We really need a key defender

[sprite]

To help Schauble etc.

[midaro]

Saddo

[Sid]

This is a serious issue now and will hurt us some time in the future. Im sure schauble doesnt like this position and he doesnt do too well at it.

Saddo doesnt have too much strength. Although Bolton doesnt have the height, i reckon he proved his abilities playing mathew richardson.

[robbieando]

One would be nice but we make do with what we have and we are doing so very well. No doubt we might look for one in the pre season, but I think the Midfield is a bigger worry with Cressa retiring we need to replace him and find a gun midfielder.

[liz]

Lloyd got 3 goals in garbage time and had pretty much no influence on the game, at least in front of goal. I thought Schaubs did a pretty good job on a player who is still the best FF in the comp.

Don't disagree with the comment that we need a key defender, but the boys are getting the job done at the moment.

[Cheer Cheer]

Mieklejohn , LRT , Powell I'm confident we can pluck one from this group.

[Craig]

I agree a key defender is a must in next years draft.
All of those mentioned are better suited to other positions. They are either ruckmen or flankers. We need a bloke who is suited to full back.

Mieklejohn - Ruckman
Powell - Too skinny (even if he does bulk up), better suited to a flank
Schauble - Not strong enough, no ability, hardly ever outmarks opponents.
LRT - Too talented for full back
Saddo - As per Powell

[penga]

Originally posted by Sid
Although Bolton doesnt have the height

bolton does have the height... he is the same height as mal michael and nathan bassett, its just that he doesnt have the body to throw around

we do need a gorilla killer though... schauble has been doing extremely well considering how slow he has become and how easily outbodied he gets

i still have my fingers crossed for heath james though

[Jon]

Originally posted by penga
bolton does have the height... he is the same height as mal michael and nathan bassett, its just that he doesnt have the body to throw around

Agree about the body, when the Bombers did mange to isolate him, or provide a decent delivery to Lucas forward, he struggled a bit.

However, one thing overlooked about Bolton is his strength. He's one of the club leaders, so when the midfielders, and forwards put on a bit of pressure, the contests become wrestling matches, and he's quite efficient at those.

Usually our defenders are so tightly supporting each other, the "Gorilla" factor isn't necessary. It loses out to the pace of the quick transition to attack. Bolton moved forward very well for us last night in a way a "Mick Martyn" type never could.

[penga]

Originally posted by Jon
Bolton moved forward very well for us last night in a way a "Mick Martyn" type never could.

very fair call, when i say that we need a gorilla killer, i meant that we need one in the mould of fletcher, hay etc... ie a 196cm, 93kg type... tall, yet still agile...

[Cheer Cheer]

Mieklejohn

[penga]

Originally posted by Cheer Cheer
Mieklejohn

thats what i reckon, sure he was recruited as a ruckman but he is quick (for his size) and could definitely put the stops on some 'gorillas'

he is one kilo heavier than fletcher and the same height

[Jon]

Originally posted by penga
very fair call, when i say that we need a gorilla killer, i meant that we need one in the mould of fletcher, hay etc... ie a 196cm, 93kg type... tall, yet still agile...

Actually I saw LRT added a bit of grunt up back a couple of times. More when Sheedy was pushing a tall forward, of course, but he aquitted himself well.

just looked at his stats by the way: 196cm, 86kg....kinda fits your bill.

Often young ruckmen are a little bit uncoordinated, and look silly if the ball hits the deck...not this kid. The way he initiates contact, he almost PREFERS the ball at his feet. Can anyone remember seeing a Rookie that height who handballed so well while getting hit from all sides? One who'd only payed 40 odd games?

there was one play in particular that stuck out for me...I think it was in the 4th QTR....he muffed a mark 50m from our goal, then recovered by turning, and knowing he was under pressure, he chose to fall to ground and slap the ball forward 15m to Fosdike putting our running game into the clear.

Looked good all round.

[penga]

Originally posted by Jon
just looked at his stats by the way: 196cm, 86kg....kinda fits your bill.

its more the 93kg+ that would be a concern as far as LRT goes, thats why i would wanna see him at CHB than FB as he wouldnt have the strength to outmuscle a gorilla such as lynch... maybe in 2 years time... thats why meiklejohn would be good, has the height, the weight and the agility

i do agree that he does look very composed when under pressure, ie if he loses his feet he still manages to get the ball moving... i dont know if he looks that coordinated though especially with that hair cut

[Bear]

Originally posted by Cheer Cheer
Mieklejohn

CC i honestly don't think he'll make it as a backman - too much of a lumbering ruckman type. i saw him play at Ainslie the other day and he wouldn't have the pace to go with a Lloyd, Hall, Carey, etc

LRT has the agility to do the job but just needs to learn a bit more at the top level and continue to develop his body