The Back 6

[TheHood]

Are these guys the best in the comp or what?

It's only 4 Rounds old but they were superb today, even better than last year (love saying that) and the proof is in the pudding.

We are equal second with Saints (behind Freo) for having conceeded the least points so far.

I want to say that we look really really good with Heath at FB! Even better than last year because his disposal and athletisism is better that Schaubes.

Can somebody tell me please (because I do love Schaubes) where he fits into the plan and who gets the chop?

Does Bevo have to earn his stripes from the bench, ala Schneides in 2003?

[Charlie]

The continued under appreciation of Schauble is starting to give me the irrits.

I read stats in the Herald-Sun last year which revealed that at something like 1.6 goals per game, he conceded the second lowest number of goals per game of all key defenders in the comp last year... Darryl Wakelin was first.

Considering how much our midfield lagged last year, that is an awesome effort.

James or no James, Schaubes will once again be our best key defender when he returns. That's not a criticism of James.

[stellation]

Thank you Charlie!

I cannot put a high enough value on what Andrew Schauble brings to our backline and upon his return he will be our number 1 key defender again. One of the defenders, good as they all are playing, will have to make way for Schauble when he is ready to return and the back 6 will need to be shuffled around so that Schauble is in the corridor.

Either Dermie or James on the telecast today said that Saddo was doing a great job kicking goals when he was the third forward option and then stopped themselves and said that when Hall and Goodes are the forwards above you then that is not an insult. Same thing with James being second fiddle to Schauble, as Charlie said it is far from an insult.

[midaro]

FB Mathews James C Bolton
CHB Barry Schauble Kennelly

I wish!

[Newbie]

How about this:

B: James Schaubles Matthews
HB: Barry LRT Kennelly

About a year or two away. But this is real balance. Plenty of pace, plenty of height and plenty of strength. Would be able to match up well again any forward setup in the game. James is pretty attacking and would fit perfectly in a third tall role.

[barry]

Originally posted by Newbie
How about this:

B: James Schaubles Matthews
HB: Barry LRT Kennelly

About a year or two away. But this is real balance. Plenty of pace, plenty of height and plenty of strength. Would be able to match up well again any forward setup in the game. James is pretty attacking and would fit perfectly in a third tall role.

Schauble might be over 30 by then. I think LRT is a long term CHB material, but Schaubs is out No.1 CHB for the next 2 years.

[midaro]

Originally posted by barry
Schauble might be over 30 by then. I think LRT is a long term CHB material, but Schaubs is out No.1 CHB for the next 2 years.

Yep, LRT will likely replace Schauble in years to come. But he has a long way to go IMO.

[sharpie]

Wouldn't Schauble still be our no.1 fullback, with James probably better at CHB due to his pace and probably better disposal. But then again, as our first two key defenders, they will just play where they match up best. E.g. against Collingwood, James would play FB against Tarrant, with Schauble at CHB against Rocca, but against Brisbane, Schauble would take Lynch at FB while James would be CHB against Brown.

[Go Swannies]

Craig Bolton has been another stalwart back there. Where should he fit in?

[sharpie]

Craig Bolton should be one of the guys used on the opposition's 3rd tall forward, while also rotating into the midfield as he really does have good skills and a good brain.

[stellation]

I would be happy with Bolton just playing in defence and taking the 3rd tall forward or if that is not needed just running off a flank. I don't know why everyone has to become a midfielder! That said, I am just as bad because I hope dearly that Nick Davis comes back well from injury and can become more of a fixture in the midfield immediatley.

[sharpie]

I think everyone says they want to see this guy and that bloke play in the midfield because we dont yet have a group of superstars who dominate the midfield contests for an entire game and we have seen potential when some guys, like C.Bolts and Davis, have a run in the middle.

Plus Roos has shown that he loves the rotations, so the more guys we have that are more than capable in the midfield, the better.

[stellation]

I agree totally and I would like C.Bolton to get a chance to have a bit more run.

I just keep thinking GAWD how many bloody midfielders at the moment because there seems to be a massive queue of folks lining up to play there

Which is not a bad thing! Just frustrating when it seems like we are blooding a heap of (to be frank very talented hopefully future guns- so I can't pick one to go down to reserves ) young midfielders and then have LRT/Powell in and out when we probably need to be blooding at least another tall equally... and we know that the tall guys take longer...

I have no idea what I am talking about by now...

is this thread about Saddo?

[Rizzo]

You would have to say Kirk is becoming much more attacking in his play at midfield...