Great, but.................

[DarkRider]

Spider's rucking like a champ, the King is starting to look less injured each week, Archer reminded us on Friday night of what he can do, Pickett has proved to be the damaging forward some of us knew he could be. Simpson, Grant, Harvey, King all looking great and getting plenty of the ball. McCartney still Mr Reliable/Courageous. And all this without Stevens & Colbert, but the one glaring weakness is Mick.
He looked like a cow with a cup of tea on Friday night, and I suspect that he is scared to bend down to pick up the ball for fear of hearing one of those hamstrings twang. We really have to find a replacement for him, but I suspect that Pagan does not feel any of the young guys are up to it.
I doubt we will make the finals, but if we do, we look very exposed in the full back area. I am not sure we can succeed in a finals campaign if we have to be in "shootout" mode for the whole trip.

Any thoughts to the contrary ?

 

[Darky]

Mick was pretty ordinary on Friday night, but I think you'll find his opponent didn't do much either.

A replacement does have to be fast-tracked and at this stage I think Hilton is a more likely prospect than Watt. For the short term, McCartney appeals at full back while a few blokes put their hands up at CHB.

Morrell did OK on Mensch in the magoos at the weekend - even though Mensch kicked a few goals, Morrell was giving away over 150 games and almost 10 years in senior experience, and was playing in a fairly new role at CHB.

Carey and Archer are also CHB options, depending on specific opponents. Although currently injured, Colbert is probably the candidate for the short term.

Petrie is another player who has the size to play CHB, and who could benefit from a defensive role to help him learn to read play around the ground.

 

[hurricane]

I think Watt is the long term replacement, but is probably at least 12 months off being able to handle high class opponents week in and week out. He needs to spend some more time taking the 2nd or 3rd forward once he gets back from his shoulder injury. His improvement was encouraging this year... i think he will be a player.

In the short term, Hilton may be able to step into the breach...

 

[Fruity]

We were certainly struggling in terms of height in the backline in the MK's last week. We ended up having to put Diggers down the back because he's fairly big, but that left our forward line pretty short and mostly filled with Bushrangers kids - not that I'm complaining, Stuart Cooper has been good in the past.

I think it's worth giving Hilton a go - he has certainly shown that he can do it in the reserves.

 

[KingyOrTheKing]

Our backline is playing its worst footy in several years. The problem is that we have been using very inexperienced players with old extremely slow players like Mick. It just hasn't been working. We lost the last quarter to Geelong when we could have really killed them and gained percentage.
Our midfield must play four quarters against the crows, which they haven't done for a very very long time. Midfield is the key.

 

[choppy]

Originally posted by KingyOrTheKing

Our midfield must play four quarters against the crows, which they haven't done for a very very long time. Midfield is the key.

I thought they put in a reasonable four quarter effort last week.

 

[DarkRider]

Seems like it is all over for Mick. The news just announced is that he has done his hamstring again, and that he will not play again this year. It is unlikely the club will offer him a contract next year.
Thanks, Mick, you have been great.

 

[great]

Sad as it all may seem , 3 home and away rounds to go and all, Mick does his hammy again.

How many months off to recouperate if we don't make the finals?

No disrespect intended but the Club has carried Mr O. with a similar complaint all season. Mr O. is not a past club champion , Tuck medalist or dual premiership player.

Mick deserves a bit of respect.

If anyone deserves a chance , a possible vetrans listing if all goes well would be the way to go.

Give Mighty Mick another go at it.

It just wont be the same without Mickey.

 

[Rooboy 96]

agree Cororoo... I would offer Mick a performance based contract for 2002.... at present I am not positive any of the kids we have are ready to take over fullback... and if Mick's hammies can get right over summer... he will be okay for one last shot... if he wants it...

 

[KingyOrTheKing]

Originally posted by choppy


I thought they put in a reasonable four quarter effort last week.

Hey choppy, look at the stats!



S.Grant - last quarter- 2 possessions; game-25 possessions
D.King- last quarter- 5 possessions; game-25 possessions
Sinclair- last quarter- 0 possessions; game- 13 possessions

etc etc

If we want percentage, then we have to play out 4 quarters, and Grant didn't do this. When he saw the game was won, he took his foot off the accelerator. If we had played any other team, the game would have been close, but Geelong were playing sh*t football.

 

[Darky]

Originally posted by Rooboy 96
agree Cororoo... I would offer Mick a performance based contract for 2002.... at present I am not positive any of the kids we have are ready to take over fullback... and if Mick's hammies can get right over summer... he will be okay for one last shot... if he wants it...

Spot on. Watt, Lange and Hilton don't appear ready to take the #1 full back's role just yet, so another year playing on the lesser lights should help with their development and make it easier to assess if they are up to it.