Opinion OFFICIAL: Josh Walker traded for Brisbane's 2016 3rd Rd pick (Jansen = steak knives)

[you pick one]

Could have tried him in defence to help support and eventually replace our aging KPD, might have been a great CHB for us.... but I guess we'll never know

If it hadn't been for his uncle Peter I doubt that would get the oxygen here that it has.

 

[Spazz Cat]

Don't forget Walker will now be taking on the first or second best defender from the opposition - something that didn't happen a lot down here. Can you see him kicking bags on the likes of Rance and Talia?

The thing about Walker is that he'll always have a crack. Even if he's getting scragged or double teamed he'll keep presenting.
I can see him kicking one or two goals on those guys. Even if it's from a soft free or a cheapy out the back.
If he plays every game I totally see him kicking 40 goals next year.

 

[Farmer2Goggin]

I have been a fan and could see his potential considering how young he is in terms of development for a KPP
However his kicking regressed badly this season and towards the latter end he couldn't hit the broad side of the proverbial barn. Where did the high loop come from?
We may live to regret him leaving but we have cover forward and Hendersen is a far , far better defender IMO

 

[Cronin]

If it hadn't been for his uncle Peter I doubt that would get the oxygen here that it has.

I just don't understand people's apprehension about trying him as a defender;
- 22yo (23 next year)
- 196cm
- Great mark
- Mobile
- Not injury-prone
- Gave his all every game

Just seems like a waste that if he wasn't going to Be part of the forward line plans then at least they could have seen if he was capable down the other end, that's all

 

[CatsDoItBetter]

I have been a fan and could see his potential considering how young he is in terms of development for a KPP
However his kicking regressed badly this season and towards the latter end he couldn't hit the broad side of the proverbial barn. Where did the high loop come from?
We may live to regret him leaving but we have cover forward and Hendersen is a far , far better defender IMO

His kicking when he first started on the rookie list was awful it shows how hard he works because it improved dramatically over the last couple of seasons. It's a shame we couldn't keep him but he won't turn into a superstar but he could be a good consistent player.
The other players we have that play his position have some issues such as injury history but their ability is much higher. The probability that at least one of Vardy/Clark/Stanley can support Hawkins is not as big a risk as it seems. The times they are a changin

 

[Willo_]

I just don't understand people's apprehension about trying him as a defender;
- 22yo (23 next year)
- 196cm
- Great mark
- Mobile
- Not injury-prone
- Gave his all every game

Just seems like a waste that if he wasn't going to Be part of the forward line plans then at least they could have seen if he was capable down the other end, that's all

For all we know they tried him there in training at times and he showed nothing... he doesn't read the game well enough for me to be a good defender, would be far too reactive and lead to the ball

 

[thejester]

For all we know they tried him there in training at times and he showed nothing... he doesn't read the game well enough for me to be a good defender, would be far too reactive and lead to the ball

He spent some time there in the VFL in his first season, IIRC - I saw at least one game where he was at CHB. He looked OK, and for a while I thought it might be a better fit for him because he'd be able to run with the big forwards all day and they'd at least take him where the ball is. Now I wonder if the problem was the coaching staff felt he couldn't read the game well enough to zone off when appropriate.

 

[Cronin]

For all we know they tried him there in training at times and he showed nothing... he doesn't read the game well enough for me to be a good defender, would be far too reactive and lead to the ball

Hey he might have been a horrible defender, who knows. But in fairness there hasn't really been the opportunity for experimenting with new KD over the last 10 years because we've had a really settled defence.
Nothing beats actual game situations though and if they had of played him on say a Travis Cloke, had 7 goals kicked on him and looked completely out of soughts then you wouldn't hear another peep out of me.... but what if they played him on a Cloke, kept him to no goals and he looked solid as a rock, geez wouldn't that have been a nice gem of a find?
Anyway, we move on

 

[Go Hoops]

I didn't say that. I said two goals is a good return. I think Hawkins is still a better player. But I also think any key forward has a tough job getting a touch on Rance now. Watching him now is like watching Scarlett in 2003/04.

Hawk will kill Rance one out. All we need is for him to get chances one out rather than have to compete against two and three. Hopefully a fit Clark and Vardy will allow that to happen as will some better ball into the forward line. Not having SJs unpredictability might help too.

