West Coast reveals forward plans for utility Mark Nicoski

[jaxxon]

Sumich said Nicoski and injury-plagued Beau Waters were headed for forward duties.
"I think it's very important that we have a group that's not changing dramatically every five minutes and each week," Sumich said.

http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/we...ity-mark-nicoski/story-e6frg1wu-1225820433156

Good news I think. I didn't see a spot for Nicoski in the backline, but he could be damaging in the front half. Waters was excellent playing up forward in the 05 preseason, hopefully he can stay on the park long enough to recapture that form. He would also add a lot of pressure there, a la Chick.

 

[new breed]

West Coasts Open training session in December , Nicoski was the final chain in handball drills and having the long shots on goal .

One in three went through but does kick long , maybe a quick player who kicks long to beat flooding in games

 

[Embers]

I think this idea reeks of failure. We are short down back now IMO. How many backpockets do we really have. At my guestimate Shannon Hurn would be our most experienced small defender nowadays which isnt a good way to roll

 

[Sw3Et]

Nico played half forward before he got injured and dominated. They put him down back to ease him in so it was never guarranteed that he will stay as a defender anyway

 

[Double the Fist]

http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/we...ity-mark-nicoski/story-e6frg1wu-1225820433156

Good news I think. I didn't see a spot for Nicoski in the backline, but he could be damaging in the front half. Waters was excellent playing up forward in the 05 preseason, hopefully he can stay on the park long enough to recapture that form. He would also add a lot of pressure there, a la Chick.

My only concern is that..... is he really that accurate at a set shot?
I don't really have any history (that I've seen) on this.
He is fast so it may be a good experiment. Lets face it, we will do more tinkering because we aint gonna make the GF.

 

[bali-dog]

it all sounds positive,,like theyve really got a set forward structure now..and a plan..and the troops..i dont see Nico as a setshotter on goal, more likely using that raking kick goalwards on the run!? (a la Rosa on a good day)

we seem to be (on paper) so far ahead of last season already..hopefully it all falls into place,and converts on the field and scoreboard.

 

[ArdentEagle]

On another forum I have been calling for Waters to be played up front for a long time. I'm glad to hear he'll be doing that. I suppose with Nicoski it'll be a new role and a new lease on life. Maybe he'll get some confidence back and play to a level we know he has in him

 

[15_year_member]

I think this idea reeks of failure. We are short down back now IMO. How many backpockets do we really have. At my guestimate Shannon Hurn would be our most experienced small defender nowadays which isnt a good way to roll

We may not have a really great backline ready to go tomorrow but a lot of the players we have drafted in recent years are back flankers/pockets or are likely to at least start their careers in these positions. Guys like Ash Smith, Jones, Adam Selwood, McGinnity, Sheppard. Add on top of that guys like Schofield and Spangher who are not real genuine KP players and as such are likely to play on the third tall and be more of a flanker type player in the backline. Add on top of that old stagers like Embley who are still hanging around and can't play midfield anymore and so need to get squeezed into a non-KP/non-midfield role somewhere else if they are going to play. Plus Hurn and Waters who are already established there.

These guys maybe mostly rookies and inexperienced but when they come through and get introduced into AFL footy it will likely be in non-KP roles in the backline.

I reckon Nicoski getting pushed forward is more of a sign that the coaches want to get these guys coming through and if Nicoski is going to play it will have to be forward just because there is nowhere else for him. No other spots that he can realistically compete for. We have more young guys coming through who can play back than forward so that is where more opportunities will be for the next few years for fringe players.

 

[Miguel Sanchez]

I think this idea reeks of failure. We are short down back now IMO. How many backpockets do we really have. At my guestimate Shannon Hurn would be our most experienced small defender nowadays which isnt a good way to roll

Nico may have been relatively experienced as a backman but he never looked comfortable there. Too prone to turning it over coming out of defence. When he got injured Butler took his spot and looked a lot more assured.

Very good move in my opinion.

 

[-Buzz-]

Don't mind the idea of Beau as a forward. Good overhead mark for his size, has a good footy brain and likes the physical stuff.

He's not going to crumb a lot of goals though, and that's what we're crying out for in our forward line. Plus, I'm not sure he's quick enough to add a whole lot of defensive pressure inside the forward line.

To be honest, I'm not super confident he'll make it back as an afl regular. Hope he does though.

 

[bunsen burner]

I think this idea reeks of failure. We are short down back now IMO. How many backpockets do we really have. At my guestimate Shannon Hurn would be our most experienced small defender nowadays which isnt a good way to roll

We are still building. Nicoski has proven he's most likely not up to it long term.

Smith, S Selwood, A Selwood, Waters, Sheperd.

We have plenty of talent to shuffle around and find the right fit.

 

[Obeanie1]

I think this idea reeks of failure. We are short down back now IMO. How many backpockets do we really have. At my guestimate Shannon Hurn would be our most experienced small defender nowadays which isnt a good way to roll

McGinnity, Butler, Smith, B Jones, J Jones, Sheppard, Hams.

Some put both Selwoods down as small backmen but I think they would be wasted down back.

I've been supporting a move forward by both Waters and Nicoski. Nico is on his last chance to save his career IMO and the backline is not for him.

