.

It doesn't matter if Zac can keep up fitness wise, a guy his height simply can't twist, turn and bend like an actual midfielder.

Play him off a wing, maybe. Out of the centre square? It makes you wonder what Harves is looking at when he is watching the game.

If Zac is in the team, he should be rucking when Griff is resting, not Keplar.

How about trying something new? If we draft a midfielder, develop him as a midfielder. If we draft a running ruckman, develop him as a running ruckman. That's an experiment I'd like Harvey to try next.
 
To be honest I applaud the audacity of such a risky albeit unsuccessful move thus far. At least he's willing to try new things and switch player's positions, throw other coaches game plans out the window in light of the staff shortage we are facing.

I thought in the first quarter especially that he did well in the role...perhaps better used forward but I'd definitely say Clarkson had no idea what the hell was going on. It'll also help Zac's development in reading the play around the ground, build his tank and get a better understanding of how his midfielders work (a skill sandi didn't even possess until 5-6 years into his development).
 
Yes, to flush our down the toilet... This is despite the fact that some other key players getting games in front of him are doing more harm than good to our finals chances every week. Zac's not the biggest hindrance in our 22. Not by a long shot so if playing other downhill skiers is ok I don't understand why someone showing good form should be denied a chance and seen as more of a hindrance than these guys.
 

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i'm on the let's see how it goes camp. he's come in leaps and bounds compared to last year and i'd let him find form while playing at senior level.
 
Forward would be the best place for him. Maybe even CHF ! Needs to improve his marking though. The kid has got the goods, just needs to understand the game better, particularly at AFL level.
 
I'd like to see him keep his spot in the side when sandi is back, as the second ruck,forward option not so much mid but then we'd have to lose one of our other back up ruck options... If only we had one who was out of form and could be switched back to the wafl for a spell :rolleyes:.
 
while sandi is out why not just play him as a ruckman? gets to be around the ball and its not like we are gonna dominate the ruck anyway. Halve the ball ups and then compete at ground level/around the ground
 
Avid_Avenger said:
Seriously, the only other coach to try this move is Worsfold, which pretty much sums up its effectiveness right there.
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While I kinda agree with some of the other points in your post, this is one is just rubbish. I don't like the dirty birds at all but in case you haven't watched any of their games, their ruck is absolutely smashing everyone's else and it is proving to be one of their best weapons this season. And it has a lot to do with both of them being there often.
 
MadMac said:
While I kinda agree with some of the other points in your post, this is one is just rubbish. I don't like the dirty birds at all but in case you haven't watched any of their games, their ruck is absolutely smashing everyone's else and it is proving to be one of their best weapons this season. And it has a lot to do with both of them being there often.
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Yep, and a big part of their forward press is using the 2 ruckmen at each 50 m line on the boundary
 

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This is the sort of shit that is causing me to doubt Harves.

We've got a young ruckman with elite running capacity, so instead of playing him in the ruck to maximise those strengths we'll play him as a pure midfielder where his weaknesses will get exposed.

Thinking outside the square is ok, but sometimes there's a reason the square exists.
 
Majority of players have to be played out of position if they are to improve things about themselves. This one is obviously to get Zac to read the play better, play well defensively and get the ball. I don't have a problem with it, as it didn't lose us the game.
 
Bradesmaen said:
True.. but he had about that to 3/4 time and we were winning..
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Despite his impact, not because of it.

Who knows, with another real midfielder rotating through there for the entire game we may have been far enough in front to have the game signed, sealed and delivered (if such a margin exists for Freo).
 
estibador said:
Despite his impact, not because of it.

Who knows, with another real midfielder rotating through there for the entire game we may have been far enough in front to have the game signed, sealed and delivered (if such a margin exists for Freo).
Click to expand...
Maybe, but given our depth at the moment the only other midfielders on the list that weren't playing are Palmer, Hinkley and Schammer.. aka the Turnover magnets. Slightly more impact than Clarke, but not much more.
 

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