Who gets CHB?

[fargothegreat]

After a couple of years with Dimma as coach we've slowly gone about settling players into positions and our backline looks to be getting settled, but one very important position in the side is still there for the taking.

Centre Half Back

Fear not though, as we do have a fair few players that could slot into CHB.

David Astbury:

Played the position a bit earlier this year without impressing, before being forced to sit out the rest of the year with injury. Has showed the most as a roaming forward in his first game. Has put on a bit of size.

Jayden Post:

Was used in a variety of positions throughout the year, before being settled as a backman later in the season. Showed signs at CHB for Coburg, and played reasonably when brought into the seniors in the last few rounds. Excellent overhead, but pace is an issue.

Ben Griffiths:

Recruited as our big Richo replica CHF, Griff has struggled with injuries in his first few seasons and hardly got on the park. With a forward line already containing Vickery and Riewoldt, Griff has looked lost when playing in the seniors. When trialed at CHB for Coburg in the latter part of the season big Griff was very impressive. His superboot would be very handy at CHB.

Todd Elton:

Recruited to be a big forward who can provide relief in the ruck when required. Has played at CHB at junior level, so he may be trialed there if he can't find a spot in the forward line.

Tom Derickx:

A bit of a long shot really, but pace to freeze is keen


So who do we think will be our CHB? Personally, I'm starting to warm to the idea of having Big Bad Ben Griffiths at half back.

 

[_RT_]

I'm probably leaning towards Post at this stage simply because I see this year as a make or break year for him. So he needs to find a position and settle into it and show us that he has a future. CHB seems to be the logical option

 

[deledio7]

Posty.

 

[juss]

Astbury: Gets first crack for mine. Good size, reasonably mobile, struggled a bit in his second year but showed enough in his first. I rate him.

Post: Competing with Astbury. Not convinced yet, but has looked promising. Questions over his pace and ability to stay in the game, but definetely a candidate.

Ben Griffiths: I'd like to see him play 10 consecutive games. For Richmond, for Coburg, or for the ressies. Then we can talk. Still has a way to go, first of all we must get him on the park. Long term is an option, has the size and mobility, but must get his body right first.

Elton: No chance, not this year anyway, don't expect much senior footy in 2012 for the kid.

Derickx: Even less of a chance.

 

[Goldust]

Post for me too.
Think Astbury is a third type tall at this point of his development and Post seemed to fare well when played there in the last few weeks. Also had the advantage of playing there a fair bit at Coburg too.
Elton won't be playing many - if any - senior games next year, Derrickz no and Griff I'm sure is a forward!

 

[fargothegreat]

Not sure about Posty myself, I don't think he could be as much of an attacking weapon at half back as what Astbury or Griffiths could be. He also lacks pace at AFL level.

 

[rammbo]

I like the idea of griff at chb i suggested it early in the season and copped all sorts of shit about his shoulders not handling it .Post and Astbury lack mobility and r a bit slow for chb , Post is far superior in the air but his decision making not as good as Astbury so it really is a toss of the coin.Derickx is a ruck foward imo.

 

[UpTheGuts]

Rance?

 

[fargothegreat]

Rance?

I didn't include Rance as he already has a position in the side.

 

[08yearofthetiger]

Post for me too.
Think Astbury is a third type tall at this point of his development and Post seemed to fare well when played there in the last few weeks. Also had the advantage of playing there a fair bit at Coburg too.
Elton won't be playing many - if any - senior games next year, Derrickz no and Griff I'm sure is a forward!

Astbury a 3rd tall? the bloke is 196cm and has the frame to become an absolute monster, how is that a 3rd tall ?

 

[UpTheGuts]

I didn't include Rance as he already has a position in the side.

I don't think he's solely a FB (did ok on Goodes) but ok

I hope astbury. But Griffiths bombing it from one arc to another has appeal!

 

[Rustof]

Whoever is best at it.

 

[Madtiger2006]

Seems like Dimma has Post and Dea in the backline for 2012. With Deledio in the midfield and Ellis maybe in and out of the side during the year. Defence will probably look like this in Round 1:

FB batchelor rance newman
HB grimes post dea

Although I don't think Dea is in our best 22 yet, probably needs another season under his belt to really show us what he's got. Maybe Newman will spend a bit of time on the wing or half forward with Morris, Dea and Ellis looking for a spot in defence. Would be pretty nice having Newman bomb goals from 55m or stab pass to Jack or Vicks on the chest

 

[Hipster Doofus]

Astbury for me, absolute beast frame that he can add too, got a good head on his shoulders as well. Posty just behind

 

[Hipster Doofus]

And Griff at CHF please, it's where he was as a junior and he should have a crack at it first up for his senior career

 

[DerpWerls]

Posty gets first crack because showed some good signs late this year, Astbury is next in line.