 

[Eastern Rangers]

I think this idea reeks of failure. We are short down back now IMO. How many backpockets do we really have. At my guestimate Shannon Hurn would be our most experienced small defender nowadays which isnt a good way to roll

Thats got to be satire. Seriously though Nicoski's complete inability to think his way through situations over the last two years has been amazing to watch. I think we can reasonably expect the likes of A.Selwood, Butler and now Sheppard to do a better Job.

 

[Altum Volantes]

Nicoski and Waters are both done, can't see either playing a big role in 2010.

 

[15_year_member]

I also agree with the earlier poster who found it a strange move to put Waters in the forwardline. He is a good player with some valuable attributes. But what our forward line desperately needs is pace, crumbing skills and defensive pressure, none of which are going to be provided by Waters. If anything he will just further clog up the forward line for the glut of other marking options who need space to operate that we are putting down there. I find it to be a strange move if they acually do it.

 

[Altum Volantes]

But what our forward line desperately needs is pace, crumbing skills and defensive pressure, none of which are going to be provided by Waters.

Also has never been able to hit the side of a barn by foot. The fact he's our only player that can lay a bump works in his favour though.

 

[Bestbird]

Nico may have been relatively experienced as a backman but he never looked comfortable there. Too prone to turning it over coming out of defence. When he got injured Butler took his spot and looked a lot more assured.

Very good move in my opinion.

He looked pretty good a few years ago (was even in AA calculations) but seemed to struggle with the midfield zone tactics when he returned from injury.

It will be interesting to see how he goes as a forward in the pre season.

 

[Marlin01]

Also has never been able to hit the side of a barn by foot. The fact he's our only player that can lay a bump works in his favour though.

I seem to recall Waters being played forward a few years ago, albeit for a very short period, and being a very good set shot at goal.

 

[Obeanie1]

I also agree with the earlier poster who found it a strange move to put Waters in the forwardline. He is a good player with some valuable attributes. But what our forward line desperately needs is pace, crumbing skills and defensive pressure, none of which are going to be provided by Waters. If anything he will just further clog up the forward line for the glut of other marking options who need space to operate that we are putting down there. I find it to be a strange move if they acually do it.

Waters is not slow and to say he wouldn't bring defensive pressure to our forward line is simply incorrect.

The guy was unlucky not to win the Norm Smith playing as a defensive player so to say he wouldn't bring defensive pressure is way off the mark IMO.

I can't see either player playing deep forward as the crumbing player at the feet of our FF so really it means they will play HFF and play from the HBF to just inside the forward 50 as part of our midfield running zone. Whether both play in the forward line at the same time is a stretch I must admit but both are utility types who can play off the bench and cover game day injuries.

Like I've stated before, its make or break for Nicoski in 2010.

 

[joeyavalanche]

Everyone is forgetting that we started Waters in the forward line.
I even remember going to a NAB Cup game where he kicked 4 goals, if i remember correctly.
He can do much better than hit the side of a barn.

Id like to see Waters down the back again if there is a spot for him and he plays consistantly. He's presense, pressure and desperation down there is worth an extra mistake or 2 he may make. And has everyone quickly forgotton the bumps he can lay?


Nicoski should have never played down back,
well not for as long as he did.

He's always had decent accuracy in front of goal.
His decision making is almost terrible, but playing on a forward flank,
the worst he can do is boot it deep into our goal square.

I think he's fallen right down the pecking order in our backline,
and the coaches would probably rather an untried ash smith or jordan jones.

So i think the only place for us he could be handy is on a forward flank.
Could fill a current gap as our poor man's lewis jetta.
Break a few lines, kick a few goals.
But in saying that, i dont think he'll be close to a regular this season.

thoughts?

 

[Jimmy_the_Gent]

I like both players moving forward, Waters needs to be protected and he can get away with tackling less in the forward line, even though it goes against what we're hyping up this pre-season, and Nicoski is effectively being given a last shot at making it somewhere because he's been too easy overtaken as a defender.

Also it seems that the fact Nico is a left footer has lead to him being given the nod as a forward. I think that more than kicking goals, his value will be getting it into the forwards quick and long while naturally swinging left, rather than right.

Overall I can see the validity of these moves....but for the record, Waters wont do shit in 2010 after missing so much football. It'll probably take him 12 months to get back into the groove.

 

[Howler]

seems to be no love for Mackenzie in the backline! he will be a gun

 

[Altum Volantes]

I seem to recall Waters playing a few years ago, albeit for a very short period.

Edited for accuracy.

 

[Byron_Clanger]

keeping him away from the backline is a good idea

 

[bali-dog]

so reading between the lines here..what we have is 2 guys in their footy prime, havent been let go,were injured,given a second chance..its really a matter of not having a complete drain of talent/experience, whilst balancing and juggling the 'List'..honoring contracts and promises as well as trying to give everyone a go, from seniors to rookies?..staker was really a part of this group too,but requested a move in the hope of more AFL footy.(remembering players are trying to make a good living too)

it does seem like a patched-in job,although both were forwards prior..i concur with nicoski gone after 2010 if no improvement shown..and the raking left foot thing being of value from the 50m arc..and waters,with seemingly more love from fans+club, yet doesnt seem to be known for anything else except bumping people?? i guess he's good at forward pressure like a chick as mentioned..

but there seems to be a lot of people playing in Suma's new forward zone??? or a lot more options.