Our Backline Myopia

[BBC]

I read with interest that we have declared our interest in backline players in the upcoming trade and draft period. Well this highlights just how short terms we have been in the Plough era with our back line.

The following players have been recruited from other clubs to play defensive roles: Mark Graham, Patrick Bowden and Graham Polak. All have had significant game time over the last three seasons and have basically delayed blooding more players like Thursfield and McGuane.

It's yet another example of our poor list management.

 

[checkside]

The only thing that delayed Thursfield was being injured.

 

[bertallen]

I read with interest that we have declared our interest in backline players in the upcoming trade and draft period. Well this highlights just how short terms we have been in the Plough era with our back line.

The following players have been recruited from other clubs to play defensive roles: Mark Graham, Patrick Bowden and Graham Polak. All have had significant game time over the last three seasons and have basically delayed blooding more players like Thursfield and McGuane.

It's yet another example of our poor list management.

Scott Thompson Geelong VFL, remember the granny - young and worth a risk - simple really - dont make it too complex for the recruiters

 

[Dyer'ere]

Have you seen much of him, bert?

 

[skybeau]

Thursfield's been injured, so it's hardly fair to say he's been delayed.

McGuane was NOT ready in 2006 and only this year showed some form, credit to him.

Polak has been very useful for us in the backline, forward line and ruck on occasion.

And P Bo...well, you all can guess my thoughts on him and you all probably disagree :hihi

So, in the end this year, we came out with three promising (if not decent) defenders (Thursfield, McGuane, Polak). I reckon we got the balance and gametime between them pretty much spot on (McGuane might've deserved a few more games though). We probably could do with one more decent tall, large defender (not forgetting Joel either). Aside from that, good post. :-\

 

[Dyer'ere]

Myopia is not a problem for our backline as the ball is always really close to them.

 

[evo]

Of course you are right Jack.

I put it down to dyslexia,anorexia and perplexia.

 

[Ruthless Tigers ?]

Of course you are right Jack.

I put it down to dyslexia,anorexia and perplexia.

I reckon half the time its the furity lexia !!

 

[the claw]

Of course you are right Jack.

I put it down to dyslexia,anorexia and perplexia.

funny and true to boot.

 

[IrockZ]

I read with interest that we have declared our interest in backline players in the upcoming trade and draft period. Well this highlights just how short terms we have been in the Plough era with our back line.

The following players have been recruited from other clubs to play defensive roles: Mark Graham, Patrick Bowden and Graham Polak. All have had significant game time over the last three seasons and have basically delayed blooding more players like Thursfield and McGuane.

It's yet another example of our poor list management.

thats the problem with trying to fill specific needs with trades, we had chances to draft defenders but instead went for the short term pickups

 

[Phar Ace]

I read with interest that we have declared our interest in backline players in the upcoming trade and draft period. Well this highlights just how short terms we have been in the Plough era with our back line.

The following players have been recruited from other clubs to play defensive roles: Mark Graham, Patrick Bowden and Graham Polak. All have had significant game time over the last three seasons and have basically delayed blooding more players like Thursfield and McGuane.

It's yet another example of our poor list management.

thats the problem with trying to fill specific needs with trades, we had chances to draft defenders but instead went for the short term pickups

And from the last two drafts, which defenders are now ready to go? (with the benefit of hindsight of course )

 

[Streak]

And from the last two drafts, which defenders are now ready to go? (with the benefit of hindsight of course )

Exactly. Melbourne have been trying to find one for 10 years without success. I think that good KPDs, are like ruckman, in that they take a little longer to develop.

The drafting of Graham was weird, but getting in these blokes means that our younger players have a little more time to develop. I think McGuane is a good example of that. While I know some think he still is some way from making it, he'd be on the scrap heap now if he had been thrown in straight away.

Sure, you don't keep a Gaspar and a Kellaway, but keeping Gaspar like we did can only have helped Thursfield and McGuane IMO.

 

[gustiger12]

And from the last two drafts, which defenders are now ready to go? (with the benefit of hindsight of course )

Exactly. Melbourne have been trying to find one for 10 years without success. I think that good KPDs, are like ruckman, in that they take a little longer to develop.

The drafting of Graham was weird, but getting in these blokes means that our younger players have a little more time to develop. I think McGuane is a good example of that. While I know some think he still is some way from making it, he'd be on the scrap heap now if he had been thrown in straight away.

Sure, you don't keep a Gaspar and a Kellaway, but keeping Gaspar like we did can only have helped Thursfield and McGuane IMO.

What are you on Streaker

We gave them a gun defender in Ben Holland. ;D

 

[the claw]

I read with interest that we have declared our interest in backline players in the upcoming trade and draft period. Well this highlights just how short terms we have been in the Plough era with our back line.

The following players have been recruited from other clubs to play defensive roles: Mark Graham, Patrick Bowden and Graham Polak. All have had significant game time over the last three seasons and have basically delayed blooding more players like Thursfield and McGuane.

