Leo Barry's knockers

[Bear]

There are two or three constant knockers of LB on this site.

That's fine because I have my pet-projects too but I am genuinely surprised that he cops the level of critisism he does from some. IMO you have it wrong if you think he is not a valuable member of our team.

I believe you need to take several things into account before you knock him.

Firstly, the coach has OBVIOUSLY given him licence to go for a run, provide some dash out of the backline and hence create opportunities for those upfield - otherwise he would not do it so consistently. In actual fact, this often has the result of breaking up the play and providing opportunities in the next phase - something that is important in the current flooding era.

Secondly, he is relatively strong for his size, a good spoiler and quite quick. He plays tall and adds a lot of flexibility to our backline.

Finally, he gets a game week-in, week-out and hardly spends any time on the bench ala Warfe, Nicks, Schauble, etc. Would Roos play him if he was not happy with his performance?

I basically think he draws critisism because he shows a lot of dash and "cheek" to take on the defenders as he does - and hence is noticed. Not too many backman in the AFL have the courage to take on the opposition as he does, especially with the holding the ball rule the way it is these days, with "prior opportunity" being heavily in favour of the chasers. For those of you who have played football, you would realise how easy it is to get caught with players coming at you from EVERY angle. Think about this and the fact that he very rarely gets caught considering the amount of times he tucks the ball under his arm and dashes off.

Take Friday against Melbourne for example, I could be wrong but I believe he played on Robertson who has had several very good games this year. Not only did Leo get a healthy share of the ball and provide the style of play as noted above, his opponent hardly got a touch. Yet there are knockers out this week!

Although his disposal by foot is not the best in the side, it is quite reasonable (about average) and leaves some others for dead.

Please watch Leo in future with these things in mind, and sit back and enjoy the unique and successful style he brings to our team.

[desredandwhite]

I think the problem with Leo is that he very often appears indecisive, when he does that erratic, shuffling dance of his. I love his work when he can rebound quickly and just hoik it upfield - but I admit he has me worried when he seems unsure of himself.

[jude_boltons_babe]

i think leo barry is great

i havent seen that much on leo barry on this site i think hes a great player

[Bear]

That's understandable that you feel he appears indecisive, but that is the nature of our game. It is not like rugby where it is fairly one-dimensional, i.e. most of the time you simply throw it to the guy next to you.

In Australian football you usually have more options and hence more choices to make. As such, you need to make the right decision or the ball gets turned over and that is death in football.

My point is that if you look closely at the stats of how many times he actually gets caught it is very low.

If you look at the efficiency of his disposals it is usually an effective disposal.

Notice that no-one usually catches him, despite your concerns, and notice that he does not regularly kick straight to the opposition.

I do agree that he appears indecisive at times, but he is just assessing his options and yes changing his mind where he sees no good option upfield.

Also remember that it is up to team-mates to provide an option and assist him when he has the ball.

At least he has the presence of mind to hang on to the ball when in doubt, rather than just slam the ball onto the boot at any hint of danger. Warfe, McPherson do this.

The percentages in this are better than giving away possession with a hasty kick.

[skilts stilts]

Leo Barry is a beautiful kick and a decent mark.However that does not overcome his complete lack of quality decision making and awareness of whats around him.He should have been offloaded 3 years ago. The skills he lacks i.e decision making and awareness are obviously something he cannot be taught.

[bloodhound]

skilts stilts.
we just established that Leo hardley ever gets caught with the ball. So why are you harping on abaout his awarness of whats around him ??

[floppinab]

I didn't think Leo had man boobs!!!!!!!!

[Alison]

I agree totally with you Bear. I really rate him and agree with people that sometimes he looks undecisive but he does set up a lot of goals from the backline.

[robbieando]

Since going down back he has improved as a footballer. As a forward he found it hard to get into the game and was always going the high mark. I wouldn't drop him, because he can play above his height.

