Backline disposal level

[blx]

I always get the jitters when Mcguane and even Thursty have the pill in hand. They are both excellent spoilers and are very good defensively but on the flipside, their disposal can give you heart palpitations. Such a crucial skill down back.

Dont know how but Mcguane gets alot of negative feedback but Thursfield manages to escape criticism. IMO Thursty can tend to panic under pressure and doesnt quite have the decision making of Mcguane although he does have a slightly better kick. So maybe thats why?

Another similar player who is penned in for defensive duties eventually is JON and he is no better. Even further on down the track, Gourdis.

Casserly on the other hand is a great kick (forget the VFL GF, the whole team sucked that day) plus the additiion of Rance and Morton and we have added some quality disposal skills. I have my doubts on McMahon at this point.

Eventually i think its much more important that our backline disposal skills are eventually prioritised over defensive skills. Thats not to say defensive skills are not important and totally ignored, just that the priority should go to the player who has the better disposal.

By seasons end i'd like to see the beginnings of a slick skillful backline. On todays judgements Rance, Cass and Morton are shoe-ins for the job on that criteria.

Gonna be an interesting time down back this year. If you cant kick straight then im afraid its :wave

 

[Gazza68]

I always get the jitters when Mcguane and even Thursty have the pill in hand. They are both excellent spoilers and are very good defensively but on the flipside, their disposal can give you heart palpitations. Such a crucial skill down back.

Dont know how but Mcguane gets alot of negative feedback but Thursfield manages to escape criticism. IMO Thursty can tend to panic under pressure and doesnt quite have the decision making of Mcguane although he does have a slightly better kick. So maybe thats why?

Another similar player who is penned in for defensive duties eventually is JON and he is no better. Even further on down the track, Gourdis.

Casserly on the other hand is a great kick (forget the VFL GF, the whole team sucked that day) plus the additiion of Rance and Morton and we have added some quality disposal skills. I have my doubts on McMahon at this point.

Eventually i think its much more important that our backline disposal skills are eventually prioritised over defensive skills. Thats not to say defensive skills are not important and totally ignored, just that the priority should be quality disposal.

By seasons end i'd like to see the beginnings of a slick skillful backline. On todays judgements Rance, Cass and Morton are shoe-ins for the job on that criteria.

Gonna be an interesting time down back this year. If you cant kick straight then im afraid its :wave

I think in this case, you will need an even balance. I still think in time, that both McGuane & Thursfield's disposal can improve to a reasonable level. I think the priority around these taller defenders is to have other skilled players around them to help them out when needed, as you have mentioned with the likes of Morton, Cass & even Bowden these guys have the disposal to make our backline more attacking & have opposition rethink their strategy about an all out attack on our younger backline.

 

[Dyer'ere]

I'm not too worried about Thursfield in this regard. Anything he did in 07 was a bonus and a very pleasant surprise as it turned out. He's a smart player and next year I reckon he'll go up another notch.

McGuane, when he first started to find some confidence in the preseason or 06, was able to break lines. This is gold, unless you turn it over. Everybody's out of position, especially the turner-overer. Costly. But it's easier to hit a target if you're in the clear. Could go either way IMO. ANd I like the shape of our defence a lot better with Lace-Out somewhere else.

Joel's the bloke who can't get a rap. He had a great 07. IIRC he played #1 back for the wooden spooner, had the ball on a string, used it pretty well (no more paddy-cake with his brother) generally did well on his opponents or beat them and all that in the middle of some unforgettable leather storms.

I reckon fans are slow to forgive Joel for some spectacularly overly sensible play in the Escort Cup of 07. Those fans might like to have a look at some of Brian "The Terrified" Harris's game against Collingwood in the finals series(?) of 06. One's a preseason game. One's a final. I'm over the Joel one but I'll never get over Harris's. An all time benchmark, I hope.

And Polak may not be able to beat many and have some kicking yips but his handball is close to infallible and usually inspired. When we've got Morton back there we'll have a designated kicker of quality to set to space.

I reckon it's a lack of defence that is the problem in our pencil case. BTW great to see us target McMahon and Morton to rectify our stunning lack of defensive muscle.

 

[the claw]

geez and here i am thinking it imperative that we have well rounded players especially for defenders. a defender at richmond is a bit like the defender you have when you dont have a defender. accountability hardness skill pace agility smarts and just a touch of mongrel are all requirements. not to mention for your kpd size and strength.

its funny in the main the genuine stoppers accountable types have poor skills, and those that do have good skills are unaccountable and soft.
to top it of the only kpd we have of size (polak) gets pushed around like a rag doll. hmm what one would give for a well rounded defender or 2 or 6.

 

[dcstar]

.......
its funny in the main the genuine stoppers accountable types have poor skills, and those that do have good skills are unaccountable and soft.
.......

A bit like King this year when he planted a 50M kick at the 'G from the defensive side of the wing (over the head of Richo who was screaming for it) onto the chest of a teammate inside 50 who then had an easy shot at goal? - and yes, it was deliberate.

