Best Players

[NMWBloods]

Well... as we can't discuss this on the TLM thread I thought I would put up some comments on our players.

I thought Maxfield was the standout. Accumulated 29 possessions, drove the ball forward, tackled very well, and quietened Burgoyne when moved onto him.

J Bolton was probably next, with a career high 33 possessions (first time above 30). The main downside to Bolton continues to be that he is often not damaging with his possessions and some are wasted. Additionally he still needs to work on the defensive aspect of his game, which is weak.

Hall continued to work hard, as usual, with limited opportunities, although a couple of misses that he should have kicked spoiled his performance slightly.

Mathews was reasonable, with 22 possessions and keeping Pickett reasonably under control. Although Pickett kicked 3 goals, I don't think he really dominated when there was the opportunity for him to do so.

Kirk certainly seemed to not play as well as normal, although he did accumulate 22 possessions by the end, as well as keeping Carr to just 12.

Nicks was okay in patches.

Bevan was okay too.

It's all relative of course, as most of our defensive work was pretty poor, especially in the 3nd and 3rd qtrs, and Port players just ran around with no pressure.

[liz]

To atone for my misdemeanour and show that your effort is not wasted, I figure I ought to respond, though there isn't much to add, though I think Bevan was slightly better than "OK".

But because I'm desparately trying not to get too despondent (and possibly because I haven't yet watched a replay!) I'll add a few more minor positives.

B2 was beaten by Cornes today but Cornes is a class player and that is not a disgrace. And I've certainly seen Cornes be far more devasting than he was today. At least he kept going right to the end (B2) that is. Even when he's being beaten, he rarely lets his head drop.

Kennelly started the game very well, although he soon faded. Whether he went into the game sore or was injured during it I'm not sure, but he looked absolutely spent at the end. I don't think he could have given any more, which is one thing at least. But more than that, his two goals at the end were pretty classy, especially the first.

Monty was OK before he got injured, and he showed again he has a good footy brain on him (or is gaining one from his tutorials with Schneider). Although it turned out to be a pyrrhic "victory", his effort to keep that ball in play and manufacture a goal was a sign of him thinking hard and trying to be creative.

And despite comments elsewhere on the board, I didn't think LRT did a bad job for a player who hasn't played for four or five weeks, is returning from a bad hand injury and still has a lot of developing to do. One thing he does do is create a contest and some of his tackling today showed his rugby background. He's not a good AFL player yet but I believe he will become one.

I do acknowledge I'm scratching the bottom of the barrel a bit, but someone's gotta do it!

[Swansinger]

Yes - and that's why I could not answer your teasing question in the TLM thread!

Maxfield played like a leader - plenty of tacjkles , quick brain , quick hands and , largely, good use of the ball.

Whilst I did think Jubba was next , I have to ask :

Does anybody else perceive that the best player on afl.com.au is invariably highest possession getter ?
Four more touches for Jubba does not mean he had a better game than Stuey.

[sharpie]

Originally posted by Swansinger
Does anybody else perceive that the best player on afl.com.au is invariably highest possession getter ?
Four more touches for Jubba does not mean he had a better game than Stuey.

That's why I disagree with NMW that Kirk was ok. Carr was good early in the game and Kirk was atrocious. This was the time it counted. Game was just about a formality before Kirk started getting significant touches and Carr faded after the first half.

[NMWBloods]

Yes - I was going to edit my comments above - having another look and think about it, I changed my mind back to viewing Kirk's game as pretty ordinary from an offensive point of view. Many of his touches were in the last qtr and were not particularly effective. However, I still think he did a good job defensively on Josh Carr, who did absolutely nothing.

[swansrule100]

i felt the team against stkilda was collectively brilliant.., yesterday was collectively bad...

but maxfield and bevan for me where best...

MJ was pretty ordinary... and i dont think he is going to be much of a player but you cant fault his endevour.

jude was good too

[Go Swannies]

Towards the end of the Eade days there was a lot of talk about what a waste of a position Adam Goodes was. Players take time to develop - that's why we don't play them in AFL straight from the draft.

