Player Watch #16 Josh Smillie

[Karp3_dm]

why would people prefer Brownlows over Premierships???

I would prefer Norm Smiths of Brownlows.


Brownlows carry next to no weight with me these days

I actually prefer a Premiership without a Brownlow than one with it because oppositions start targeting the medalist

Can you for once just give a straight answer?

Who said they prefer brownlow’s over premierships?

I doubt anyone did, it’s just in your head for some strange reason

 

[Mr Magic]

Can you for once just give a straight answer?

Who said they prefer brownlow’s over premierships?

I doubt no one did, and it’s just in your head for some strange reason

people go on about Brownlows and AA's, Cripps has never won a premiership, nor has Fyfe, Bon't sneaked a premiership with the umpires in 2016 so why pump them up?

The point is is this big midfielder a little overrated???

Like is Dusty or Dangerfield or Voss just as good even though shorter??

Would you prefer Voss, Dusty and Dangerfield in the guts and Smillie at half back or does Smillie have to push one of them out??

 

[THE_GUN]

Can you for once just give a straight answer?

Who said they prefer brownlow’s over premierships?

I doubt anyone did, it’s just in your head for some strange reason

Magic lives in another world

let him be and stop picking on him

 

[Grrr]

Neale did not win a premiership when Brownlow and AAA, he was not a point of difference. Ashcroft just proves Norm Smiths are levels above Brownlows and AA

I would say, his coaches are experimenting as much as anyone else, they do not have the talls RFC has that is for sure

is natural position easily could be elsewhere given his versatility and potential and he is just starting, your narrative is clutching at straws trying to find a home

No one is saying Smillie is banned from the midfield, but why must he play with a ball and chain in the midfield?

I reckon a lot of posters on bigfooty are closest screws with their love for restrictions and must be disciples of Dan Andrews

His coaches haven't experimented with him in 3 years. Some time forward because that is where mids go when rotating.

Clutching at straws is playing him in a position that he has not played in years.

How is midfield suddenly a ball and chain.

go Dan Andrews.

 

[Mr Magic]

His coaches haven't experimented with him in 3 years. Some time forward because that is where mids go when rotating.

Clutching at straws is playing him in a position that he has not played in years.

How is midfield suddenly a ball and chain.

go Dan Andrews.

bs, Smillie is only just starting

 

[THE_GUN]

Pencil Smillie in the center for the next 13/14 years

Boy is a natural mid and the thoughts of playing him as a HB is just stupid

 

[Grrr]

bs, Smillie is only just starting

Indeed he is, but let him start where he has played his football that got him drafted so high.

Then if he either falters or we need him somewhere more beneficial to the team, half back who knows, then experiment then.

I am not against moving players around. I would like Mansell to half back, Short the wing, would love to have seen Rance line up next to Riewoldt, what a combo that would have been. But not before they start in their preferred positions. Look what happened to Jack Ross when they tried to make him a half back, or Sydney stack a half forward.

 

[Karp3_dm]

people go on about Brownlows and AA's, Cripps has never won a premiership, nor has Fyfe, Bon't sneaked a premiership with the umpires in 2016 so why pump them up?

The point is is this big midfielder a little overrated???

Like is Dusty or Dangerfield or Voss just as good even though shorter??

Would you prefer Voss, Dusty and Dangerfield in the guts and Smillie at half back or does Smillie have to push one of them out??

I don’t think anyone would rate Brownlow’s or AA’s over premierships.. only loser clubs

Don’t care where Smillie plays, as long it benefits the team and chance of winning flags

It may well be at CHB or CHF but we drafted him hoping its gonna be in the midfield and that’s the huge favorite atm

 

[Mr Magic]

Indeed he is, but let him start where he has played his football that got him drafted so high.

Then if he either falters or we need him somewhere more beneficial to the team, half back who knows, then experiment then.

