Small Defenders

[swanspant12]

Very impressed with the efforts of cunningham and in particular Armstrong tonight. We need blokes like Cunningham, Armstrong, Towers, to keep developing to take over the reigns of Shaw, Mattner etc when they move on. The only thing im worried about for our future is our defence.

Shaw is 31, Smithy is only 24 and has plenty of footy ahead of him obviously. If we can develop Armstrong or Cunningham into the role Shaw plays now it will certainly help us to slot them straight in when the older brigade moves on. I like the look of towers. Excellent speed off the mark, good size and can play on small or tall. He will be groomed as a defender IMO. Needs to work on his disposal, but will come with more experience.

[Auntie.Gerald]

i think we are in good hands

we have recruited so well............

Mattner = Rampe for sure will progress to Marty's role with ease is my bold prediction

Shaw = Cunningham has all the ability and is only 19.....another two seasons and he will be lethal......Shaw has maybe two more seasons left in him is my guess

Mal = Armstrong would be a very good replacement. Tony has great vision with his kicking game. If not Towers may create a Kennelly type role

Ted will be the biggest loss of all in a few years. AJ appears to be on the trend line to be ready for a Key Defender role in the next two or three seasons........Maybe LRT could be make shift for a season or two but my guess is Walsh will be tested in both a key forward and key defender role in 2013 ressies and maybe 2014 to see if he has what it takes. Lastly, no doubt we have brought on young Xavier who appears the right body shape. Lets dee how he develops as very early days. Dre and Membrey are the other wild cards to take on a tall third role. Long shots but not out of the question.

[BSA5]

I thought Rampe played very much in the Smith mould. I wouldn't mind it at all if Rampe could take Smith's spot in the backline, allowing Smith into the midfield.

[Auntie.Gerald]

i agree BSA5 but i think bit by bit given that we have an overflow of midfielders with Jude even having to play in the HFF half the game even though he looks 21 again !!

I am bullish on Armstrong contending the 22 before Rampe but happy for either Rampe or "Neil" to get in as they are both keen as !

[swans_premiers]

Towers reminds me of kennelly.

[wolftone57]

i think we are in good hands

we have recruited so well............

Mattner = Rampe for sure will progress to Marty's role with ease is my bold prediction

Shaw = Cunningham has all the ability and is only 19.....another two seasons and he will be lethal......Shaw has maybe two more seasons left in him is my guess

Mal = Armstrong would be a very good replacement. Tony has great vision with his kicking game. If not Towers may create a Kennelly type role

Ted will be the biggest loss of all in a few years. AJ appears to be on the trend line to be ready for a Key Defender role in the next two or three seasons........Maybe LRT could be make shift for a season or two but my guess is Walsh will be tested in both a key forward and key defender role in 2013 ressies and maybe 2014 to see if he has what it takes. Lastly, no doubt we have brought on young Xavier who appears the right body shape. Lets dee how he develops as very early days. Dre and Membrey are the other wild cards to take on a tall third role. Long shots but not out of the question.

Don't know if you realise it Auntie Gerald but LRT is the same age as Ted.We should be looking for time after both not replacing one with the other. Xavier is a chance to replace his brother, not quite developed yet but will get there after another preseason. AJ is also developing into a tall defender.

[liz]

Towers reminds me of kennelly.

Reminds me more of Dempster in terms of raw attributes - height, build, speed penetrating but not necessarily pinpoint kicking.

[GongSwan]

Out of all of tehm I was most impressed with Rampe, with Towers close behind. I've seen Harry play better

[sfan]

Fact is most key backs are ex forwards or mids who don't quite work. Most sides don't recruit key backs as kids. White might become a key defender someday. Look at Jack Watts afterall.

[Auntie.Gerald]

Don't know if you realise it Auntie Gerald but LRT is the same age as Ted.We should be looking for time after both not replacing one with the other. Xavier is a chance to replace his brother, not quite developed yet but will get there after another preseason. AJ is also developing into a tall defender.

ooops

for some reason I thought LRT was two years younger

[Wazza]

In the last 2 weeks I have liked the look of towers when he moved fwd not so much as a defender(yet) Rampe also impresses and as a defender Rampe is probably ahead of Harry at this stage of pre season? Then there was Lockyer who looked totally overwhelmed fumbled everything can he bounce back is he a keeper?

Cheers

waz

[BSA5]

i agree BSA5 but i think bit by bit given that we have an overflow of midfielders with Jude even having to play in the HFF half the game even though he looks 21 again !!

I am bullish on Armstrong contending the 22 before Rampe but happy for either Rampe or "Neil" to get in as they are both keen as !

Rampe and Armstrong are completely different players. Rampe is a much better defender, Armstrong isn't quick or agile enough to go with small forwards effectively, but Armstrong is obviously the better attacking player. Rampe is a more Smith-style, Armstrong more a Malceski.

[Nico]

Fact is most key backs are ex forwards or mids who don't quite work. Most sides don't recruit key backs as kids. White might become a key defender someday. Look at Jack Watts afterall.

Watts has a private school education and plays the backline like a smart footballer.

[Nico]

I thought Rampe played very much in the Smith mould. I wouldn't mind it at all if Rampe could take Smith's spot in the backline, allowing Smith into the midfield.

Why would you risk moving the best small defender in the comp? You win flags by building teams not shuffling them around.

[sharp9]

Watched Kennelly on Open Mike the other day and in the shot of Towers from the behind the goals he is absolutely identical, physically, to Tadgh in his first year as a senior player.

Also as far as replacing Malceski and others, don't forget we recruited TWO tall fast half back flankers this year....anyone see a pattern? (Dick and Marsh, BTW)