Changes for round 15 v Gold Coast

[707]

Handballing to someone putting them under extreme pressure is still counted as 'efficient' so totally useless to quote stats like these.

Clarke panics when he has the ball and dishes off quickly to the nearest person.

I would much rather him try and take the game on and back himself.

Please watch a game replay, only a couple of those when he was under pressure to release, all players have those or they get done HTB.

Thanks for the DE stats

[Mel_C]

Clarke's problem is that he has a really weird handballing technique. It's like he is throwing and handballing at the same time. It was pointed out by Healy in the preseason and now I can't stop seeing it!

By the way it is his 50th game this week (if he plays).

[Auntie.Gerald]

In soccer and afl u are taught from a very young age to look over you shoulder as you are moving towards a contest or a pass

The reason u do this is so you know what is behind you and you can make a great decision with the ball under pressure

Clarke never ever looks over his shoulder before the contest or receiving the ball

He is improving in his role most weeks but his see ball get ball still drives me nuts

But I do remember JPK being pretty ordinary in his games at the hawks prior to joining

We can afford to be patient this season I suppose

[The Runner]

What on earth has happened to Will Haywards efficiency when kicking at goal?
He's below 50% this year - not sure on his status but would have expected him to be in the low 60s previous years. Feels like he's the most unreliable kick in the forward line (at least when Ronke is out).

His 3 goal assists for the year are equally underwhelming.

[caj23]

In soccer and afl u are taught from a very young age to look over you shoulder as you are moving towards a contest or a pass

The reason u do this is so you know what is behind you and you can make a great decision with the ball under pressure

Clarke never ever looks over his shoulder before the contest or receiving the ball

He is improving in his role most weeks but his see ball get ball still drives me nuts

But I do remember JPK being pretty ordinary in his games at the hawks prior to joining

We can afford to be patient this season I suppose

Huh? That's a new one to me AG.

How do you look over your shoulder if you're sprinting forward?

[Bloods05]

Huh? That's a new one to me AG.

How do you look over your shoulder if you're sprinting forward?

I've never seen Nick Blakey looking over his shoulder.

[Mel]

What on earth has happened to Will Haywards efficiency when kicking at goal?
He's below 50% this year - not sure on his status but would have expected him to be in the low 60s previous years. Feels like he's the most unreliable kick in the forward line (at least when Ronke is out).

His 3 goal assists for the year are equally underwhelming.

That may be true, but his forward pressure has been outstanding. He's still young, perhaps he's been told to concentrate on that part of his game. The rest will come back.

- - - Updated - - -

In soccer and afl u are taught from a very young age to look over you shoulder as you are moving towards a contest or a pass

The reason u do this is so you know what is behind you and you can make a great decision with the ball under pressure

Clarke never ever looks over his shoulder before the contest or receiving the ball

He is improving in his role most weeks but his see ball get ball still drives me nuts

But I do remember JPK being pretty ordinary in his games at the hawks prior to joining

We can afford to be patient this season I suppose

I don't know about physically looking over your shoulder, but you do get taught to have an awareness of what is around you. Clarke has astounding lack of it. He panics whenever he gets the ball. I wasn't the only one unimpressed with him at the game on the weekend - the guys in front of me AND behind me were quite vocal in their views as well.

[Ludwig]

In soccer and afl u are taught from a very young age to look over you shoulder as you are moving towards a contest or a pass

I understand what happened. You just confused football with running from the cops. I found this to be a real problem, especially when the opposition team was decked out in blue.

[Ralph Dawg]

The team is going so well at the moment that it would be crazy to tinker with a winning combination. As such, McCartain in for Buddy is the least disruptive forced change. I'd be shocked if Sinclair doesn't get up but if he's out, then Darcy gets a run. If he's out, then it gets tricky, especially given Witts is a pretty decent ruck. Do you alternate Aliir and Reid? If so, who comes in then (Rowbottom, Stoddart or Fox)? Or do you risk Knolls given that would disturbed our overall structure the least (but he might get completely towelled up by Witts)?

[chammond]

Clarke's problem is that he has a really weird handballing technique. It's like he is throwing and handballing at the same time. It was pointed out by Healy in the preseason and now I can't stop seeing it!.

That’s it in a nutshell.
The essence of a good midfielder is simply to get to all the contests. Clarke is excellent at that. He tackles well, is a good mark, and a reasonable kick. But he handballs like a child, and that causes most of his clangers. However, that’s a technical issue that can be coached.
Clarke is young, and he has plenty of up-side; definite keeper.

[Mel_C]

Apparently McVeigh may be available this week. Surely it's too soon especially after a hammy and with his soft tissue injury history?

Cunningham is also training well and should be available for the week after.

[giant]

What on earth has happened to Will Haywards efficiency when kicking at goal?
He's below 50% this year - not sure on his status but would have expected him to be in the low 60s previous years. Feels like he's the most unreliable kick in the forward line (at least when Ronke is out).

His 3 goal assists for the year are equally underwhelming.

He was almost a sure thing with his set shot kicking last year - he's been dreadful this year.

[bloodspirit]

Have to disagree, I watched him closely on replay and I don't reckon his disposal is any worse than a lot of our other players. He is often at the coalface where the heat and pressure is greatest so that limits exact disposal.

I think this has become an urban myth, we only see the disposals that he mucks up so it perpetuates he's a poor ball user. I haven't seen any stats (someone on here can quote them I'm sure), but I reckon his would look ok.

I agree with captain. Every time Clarke has the ball I feel nervous. I especially felt that way on Friday night. Still, I also agree with Markwebbos that he has other strengths. Long term he needs to improve not to be just warming a spot for Rowbottom.

[Markwebbos]

Longmire did give Clarke quite the backhanded compliment regarding his 50th game this week. We shouldn't overlook the impact his tagging is having on Hewett's game.

Key quotes: John Longmire - sydneyswans.com.au

“He’s come into the team and added some midfield depth to that group, and that’s been important for us. We’ve been without Josh Kennedy and Zak Jones for periods of time this year, so those guys going out of the team has meant we’ve needed some depth in that area, and Ryan has been able to provide that for us.”

[Ralph Dawg]

Looks like Harry and Macca might be a chance this week. If they are not 100%, sit them out for another week.