It's yet another example of our poor list management.

thats the problem with trying to fill specific needs with trades, we had chances to draft defenders but instead went for the short term pickups

And from the last two drafts, which defenders are now ready to go? (with the benefit of hindsight of course )

in takingplayers in the nd you arent looking one or two yrs down the track but 4 or 5. its this mistake that rfc ferals most often make.

if miller had done something about the talls in 02 03 when we had just 9 or 10 talls on the entire list we wouldnt be having this discussion now.
if he had done his job properly all kps would be covered as well as our rucks. right now those players would be stepping up to the plate. for 5 drafts miller has overlooked kpp and ruckmen whats the bet they overlook them again.

 

[Dyer'ere]

Our eyesight may have failed us. Maybe we don't know what a backline looks like.

Here's my take:

Small BP- Quick, aggressive, good user, can be one-sided. Must be able to play tight if needed and run off. Negating skills are preferred. If not - elite kicking. Tackling a must.

Fullback- Dominant male. Heavy. Unpleasant. Prefer long kick. Quick hands. Must have elite spoiling skills one-on-one. Quick off the mark or good enough in judgement and strong enough to play in front and win ground. Tackling a must. Good ground skills.

#3 Back- Running player. Must be strong enough in the air to spoil resting rucks but not necessarily to beat key forwards (see A. Kellaway). Must play on at all costs. Long fine kick a must. Good skills. Must be able to compete in packs.

HBF X 2- Does not need elite defensive skills. But must compete. Must fight. Has to hit the packs hard. 90kg player. Must be a running player with penetrating kicking. Must play on at all costs. Pace an advantage. Spoiling skills a must. Tackling an advantage.

CHB- Must be able to defend against elite CHFs- the major prerequisite. Mass not crucial. Running player. Good to outstanding skills. Marking preferred. Tackling a must.

For types.

H.Shaw D.Glass D.Fletcher
T.Kennelly C.Cornes B.DeLedio

BTW 550kg + (and have not put on more than a couple of kg since they were 18- it's not conditioning)

ATM we have King for the BP role. Okay he's light. Lids for one HBF and Thursfield (light) who might grow into the CHB role. The rest are not suited to ideal roles. Our backline is too light. All of the players we have in defensive roles ATM are miles under ideal IMO.

Have we modeled? I don't mean putting on Calvin Kleins and flexing our biceps in the mirror, I mean, obviously we all do that. But we should model a backline. Maybe a whole team. Just for an experiment. You know, try to be a bit like the teams who win games.

 

[Tigers of Old]

Our eyesight may have failed us. Maybe we don't know what a backline looks like.

Here's my take:

Small BP- Quick, aggressive, good user, can be one-sided. Must be able to play tight if needed and run off. Negating skills are preferred. If not - elite kicking. Tackling a must.

Fullback- Dominant male. Heavy. Unpleasant. Prefer long kick. Quick hands. Must have elite spoiling skills one-on-one. Quick off the mark or good enough in judgement and strong enough to play in front and win ground. Tackling a must. Good ground skills.

#3 Back- Running player. Must be strong enough in the air to spoil resting rucks but not necessarily to beat key forwards (see A. Kellaway). Must play on at all costs. Long fine kick a must. Good skills. Must be able to compete in packs.

HBF X 2- Does not need elite defensive skills. But must compete. Must fight. Has to hit the packs hard. 90kg player. Must be a running player with penetrating kicking. Must play on at all costs. Pace an advantage. Spoiling skills a must. Tackling an advantage.

CHB- Must be able to defend against elite CHFs- the major prerequisite. Mass not crucial. Running player. Good to outstanding skills. Marking preferred. Tackling a must.

For types.

H.Shaw D.Glass D.Fletcher
T.Kennelly C.Cornes B.DeLedio

Great post Jack.

What have we got?

3 #3 backs. Moore, McGuane & Thursfield.

2 LMID. Polak and Bowden.

1 Underskilled HBF Chaffey, Raines.

.5 Small defender. King (Well he is small!).

0 CHB

0 FB

Have we modeled? I don't mean putting on Calvin Kleins and flexing our biceps in the mirror, I mean, obviously we all do that. But we should model a backline. Maybe a whole team. Just for an experiment. You know, try to be a bit like the teams who win games.

;D

 

[IrockZ]

I read with interest that we have declared our interest in backline players in the upcoming trade and draft period. Well this highlights just how short terms we have been in the Plough era with our back line.

The following players have been recruited from other clubs to play defensive roles: Mark Graham, Patrick Bowden and Graham Polak. All have had significant game time over the last three seasons and have basically delayed blooding more players like Thursfield and McGuane.

It's yet another example of our poor list management.

thats the problem with trying to fill specific needs with trades, we had chances to draft defenders but instead went for the short term pickups

And from the last two drafts, which defenders are now ready to go? (with the benefit of hindsight of course )

im not saying ready to go all i said was that we could of picked up defenders along the way and had more options atm

carlile instead of casserly, mckenzie instead of edwards etc

yes they wouldnt of been ready now but they would of been on our list atleast

 

[craig]

Of course you are right Jack.

I put it down to dyslexia,anorexia and perplexia.

funny and true to boot.

add dystaxia and cognitive impairment and youre on the money