Review WAFL Watch 2011

[The Falcon Strike]

However - in his 32 odd possessions I dont think I saw a kick exceed 40m DESPITE having options further downfield than that. If I didnt know better I would accuse him of kicking deliberately short to allow him to run past and receive a handball. Its almost like he has such a deliberate game style, that he is afraid / unable to play oustide his own pre-set paramaters.

Does seem the sort of player we need rebounding the ball after we win it back with the press. Rather than constantly bombing long to contests, a smart operator to find someone in space 30-40m out would be useful.

Though to be part of the press - he needs to be able to stick tackles. Haven't seen enough of his game to assess that yet.

 

[paran]

That was pretty much his write-up as a junior. Massive accummulator who rarely misses target, but raraely looks beyond 40m. "Death by a thousand cuts" was the monikor used for his game.

How was his tackling on the weekend? Was pretty unimpressed with that aspect of his game during AFL games.

 

[BOND 007]

That was pretty much his write-up as a junior. Massive accummulator who rarely misses target, but raraely looks beyond 40m. "Death by a thousand cuts" was the monikor used for his game.

How was his tackling on the weekend? Was pretty unimpressed with that aspect of his game during AFL games.

He played such an outside unaccountable style of game that I dont think tackling was part of his agenda. He didnt shirk any issue (either with or without the ball) but he is certainly no Koby Stevens.

I am not anti-Gaff at all - I think he will prove a very very good footballer. But he is the cream you have on your cake, the guy who when others are tagged, will pop up and cut you to pieces with 35 possessions at 80% DE, with 20 I50's and of those 12 will result in direct kicks at goals. So his type of player is an absolute requirement at WC and I know they are glad to have him and what he brings to the table.

 

[cornbread]

He played such an outside unaccountable style of game that I dont think tackling was part of his agenda. He didnt shirk any issue (either with or without the ball) but he is certainly no Koby Stevens.

I am not anti-Gaff at all - I think he will prove a very very good footballer. But he is the cream you have on your cake, the guy who when others are tagged, will pop up and cut you to pieces with 35 possessions at 80% DE, with 20 I50's and of those 12 will result in direct kicks at goals. So his type of player is an absolute requirement at WC and I know they are glad to have him and what he brings to the table.

sometimes you need the cake and you need the cream

 

[dajesmac]

I guess its how you define big. He is 189 and 88kg I would not consider that big but I am comfortable that others may. The point still remains though - Swift could still add few kg without losing speed and lateral movement - as long as its focused development.

I meant as in relative to other mids. He's huge.

 

[The Dodger]

He played such an outside unaccountable style of game that I dont think tackling was part of his agenda. He didnt shirk any issue (either with or without the ball) but he is certainly no Koby Stevens.

I am not anti-Gaff at all - I think he will prove a very very good footballer. But he is the cream you have on your cake, the guy who when others are tagged, will pop up and cut you to pieces with 35 possessions at 80% DE, with 20 I50's and of those 12 will result in direct kicks at goals. So his type of player is an absolute requirement at WC and I know they are glad to have him and what he brings to the table.

Nice report on Gaff, Bond

Agree about the cream , I think he has shown in his few games already that he is a good receiver and uses the ball smartly, not devastatingly but still good.
The key for a player like him who doesn't get involved in much argy bargy is that when it is his turn to go he doesn't back away, and from your reports it sounds like he doesn't.

 

[kane249]

sometimes you need the cake and you need the cream

With a bit of luck in the long run Naitanui, Stevens, Masten and Shuey will provide the cake with Gaff to reap the benefits from on the outside. Long term hopefully Sheppard will be the other winger and I think it looks pretty good to me

C: Gafff Stevens Sheppard
R: Naitanui Masten Shuey

 

[WCE_phil]

With a bit of luck in the long run Naitanui, Stevens, Masten and Shuey will provide the cake with Gaff to reap the benefits from on the outside. Long term hopefully Sheppard will be the other winger and I think it looks pretty good to me

C: Gafff Stevens Sheppard
R: Naitanui Masten Shuey

Love the look of that setup. Personally would have scooter starting as the rover with shuey and lecras coming in from the half forward line. Would give boots a more clean run at things with scooter being able to lay the hard tackles and blocks to so that masten can get the ball out.

 

[larrikin]

With a bit of luck in the long run Naitanui, Stevens, Masten and Shuey will provide the cake with Gaff to reap the benefits from on the outside. Long term hopefully Sheppard will be the other winger and I think it looks pretty good to me

C: Gafff Stevens Sheppard
R: Naitanui Masten Shuey

Yep, that looks about it. For the next few years at least you'll still have Kerr running through there too...

