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PUNT ROAD END | Richmond Tigers Forum
I’d like to start a thread that compares some of our current players – particularly up and coming players with similar players of the past (recent and distant, Tigers or not) - just to see how they compare and whether they stack up. If so – why, and if not – why not.
This is a chance to do a bit of comparative analysis of a player’s game – rather than just open ended criticsm. Please feel free to add, agree or disagree. Also – can you think of other players games that are worth contrasting? I’d love to hear your opinions.
First off, I’d like to compare the games of Andy Krakouer with our great rover / forward Kevin Bartlett. Heresy you say. Well yes, but intriguing nonetheless.
The obvious differences are striking:
- KB had blistering pace, AK seems to be mono-paced with no top gear
- KB could go all day and was a terrific accumulator of possessions, AK is lucky to get double digit possessions on a good day
- KB was an extrovert on the field, AK is an introvert
- KB had all-time great forwards / midfielders to work with, AK has had Richo and, well, not much else
The similarities are there but not great in number:
- wonderful hands below the knees
- great anticipation of a bouncing ball
- terrific goal sense and
- marking ability
Other parts of their game are also strongly contrasting – and in some instances, I think AK has the better of KB:
- AK is a consistently creative handballer
- AK lays a ferocious tackle
So what you say – all of this is obvious - which is true. To me the most interesting difference between these players is their crumbing abilities / techniques.
KB would nearly always run to the back of the pack at full pace, timing it so that he was parallel with the pack just after the time the ball reached players outstretched hands. If the ball spilt free on his side of the pack KB would collect it and go – leaving the sprawling pack for dead – straight for the goals. Dazzling stuff. If the ball came down the other side or to the front, usually there was a Sproule, a Weightman, a Deane ready to collect. And guess what? – once they had the pill in their hands there was KB heading off behind the pack ready to receive – in the perfect position to score.
Similarly for a rucking situation, KB would hit the pack hard. If he got the ball – wow. If not he would run on to receive. If the opposition got it – well too bad. It’s not as if tackling was KB’s thing anyway.
AK on the other hand approaches a marking pack / ruck contest differently. Normally positioned in front of the pack (not always), he will cruise up to it at middle speed. This looks lazy - and certainly not as exciting as the full tilt method – but it does enable AK to move to either side of the pack depending on which way the ball spills. Once AK has read the fall of the ball it’s a quick-step-change-of-direction at the front of the pack to gather in the pill. Once gathered, however, it means navigating the pack to get a clear shot on goal or kick forward – which is often where his handballing skills come to the fore.
It’s a similar story with his tackling. He sort of strolls into the contest until he knows which direction the opposition player is committed to and then he launches himself, full body, into the tackle.
To the observer, AK seems to stroll around the park whereas KB would light it up with his speed. But I think that it comes back to a style of reading the play and the ball.
Now, if only AK could get to more contests. Hhmmmmmm….
This is a chance to do a bit of comparative analysis of a player’s game – rather than just open ended criticsm. Please feel free to add, agree or disagree. Also – can you think of other players games that are worth contrasting? I’d love to hear your opinions.
First off, I’d like to compare the games of Andy Krakouer with our great rover / forward Kevin Bartlett. Heresy you say. Well yes, but intriguing nonetheless.
The obvious differences are striking:
- KB had blistering pace, AK seems to be mono-paced with no top gear
- KB could go all day and was a terrific accumulator of possessions, AK is lucky to get double digit possessions on a good day
- KB was an extrovert on the field, AK is an introvert
- KB had all-time great forwards / midfielders to work with, AK has had Richo and, well, not much else
The similarities are there but not great in number:
- wonderful hands below the knees
- great anticipation of a bouncing ball
- terrific goal sense and
- marking ability
Other parts of their game are also strongly contrasting – and in some instances, I think AK has the better of KB:
- AK is a consistently creative handballer
- AK lays a ferocious tackle
So what you say – all of this is obvious - which is true. To me the most interesting difference between these players is their crumbing abilities / techniques.
KB would nearly always run to the back of the pack at full pace, timing it so that he was parallel with the pack just after the time the ball reached players outstretched hands. If the ball spilt free on his side of the pack KB would collect it and go – leaving the sprawling pack for dead – straight for the goals. Dazzling stuff. If the ball came down the other side or to the front, usually there was a Sproule, a Weightman, a Deane ready to collect. And guess what? – once they had the pill in their hands there was KB heading off behind the pack ready to receive – in the perfect position to score.
Similarly for a rucking situation, KB would hit the pack hard. If he got the ball – wow. If not he would run on to receive. If the opposition got it – well too bad. It’s not as if tackling was KB’s thing anyway.
AK on the other hand approaches a marking pack / ruck contest differently. Normally positioned in front of the pack (not always), he will cruise up to it at middle speed. This looks lazy - and certainly not as exciting as the full tilt method – but it does enable AK to move to either side of the pack depending on which way the ball spills. Once AK has read the fall of the ball it’s a quick-step-change-of-direction at the front of the pack to gather in the pill. Once gathered, however, it means navigating the pack to get a clear shot on goal or kick forward – which is often where his handballing skills come to the fore.
It’s a similar story with his tackling. He sort of strolls into the contest until he knows which direction the opposition player is committed to and then he launches himself, full body, into the tackle.
To the observer, AK seems to stroll around the park whereas KB would light it up with his speed. But I think that it comes back to a style of reading the play and the ball.
Now, if only AK could get to more contests. Hhmmmmmm….