Centre Clearances

[liz]

I see Schneider as a perfect replacement for Willo if he continues as he is now. He'll be wasted as a true in and under midfielder (in the Mitchell mould) because of his great kicking and explosive pace. But he looks physically capable of doing the tough stuff and tackling when required, as well as being a receiver from the centre who can set up quick forays forwards.

If he comes anywhere close to being as good as Willo at his best we'll be pretty happy!! But I agree with other posters that it will be several years, at least, before we can reasonably expect him to get there. A lot will depend on how much he wants it and how much he realises that he needs to get really really fit. He's commented in the media that he's never really been fit before in his life. But while he may have improved greatly in the last 12 months, he'll have to work even harder if he's to reach his full potential. Hopefully Stewie will stick around for another couple of years as a mentor to help him along the way.

[Nico]

Schneider is not hard enough or physically strong enough to take centre bounces, and I doubt whether he ever will.

It doesn't matter how hard you are, if you can't read the ruck play there is not point being there. We lack badly in this area and the only one at the moment who is able to find the ball and dispose of it quickly is Kirk. Both Bolton and Fosdike grab the footy but don't seem to get free.

Maybe O'Keefe is a wild card for centre bounces given that he played all his junior footy in the centre, and was recruited as an onballer. Has the hardness and body strength, but seems to be ignored in this area. Maybe Roos needs to start to be a bit more adventurous. A few weeks ago there always seemed to be something new, but lately there has been a lot of sameness about us.

[BAM_BAM]

Originally posted by Nico
Maybe O'Keefe is a wild card for centre bounces given that he played all his junior footy in the centre, and was recruited as an onballer. Has the hardness and body strength, but seems to be ignored in this area. Maybe Roos needs to start to be a bit more adventurous. A few weeks ago there always seemed to be something new, but lately there has been a lot of sameness about us.

he did move Pebbles down field for a spell late in the game, maybe it's the start of something new?

[Plugger46]

Originally posted by Nico
Schneider is not hard enough or physically strong enough to take centre bounces, and I doubt whether he ever will.

Love to know what you base this on?

I think he has already stepped up and is a genuine matchwinner, he always has an impact. He should be getting more ground time, he never looks too buggered to me.

[Frosty_13]

I agree with you P46
Adam has been super impressive this year and his running ability tells me that he is definitely our future in the midfield. I also beleive that he has the body strength to start in centre bounces.

[sharp9]

Schneider is a much more skilful player than Williams, IMO, and at least as quick (and much longer kick for goal). Agree that he doesn't look like he is knackered at the moment (though he sometimes forgets to chase!!!!)

[Rizzo]

Interesting that no one has focussed on the ruckmen. Are we resigned to the fact that we are rarely going to win the tap?

[Nico]

Originally posted by Plugger46
Love to know what you base this on?

I think he has already stepped up and is a genuine matchwinner, he always has an impact. He should be getting more ground time, he never looks too buggered to me.

Come on P46, you and I watched him at Carlton not take a couple of steps to a contest or two, that he should have, within the space of 2 minutes.

That tells me he is not ready for the real tough stuff. Are you suggesting he will develop the toughness that Kelly did?

My observation is he is good on the burst and he may very well be a good around the ground midfielder, but not a centre bounce player. Play him at the centre bounces and watch him get spiflicated.

[sharp9]

I agree with you too, P46. Schneider doesn't seem soft to me at all. Maybe he needs a little more encouragement to get his head stuck in, but I don't doubt that he will, and see his body type as being very solid (a la Mitchell) even though he looks a little soft cos he is not cut.

He should take Marc Bullen's lead (who has a topless photo of Cousins on his bedroom wall to inspire his gym work) and try to get his muscles like Maxi's as soon as possible.

Ditto Davis.

BTW has anyone noticed how sloppy Ball and Schauble's arms are compared to other big men like Lynch, Primus and Biglands? Methinks they don't put in the same gym work as those guys.