2015/16 Pre-Season Thread

[Elite Crow]

I am a bit disappointed that Pyke is not planning to move Smith into the midfield. He mentioned that he is AA HBF and that's where he sees him playing.

I was hoping with the new additions that we are planning on moving Smith into the midfield. That has been on the cards for 3 seasons now and it's due to other circumstances (i.e. lack of depth for that role) that he continues to play at HBF. We addressed that over the trading period. No reason why he should not at least be tried in the role for a few games to see how he goes.

I think where some of us thought Hampton and Seedsman were recruited to play HBF, or at least one of them was, all the talk seems to be they are going to play wing.

Personally I want Smith in the guts bursting away from a clearance and hitting targets up forward or kicking goals from 75 metres out.

 

[spexau]

You guys seriously have to stop thinking players will play HBF for 120 mins of a game.

 

[Elite Crow]

You guys seriously have to stop thinking players will play HBF for 120 mins of a game.

Ok 100 minutes, after they have rested on the bench.

 

[jackster83]

You guys seriously have to stop thinking players will play HBF for 120 mins of a game.

Look at Hawthorn's midfield. Hodge, Lewis, Mitchell and Burgoyne all spend large periods of time at half back where they use their skills and vision to create.

Geelong's midfield boasted guys like Ablett, Bartel, Chapman, SJ and Corey who could play other roles to a very high standard.

 

[Rory Walkerfield]

It's ok, I got shouted down for saying Hendo squibbed a contest in rd 1 last year...some take longer than others to notice things.

Also, all our kids are perfect so don't suggest they are not.

I'm a big Knight fan - won me over in the Bulldogs final. But he's got weaknesses just like every other player ever. If he improves them, he will be a good player.

I think my gravatat speaks for itself with what I think of knight, but he does sometimes pull out of a marking contest. I'm prepared to give him time, am sure with more experience and bulk this aspect will improve.

 

[lunacy]

I think where some of us thought Hampton and Seedsman were recruited to play HBF, or at least one of them was, all the talk seems to be they are going to play wing.

Personally I want Smith in the guts bursting away from a clearance and hitting targets up forward or kicking goals from 75 metres out.

I have debated this in my own mind actually. As we know Smith played on-ball in his junior years (under 18 championships) and he was good. He won clearances and at times burst from stoppages.

But I've also wondered whether the congestion would reduce his effectiveness. We know he is a great run'n'carry player and has a great penetrating kick. I'm not sure I necessarily want to see him in congestion just throwing the ball on his boot without the adequate time and space to use his leg and break the lines.

Do we really want to stifle his main weapons?

I can settle for short bursts in the midfield.

 

[King Elvis]

Our inside/outside balance hasn't been right for years; we assume that if Smith is on the ball, then he's an inside mid, as that's what always seem to happen with us.

If he can play on the ball, but not be in every pack contest, then it'd be worthwhile.

 

[StonesThrow]

It is around year 9 Science

My point.....

 

[NikkiNoo]

Well Smithers has his eye on another position now it seems...

 

[fabs33]

Well Smithers has his eye on another position now it seems...

If I bothered with twitter Smith would be the first player I'd follow.

 

[Alex99]

Can that number 82 from Green Bay Packers come and sit in a forward pocket.

If he can take pack marks like that, I'm sure we could fit him on a rookie list.

 

[Alex99]

In relation to post above.


This is a better view.

 

[dogs105]

In relation to post above.


This is a better view.

That's why you always play in front

 

[NikkiNoo]

That's why you always play in front

And have people around you who have no idea how to punch a ball away. None of the others got close to actually doing something like a lever spoil. It's good for NFL but meh to me about an real pack mark with proper body and defensive pressure.

 

[The Sloane Ranger]

Gore has been very impressive on the track

"A Beast"

My early round 1 smokey selection

 

[Rory Walkerfield]

Gore has been very impressive on the track

"A Beast"

My early round 1 smokey selection

Inside word?

 

[tinman]

Gore has been very impressive on the track

"A Beast"

My early round 1 smokey selection

Round 1 "Gorefest"

 

[Infra Ted]

Inside word?

I believe those are Seedsmans words.

 

[I Lost My Keays]

OH MY GORED!

 

[Stiffy_18]

there is no reason why he can't go into the middle when needed.

Pyke has a point - its like Eddie to the middle permantely - why move your best small forward for a minute increase in midfield capacity.

I don't think you can compare the two. It is so much harder to play as a forward, let alone a forward pocket than it is as a HBF. HBF is quite often used as a position where you introduce the future midfielders as it gives them a chance to read the play, get some footy and build some confident.

Now sure, Smith is a gun there but he played all of his under age career as a midfielder, he was recruited as a midfielder and we have been planning to move him into the midfield for 3 years but were not able to afford it because of the lack of depth for that rebounding HBF role where we seemed to have copped most injuries. Now finally we get depth there and our new coach is reluctant to finally move Smith into the midfield where we have been planning to play him all along and where he has expressed desire to play.

Bottom line is that it is much harder to find AA type forward pocket (Eddie) and midfielders than it is to find AA running defenders. I would have thought with the departure on our best midfielder we are planning on off-setting that a bit by playing Smith there for majority of the time.

 

[SydCrow]

Gore and Tex have to play together.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Inside word?

I believe those are Seedsmans words.

Jenkins was asked on 5AA who of the new recruits has impressed him the most and he named Gore. Will be a good player for us in the long run but I am expecting 2017 to be his year. Next year he will make his debut and play a few games injury permitting of course.

 

[tinman]

Gore and Tex have to play together.

With Mark Lycra

 

[King Elvis]

Jenkins was asked on 5AA who of the new recruits has impressed him the most and he named Gore. Will be a good player for us in the long run but I am expecting 2017 to be his year. Next year he will make his debut and play a few games injury permitting of course.

If that's all he contributes, it'd be a disappointing year.

 

[mistylake]

Gore and Tex have to play together.

Nothing could penetrate that.
Only water vapors.