I am not against moving players around. I would like Mansell to half back, Short the wing, would love to have seen Rance line up next to Riewoldt, what a combo that would have been. But not before they start in their preferred positions. Look what happened to Jack Ross when they tried to make him a half back, or Sydney stack a half forward.

what do you think the purpose of playing the players now is??

 

[beema limapep]

Pencil Smillie in the center for the next 13/14 years

Boy is a natural mid and the thoughts of playing him as a HB is just stupid

100%

 

[beema limapep]

people go on about Brownlows and AA's, Cripps has never won a premiership, nor has Fyfe, Bon't sneaked a premiership with the umpires in 2016 so why pump them up?

The point is is this big midfielder a little overrated???

Like is Dusty or Dangerfield or Voss just as good even though shorter??

Would you prefer Voss, Dusty and Dangerfield in the guts and Smillie at half back or does Smillie have to push one of them out??

Big fella sounds like you hang out with Carlton mates too much if you think people go on about individual awards.

Best you don't. Might even find your wallet doesn't go missing anymore

 

[Drunken Wookie]

He’s the 6ft6 hbf we’ve always dreamed of. Not a natural defender and not currently training as a defender? Check.
Not strong aerially or a run and carry line breaker? Check.
It just makes sense.

 

[Mr Magic]

He’s the 6ft6 hbf we’ve always dreamed of. Not a natural defender and not currently training as a defender? Check.
Not strong aerially or a run and carry line breaker? Check.
It just makes sense.

why would you need line breakers when we have that many talls that can take marks??

If you are the line why worry about breaking it, sounds like someone elses problem jumping at shadows

 

[Drunken Wookie]

why would you need line breakers when we have that many talls that can take marks??

If you are the line why worry about breaking it, sounds like someone elses problem jumping at shadows

what attributes do you think Smilie has that would make him a strong candidate for the half back flank over say, I don't know, a midfielder for example?

 

[Mr Magic]

what attributes do you think Smilie has that would make him a strong candidate for the half back flank over say, I don't know, a midfielder for example?

I think the unicorn aspect about Smilie is height with size/presence as well as IQ and skill/mobility.

To me we know for his size Smillie moves well. This is handy as a defender. Is Smillie Rance? no, but Smillie can distribute the ball well.

Most guys in the midfield would not have the presence at CHB of a truely bigger body near KPP size even if Smillie is not a great contested mark like Richo.

So what does this mean? To me apart from being a mid Smille could contribute in defence because he has a brain, he can distribute and he has physical presence with mobility even if he lacks Rances aerial acumen. The other thing is when SMillie gets it and moves forward he is getting into open space from the backline into the midfield and can pinpoint our other mids as well as forwards. Balta is quite penetrating as well on the rebound, of himself, let alone a connection scenario. Because they are all good kicks they would not have to run forward far as much and open up the backline so goals back the other way would be minimised. Rather the kicking of Smillie, Balta, Trainor and others hit running Wings and half forwards who can move the ball quicker through the air predominately while our defence remains more secure. Our smallerv defenders can be more defensive because our taller backs are so attacking and threatening of themselves on the rebound meaning we have a more stifling defence but still quite attacking given the abilities of our tall defenders as well as others so our forwards can be even more attacking with a stronger defensive set-up. This type of defence allows the likes of Gibcus to drift forward if it suits and used as a forward attacker but could be brought back into defence if need be. We have a lot of talls but we may not need that many small defenders given the capability if our defensive talls

For a guy this size Smillie is fairly good contested, especially groundball, for his height. The point is opposition has to kick goals, or kick a winning score at least, things get narrower as they head to their own goals with the oval ground so CHB and further back it is more likely Smillie gets involved in contested scenarios and harder for oppositions to avoid him. Smillie does not have the aerial acumen of a Glen Jakovich but he could compliment a lessor aerial type than Jakovich and act as a mid on the rebound so he would be handy in a plus seven scenario.

Smillie kicks well and handballs well, so if it gets in his hands we would want guys that can get into space on the end of Smillie after a handball or kick not necessarily handball slingshot so much because arguably we would be more secure aerially defensively with such a defensive setup.

