James and Rogers not up to it

[timbo]

It is unacceptable to watch Heath James and Aaron Rogers being used in the defence the way they are.

It is clear they are not up to AFL standards and I dumbfounded as to why they are in the first 22, let alone the playing list altogether.

James could not match up on any of his opponants successfully all day and is no way a capable defender. His only touches were from a teamate or uncontested.

As for Rogers, he is even worst. He is a great size for a footballer, but gives away too much in close. At the Essendon game he gave away 2 free kicks and caused a 50 metre penalty that all resulted in Bomber goals. Today he was just as bad with only a negative impact on the team.

One more point, Fox Footy need to assess the situation with Perth broadcasting. It was the most biased commentry I have ever heard. When viewing the line ups the commentators only assessed the Eagles team. Should the Swans score a goal, then they don't praise the teams effort, but wonder why the Eagles let that happen. Peter Wilson and Tim Gossage need to realise its being televised nationally and not just into Perth. As for Jason Bennett, he has no clue.

[DST]

Re: James and Rogers not up to it

Originally posted by timbo
It is unacceptable to watch Heath James and Aaron Rogers being used in the defence the way they are.

It is clear they are not up to AFL standards and I dumbfounded as to why they are in the first 22, let alone the playing list altogether.

James could not match up on any of his opponants successfully all day and is no way a capable defender. His only touches were from a teamate or uncontested.

As for Rogers, he is even worst. He is a great size for a footballer, but gives away too much in close. At the Essendon game he gave away 2 free kicks and caused a 50 metre penalty that all resulted in Bomber goals. Today he was just as bad with only a negative impact on the team.

One more point, Fox Footy need to assess the situation with Perth broadcasting. It was the most biased commentry I have ever heard. When viewing the line ups the commentators only assessed the Eagles team. Should the Swans score a goal, then they don't praise the teams effort, but wonder why the Eagles let that happen. Peter Wilson and Tim Gossage need to realise its being televised nationally and not just into Perth. As for Jason Bennett, he has no clue.

Don't think we have seen enough of Rogers to really know he is up to it, but at this stage it looks unlikely.

As for Heath James I don't agree with you at all. He gives a very good contest and is one of our better defenders at present one on one.

At 15 games only, he needs much more time to learn his craft at full back. It takes time to develop the understanding of where to position yourself, how to use your body without infringing and when to leave your man and be the second man up or to run.

Case in point is Schuable, neither quick nor overly tall and strong but he reads the play well and knows where to position himself. Something that has come with the expeirenceof 100 + games.

Another 30 or so games under his belt and you will be able to assess whether he is the goods.

DST

[SWANSBEST]

I have grave doubts about Rogers making it to AFL level. IMO James will be OK given time and if he plays on the lesser light forwards.

[Charlie]

Ah... so we've come to this already, have we?

Aaron Rogers has played 2 games. To say he 'clearly' can't make it is sheer, unadulterated stupidity. Sorry to be blunt, but if you are saying you've seen enough of Rogers to say he is a lost cause, then you are a deluded fool.

[liz]

Originally posted by Charlie
Ah... so we've come to this already, have we?

Aaron Rogers has played 2 games. To say he 'clearly' can't make it is sheer, unadulterated stupidity. Sorry to be blunt, but if you are saying you've seen enough of Rogers to say he is a lost cause, then you are a deluded fool.

Thanks Charlie. I was wondering if this thread was even worth responding to, but you've pretty much said it.

[Captain]

He couldn't even get a game in the VFL firsts last year at one stage.

[Dpw]

For what its worth they may have futures and I hope they do but on todays performance they were useless have a look at the fundamentals for back men man up your play neither did this punch when caught behind or atleast knock there arms away so they can't mark it did not do that and be faster than Jacko they weren't I watched him burn past both out of a forward pocket. Its just frustrating watching second grade talls and a washed up CHB destroy you up forward.

Craig Bolton gets a big thumbs up because he did the impossible stoped Jacko.

[dimelb]

James? I'll have whatever you've been having.

[Diego]

Originally posted by lizz
Thanks Charlie. I was wondering if this thread was even worth responding to, but you've pretty much said it.

Our future is bright with these two down back. We will be the envy of every team in 2010.

Wow can't wait.

[Go Swannies]

Thank goodness others are finally pointing out our woeful defence. There are many game we would have won if our defenders had spoiled as often as the opposition did. We're losing because our forwards stuff up and the opposition consistently score on the rebound.

[Bear]

Totally agree Rogers is not up to it. Has been rejected by one club already and it is very obvious why after seeing him in a wide range of contests. Absolutely NFI and a significant liability in the backline. Costs goals, and therefore games.

Can't understand why you would include James in the same category - you obviously weren't watching him closely in the first 5 games.

[Diego]

James has played well in the his first 3 games. After the Melbourne game he has been a little bit exposed.

But today he kept being out paced by his opponent. That to me is a worry. The coolers forwards took too many easy marks.

Was giving me the ****s.

I still have faith in James, but not in Rogers from what i have seen.

[hardluck_harry]

James and Rodgers have been thrown in the deep end somewhat, give them time.

There isn't much leadership in the defence ATM with Schauble out, also the back six aren't as settled as last year, in fact 2 were rookies and James has only 14 games. Makes it hard for defenders to work as a cohesive unit, and defenders need to work together.

Give either guy a job in a settled backline and they will probably look a million bucks.

[timbo]

but if you are saying you've seen enough of Rogers to say he is a lost cause, then you are a deluded fool.

Ive met Rogers and saw his form all of last year through Melbourne and Sandringham. He needs to develop further before he gets a shot at senior AFL.

[liz]

Originally posted by timbo
Ive met Rogers and saw his form all of last year through Melbourne and Sandringham. He needs to develop further before he gets a shot at senior AFL.

I think Rogers himself admitted in a article within the last couple of weeks that he has a lot of bad habits that he has to unlearn if he is to become a senior AFL player. I have no idea whether he will make it, but a few weeks ago some on this site were demanding he be given a go based on his pre-season performances. Now, after two games in a struggling side he's being confined to the scrap heap?

Does anyone else remember Rowan Jones making his AFL debut? It was against us at the SCG in 1998. He looked as if he was wearing a guernsey two sizes too big, his first two or three touches led to Sydney goals and I think he hardly touched it after that. Even my friend - a Weagles supporter - was alternating between laughing and crying. Fast forward six years and he may not have become a world beater but he's certainly a very handy player for the West Coast.