Horse responds to Hype

[ShockOfHair]

Hey, Kennelly wore number 7.

I did not know that.

He got Kennelly's No.7, but had to fetch his own No.1.

[Cpt. Kirk]

As compared to the International Series where he looked sensational...quick,decisive,read the game well....confidence is a funny thing.

I agree and he will played infront of white this season imo, white should go play basketball because atm he is not in the best 22.

Maybe Walsh isn't won't be in the 22 either but i see more potential in walsh then i do in white.

[ernie koala]

Walsh is just another bloke, in the bottom quadrant of our list, trying to get his first game.
So far he has been unimpressive....But it's way too early to be singing his praisers or dumping on him.
It's all new to him......Got to wait and see with this one....Just like Issy Folau.

[Melbourne_Blood]

I would have thought Walsh's recruitment may have spurred White on to pull his finger out. From what he has shown so far that is certainly not the case, has he ( White) got a kick in the Nab cup ? Walsh has at least had 2 shots on goal in the Essendon game. Spangher is ahead both of them when fit, the sooner he is available the better. But we shouldn't be too harsh on Walsh just yet, he's still learning.

[MightyBloods]

Walsh is developing.....not just as a big man but as a player learning the code.
White is at the upper level of impatience. Yes, he is a big man but more time and effort has gone into developing this bloke. I can remember Paul Roos saying a few years ago that Jesse could be anything if he ever knew he could be. Roosy believed it only needed Jesse to have one breakout game where he just dominated. That sums it up with me....a man mountain with skills but almost no self confidence. No self confidence at this level will catch up with anyone. I pray for a break out game if/when he gets further chances.
Spang is a pleasant surprise...when fit. I was dubious when we recruited him but I like the balance he gives our forward line and its clear he is popular among the player group.

So Spang for mine out of these 3 choices.......for the moment.

and I'll throw in something from left field......Alex Johnson. As good as he's been in defence he has played forward. I love his leadership and composure under pressure. Worth a try for periods in a game to throw the opposition around. Grundy, Richards and LRT would more than cover the key forwards with Nick Smith, Marty and probably Rhyce (although I still think he's better suited to tagging) and I'm excited to see what Tony Armstrong's impact across half-back may bring.

[ernie koala]

So Spang for mine out of these 3 choices.......for the moment.

and I'll throw in something from left field......Alex Johnson. As good as he's been in defence he has played forward. I love his leadership and composure under pressure. Worth a try for periods in a game to throw the opposition around.

Yeah I agree, I think they'll give White some more chances while Spangher is out. But if he doesn't perform you'd think Spangher will take his place.
I also agree, would love to see what Alex Johnson brings to the forward line.As a junior he played CHF so should be comfortable playing forward now and again. (Assuming our other tall defenders are all fit and firing.)

[Bas]

He got Kennelly's No.7, but had to fetch his own No.1.

That's why they didn't put him in 33.

[Dosser]

I think the players' list on the website has Walsh and White about right in their positions at the club at the moment.

[stellation]

I think the players' list on the website has Walsh and White about right in their positions at the club at the moment.

Well it was always right in the Bevan vs. Goodes debate.


Edit: I say that without having checked if it's by name or guernsey number!

[Dosser]

Well it was always right in the Bevan vs. Goodes debate.


Edit: I say that without having checked if it's by name or guernsey number!

Ah, I see what you did there...

It was a very heated debate as well, from memory.

[707]

and I'll throw in something from left field......Alex Johnson. As good as he's been in defence he has played forward. I love his leadership and composure under pressure. Worth a try for periods in a game to throw the opposition around. Grundy, Richards and LRT would more than cover the key forwards

Good thinking - if all are fit then LRT, Grundy and Ted can cover the talls freeing up AJ to go forward. I think all four of these are in our best 22 so deploying them that way means they all play in the 22 and may solve our forward worries until Spang returns. We know AJ can play across half back and he played CHF at U18 level so worth a shot. Unless Jesse steps up at last (how many times have I and others penned that!?)

On Walsh, lets clarify what he really cost us at the trade table. Fact - we gave picks 35 and 68 for him. Probability - I doubt we would have used pick 68 anyway and given our surprise at Jordan Lockyer slipping through to us at 43 we obviously would have taken him with pick 35. Therefore, in reality Walsh has cost us pick 43, which is a good gamble in my opinion. He just needs to play with the confidence he showed in the International Rules games. Patience is required from us :-)

[Hartijon]

Where exactly would you play AJ in the forwards? I think he would be monstered at FF ,Reid has a mortgage on CHF and we have ROK, J. Bolton, MacGlynne for the HF flanks and a resting ruck for the pocket plus exciting crumbers like Lamb,LRT for the pockets plus the need to try Spangher,Walsh and White at FF. Where is there a spot for AJ?

[Melbourne_Blood]

He could potentially play the role Spang was playing for us which was neither full forward or CHF but perhaps a tall, lead up HFF. If Spang is still out and Walsh and White cannot prove they are up to it, I think it could be worthwhile seeing what AJ can offer as a third tall type In Our forward half. As has been mentioned, he has played forward in juniors so it's not foreign to him, and with the season Fast approaching, we really need to settle on a forward set up that is going to give us the best chance of making the top 4.

[Hartijon]

He could potentially play the role Spang was playing for us which was neither full forward or CHF but perhaps a tall, lead up HFF. If Spang is still out and Walsh and White cannot prove they are up to it, I think it could be worthwhile seeing what AJ can offer as a third tall type In Our forward half. As has been mentioned, he has played forward in juniors so it's not foreign to him, and with the season Fast approaching, we really need to settle on a forward set up that is going to give us the best chance of making the top 4.

Yeah I agree with most of this but it would have to be a situation where Spang is out and Walsh and White had been tried and discarded as you say. A settled backline is a great thing and with the amount of talk AJ brings he gives confidence to those around him and helps keep the backline honest. Players get used to each others style and positioning. We all know our forwards are unsettled and that is our main problem as a club.We don't want to do anything to unsettle the backline which performs heroically even when the Centre line is getting done and the ball is constantly there.I would think that if AJ was to go forward he should have been there already in the NAB cup so I don't hold out much hope for this to happen. I agree it might work though but I doubt if Horse will do it.

[Dosser]

It will never happen. As has been pointed out in this forum before, most junior players who are any good get placed in the forward line or midfield. If you look at our backline, I think LRT may be the only one who didnt start their career as a mid or forward. Just because they played there as a junior really means nothing when they step up to AFL level.