Remember we have Trainor and others as well. We have the potential to be a very strong defense and our attack can be driven from our defence but with our talls involved especially given how good a kick Trainor is as well. When oppositions go forward they would be going into our strongest set-up theoretically with the capability of devastating rebound. Becasue our defenders do not have to run forever, they can be more energised and efffective in the contest which is what Smillie is good at rather than used as a run machine in a more midfield role which is not the best attribute of his makeup

Ideally we want half forwards than can get on the end of this so Armstrong is a great piece in this regard as a lead up opening up our forward line for more potential even more

Another way to look at this is Glenn Archer used to be a nuisance on Richo even going outside normal rules. Smillie is a lot more imposing than Archer and fairly agile and he has great disposal and a fairly good ability to hinder opposition forwards one would suspect while stimulating great rebound for us

 

[Tiger_Of_Old]

Think if you got rid of the M out of magic and replaced it with TR it would be a much better fit

If you take the R out of MR and replace it with GWS then you his true colors.

 

[Tiger_Of_Old]

dont upset the masses !!! this kid is now a messiah

Your a very Naughty boy

 

[Drunken Wookie]

I think the unicorn aspect about Smilie is height with size/presence as well as IQ and skill/mobility.

To me we know for his size Smillie moves well. This is handy as a defender. Is Smillie Rance? no, but Smillie can distribute the ball well.

Most guys in the midfield would not have the presence at CHB of a truely bigger body near KPP size even if Smillie is not a great contested mark like Richo.

So what does this mean? To me apart from being a mid Smille could contribute in defence because he has a brain, he can distribute and he has physical presence with mobility even if he lacks Rances aerial acumen. The other thing is when SMillie gets it and moves forward he is getting into open space from the backline into the midfield and can pinpoint our other mids as well as forwards. Balta is quite penetrating as well on the rebound, of himself, let alone a connection scenario. Because they are all good kicks they would not have to run forward far as much and open up the backline so goals back the other way would be minimised. Rather the kicking of Smillie, Balta, Trainor and others hit running Wings and half forwards who can move the ball quicker through the air predominately while our defence remains more secure. Our smallerv defenders can be more defensive because our taller backs are so attacking and threatening of themselves on the rebound meaning we have a more stifling defence but still quite attacking given the abilities of our tall defenders as well as others so our forwards can be even more attacking with a stronger defensive set-up. This type of defence allows the likes of Gibcus to drift forward if it suits and used as a forward attacker but could be brought back into defence if need be. We have a lot of talls but we may not need that many small defenders given the capability if our defensive talls

For a guy this size Smillie is fairly good contested, especially groundball, for his height. The point is opposition has to kick goals, or kick a winning score at least, things get narrower as they head to their own goals with the oval ground so CHB and further back it is more likely Smillie gets involved in contested scenarios and harder for oppositions to avoid him. Smillie does not have the aerial acumen of a Glen Jakovich but he could compliment a lessor aerial type than Jakovich and act as a mid on the rebound so he would be handy in a plus seven scenario.

Smillie kicks well and handballs well, so if it gets in his hands we would want guys that can get into space on the end of Smillie after a handball or kick not necessarily handball slingshot so much because arguably we would be more secure aerially defensively with such a defensive setup.

Remember we have Trainor and others as well. We have the potential to be a very strong defense and our attack can be driven from our defence but with our talls involved especially given how good a kick Trainor is as well. When oppositions go forward they would be going into our strongest set-up theoretically with the capability of devastating rebound. Becasue our defenders do not have to run forever, they can be more energised and efffective in the contest which is what Smillie is good at rather than used as a run machine in a more midfield role which is not the best attribute of his makeup

Ideally we want half forwards than can get on the end of this so Armstrong is a great piece in this regard as a lead up opening up our forward line for more potential even more

Another way to look at this is Glenn Archer used to be a nuisance on Richo even going outside normal rules. Smillie is a lot more imposing than Archer and fairly agile and he has great disposal and a fairly good ability to hinder opposition forwards one would suspect while stimulating great rebound for us

so you're basically giving up the midfield battle and moving him behind the ball in a hope that when we get slaughtered in the middle Smilie will be there behind the ball with his contested efforts, ground ball gathering and kicking efficiency (pretty handy midfield traits) and that will generate scoring opportunities for us?