Most other young Richmond would have taken the more "soft" option and given it to Richo, but the hardness we need is in the area of calculated risks that benefit the team, not pointless possession counts.

 

[Mr Brightside]

A bit like King this year when he planted a 50M kick at the 'G from the defensive side of the wing (over the head of Richo who was screaming for it) onto the chest of a teammate inside 50 who then had an easy shot at goal? - and yes, it was deliberate.

Most other young Richmond would have taken the more "soft" option and given it to Richo, but the hardness we need is in the area of calculated risks that benefit the team, not pointless possession counts.

Against the Dons an I think it was to Lids

 

[Mr Brightside]

I see in the stats that McMahon dosent have a great kicking percentage but when I went an had a look at a lot of his games I can see why ,he is very much a player who try's to pin point 40-50 metre passes an do's do a hell of a lot of exquisite ones,but of course when your trying to pull of the matchwinners its going to come unstuck a lot.

On Polak an Thirsty the thing I like about there kicking is that they know there limitations, they are usually both quick to move the ball on to a better option an usually are chippers rather then spearer's.

Kicking for me was the sole reason I didnt think King would make AFL level an though he still do' do the odd turnover which of course is going to happen when you hit the ball at a million miles an hour an always take on a couple of opponets as you clear the back 50,but the best thing is his kicking has improved a hell of alot an know doubt with his attitude.

Casserly an Morton would instantly make our backline a much more class unit an set up much more forward thrusts but of course they both have question marks at this stage on been AFL players.

Mcguane will no doubt be the weakest of our back six in kicking an probally needs to take a leaf out of Polly's book an understand his limitations,but in the positive he do's take the game on an try an create.

Bowden without doubt is one of the best "quaterbacks" going around an I suppose when ou get the pill 30 times a game you will make the odd mistake,I like others would like to see JB get a more forward role in the future but why fix whats not broke.

Newman probally excited more then any in the second half an I wouldnt be surprised if he pushed for AA next season an his a player who I think's kicking has got better each season.

One form left field is Sarge down back his field kicking is easily the best of our big men an in the 2 opputunity's his had in the wiz fiz before injury he played extremly well across half back,wouldnt do any harm in giving him a chance down there as Im sure Cleve has NNNNOOOOOO future there at all

 

[TigersGoddess]

Against the Dons an I think it was to Lids

I rememer that Richo went to give Kingy a spray until he looked back and realised Lids had marked the ball so had to give Kingy a pat on the back.

Haven't noticed too great a problem with Will's disposal, I've seen him hit targets fairly well. He does opt to give it off to a team mate a bit but generally backs up incase it goes wrong.

 

[IrockZ]

i thought will showed great run from the backline and his disposal was pretty good, the game against the pies when he smashed cloke was a good example of what we can expect in the future, he is light years ahead of mcguane in skills and decision making

 

[gustiger12]

Is that you Rockstar.... ;D

 

[Inspector]

I think Thursty is quite a good kick not Brown like but reliable just the same King uses it well also the only one is McGuane & I think he will improve coming to the game later than most.

 

[Tigers of Old]

Haven't noticed too great a problem with Will's disposal, I've seen him hit targets fairly well. He does opt to give it off to a team mate a bit but generally backs up incase it goes wrong.

Agreed. Thursty is pretty reliable down back with his disposal and combines well with his team mates out of defence.
He was a shining light last season in return from his wrecked knee.
I expect him to be even better in '08. 8)

 

[Smilodon]

I want to put in an appreciation of Player King's disposal.

His handballs really stood out. We've had a history of dishing off handballs to players within touching distance - just pointless overpossession really. No penetration and no real gain. Kingy seemed to be the only guy willing and able to handball 10m or more to an attacking option.

Second thing follows from this. The more players are willing to run to create option, the better the disposal of the player with the ball will appear. Most of the players mentioned in this thread do have the ability to run and some smarts to run to the right places. A little more maturity and experience in 2008 could make our disposals look better not because skills have improved but because the options are better.

 

[Hayfever]

I want to put in an appreciation of Player King's disposal.

His handballs really stood out. We've had a history of dishing off handballs to players within touching distance - just pointless overpossession really. No penetration and no real gain. Kingy seemed to be the only guy willing and able to handball 10m or more to an attacking option

Good observation Smilodon :clap

Another positive for the new Dynamite Kid!

 

[IrockZ]

raines is in trouble and if mcguane doesnt fix his decision making he's gone aswell

if they are going to find a spot for morton and co some will have to go

 

[blx]

raines is in trouble and if mcguane doesnt fix his decision making he's gone aswell

if they are going to find a spot for morton and co some will have to go

thats what i've been trying to figure out in my ever changing best 22 and the reason i instigated the Kingy playing midfield thread.

I know jack about Morton. Im just going off internet information and vids to paint some sort of picture.

I get the felling he will be given a good go next year across half back but i wont definately know until i see his style and speed etc etc.

Is he a mongrel player like Kingy?
How good is his disposal?
Is he quick across the ground?
Fitness? Engine? Strength? Classy?

too many q's at this point, but if he comes on, someone has to go. simple but complex. FORM will be the ultimate guide.