Luke McGuane

[TIGEREXTRA]

He's not physically ready for AFL.

You mean like Andrew Krakouer, Richard Tambling...and come to think of it, just about every other one of the huge physical specimens that we have on our list ?

I suppose we'll just have to wait until he builds up a body like Darren Gaspar's. Or maybe Will Thursfield's..........

He is learning the trade of defender.
He needs to learn how to use his body to get into the right position to spoil like *smile* and Thursfeild.

And you are basing this on what...ONE GAME ? And a game where we knew the ball was gonna be coming in every 5 seconds with absolute precision ? A game against the reigning premiers ? A game against a very strong forward line that is on fire at the moment ? A game in which he was bereft of anyone else around him capable of doing their job either ? A game in which the coaching staff probably knew we were in for a pounding ?

He's been spoiling fine at Coburg against bigger and/or more experienced players e.g. Podsiadly, Ryder, Beasy

If we had of won that game on Saturday and Luke had of had just as average a game, the PRE minions would be extolling his virtues.

Assessing players capabilities on the basis of one game is ridiculous imo.

A bit harsh basing that on one game, yes.

IMHO he looked to raw for senior footy as a defender, regardless of how the ball was coming in, he just got pushed under the ball way to easy for mine.

 

[The_General]

Drofder,

Take a look at how Andy positions himself to mark. He doesn't get moved off the ball by a player of O'Loughlin's size. The reason why I see this as an issue for Luke was, he clearly wasn't quick enough to keep up with O'Loughlin. He hasn't got enough experience to beat his man to the ball etc. For the crows, he'd have to match up on a guy who's probably slower than o'loughlin, but probably as strong or stronger. Given the ease it appeared o'loughlin had with moving him off the ball, I'd hate to see what type of match up he'd get this week. And that's the main problem.
When Will played on m o'l last year in his first game, he was clearly quick enough to keep up with him, and prevent him from getting too clear on a lead. That's why there's a difference between the two.

If we were playing someone like the hawks, or carlton etc, I'd be all for Luke getting a game, because I could see some match ups there that would be pretty even. Apart from that, I can't see many he is ready for just yet.