Kirk - a bright spot...?

[NMWBloods]

Kirk proved that he is an outstanding tagger, with yet another great effort this year. This time he completely shut down Goodwin, who is one of Adelaide's key midfielders. I think Kirk is really well on the way to securing a regular spot in the side and is contributing much more than a number of other "mid-level" players. All he needs to do now is provide more attacking play himself, however even without that, I think he is doing a fine defensive job.

[Steve]

I've always had my doubts on where Kirk fits within our list, but he certainly has fixed up 3 quality players in a row.

I'm not sure about 'proven', but he is filling a role that appeared to be problematic at the start of the year.

I'm just not sure where he fits in if he's getting beaten by his opponent, but at the moment that's the least of our worries.

[snajik]

Kirky's been doing it week in week out. The last two weeks have probably proven difficult for him to exhibit attacking flair. He does possess it, it's just been a bit latent recently. I suspect this is because of the particular circumstances of each game. The last 2 have been in the balance for the most part. When your teammates aren't showing the same level of accountability, and their disposal is erratic, you would probably feel less inclined to take risks.

If Bell, Hasleby, Cook or MacLeod, Bode are already doing what they like, running off your man when your teammates' disposal is poor could also bring Headland and Goodwin into the game as a result. It could be the difference between retaining the status quo or the opposition assuming an unassailable lead. I'm sure Kirk has struggled with this conundrum over the past fortnight.

An example of this working for Kirk was when Sydney played the Roos last year. He quelled Shannon Grant's influence while picking up numerous possessions himself. The difference this day was that he had a number of teammates who had a greater level of accountability, which subsequently gave him the confidence to be more creative.

[Charlie]

Has been a very good player the last three weeks, without getting any of the accolades. Certainly in the better half of the side yesterday.

[penga]

Originally posted by Charlie
Has been a very good player the last three weeks, without getting any of the accolades. Certainly in the better half of the side yesterday.

i love him, i wanna have his babies

[snajik]

Originally posted by penga
i love him, i wanna have his babies

Penga, you are going to be permanently pregnant with this new attitude.

[penga]

Originally posted by snajik
Penga, you are going to be permanently pregnant with this new attitude.

lol, yeah...

im just so diappointed with the way everything is happening at the moment that i thought i might add some comic relief for myself

[Johnny Roberts]

Agreed Kirk wasn't our worst player by any stretch, but at the same time I wouldn't have him in the best players either.

Anyway- no point going there again - I have said enough in previous posts to fill a book- instead I would ask for feedback on the following questions:

Is 6 possessions enough from a midfielder that played a full game- considering most games at the SCG are won/ lost from centre clearances- or was his stopping job on Goodwin enough in
itself?

Is Kirk still in our best 22, given that O'loughlin, Fixter and Cresswell will return from injury in the next 2-3 weeks?

Considering Roosy's comments on building a team for future success to rival the "Adelaide's" and "Brisbanes" of the next 2-3 years:

Does Kirk have the skills and capabilities to compete with the top AFL midfielders and therefore take the swans to the next step in the future?

If yes.....

If not- should the swans be taking a "long term" approach of grooming younger midefielders that may be raw, but have the "potential" to fill this void in future years.

[penga]

brisbane has shaun hart
port has kane cornes
adelaide has tyson edwards
collingwood has johnson

i think kirk deserves a spot for now

[Cheer Cheer]

Yes I think there is a permanent spot in every side for a full time tagger, and I think kirk has proven that he is the man for the job by a long way atm. Heaven help us if he hadnt of fixed up the likes of goodwin and headland

[Charlie]

Who did he have against Carlton???

[Steve]

Camporeale.

He seems to have the measure of Camporeale and Shannon Grant - beaten them a number of times.

[Charlie]

A look at his stats...
Round 1 - 15 possessions, 2 marks, 2 tackles, 1 goal.
Round 2 - 10 possessions, 0 marks, 4 tackles, 0 goals.
Round 3 - 6 possessions, 1 mark, 5 tackles, 1 goal.

Camporeale - 12 possessions, 1 mark, 0 tackles, 2 goals.
Headland - 8 possessions, 3 marks, 1 tackle, 1 goal.
Goodwin - 12 possessions, 1 marks, 3 tackles, 0 goals.

So whoever said that he wasn't doing his job as a midfielder... he's only 1 possession behind his opponents, 2 marks, 1 goal, and is 7 ahead in the tackling. No big problems there, especially considering he'd be our lowest ranked midfielder, while he's nullifying the opposition's second best on-baller. Doing a fine job by me.

Charlie

[NMWBloods]

So whoever said that he wasn't doing his job as a midfielder... he's only 1 possession behind his opponents, 2 marks, 1 goal, and is 7 ahead in the tackling. No big problems there, especially considering he'd be our lowest ranked midfielder, while he's nullifying the opposition's second best on-baller. Doing a fine job by me.

That's my point - on a net basis he is a 'wash' with his opponent. Considering the calibre of the guys he is picking up, I think that is a 'win' for us!