Backline 2015

[barry]

We sound like we are plugging Malceski's hole in the backline with midfielders (McHack, Jetta, etc). When it is our midfield that has the holes in it.
We need to find the new ROK or Goodes.

[penga]

We sound like we are plugging Malceski's hole in the backline with midfielders (McHack, Jetta, etc). When it is our midfield that has the holes in it.
We need to find the new ROK or Goodes.

The nickname is unnecessary. I'm reporting this post.

[barry]

The nickname is unnecessary. I'm reporting this post.

Are you serious ?

He was called McHack by many on here when he was easily pushed off the ball, his kicks floated to nowhere, and his tackles were easily shrugged off.
If you cant remember back that far, no need to worry, his 2014 grand final was a fine reminder.

[Bloodthirsty]

The nickname is unnecessary. I'm reporting this post.

Lighten up McSnitch.

[stellation]

Lighten up McSnitch.

[Dosser]

Having McVeigh, Shaw, Smith, etc may leave us exposed for height. Mal was not super tall but he was taller than those guys. I don't think Mal was a great one on one defender but, as had been mentioned, he reads the play well and sets himself up for the intercept. He is also able to float forward when nobody is watching him. I know that McVeigh played well at hbf in the past but I am wondering if Towers might be the best replacement. He is taller and has a good leap, is quick and can kick. What do the ressie watchers think?

[Ampersand]

Oh god please not Towers. The guy has no composure and that is absolutely crucial in the backline.

[Bloodthirsty]

Oh god please not Towers. The guy has no composure and that is absolutely crucial in the backline.

I agree. I don't know what people see in Towers. He looks like brittle; like a rabbit being hunted.

[Auntie.Gerald]

hhhmmm

Time will tell but i thought he was given a very specific role and he improved at playing a defensive forward role

he was no where near what we need as yet but he is a good depth on the list and can play a few possies

[ernie koala]

Oh god please not Towers. The guy has no composure and that is absolutely crucial in the backline.

+1.

He's exactly what we don't need right now....A whippet who has speed but applies no physical pressure and has no composure.

[Bloody Hell]

Smith Grundy Richards (3rd tall)
Shaw Reid Rampe

Nothing looks good without Mal.

[troyjones2525]

Are you serious ?

He was called McHack by many on here when he was easily pushed off the ball, his kicks floated to nowhere, and his tackles were easily shrugged off.
If you cant remember back that far, no need to worry, his 2014 grand final was a fine reminder.

Are you serious???

McVeigh is our most reliable kick and decision maker by a LONG WAY! His kicks almost always go to the right areas and hit there mark. If more of our ball winners had his footy smarts and finishing skills we would be a lot better side!

[wolftone57]

Not a big fan of Reid at CHB. He is just not strong enough. Likely to be ragdolled by the likes of Hawkins, Cloke, Roughead, Pavlich etc. Maybe OK on the likes of Riewoldt(2) or Vickery.

Grundy already gets ragdolled by most of them

[Conor_Dillon]

Not many key defenders don't get rag-dolled when they're one on one with the likes of Hawkins, Cloke etc. Rance and maybe McKenzie from West Coast at a stretch are the only 2 that very rarely do. Most other gun key defenders use their speed, smarts and athleticism to stop a key forward. Reid would obviously fall into the latter category.

[wolftone57]

Are you serious???

McVeigh is our most reliable kick and decision maker by a LONG WAY! His kicks almost always go to the right areas and hit there mark. If more of our ball winners had his footy smarts and finishing skills we would be a lot better side!

The problem with Macca is the finger pointing and mouthing our players. He also goes missing if we are doing badly. We need a captain to stand up. He is soft, soft, soft!

Grundy was dreadful in the GF. The other thing is neither of our KPD's are super one on one. Teddy can do it very well on the right player but if they have a big body he is generally at a disadvantage. Hawks know we play the second man up and they just kept players down at the contest. We need to develop defenders who can play one on one because Reg certainly can't on most occasions. Reg gets ragdolled by all the huge KPF & rucks & it seems he can't keep up with players like Hale. I am not convinced any of these KPD can help us win a premiership again.

I would look to start the transition of KPD's in the next 12 months. Develop and play Xav & Aliir (who is on the track and doing nicely after his shoulder recon. He will do normal preseason apparently. Teddy is 32 next year & I think the game might be passing Reg by. He is too slow to react and the opposition target him too often. OK if he has the ball in space, not too much space because then he has to think, then he stuffs up. My nephew is a Hawks fan and he says they try to isolate Grundy & Shaw as they are seen as the weak links in our backs.

Bring in Zac Jones & Shsane Biggs (if he stays). Shaw is finished, his disposal is a disgrace & he gets caught too often & Mal gone. Play Macca off the bench. Biggs kicks in, Jones, Gazza & Rampe (I love his long ranging kicks, a good 60 metres gained to ad) run the ball. If Aliir is at tip top I'd play him at CHB.