 

[kane249]

Yep, that looks about it. For the next few years at least you'll still have Kerr running through there too...

Priddis and Cox too if you want to be technical, but I did say long run

 

[Masto]

Swift has shown more than Stevens, both in the WAFL and in the AFL. Not sure about Koby, yet to be convinced he will make it long term. I also think Gaff will end up on-ball and someone else will end up on the wing.

 

[mentalgrind]

Swift has shown more than Stevens, both in the WAFL and in the AFL. Not sure about Koby, yet to be convinced he will make it long term. I also think Gaff will end up on-ball and someone else will end up on the wing.

Stevens will be a contested ball machine, will take Priddis spot IMO.

I may be mistaken but was he not touted by many as a "potential top 10 pick" the year before he got drafted and only slid because of a bad case of op?

 

[larrikin]

Stevens will be a contested ball machine, will take Priddis spot IMO.

I may be mistaken but was he not touted by many as a "potential top 10 pick" the year before he got drafted and only slid because of a bad case of op?

What's happening with him ATM?

Is he playing in the guts for Easts?

 

[Reminiscence]

Yeah Koby was a top 10 potential pick, one of the 'elite' inside midfielders in the draft. OP scared off a lot of recruiters, which is why we snagged him so late, and why we should be thrilled. Absolute beast in the contest, would like to see him get a gig in the AFL soon, brings plenty of mongrel to the contest. Been working on his outside game which is also a plus.

 

[makaveli01]

What's happening with him ATM?

Is he playing in the guts for Easts?

Yep, is often rested in the forward line as well.

 

[makaveli01]

Yeah Koby was a top 10 potential pick, one of the 'elite' inside midfielders in the draft. OP scared off a lot of recruiters, which is why we snagged him so late, and why we should be thrilled. Absolute beast in the contest, would like to see him get a gig in the AFL soon, brings plenty of mongrel to the contest. Been working on his outside game which is also a plus.

This is why he will surpass Priddis in time. Has so many more strings to his bow. Does his best work as an inside mid but is also a good kick, good overhead mark and can go forward and kick goals.

 

[Fargo]

With a bit of luck in the long run Naitanui, Stevens, Masten and Shuey will provide the cake with Gaff to reap the benefits from on the outside. Long term hopefully Sheppard will be the other winger and I think it looks pretty good to me

C: Gafff Stevens Sheppard
R: Naitanui Masten Shuey

One thing that concerns me is the height of that starting midfield. They're all pretty small and in most successful setups you need at least one tallish bloke who can get first hand off the tap and do a bit of bash and crash work.

 

[makaveli01]

One thing that concerns me is the height of that starting midfield. They're all pretty small and in most successful setups you need at least one tallish bloke who can get first hand off the tap and do a bit of bash and crash work.

You just described Stevens.

 

[Fargo]

You just described Stevens.

Hmm. He's taller than I thought. 187 cm's isn't quite what I was thinking for your tallest starting mid, but yeah I'll pay that.

Add Swift in and it's looking a whole lot better, of course

 

[the fox]

Hmm. He's taller than I thought. 187 cm's isn't quite what I was thinking for your tallest starting mid, but yeah I'll pay that.

Add Swift in and it's looking a whole lot better, of course

Swift has improved heaps. His endurance strength and kicking accuracy are now really good.

 

[ziad]

It's not about bulking up. Look at Judd - he is not a big guy but he is strong and durable. The right fitness program will focus on his core, quads, hips etc allowing him to increase his explosiveness and power without adding to the bulk too much.

True height and weight of Judd please stats man. He is huge compared to ourt midfield.

 

[Eastern Rangers]

Swift has shown more than Stevens, both in the WAFL and in the AFL. Not sure about Koby, yet to be convinced he will make it long term. I also think Gaff will end up on-ball and someone else will end up on the wing.

Gaff won't ever play in the guts and while Swift is closer to getting games than Stevens i really rate Stevens ability and his playing style.

 

[Masto]

Gaff won't ever play in the guts and while Swift is closer to getting games than Stevens i really rate Stevens ability and his playing style.

If everything goes right Gaff will be an onballer longterm, like he was much of the time in u18s. If they didn't think he could they wouldn't have taken him at #4. Of course, things could go wrong and he gets the Masten treatment.

 

[Patron]

If everything goes right Gaff will be an onballer longterm, like he was much of the time in u18s. If they didn't think he could they wouldn't have taken him at #4. Of course, things could go wrong and he gets the Masten treatment.

Too small and isn't very explosive. I think he will always be a winger.

 

[Masto]

Too small and isn't very explosive. I think he will always be a winger.

Silly comment. He is taller than Kerr, Cousins, Murphy and any number of gun midfielders who have played through the years.