Gethelred
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- May 1, 2016
- 30,325
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- AFL Club
- Carlton
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- #451
I rather think you're being a mite selective when talking about Gov's disposals. He's averaging 13.5 disposals sure, but when you break down the stats, he's kicking 90% of the time, and going at 12 effective disposals per game. When Gov kicks the ball, he's not always taking on the safest option, either; he kicks the ball and takes the best option to set us up. He makes Williams, Saad, Docherty and Weitering more dangerous, because when he kicks the ball we're out. That's not even taking his intercepting into account.I want Gov back too but let’s not overrate him due to his absence. With a free intercept role he has only been able to average 13.5 possessions. We want to see some games where he hits 20 plus like Lever. If we check the benchmark of levers 21 season, McGovern needs to increase his game day tackles threefold. Let’s not forget how important tackles are to a role where you are a defender.
This is not attributed to McGovern…but I suspect one portion of the blame for fade-outs is the makeup of our defenders. If you look at our list of defenders: Young, Omac, Weitering, Newman, McGovern, Docherty, Saad, Williams, Plowman...which of these players really like the grit of hardball gets. Who likes the lockdown role. Only Omac is naturally inclined for lockdown. All the rest bar none would prefer a handball receive and play distributor. Weitering included. Weitering, Williams and Saad can play lockdown but it doesn’t mean it’s their preferred option.
If we fire up after a loss, they all go for the ball. But what about when we get ahead of ourselves like GC, then the lack of grit of our defenders shows up. Everyone wants to leave that role for someone else.
Austin has a job to do. Our tall defenders look very soft physically if it’s going to be Young and Plowman in our side. I don’t think McGovern adds any hardness either.
Stocker is a requirement once fit. I don’t know about Marchbank because it’s been so long.
While overrating his contribution is a potential problem, underestimating it doesn't help either.
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