[Bleed Red Blood]

I thought LRT provided a contest and was hard at the ball, (am I allowed to say I didn't vote for him in the TLM) but thought he was still one of our best.

[Mark]

Re: Best Players

Originally posted by NMWBloods
The main downside to Bolton continues to be that he is often not damaging with his possessions and some are wasted. Additionally he still needs to work on the defensive aspect of his game, which is weak.

Geez a bit harsh NMW !

I would hardly call his defence weak!

Continues to smother, tackle and harrass with the best of them, not sure what you mean really ?

defensive marking ?
unaccountable?

very confused

[Nico]

Re: Re: Best Players

Originally posted by Mark
Geez a bit harsh NMW !

I would hardly call his defence weak!

Continues to smother, tackle and harrass with the best of them, not sure what you mean really ?

defensive marking ?
unaccountable?

very confused

Yes close in at stoppages he does all of the above except get the takeaway.

I think what NMW means is that once the ball leaves a contest he allows his opponent to run and make space. The old "where do he go" syndrome. In other words he doesn't find a man. But then again he is not alone in the department. Fozzie seems to play the same way.

[NMWBloods]

That's right Nico. Bolton is good when he can see the ball - dives on it, tackles ferociously and smothers often. Unfortunately his ability to actually getthe ball out is rather mixed.

However, when I refer to his 'defensive' performance I'm talking about minding his direct opponent, at which he's pretty poor.

[dendol]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
That's right Nico. Bolton is good when he can see the ball - dives on it, tackles ferociously and smothers often. Unfortunately his ability to actually getthe ball out is rather mixed.

However, when I refer to his 'defensive' performance I'm talking about minding his direct opponent, at which he's pretty poor.

Im not sure what you mean. Are saying that his 'offensive' clearance gets are not worth his direct opponent getting the ball as well? So he needs to be more damaging in his in-and-under stuff, OR more accountable if hes not winning the ball?

So should Bolton be given a more defensive role, especially if the likes of Fixter and Buchanan prove to be more effective and clearing the ball at stoppages?

[NMWBloods]

He needs to be more accountable for his direct opponent. When they have the ball, he simply needs to man up his opponent better. He seems very poor at that.

He is not one of those players who can go head-to-head with his opponent as he is just not damaging enough.

It's not about giving him a more defensive role, it's about him understanding that there is a defensive aspect to every position on the ground. There are 18 players on each side, so everyone is responsible for one opponent and you have to make sure you cover yours.

[Mark]

I see what you are saying, but think that is a little harsh.

Take all your points about being accountable etc, but you cant have your whole midfield playing a holding role ! ( i know that is not exactly what you said).

I guess my point is you have to give your no1 ball winner and your best link man some licence to focus on the ball and forward delivery. Not saying forget about your player completely but your primary focus should be about getting your team going forward.

I guess these are all matters of opinion but doubt Roosy would want either Jude or Willo focusing too much on their assigned player. You surely would want them to focus on their own game ?

As mentioned tho it is a matter of degrees i guess, just think the general

"He needs to be more accountable for his direct opponent. When they have the ball, he simply needs to man up his opponent better. He seems very poor at that"

Is somewhat harsh !

[dendol]

If Roosy has given him license to go and win the ball, he will invariable end up under a pack on the ground. If he doesnt win the ball cleanly, his opponent will be up and ready to take the ball away without Bolton applying any pressure.

So what Im trying to think about is if you think Bolton's ball winning efforts are worth his opponent picking up possessions himself. If not, then its obvious he shouldnt be given the freedom he currently has, and should be asked to be more accountable.

I guess the elite players in the comp are tagged because of their ball winning ability, and their capacity to be very damaging with their disposals. If Jude had a tag on him, then his opponent would generally not get many possessions himself (this doesnt apply to Kirky!). I dont know if Jude is tagged every week, but the call on whether he needs to pick up his 'defensive' work is dependant on whether he is going head to head against another attacking midfielder, and what Roos' instructions to him are.