Mark Powell

[liz]

Originally posted by Bleed Red Blood
Williams HBF...I'd also like to see Schneider trialled there during the Wizz.

I have to confess I don't think HBF and Schneider are a natural fit.

He's a bit on the short side, and while HBF has an attacking side to it, anyone playing there needs to be responsible for an opponent as well. Most HFFs tend to be close to 6ft and they would outmark Schneider too easily.

I suspect he is also not strong enough yet to make tackles stick regularly. He does lay the occasional tackle in the midfield or forward but usually by running players down and taking them by surprise. On the HBF your opponent can more often see you coming. Even if he laid the tackle he'd be thrown off more often than not.

I also suspect his type of speed is of the wrong sort. Off a HBF it is advantageous to be able to carry the ball quickly for 50m or so. My guess is that someone like Kennelly would easily beat Schneider over 50m but probably not over 20m. I think Schneider's speed is far more suited, at least while he gets himself really fit, in the midfield and forward where explosiveness is important but you generally have to carry the ball for shorter distances.

Contrast Schneider to Bevan. Bevan is taller, his upper body strength is already better developed, even though they are similar ages, and his rugby league experience shows in his tackling ability.

Williams' greater nous, experience and fitness probably mean he is better suited there than Schneider, but I still don't think it is a position that best makes use of his attributes, especially while we have a host of other players who seem naturally suited to the role.

[LittleSchneider]

Liz,
Over the last few weeks I have really noticed the amount of knowledge and insight that you have of the game.
Just thought I would point that out - because your arguments and suggestions are fantastic!!

[DST]

Originally posted by liz
I have to confess I don't think HBF and Schneider are a natural fit.

He's a bit on the short side, and while HBF has an attacking side to it, anyone playing there needs to be responsible for an opponent as well. Most HFFs tend to be close to 6ft and they would outmark Schneider too easily.

Agree with that Liz.

All the opposing coach will do is send his man to the goal square, clear the forward line and ask his players to bomb it long.

While his pace and creativity would be suited to the position the fact that he is weak overhead would be to great a disadvantage to overcome. Very similar to Kennelly when he first started playing, coaches took him to the goal square and told his opponent to make body contact at all times. It took a while for Kennelly to learn that side of the caper.

DST