An Observation on James

[ihamilto]

Towards the end of last season the Swans Reserves played Wagga Tigers in Wagga they lost the match but during the third quarter James was moved forward he proceeded to take 4 screaming marks in a row and I said then that this guy belongs in attack.

Heaths marking is his strength playing in defence he is restricted a backmans job is to nullify the oppositions forwards not take screaming pack marks, to make the most of his marking ability I would play him deep in attack give him a licence to go for his marks and see what happens, I think we will be quite happy with the results.
cheers Ian

[liz]

Jame's marking ability was evident from the day he made his senior debut, way back at the end of 1999. I remember him taking 3 or 4 superb marks in that 100+ pt thrashing dished out to the Crows in Plugger's last ever Sydney game (well, until the comeback!)

It's still a valuable skill to have in defence though. Dunks was the consummate back man and not least because he was such a wonderful mark of the ball.

[mocaholic]

Originally posted by liz
It's still a valuable skill to have in defence though. Dunks was the consummate back man and not least because he was such a wonderful mark of the ball.

Dunkers: best mark of a ball for his size I've ever seen - and it was 99% one grab. Additionally, he was a great judge of a mark - if he wasn't sure, he'd punch. Must admit he had this over Roosy, who always backed himself when not quite in position.

If Heefy had these traits, plus a better kicking ability than our revered ex-no. 6, then he'd be a permanent backman.

[ihamilto]

An Observation on James

Originally posted by liz
Jame's marking ability was evident from the day he made his senior debut, way back at the end of 1999. I remember him taking 3 or 4 superb marks in that 100+ pt thrashing dished out to the Crows in Plugger's last ever Sydney game (well, until the comeback!)

It's still a valuable skill to have in defence though. Dunks was the consummate back man and not least because he was such a wonderful mark of the ball.

True it is great to have marking ability as a defender but you have more freedom to use it in attack and Dunkley was so physically strong he was seldom shoved out of the way but I may be proved wrong and as long as he is playing well I dont really mind where he plays full credit to him for persistance.
cheers Ian

[timthefish]

Originally posted by liz
[Marking is] still a valuable skill to have in defence though. Dunks was the consummate back man and not least because he was such a wonderful mark of the ball.

particularly at the kick-in.

[mocaholic]

Originally posted by timthefish
particularly at the kick-in.

this used to amaze me. We used to do this ALL THE TIME (good old Scotty Direen), and I reckon about 75% of the time he'd either mark it or bring it down. And if he marked it, there'd be somebody running past for the handball (a nice Schwatta backline possession). Why wasn't that stopped by the opposition?

[Wil]

Who played FB/CHB in the reserves for the majority of last year?

The original dropping of Heath confused me, because like him or not, he is our backup Fullback. With the two midfield draft choices we should not of dropped/redrafted Heath but one of the "lesser" midfielders and then drafted another tall with Heath's draft pick. Ah well anyway...

[sharpie]

Its all good and well to say that he is best suited to the forward line, but if we want to have him up forward, and Saddo up forward, we are running out of tall timber to play in defense. Not to mention the oversized and overcrowded forward line we would want to field.

Someone, such as him, Saddo or LRT, just have to stand up and claim FB or CHB as their own to help out Schauble.

[timthefish]

Originally posted by sharpie
Someone, such as [James], Saddo or LRT, just have to stand up and claim FB or CHB as their own to help out Schauble.

absolutely. while i believe our backline has performed well and on it's merits we simply need that extra-strength spine to take on brisbane, st kilda, port and others.

[ihamilto]

An Observation on James

Originally posted by sharpie
Its all good and well to say that he is best suited to the forward line, but if we want to have him up forward, and Saddo up forward, we are running out of tall timber to play in defense. Not to mention the oversized and overcrowded forward line we would want to field.

Someone, such as him, Saddo or LRT, just have to stand up and claim FB or CHB as their own to help out Schauble.

Personally I would play LRT at CHB he has the height mobility and hopefully after a big preseason on the weights the strength to handle the position, James is only 190 cm and the likes of Brown and co would shove him aside.
cheers Ian

[NMWBloods]

I'll be amazed if LRT becomes permanent CHB this year - I just can't see that he has the experience to do it well yet.

I agree with Sharpie in that we seem to be pushing all of these guys into the forward line - we'll have a great attack, but that's not been our problem.

[ihamilto]

An Observation on James

Originally posted by NMWBloods
I'll be amazed if LRT becomes permanent CHB this year - I just can't see that he has the experience to do it well yet.

I agree with Sharpie in that we seem to be pushing all of these guys into the forward line - we'll have a great attack, but that's not been our problem.

You may be right but at least give him a trial in the preseason matches to see how he fares remember Jared Rivers was also inexperienced yet he had a fine year at CHB for Melbourne.
cheers Ian

[NMWBloods]

Remember though that Rivers had played a lot of junior football (like most others in the AFL) whereas LRT is still very new at it.

Certainly more than happy to see him get a good go at CHB - however, I'm not sure if he will be our great saviour just yet.

[ROK Lobster]

Thanks Bloods. Saved me typing it. LRT still looks lost too often. Time on the paddock will help but we aint going to win a flag on his back yet.

[NMWBloods]

Anything for mudman!