Last pre-season Astbury was great at CHB and then from memory was destroyed in the opening rounds of the season

Whoever it is they will be playing on Kruezer/Waite, Cloke/Dawes in weeks one and two, not the easiest of starts

 

[santa claws]

After a couple of years with Dimma as coach we've slowly gone about settling players into positions and our backline looks to be getting settled, but one very important position in the side is still there for the taking.

Centre Half Back

Fear not though, as we do have a fair few players that could slot into CHB.

David Astbury:

Played the position a bit earlier this year without impressing, before being forced to sit out the rest of the year with injury. Has showed the most as a roaming forward in his first game. Has put on a bit of size.

Jayden Post:

Was used in a variety of positions throughout the year, before being settled as a backman later in the season. Showed signs at CHB for Coburg, and played reasonably when brought into the seniors in the last few rounds. Excellent overhead, but pace is an issue.

Ben Griffiths:

Recruited as our big Richo replica CHF, Griff has struggled with injuries in his first few seasons and hardly got on the park. With a forward line already containing Vickery and Riewoldt, Griff has looked lost when playing in the seniors. When trialed at CHB for Coburg in the latter part of the season big Griff was very impressive. His superboot would be very handy at CHB.

Todd Elton:

Recruited to be a big forward who can provide relief in the ruck when required. Has played at CHB at junior level, so he may be trialed there if he can't find a spot in the forward line.

Tom Derickx:

A bit of a long shot really, but pace to freeze is keen


So who do we think will be our CHB? Personally, I'm starting to warm to the idea of having Big Bad Ben Griffiths at half back.

hmm
astbury - was taken playing as a hit up forward. he is a hit up forward.

post - was a chb and not been played there what the hell is going on. looked very likely at chb as a junior.

griffiths - well bugger me they are thinking of playing him back. was taken as an out and out full forward. we did this with another out and out forwaard in gourdis.

elton - sheesh the theme continues was taken as a ruckman forwrd and now we want to send him back. its laughable.

derickx - is nothing but a ruckman what is wrong with people.

vickery - was drafted as a RUCKMAN but we found a different role for him.

i have to ask when are going to draft a chb to play chb or a ff to play ff or a bloody ruckman to play in the ruck. we are too clever by half or perhaps its just poor recruiting.

imo we should be asking the same thing about fb. alas we only have one and he leaves a lot to be desired in that role. but hey alex rance was a running chb when drafted. more of a running back at that.

actually i tell a lie we have a bloke who has every attribute to play fb his name is grimes, but he is not ready for that role yet. due to size and strength issues.

oh and while im at it jack was a very good chf as a junior yet we played him at ff.where admittedly he has been a very successful ff. imo he is not a well rounded player because of it.well that may be too harsh but there are areas of his game that need a lot of improvement jack will stagnate at ff.
at least they are now trying to rectify this.

 

[theflea]

hmm
astbury - was taken playing as a hit up forward. he is a hit up forward.

post - was a chb and not been played there what the hell is going on. looked very likely at chb as a junior.

griffiths - well bugger me they are thinking of playing him back. was taken as an out and out full forward. we did this with another out and out forwaard in gourdis.

elton - sheesh the theme continues was taken as a ruckman forwrd and now we want to send him back. its laughable.

derickx - is nothing but a ruckman what is wrong with people.

vickery - was drafted as a RUCKMAN but we found a different role for him.

i have to ask when are going to draft a chb to play chb or a ff to play ff or a bloody ruckman to play in the ruck. we are too clever by half or perhaps its just poor recruiting.

imo we should be asking the same thing about fb. alas we only have one and he leaves a lot to be desired in that role. but hey alex rance was a running chb when drafted. more of a running back at that.

actually i tell a lie we have a bloke who has every attribute to play fb his name is grimes, but he is not ready for that role yet. due to size and strength issues.

oh and while im at it jack was a very good chf as a junior yet we played him at ff.where admittedly he has been a very successful ff. imo he is not a well rounded player because of it.well that may be too harsh but there are areas of his game that need a lot of improvement jack will stagnate at ff.
at least they are now trying to rectify this.

gotta love the sheeeeeeeeesh! if i remember right post played only the last year or 2 in the tac as a roving chb. not sure if he was the 1 on 1 defender or not. i can see 1 of griff, astbury going to ff with jr a floating chf as his skills are vg plus his descision making is vg also.i think playing griff in the back line maybe to get some continuity of games and maybe protect the shoulders for a while(punch instead of being punched).vicks is doing well but will rotate with another ruck, which dericks is 1.elton will be a fwd rotating into the ruck like vickery. a coupla years to go on that yet.