 

[Teriyakicat]

Hawk will kill Rance one out. All we need is for him to get chances one out rather than have to compete against two and three. Hopefully a fit Clark and Vardy will allow that to happen as will some better ball into the forward line. Not having SJs unpredictability might help too.

Unpredictability can be a good thing, though, Go Hoops- as long as we're unpredictable to the opposition, not to each other.
It's been one of SJ's strengths in the past- the look-away handpasses, the right angle kicks in which the ball drops right into the arms of a teammate as he runs flat out... Unpredictability can be a beautiful thing.

 

[AM]

Unpredictability can be a good thing, though, Go Hoops- as long as we're unpredictable to the opposition, not to each other.
It's been one of SJ's strengths in the past- the look-away handpasses, the right angle kicks in which the ball drops right into the arms of a teammate as he runs flat out... Unpredictability can be a beautiful thing.

My guess is the post by Go Hoops was suggesting that Stevie wasn't always predictable to his team mates and that it was more than simple things like look- away handballs.

There was a quite instructive interview done by SH prior to Stevie's last game from which I took that Stevie wasn't in our 2016 plans quite some way out. From memory one of the suggestions SH made was for the commentators to watch the way Stevie directed team mates in the forward half hinting that he placed himself in the most dangerous spots in the process. I read it as not being complimentary. More that Stevie was looking after himself. There were a couple of other comments by SH that suggested to me he was such a commanding presence around the place that he may have had some of the younger players a little daunted.

The impression I was left with was that Stevie didn't always play his role - ie wasn't always predictable to his team mates. Which might explain why he so often finished well down the order in the Carji voting.

Somehow think Stevie's absence won't have a deleterious effect on Hawk next year. To the contrary in fact.

Back to Walker, who I hope is able to establish himself with the Lions as a key forward. Without distractions.

 

[gypsy_1]

My guess is the post by Go Hoops was suggesting that Stevie wasn't always predictable to his team mates and that it was more than simple things like look- away handballs.

There was a quite instructive interview done by SH prior to Stevie's last game from which I took that Stevie wasn't in our 2016 plans quite some way out. From memory one of the suggestions SH made was for the commentators to watch the way Stevie directed team mates in the forward half hinting that he placed himself in the most dangerous spots in the process. I read it as not being complimentary. More that Stevie was looking after himself. There were a couple of other comments by SH that suggested to me he was such a commanding presence around the place that he may have had some of the younger players a little daunted.

The impression I was left with was that Stevie didn't always play his role - ie wasn't always predictable to his team mates. Which might explain why he so often finished well down the order in the Carji voting.

Somehow think Stevie's absence won't have a deleterious effect on Hawk next year. To the contrary in fact.

Back to Walker, who I hope is able to establish himself with the Lions as a key forward. Without distractions.

 

[gypsy_1]

Walker has worked on his kicking. But he is not a natural skilful kick. I regularly see him spray kicks when a pressure goal is needed. He hides this flaw in his stats. Boots 3 goals and supporters assume a good outcome, but the stats don't reveal gettable misses. Just a mark and grab footballer. Not a complete player. No dimension. No magic. No smarts. Competes, tackles (gives away frees) and is valuable. But no 1st grader. Walkers kicking deficiency is unacceptable in a GF. Admire the level he has achieved and will be a good player for the Lions.

 

[DanA]

Walker has worked on his kicking. But he is not a natural skilful kick. I regularly see him spray kicks when a pressure goal is needed. He hides this flaw in his stats. Boots 3 goals and supporters assume a good outcome, but the stats don't reveal gettable misses. Just a mark and grab footballer. Not a complete player. No dimension. No magic. No smarts. Competes, tackles (gives away frees) and is valuable. But no 1st grader. Walkers kicking deficiency is unacceptable in a GF. Admire the level he has achieved and will be a good player for the Lions.

All that could have been said about Mooney at 23 y/o

 

[Herne Hill Hammer]

I'm going under myself but only just. I reckon he kicks 38 goals in 20 games and takes 5 marks per game.

I reckon he'll kick 40 pretty comfortably.

He'll be a key part of their forward set up and it will be in part worked around his game. He never had that at Geelong.

