Past #39: Leigh Harding - selected with #13 in 2000 RD - retired at end of 2010 season - coaches at BL

[KingyOrTheKing]

I don't think its a case of finding a position for Harding. We shouldn't be playing guys like Harding and Brown, who have had 2 or 3 years to put together 5 good games between them.

Sadly, while we have Laidley at the helm, we will continue to see players given a year to have 1 good game, at which point they'll be given another year. We are destined to reward mediocrity.

Having said that I didn't mind the games of the two players mentioned above tonight, but I'd expect them to be 'back to normal' next week.

 

[Devil Fish]

I've changed my mind re Harding - can play the game.

 

[RoyalBlue]

One quarter of effort a game from Harding = cause for celebration.
One quarter of brilliance from Wells = cause for concern.

 

[Woodson]

One quarter of effort a game from Harding = cause for celebration.
One quarter of brilliance from Wells = cause for concern.

That's the season 2006 underlined. Wells is not doing enough. We need these type of players to cut loose. JYD has these guys on a leash. As for Harding, same old same old. Trade bait every year. I can easily see Harding playing much better under a wiser coach... wing is his spot and I've been saying that for a few seasons now.

 

[Mr Reliable]

Some of these comments from 'North Melbourne' supporters are just rubbish.

We saw the difference between Harding and anyone else we have, he kicks goals, he sets up goals for others. Nobody that replaced him when he missed was able to do that.

I am all for giving someone else a go who will put it on the scoreboard if they are better but we have no better.

If Thurley played and Harding missed, we would have lost. It is as simple as that. It is not only the goals he kicked but the scoring shots he gave off to Hale and Thompson.

Who do we have on the list that will do a better job? Nobody.

Well summed up Tas.

 

[Devil Fish]

That's the season 2006 underlined. Wells is not doing enough. .

Although some clowns on this board have stated that "Wells has been fantastic this year."

 

[Zondor]

Although some clowns on this board have stated that "Wells has been fantastic this year."

Yeah well Steve Bracks reckons that Wells has been "Faaaantaaastiiiiic".

 

[Sco]

Yeah well Steve Bracks reckons that Wells has been "Faaaantaaastiiiiic".

You mean Ernie Wells?

 

[RoyalBlue]

Yeah well Steve Bracks reckons that Wells has been "Faaaantaaastiiiiic".

This is familiar.

 

[sbdan]

No doubt - he looked the business in that third quarter. Kicking goals, creative, attacking....he's been on the top of my hit list all season, but a few more games like that (and I'd prefer entire games) & he's worth hanging onto.

If we did trade him, I'd think Essendon would be keen anyway. He kills them.

 

[Devil Fish]

Yeah well Steve Bracks reckons that Wells has been "Faaaantaaastiiiiic".

So has Harry Cool.

 

[Devil Fish]

I'll be careful not to jump to conclusions as I thought he may have turned the corner last year. BUT, his crunch goal in the last Q was great yesterday & he has had 2 good games in a row - All I ask is for 5 more good games for the year.

 

[RoyalBlue]

How many corners can Harding turn? Four? If he turns right every time he'll wind up right back where he started, kicking points and frsutrating supporters.

This is corner two by my count, but I'm sure someone could dig up a circa 2004 and 2003 corner he turned as well.

 

[Star]

Ah the ol'corner

I thought he turned one when he flattened Hird last year but it was just a kink in the road. Has been serviceable the last 3 weeks but even in those games I would like to see him do more

 

[Zondor]

Forget the corners. The guy is stuck on a roundabout.

 

[gokangas]

Promises so much but delivers so little. Good form run at the moment but need quite a few more up games to win me back.

 

[mark73]

I'll be careful not to jump to conclusions as I thought he may have turned the corner last year. BUT, his crunch goal in the last Q was great yesterday & he has had 2 good games in a row - All I ask is for 5 more good games for the year.

He has definitely turned the corner in his finishing.I don't think anyone can doubt that.The rest of his game would need to be assessed over the remainder of the season.But with his hard tackling, pace and improved scoring ratio, you'd have to assume he has now become a valuable member of the team.

 

[Flag Man]

Will never get 30 posessions a match, but this bloke has been a dead set game breaker the last three weeks.

Easily worth his spot at the moment.

 

[sbdan]

dare to hope? He's let it down many times, but he has looked the business the last couple weeks. Kicking crunch goals & really standing up when required. I've got stuck into him in the past, but he's been looking very good in the winning teams. Good on you mate!

 

[Angus1]

Well if he plays in the forward half then it's ok if he has a few quiet patches as long as he can swoop in and crumb packs but his main problem is he only has one foot and that one is worse then most players bad one.
I can't see his kicking getting much better at this stage of his career but if he can run in close enough to goal then he should be able to nail it.
He'll keep his spot until we find a quality small forward . I still wouldn't mind seeing Harvey play forward every now and then. He's a forward pocket specialist in my view.

 

[B-Rock]

Well if he plays in the forward half then it's ok if he has a few quiet patches as long as he can swoop in and crumb packs but his main problem is he only has one foot and that one is worse then most players bad one.
I can't see his kicking getting much better at this stage of his career but if he can run in close enough to goal then he should be able to nail it.
He'll keep his spot until we find a quality small forward . I still wouldn't mind seeing Harvey play forward every now and then. He's a forward pocket specialist in my view.

He's really not a bad field kicker though, he just seems to get the jitters in front of goal sometimes. He's actually been pretty good in front of goal lately as well!

 

[Angus1]

He's really not a bad field kicker though, he just seems to get the jitters in front of goal sometimes. He's actually been pretty good in front of goal lately as well!

His set shots have improved out of sight. With his field kicking he uses a short option almost always now and that has helped him through. I feel that he must be under instruction to look for short options. If so it's good advice.
I'm always wary of small speedy players around the forward line so having him in that role is a bonus for us if he can keep it up. I don't like seeing him go on the ball too much though. Onballers can't really afford to have quiet stints too often.

 

[Tas]

I thought his game was around the average mark for him. The main difference between this week and many previous weeks was we moved the ball forwards a lot better and we had a lot more space on our forward line for him to present more.

Seriously, he is not going to get much, if any, better than he is now but I still think he is the best small opportunist forward we have on our list and is versatile enough to play some limited midfield roles.

Good to see Thurley kick a couple of goals aswell in the VFL, he just needs to keep putting the goals on the board to put pressure on Harding for his spot.

 

[Vertical Stripes]

Well if he plays in the forward half then it's ok if he has a few quiet patches as long as he can swoop in and crumb packs but his main problem is he only has one foot and that one is worse then most players bad one.
I can't see his kicking getting much better at this stage of his career but if he can run in close enough to goal then he should be able to nail it.
He'll keep his spot until we find a quality small forward . I still wouldn't mind seeing Harvey play forward every now and then. He's a forward pocket specialist in my view.

You obviously didn't watch the game yesterday, otherwise you would have seen his goal from 50m in the last 1/4. And the precision pass to Thommo in the third, for another goal.

 

[RoccaRoo]

The boy can run! If they keep him on the wing, we will continue to see improvements I think. He has the space to run and break the lines. In the past we've stuck him in the pocket. He's got nowhere to run hence he plays crap. Forget about turning corners, keep the guy on the wing.