Past Alex Silvagni

[Blue By Blood]

We clearly drafted Alex Silvagni with the intent to play him in the seniors. You don't select a 29 year old guy to just make up the numbers - there's a rhyme and reason to it.

Firstly, I think it flags our intent to run with a young back-line. Weitering, Marchbank, and Plowman will need some support down there and Silvagni being 192cm should be able to play on both the talls and smalls. If we were to continue to run with Rowe down back I feel we would be too top heavy.

Secondly, it provides us with the versatility to be able to swing Rowe forward while McKay develops his game in the reserves. Rowe spent most of his time playing as a forward for Norwood in the SANFL prior to being drafted by us so I think this move could be on the cards.

I think we will line up something like this back and forward:

B: A. Silvagni, Weitering, Plowman
HB: Docherty, Marchbank, Simpson

HF: C. Curnow, Rowe, J. Silvagni
F: Palmer, Casboult, Wright

Gives our three young defensive pillars some experience with Simmo and Silvagni (and an emerging leader in Doc).
Gives our young forwards in SOSOS and Charlie some support with bigger bodies in Casboult and Rowe. Palmer and Wright will likely rotate through the midfield with Sumner and Petrevski-Seton if we feel like we are a little slow up forward.

I was against the selection early, especially when the very next pick was 23 year old defender Harry Schade, but looking at it calmly it seems like a decent move.

Welcome Alex!

 

[TheHeatleyStand]

OK, enlighten me. Rowe gets injured, who is the experienced KPD we replace him with?

errrrrrrrr how about marchbank?

 

[TheHeatleyStand]

I seriously doubt most in here bagging Alex have ever seen him play..He's a ready made replacement for Jammo, who will give plenty of support to our plethora of kids

This is the guy who couldn't get a game in freos start studded defense we're talking about?

Right?

 

[therubbernub]

There is no reason why we cant get another 3-4 years out of him. He has only played 53 games due to injury so his body will be fresher than a lot of the players his age. Look at Boyd for the dogs- these sorts of players are invaluable especially when you are packed full of youngsters. You need a blend of youth and experience- so says the australian test selectors

 

[Schrempfian]

in all fairness to SOS - if this club had it's head switched on earlier and wanted to create a family culture, Alex Silvagni would of been playing with us since 2010 and might possibly even be in our best 22.

 

[HBF]

I seriously doubt most in here bagging Alex have ever seen him play..He's a ready made replacement for Jammo, who will give plenty of support to our plethora of kids

Will also be a good on field "coach" for our kids at VFL level.

 

[teknodeejay]

I have no problem with this. He's either insurance for any LTI coverage required down back, or at worst is a senior guy who can do a lot to teach the young fellas coming through.

Similar to the Cameron Wood situation. May not be expected to play any games in the AFL, but better than having nobody should the need arise.

Will do well for the Bullants I think.

 

[BluStreak]

Welcome Alex.

 

[F_therest]

Would rather we picked up WC Mitch Brown if we were looking to have a back up. At least he could play on the monster forwards and is a couple of years younger

Lol Brown is terrible...Silvagni has shown higher ability.

And Silvagni can play on the 'monster forwards'.

AND Silvagni is only 1 year older.

 

[F_therest]

So some posters pot this recruitment, with a defense of 'we have weitering & plowman' - they're kids ffs! They need a chop out, and they need mature blokes to learn from.

Wow!

Oh, and he cost us **** all!

Even if he just played VFL all year while a backup in case of emergency he could play seniors.

In the VFL he can take the oppositions main forward or big ruckman, allowing the other young guys like Macreadie and Jaksch to play a more intercept and attacking role...also will provide maturity and guidance.

 

[ferrisb]

It might make Friday Night footy a bit more interesting with him in the side.

Friday night footy?

The AFL is now as keen to give us Friday night games as you would be letting Charlie Sheen into your medicine cabinet....

 

[F_therest]

First reaction was ...... wtf

A few theories in order of most likely in my opinion:
1) NB have struggled down back and Alex would sure up our defense and ensure Jaksch is able to have a proper crack as a key forward and will give us a stronger magoos. Unlikely to be played in 1s but insurance against injuries to our established defense
2) Backup plan for Marchbank/coverage for Gorillas especially if Weitering has to go forward as well because McKay is not ready and they give up on Casboult.
3) Rowe will play forward as a Forward/Ruck as the 2 dedicated rucks will be scrapped and Alex provides coverage down back if the young fellows need protection during year.

Which theory do you subscribe to?

All of the above.

Getting Silvagni gives us the flexibility for any of those scenarios.

 

[HBF]

errrrrrrrr how about marchbank?

He said experienced. Marchbank has only been in the AFL system for two years, and has been injured for a fair bit of that.

 

[F_therest]

errrrrrrrr how about marchbank?

He's played 6 games in his career.

The point is to get a MATURE KPD to help the kids.

 

[Arr0w]

Who?

Haven't seen that guy play afl for years

He is the guy that only played 1 game less than Silvagni last year

At WC, Brown at least had some talent keeping him out of the side, can't say the same with Silvagni

 

[Arr0w]

I get there may be some slight bias towards silva from me but he is miles better then Mitch Brown ever was, in fact Mitch browns only decent year was when he played on smalls and made a niche of that.

Silva >>>>> Brown

You're right the bias is showing

 

[Arr0w]

Lol Brown is terrible...Silvagni has shown higher ability.

And Silvagni can play on the 'monster forwards'.

AND Silvagni is only 1 year older.

Lol Brown played 1 game less than Silvagni last year and had much more talent ahead of him.

Every time Silvagni plays on a big forward, he gets his pants pulled down.

Let's just hope we never have a long term injury to any of our 3rd talls or KPD

His selection smells like nepotism to me

 

[Golden Tonsils]

Fairly sure the name of our thread is called Welcome Alex Silvagni............so welcome Alex Silvagni hope you prove people wrong

 

[Soapy V]

whilst we are going down the youth path we still need to have some experience especially with the Nothern Blues. We have been poor the last few years and getting belted most weeks doesn't do anything to help develop the kids. players that need some time like g-mac jaksch korcheck lebois even mckay will benefit from having white thomas silvagni etc in the side. we need depth to develop success and success breeds success.

 

[thylacine60]

you forgot Thomas....

 

[Soapy V]

you forgot Thomas....

.........every chance I get

 

[passmark]

He is the guy that only played 1 game less than Silvagni last year

At WC, Brown at least had some talent keeping him out of the side, can't say the same with Silvagni

In a league crying out for KPD's Mitch Brown wasn't selected.

Maybe he's cooked and people know it.

 

[raymagoo]

I think the way Rowe finished the season does not look good for 2017

He finished quite strongly??

 

[Arr0w]

In a league crying out for KPD's Mitch Brown wasn't selected.

Maybe he's cooked and people know it.

Happy with that. Happy to throw Silvagni in the same category

Onward and upward I say

 

[COBALT BLUE]

Well...ultimately 80% of our rookies are busts, we have a stack of young KPD talent, and Simon White is near the luckiest man on an AFL list. It makes a bit of sense...

Your sure..and we are in for another significant clean out again next year.
PS if Alex stays injury free he is a bit of a gun defender,we could see 4 years out of him between our AFL and Northern.
Welcome cuz..!