As for his knocker - WHAT A SET

[TheHood]

Leo is superb on the rebound. I still remember watching him take a dribbling ball, scoop it up and with two opposition players on either side of him, he took 2 steps, HAD A BOUNCE and take off right through them.

I mean I almost threw up and after he got through, I couldn't stop laughing at what I had seen...and I wasn't even drunk.

He, Saddo, Fixter and C Bolton are our best backmen at the minute, as for the rest; Matthews, Warfe & Schauble, some serious decisions need to be made there very soon.

[Roscoe]

My only 2 targets on this board are McPherson & Warfe

(mind you Schauble could be next)

I like Leo, he is very strong and can play tall.

Maybe he should have been given a go against either White, Jolly
or Neitz.

His "crab" style running gives a false impression of a brain explosion, but his rate of turnover kicks direct to the opposition are far less than Warfe (NATO - not another turnover) or Matthews(not too bad on ANZAC day)

He is also one player who is ironically always back before schedule when he is injured !!

He can always be thrown forward in desperation if we need a grab up forward - BBBH take note !

[penga]

Originally posted by TheHood
Leo is superb on the rebound. I still remember watching him take a dribbling ball, scoop it up and with two opposition players on either side of him, he took 2 steps, HAD A BOUNCE and take off right through them.

i remember that, i think that was the game he did his spleen... unless im thinking of another instance... the one i remember was he got the ball and ran into two opposition players at once head on and they both went flying... i went WOAH

he is serviceable but not brilliant, id give him up for a chris johnson or scott twin

i was amazed that leo was bumped off the ball when he was playing on medhurst because he is a strong player... i couldnt believe the free kick against him at the crows game, that was a great footy play and he got penalised (ie when him and his opponent were running for the ball and he bumped his opponent off it)

[Nico]

Originally posted by skilts stilts
Leo Barry is a beautiful kick and a decent mark.However that does not overcome his complete lack of quality decision making and awareness of whats around him.He should have been offloaded 3 years ago. The skills he lacks i.e decision making and awareness are obviously something he cannot be taught.

Totally agree. His game against Hawthorn was appalling and he topped it off with an undisciplined belt behind Dixon's ear for a 50 metre penalty. How he didn't get reported is beyond me.

He might do his couple of dashes each week but I just can't agree that he sets up plays upfield. Most of his kicks are bombs to contests, and watch closely at how he rarely reads the ball coming down the ground, hence is always behind his man. He usually gets a kick when he is miles from his man and doesn't know the meaning of "second efforts".

Because he is so far from anyone when he gets a kick is the reason he has got plenty of space to run into.

Also is rarely in and under packs and holding the ball in, in the tight situations. Doesn't like dirty shorts by the look o

As for a great spoiler, well how many times have we seen him go for a "speckie" instead of spoiling, only to see the opposition snap it up for a goal. That's called unaccountable.

Yes I am probably his biggest critic on the site, and that's because he has never changed his flawed approach to the game. He makes the same dumb mistakes over and over and over again.

Why is Roos still playing him. He has no one else. As he eluded on Fox News, a number of middle range players are not up to it but will need to play some of them for some time yet.

The club rates him as a great athelete. He may be, but perhaps that atheleticism would be better used in another sport.

[Ajn]

Barry's a star. Gutsy and fierce at the ball.
It's great to see L.Barry & T.Kennelly backing themselves and bolting from the backline.

[Alison]

I really do rate him and think that he has been going moreso for spoils than marks this year. Anyway his has the ability.

Nico - although Dixon did kick 4 goals on Leo as Paul Roos said on Fox Footy interview, the first 2 were from turnovers by C Bolton and J Bolton, the 3rd was from Willo holding the ball and the last goal Leo was picking up someone else's player, that is why he was late with the spoil. Honestly, watch the game again and have a look. It would be hard for a defender if the midfield are turning the ball over and the delivery into the forward is so precise - there is not much you can do about that. Anyway everyone is entitled to their own opinions.