Reid

[Dirtyburt]

Not his best game vs North, but how good was his pack busting effort in the 3rd qtr. If he continues to hit packs like that, his great hands will be even more deadly. When defenders know you that you smash packs regularly they don't push back 'quite' as hard.

He is building a solid reputation.

[longmile]

He's been very quite the last two weeks which has been a bit concerning. Maybe he is harbouring a minor injury?

[swansprincess]

would it be so out of the question to drop him to the ressies to find some form and give someone else a shot?
it's no question he's supremely talented and the'd want to keep him in the side because of that, but some of the other players in the ressies who are already in good form need to be given a chance sooner rather than later surely. And it might help to make reid really fight for his spot in the team.

[DeadlyAkkuret]

He seems a long way from that 3 goal half against the Dockers, ever since that knock he hasn't looked right. We also have to remember he's 20, you can't expect a 20yr old to consistently lead the attack when he's got 2-3 defenders hanging off him sometimes. Everitt and White really need to help take the heat off him and White especially needs to get out of his way.

[TheAgent]

Second year blues, standard for a large number of players.

[alison.z]

I think Reid offers A LOT even when not kicking goals himself - He takes the top defender (and sometimes two) each week and a lot of our crumbling goals wouldn't be possible if they weren't so concerned about him!

[Beerman]

I think he did more in the second half against Port and North, which suggests we need to keep playing him. He's still learning the game and needs time against quality opponents to learn.

[Dirtyburt]

I think Reid offers A LOT even when not kicking goals himself - He takes the top defender (and sometimes two) each week and a lot of our crumbling goals wouldn't be possible if they weren't so concerned about him!

Agree, important to our structure

[DeadlyAkkuret]

I think Reid offers A LOT even when not kicking goals himself - He takes the top defender (and sometimes two) each week and a lot of our crumbling goals wouldn't be possible if they weren't so concerned about him!

He's treated like a veteran CHF every week, it's a lot for him to handle in his 2nd year (can't count the one game in 2010). We'd be screwed without Reid, as you said he frees up a lot of players because the opposition are so focussed on him and wary of what he can do if they let their guard down.

[aardvark]

Even Buddy isn't a superstar every week.

[Jeffers1984]

Need him in the seniors....if you think we have no structure currently in the forward line, imagine if we took him out.

[R-1]

Eventually he'll get better options up there joining him, too. A few more games like Sunday from White, for instance. Or if Walsh comes good.

[Auntie.Gerald]

great coaching and great decoy the last two weeks

the loose defender has been marking his space and opened up some great one on ones for us !!

victory team style !

[liz]

I don't think he's out of form. I think he's just learning the game still, and learning how to compete against top quality defenders.

What I most love about Sam's football is that even when things aren't going his way, his head never drops. He never sooks when the ball isn't delivered to his advantage, and we never see more than a quizzical raise of the eyebrow or shrug of the shoulder when he doesn't get a free despite being manhandled in a contest. He never stops working to get to contests, and when he can't mark, he is usually effective at bringing the ball to ground, other than when the kick is clearly not to his advantage.

When he stops doing these things, maybe we can question his form. Until then, I am just enjoying watching him play and learn, and salivating over what he might become when he gets stronger and adds a few more tricks to his arsenal.

[DeadlyAkkuret]

You raise a good point liz and that's something that probably isn't mentioned enough. He is never flustered by anything that happens on the field, to the point where I'd be surprised if he did vent his frustration at an umpire for an incorrect decision. Our Sam goes about his business and does the team things even when he's having a bad day and not getting many touches, I've got no doubt he'll be such a superstar for us.