Rather than having Tom sooking at him for getting in his way, Josh will hopefully play to a game plan where he and Freeman or whoever, work in tandem / unison.

 

[CharacterFirst]

I bet Josh is on double the $ he would have got at Geelong as well.

3 year contract is it? He had to take it.

 

[Teriyakicat]

My guess is the post by Go Hoops was suggesting that Stevie wasn't always predictable to his team mates and that it was more than simple things like look- away handballs.

There was a quite instructive interview done by SH prior to Stevie's last game from which I took that Stevie wasn't in our 2016 plans quite some way out. From memory one of the suggestions SH made was for the commentators to watch the way Stevie directed team mates in the forward half hinting that he placed himself in the most dangerous spots in the process. I read it as not being complimentary. More that Stevie was looking after himself. There were a couple of other comments by SH that suggested to me he was such a commanding presence around the place that he may have had some of the younger players a little daunted.

The impression I was left with was that Stevie didn't always play his role - ie wasn't always predictable to his team mates. Which might explain why he so often finished well down the order in the Carji voting.

Somehow think Stevie's absence won't have a deleterious effect on Hawk next year. To the contrary in fact.

Back to Walker, who I hope is able to establish himself with the Lions as a key forward. Without distractions.

Yeah- I can't quite remember the wording of Hocking's interview but I got that same feeling- not complimentary ... ie ball hog.
And we saw that with his actions in front of goal as well, in recent times.

 

[David the Cat]

So Josh Walker, a failed Geelong player will suddenly become fantastic target up forward.....despite on more than one occasion with Geelong going a complete half without getting one touch...and on most occasions fading out of the game altogether and making little or no contribution, and being sent back to the VFL.

If Brisbane get Grimley and Schache Walker will have to fight for his spot.

I'm amazed on this board, how much players improve when they leave Geelong...without even getting on the park.

 

[Teriyakicat]

So Josh Walker, a failed Geelong player will suddenly become fantastic target up forward.....despite on more than one occasion with Geelong going a complete half without getting one touch...and on most occasions fading out of the game altogether and making little or no contribution, and being sent back to the VFL.

If Brisbane get Grimley and Schache Walker will have to fight for his spot.

I'm amazed on this board, how much players improve when they leave Geelong...without even getting on the park.

Well someone had to convince the Lions to take him, didn't they??

 

[Partridge]

All that could have been said about Mooney at 23 y/o

Mooney always had a more fluid kicking style though.

 

[azzacat]

So Josh Walker, a failed Geelong player will suddenly become fantastic target up forward.....despite on more than one occasion with Geelong going a complete half without getting one touch...and on most occasions fading out of the game altogether and making little or no contribution, and being sent back to the VFL.

If Brisbane get Grimley and Schache Walker will have to fight for his spot.

I'm amazed on this board, how much players improve when they leave Geelong...without even getting on the park.

One thing in Walker's favour at Brisbane will be experience - has had more time in the system than any of Grimley, Freeman, Paine or Schache so it might be that Brisbane look to that and initially make him the no. 1 target up forward. Being in a weaker side gives him more opportunity as he isn't merely there to take pressure off Hawkins. Lacks size compared to the latter three though so will need to stamp himself early if he's to make a contribution.

 

[Whit3y]

I'm amazed on this board, how much players improve when they leave Geelong...without even getting on the park.

i am equally amazed at how amazing our new draftees will be, there future 200 game players, even without playing a afl game, re jensen

 

[vinum coupe]

i am equally amazed at how amazing our new draftees will be, there future 200 game players, even without playing a afl game, re jensen

One of the best threads here (as in intelligent) is "they can't all be champs"

 

[Go Hoops]

Unpredictability can be a good thing, though, Go Hoops- as long as we're unpredictable to the opposition, not to each other.
It's been one of SJ's strengths in the past- the look-away handpasses, the right angle kicks in which the ball drops right into the arms of a teammate as he runs flat out... Unpredictability can be a beautiful thing.

Chappy doesn't think he was predictable to anyone!!!! Don't think he knew what he would do himself many-a-time.Still a star though.

 

[hbk_aus]

i am equally amazed at how amazing our new draftees will be, there future 200 game players, even without playing a afl game, re jensen

I am amazed that supporters don't even know the proper spelling of surnames of players who were our list for two years..