 

[Mr Magic]

so you're basically giving up the midfield battle and moving him behind the ball in a hope that when we get slaughtered in the middle Smilie will be there behind the ball with his contested efforts, ground ball gathering and kicking efficiency (pretty handy midfield traits) and that will generate scoring opportunities for us?

nah, I am saying right now RFC is not ready to win a premiership.

It is easier for us to get midfielders in through draft/trade/FA.

Setting up competitive advantages with defences and forwards is a lot harder. The number of talls RFC has including the young ones is truely unique and I cannot recall a club ever being in RFC's unique position regarding talls and the possibilities it means we could do reconstructing a list going forward especially from a versatility perspective structurally case by case.

It is easier for us to get a better midfielder in the years ahead, far harder getting better than Trainor, Gibcus, Smillie and Balta let alone others that might be versatile gems like a Simms or Kosi depending on what happens. they have youth on their side to where we have time to gel and develop unique synergy with the talls especially in a versatility context. The obsession with mids has allowed us to do this in this draft in particular. Some clubs will have mids but their talls simply will not be good enough. If Armstrong becomes a gem we are in a even better position

The other thing is the more Smillie plays in the midfield the more he will have to run unless he is allowed to switch roles. If he generally is a contested best for his size how does this suit him and us if he is weakened from running reducing his energy? this is really about perceptions on marginal effectiveness of viewed traits over certain perceived roles and team dynamics

 

[THE_GUN]

B: Vlastuin - Balta - Blight
HB : Brown - Gibcus - Trainor

Runners , Trezise , Smith , Short , and backup talls in Miller , Young to take the gorrilla's
Where does Smillie fit in defence

This is Friggin Mad and Magic has us all on a string in this thread
he is actually trolling us all here

 

[Lord of the Wings]

B: Vlastuin - Balta - Blight
HB : Brown - Gibcus - Trainor

Runners , Trezise , Smith , Short , and backup talls in Miller , Young to take the gorrilla's
Where does Smillie fit in defence

This is Friggin Mad and Magic has us all on a string in this thread
he is actually trolling us all here

Gibcus won’t play until mid year and if Blight can’t play key back he doesn’t have the ground game for a pocket. So Smillie can have either of those spots

 

[THE_GUN]

Gibcus won’t play until mid year and if Blight can’t play key back he doesn’t have the ground game for a pocket. So Smillie can have either of those spots

Still 3 months away from season opener who knows which players will play
Smillie wont play defence

 

[Drunken Wookie]

B: Vlastuin - Balta - Blight
HB : Brown - Gibcus - Trainor

Runners , Trezise , Smith , Short , and backup talls in Miller , Young to take the gorrilla's
Where does Smillie fit in defence

This is Friggin Mad and Magic has us all on a string in this thread
he is actually trolling us all here

He won't be anywhere near the back line. I'm just trying to understand why anyone would think this was a good idea after living through a period where all our young midfielders bar an elite few were played off half back as a rite of passage and if it did anything for them it wasn't good.

You want HBFers draft HBFers.

 

[Maurice Mitchell]

Pencil Smillie in the center for the next 13/14 years

Boy is a natural mid and the thoughts of playing him as a HB is just stupid

Thoughts of replying to (or reading) that poster is just stupid.

I swear people are just desperate for an argument.

 

[THE THIN MAN]

so you're basically giving up the midfield battle and moving him behind the ball in a hope that when we get slaughtered in the middle Smilie will be there behind the ball with his contested efforts, ground ball gathering and kicking efficiency (pretty handy midfield traits) and that will generate scoring opportunities for us?

That sounds like the Essendon blue print under Scott, I am not sure you could say it has been very successful.