White's future

[Xie Shan]

Whispers that C.Bolts will take it easy the rest of '10.....surgery was better than expected, and will saddle up again next year with a healthy body.

Woo-hoo! We need him for another year - now we have LRT and Reg to play on the gorillas he can take the medium-sized forwards... maybe a more attacking role for the Eski? the jury's still out on his defensive skills

[ShockOfHair]

Good game today by White, possibly his best this year.

For sure, but he was helped by the ball coming in quick and, on a few occasions, right on the hot spot where it was crumbed for a goals.

[Hartijon]

I have reconsidered my position. While the basics still remain (White can't really mark, could well be much better as a defender), we are clearly a much better side when we've got a big body crashing the packs, and boy did he do that today. Goodes is too good a player to sacrifice to that role, and we don't have anybody else. So, White stays up forward. However, I think it would be a good move over the offseason and preseason for Johnston and Reid to focus on bulking up and perhaps filling that role, while White does some one-on-one with a defensive coach with a view to a defensive spot, or at least swing-man, especially if C.Bolts retires as the rumours suggest.

Glad to read this as you are an astute observer of the game and at this stage White should be left where he is.He literally could be anything another Plugger or another Playfair or another Vogels. Lets talk about the backlines if he is clearly ,in a years time, unsuccessful as a forward. Shaw and Bevan to the forwards? Lets not go there!

[giant]

For sure, but he was helped by the ball coming in quick and, on a few occasions, right on the hot spot where it was crumbed for a goals.

Good point. Great to see the players rush to congratulate him after both the Goodes and Moore goals - they were all aware he was under pressure to produce exactly that sort of performance. And the couple of big runs in Q4 are the great upside you get from such a mobile big man as well - his goal came from burning off three smaller players.

[Primmy]

I think I have nailed his position in this team. He Rides Shotgun. Its not a recognised position, but I reckon that's his role. Be a big unit, protect all our small crumbers, crash packs and bring ball to ground to provide them with opportunities. He did all of this, and looked happier and more comfortable than I have seen previously. Witness his elation each time one of our mob kicked a goal on his watch. I doubt he will ever kick a bag, but if he keeps doing what he is doing now, all is well.

[liz]

Witness his elation each time one of our mob kicked a goal on his watch. I doubt he will ever kick a bag, but if he keeps doing what he is doing now, all is well.

I've noticed this about him. He is always delighted when the team kicks a goal, and there is never even a hint of "what about me?" if he doesn't get used.

[Snake]

For sure, but he was helped by the ball coming in quick and, on a few occasions, right on the hot spot where it was crumbed for a goals.

Fantastic game by White hit the packs super hard and lead well all day, he will be a absolute champion in a couple of years....

[#73]

I think White's got a big future for the Swans. You gotta remember that he's still young. Roos has apparently told him to be more aggressive and to make his presence known in the pack situations. I think he definitely did that on the weekend against Hawthorn. I wouldn't expect him to kick bags every week but his mere presence in the forward line means he's taking a key defender and freeing up the other forwards. Personally I'd like to see him at CHF once he grows a bit in confidence.

[Jesse Richards]

I think that Jesse White has had enough moving around. While groomed to be a ruckman, his resting up forward showed he could kick goals from just about anywhere from 60 metres out (I have watched Jesse in the Reserves since he started with us). Barry Hall could no longer play with us - Jesse was then groomed to be main forward. Bradshaw falls in our lap, Jesse given another role. Seaby out, let's ruck Jesse. He is a natural athlete and could play ruck, forward or back - if he gets consistency of position, coaching and confidence. Leave him at full forward for a year, coach him in technique, analyse with him what went well and what he could do better after each game; before each game tell him "this is your part of the ground, own it, it's yours, when the ball comes into that part of the ground it's yours so go get it, here are your closest buddies in your area, now go out and enjoy yourself, run, jump, kick, tackle with your buddies for the next couple of hours. Quicksilver Jetta, the clever thinking TDL General and the pack busting mobile man mountain Jesse don't get in my way White would be my forward line of choice at present.

I don't know if this makes sense to anyone else, but that's how I would try to get shy, young Jesse's confidence up.

[Snake]

I think that Jesse White has had enough moving around. While groomed to be a ruckman, his resting up forward showed he could kick goals from just about anywhere from 60 metres out (I have watched Jesse in the Reserves since he started with us). Barry Hall could no longer play with us - Jesse was then groomed to be main forward. Bradshaw falls in our lap, Jesse given another role. Seaby out, let's ruck Jesse. He is a natural athlete and could play ruck, forward or back - if he gets consistency of position, coaching and confidence. Leave him at full forward for a year, coach him in technique, analyse with him what went well and what he could do better after each game; before each game tell him "this is your part of the ground, own it, it's yours, when the ball comes into that part of the ground it's yours so go get it, here are your closest buddies in your area, now go out and enjoy yourself, run, jump, kick, tackle with your buddies for the next couple of hours. Quicksilver Jetta, the clever thinking TDL General and the pack busting mobile man mountain Jesse don't get in my way White would be my forward line of choice at present.

I don't know if this makes sense to anyone else, but that's how I would try to get shy, young Jesse's confidence up.

One of the best forum comments I've read

[707]

Yes I agree, I think he needs to be settled in one position like FF and left there with specific instructions on what is required of him. A good support cast will assist his confidence, for this Rohan looks a definite, TDL looks likely and what about a Vez too? Johnston may be another come 2011.

[Melbournehammer]

I also think he might benefit from a pagan's paddock type arrangement sometimes - he is seriously quick in a straight line and if he can lead to the ball with the ball kicked over his and the defenders head I'd bet on him being first to it more often than not.

[ShockOfHair]

I've noticed this about him. He is always delighted when the team kicks a goal, and there is never even a hint of "what about me?" if he doesn't get used.

I personally wouldn't mind a bit of goal hunger. But he's weird for a big man in that he's better on the ground than in the air.

[dimelb]

I was away when this thread ran, and couldn't resist commenting. As I said elsewhere, Jesse is big enough (the biggest Swan by weight) and fast enough to frighten any defence. He simply needs to grow into it and through sheer experience get an increasing feel for what he's capable of. That final goal against Freo was exciting - McVeigh puts a handball into space (great decision) and Big J pounced like a cat on a mouse while holding off a helpless defender. The speed and agility had me drooling.

[Trickster]

I was away when this thread ran, and couldn't resist commenting. As I said elsewhere, Jesse is big enough (the biggest Swan by weight) and fast enough to frighten any defence. He simply needs to grow into it and through sheer experience get an increasing feel for what he's capable of. That final goal against Freo was exciting - McVeigh puts a handball into space (great decision) and Big J pounced like a cat on a mouse while holding off a helpless defender. The speed and agility had me drooling.

Your absolutely right, Jesse is only young and has yet to play a full season in one position, he'll surprise us all next season.
People can be too hard on him