The fullback spot.

[Tigers of Old]

At the end of the day, a meaningless loss (though I know nothing will stop the Gaspar bashing, as he has become, for many, the whipping boy that J Bowden used to be).

Totally different scenario.
Joel had talent and upside yet was a frustrating player.
Gaspar is at the end of his career.

 

[Hanno]

At the end of the day, a meaningless loss (though I know nothing will stop the Gaspar bashing, as he has become, for many, the whipping boy that J Bowden used to be).

Totally different scenario.
Joel had talent and upside yet was a frustrating player.
Gaspar is at the end of his career.

Oh, I'm not saying their on-field situations are anything alike. What I am saying is that I believe Gaspar, like Bowden about four years ago, could play the greatest game of footy ever played and he would still have people screaming for him to be sacked. It's not very likely that he will play that greatest game at this stage of his career, but Gaspar will still be a servicable member of the back six this year.

 

[Scoop]

Nah nah nah....dont go suggesting McGuane at full back Tooheys ! Nor anyone else for that matter. I did that last year and the Subpar minions with little foresight carped on about how he'd get flogged...that we'd get flogged...blah blah blah.

Right. Like things havent (and continue) to work that way with Subpar down there ......

Its amazing. Some defenders of Subpar are claiming that we need him so as to play on the "gorillas".... whilst others are actually claiming that as an excuse for him yesterday i.e. its unfair that he should play on them !

What the hell do we have him for then ! ?

Gold. Red. Gold. Just hit that nail on the head a little bit harder.

So many theories about who should play full back, and you can flush them all because they don't address the problem that led to Geelong's key forwards kicking so many goals - all the theories are chasing around after a symptom of the real problem.

What's the real problem? Well, it's the lack of accountability of the players further up the ground. No matter who played at full back yesterday, they would have taken a bath because the ball was coming in fast and often. If you don't have pressure on the guy in possession who send the ball into the forward line, you are really just hanging your backmen out to dry.

There was obviously a fair bit of experimenting by TW yesterday, so this loss is nothing to get all worked up about. As TW himself said, it only takes a few players not going their hardest to shift the balance against you in any game. Add to that a few young players who are not yet ready for senior footy and it's almost impossible to overcome. But, if you don't play the young guys in games like round one of the NAB Cup, how can you see whether they're near ready or not?

At the end of the day, a meaningless loss (though I know nothing will stop the Gaspar bashing, as he has become, for many, the whipping boy that J Bowden used to be).

Yeah, I can accept that argument to a certain point. And the point usually ends when I see the full back flopping around going one handed in aerial contests over his head, continually dropping to his knees, stuffing up one kick after another, missing tackles or putting on half hearted ones, turning backwards into trouble, looking around to see who's coming etc. etc.

And just keep on hitting that nail. Shane Heal better look out becuase tonight Reford is "The Hammer".

 

[tigerjoe12]

i think the backline positions are going to have to be a week to week proposition, depending on the opposing forwards.

once fit i'm sure thirsty will be given a chance. i unfortunately can see ray hall playing a few games in that possie as well

 

[The Mighty Wozman]

I know there are umpteenth reasons as to why Richmond has struggled over the last decade or two, but I always look to the contracts handed to the likes Gaspar (and Daffy) as being equivalent to the crown of thorns for this club. Gas has played some decent footy, but he should do a D Schwarz and retire mid season.

 

[Tigers of Old]

Gas has played some decent footy, but should do a D Schwarz and retire mid season.

Why wait til mid season?

 

[craig]

For the time being i wouldnt mind seeing Polak at FB and Schulz at CHB.

Robbing Peter to pay Paul but there's little doubt something has to be done about the FB spot.
I only wish the powers that be had realised it before the verge of the season!!!

Its been galringly obvious for the last 3 years Oldie, which is why i have lost some faith in the coaching staff and recruiting staff cos they are supposed to be experts whilst i am just a mug punter.

 

[Tigers of Old]

For the time being i wouldnt mind seeing Polak at FB and Schulz at CHB.

Robbing Peter to pay Paul but there's little doubt something has to be done about the FB spot.
I only wish the powers that be had realised it before the verge of the season!!!

Its been galringly obvious for the last 3 years Oldie, which is why i have lost some faith in the coaching staff and recruiting staff cos they are supposed to be experts whilst i am just a mug punter.

Re our FB that's fair enough.
Gas was OK 5 years ago but unfortunately the knee injury totally stuffed him.
For a player that relied on his speed and dexterity to negate opponents as opposed to physical mass, it's been a sad state of affairs since.
Recruiting Polak was hopefully a good move re CHB but the lack of forsight re the defender on the last line is amazing.
We are desperate IMO.

 

[richards42]

Was it only 12 months ago Wallace was so desperate 4 a decent running backpocket, Raines popped up, and along with newman the bowdens.hartigan etc we now have plenty of that type of player. You see when Wallace took over we had holes all over the field, he's slowly filling them up.
Fullback maybe a bit different, but out of the gloom we may have someone on the list who may surprise,Next draft it would b a good idea to draft one.
Everyone has thrown their hat in the ring with plenty of ideas coming out.
We drafted polak to fill one tall spot down back, so maybe Wallace reckons he can pinch hit, while developing one on our list.
I've seen Joel play on Brown, Fevola etc and beat them so he'd do me, if we had to swing him onto one of them.
I'm sure he's planning to develop one Cleve/Shultz/Thirsty/Mcguane down there. This is the only reason hall/*smile* are still on the list, until they develop.
I know i started this thread, but looking at all the info now everyone has added, I'm much more worried about the midfield developing quick enough.

 

[craig]

The club has deficiencies everywhere 42 ruck depth and quality, true KP depth and quality and very much so midfield depth and quality .

 

[Scoop]

Excellent news on this front. Will THursfield to play this week v the Swans and hopefully will be ready for FB come round 1.

JON also to play v the Swans this week and every rookie and first year player will get a run.

Great news.

Not so great if your name is D.Gaspar.

 

[Freezer]

Will Saturday's side be the youngest in the history of the VFL/AFL...? I'm sure it'll go close.

 

[richards42]

The club has deficiencies everywhere 42 ruck depth and quality, true KP depth and quality and very much so midfield depth and quality .

Yep you are right, we do have deficiencies in a lot of places,Wallace was never going to fix them in a couple of drafts.
Hopefully Cleve/riewoldt/shultz/patto/thirsty/mcguane can come on a bit this year to plug a few holes in the kpp. Will be obvious to the recruiters that next draft, we'll need another ruck,key position back and classy midfielders.
I think our midfield is the most important part that needs to come on the most.