Mike Pyke Status Update

[J_Moore]

I watched the first quarter of the crows game again yesterday. He made 2 noticable mistakes - one bad handball, and one fumble. Unfortunately, both led to goals, which is often what happens when you're the fullback but they certainly weren't the only skill errors from our backline in that game. Indeed, his handball turnover followed the exact same mistake by Grundy, who is being lauded for having a great game. Mattner, Malceski and Mumford also made pretty much the exact same mistake within 10 minutes of it.

Other than that, he didn't do an enormous amount rebound-wise, BUT Tippet did sweet f.a. in that same period, so I would argue that the start of his game wasn't especially bad. It's just the usual "LRT's mistakes are worse than everyone else's" syndrome.

[dimelb]

I wasn't going to put this up - Melbourne fans probably already have The Age Footy Guide - but for Sydney fans and others from elsewhere, here is The Footy Almanac's Paul Daffey on LRT:
"Not the smoothest mover, but this isn't a gymnastics comp. Has been setting up attacks out of defence for years and is still underrated."
Daffey also reckons Goodes's middle name is Brownlow.

[wearebloods]

Pyke named as one of the best in the Rd 2 Reserves game.

Apparently played the game as CHB.

As an LRT-like project/defender, it has to be his best bet atm to break into the senior side.

[aardvark]

I think there is an argument for playing another tall defender and leaving out one of either shaw mattner mal and tadgh. Roos has tried running mattner and shaw in the midfield and on the wing with very little success imo.
Pikey as a key defender has appeal he is a great athlete and could be an instant success.

[wearebloods]

Richards would be ahead of him in the short term, though with 2 x ruck specialists in the seniors, I can't see the value of another tall being played.

I was thinking more as an interim measure between when C.Bolton retires & younger KDs are drafted/developed.

[DST]

I think there is an argument for playing another tall defender and leaving out one of either shaw mattner mal and tadgh. Roos has tried running mattner and shaw in the midfield and on the wing with very little success imo.
Pikey as a key defender has appeal he is a great athlete and could be an instant success.

There is no way with the current way football is being played that we will swap a runner out for another tall defender, even more so when that would be defender has suspect disposal under the current 16 man midfield zoning that is going on at present.

Neither Shaw or Mattner have set the world on fire at present, but they are part of the reason we have managed to punch through midfield zones so far this year with some success.

DST

[dimelb]

There is no way with the current way football is being played that we will swap a runner out for another tall defender, even more so when that would be defender has suspect disposal under the current 16 man midfield zoning that is going on at present.

Neither Shaw or Mattner have set the world on fire at present, but they are part of the reason we have managed to punch through midfield zones so far this year with some success.

DST

I agree about not making the swap, but the thing with Pyke is that he has the sheer speed to be both/and. Definitely worth persisting with.

[Primmy]

Pyke named as one of the best in the Rd 2 Reserves game.

Apparently played the game as CHB.

As an LRT-like project/defender, it has to be his best bet atm to break into the senior side.

Well good on him! Nice one Pykie.....fantastic.

[aardvark]

It will be very interesting in a few weeks to see how we cope with Brown and Fevola. The umps might be the only ones running the ball out of defence for us.

[laughingnome]

It will be very interesting in a few weeks to see how we cope with Brown and Fevola. The umps might be the only ones running the ball out of defence for us.

Nonsense. You're allowed to hog-tie forwards in this game aren't you?


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Ohhhhhh.

[aardvark]

That may be a possibility.....or maybe an elephant gun might work too

[Kanga]

Ignore him. He might go away. Kanga? Is that you????????

Nope. You guys are going okay without me having to stir the pot. cheers

[wearebloods]

Crosses fingers for Pykie elevation to seniors this week (and in the process embarrass Brian Taylor)

[707]

Crosses fingers for Pykie elevation to seniors this week (and in the process embarrass Brian Taylor)

Mission accomplished, Brian Taylor should be embarrassed given the good grasp of AFL that Pyke showed in extremely tough conditions against Geelong.

[bondy]

His tapwork was sensational. Really impressive.