 

[YellowandBlackBlood]

Vickery played up forward regularly as a junior...

 

[Starburns_]

I reckon Post gets it, in the few games he played last year Astbury looked too slow to play as a defender.

 

[Reckoner Tiger]

I think the easiest way to look at it is to analyze opponents...as such our CHB will be competing with the likes of Franklin, Riewoldt, Cloke next year. Something tells me ifwe opt for Post against those players he will get killed out there. To me Astbury seems more capable for leg speed and general following so he gets first crack.

Griffo should play at least half a season before being trialled down back. Could have a huge future at either end if things go right...fingers crossed.

 

[captain blood 17]

I like the idea of griff at chb i suggested it early in the season and copped all sorts of shit about his shoulders not handling it .Post and Astbury lack mobility and r a bit slow for chb , Post is far superior in the air but his decision making not as good as Astbury so it really is a toss of the coin.Derickx is a ruck foward imo.

I'm with you big guy, behind the ball for mine.

 

[Barx]

Post now...but it is a fairly redundant question now. The next 3 months will provide the real answer.

 

[bigstyletiger]

Santa Astbury played both CHB and CHF in the TAC cup and was solid in both positions. In his interviews he however did say he would like to play like Nick Riewoldt as he has a big tank and enjoys working hard up the ground. I think his form at CHB in 2010 as a first year would suggest he has plenty to offer at CHB. This year for some reason he seemed to lack confidence and mongrel. Just didn't charge at the ball at times. Hopefully with added size and strenght and more games under his belt he will add the mongrel as Vickery has.

Post for me is definately a backman. Doesn't read the play in the forward line as well as he does in the backline. People are talking about pace being an issue but I don't think he is any slower than Astbury. Wouldn't surprise if Posts pace improved a little this season anyway as he should now be accustomed to his added size.

As to who will get the role I think a lot will ride on the praccy matches and NAB cup for a round 1 position and then later depend on form/injury. While we don't have a Phil Davis coming through at least we have plenty of options and potential. Elton could be a weapon in this position in time. I think Quigley's write up on him mentions that he would prefer him at CHB than CHF. Combination of pace, kicking skills, work below knees, agility and aeriel ability in a 197cm frame surely makes him an outstanding candidate.

 

[juss]

hmm
astbury - was taken playing as a hit up forward. he is a hit up forward.

post - was a chb and not been played there what the hell is going on. looked very likely at chb as a junior.

griffiths - well bugger me they are thinking of playing him back. was taken as an out and out full forward. we did this with another out and out forwaard in gourdis.

elton - sheesh the theme continues was taken as a ruckman forwrd and now we want to send him back. its laughable.

derickx - is nothing but a ruckman what is wrong with people.

vickery - was drafted as a RUCKMAN but we found a different role for him.

i have to ask when are going to draft a chb to play chb or a ff to play ff or a bloody ruckman to play in the ruck. we are too clever by half or perhaps its just poor recruiting.

imo we should be asking the same thing about fb. alas we only have one and he leaves a lot to be desired in that role. but hey alex rance was a running chb when drafted. more of a running back at that.

actually i tell a lie we have a bloke who has every attribute to play fb his name is grimes, but he is not ready for that role yet. due to size and strength issues.

oh and while im at it jack was a very good chf as a junior yet we played him at ff.where admittedly he has been a very successful ff. imo he is not a well rounded player because of it.well that may be too harsh but there are areas of his game that need a lot of improvement jack will stagnate at ff.
at least they are now trying to rectify this.

You have to remember Santa, the majority of players drafted are/were midfielders or ruckman/forwards. From that, AFL clubs need to fill out flanks, pockets and KPD. Obviously as more talls are drafted as forwards, because they stand out more, some of them are going to have to play defence at AFL level.

Off the top of my head, Tarrant, B Reid, C Cornes, MacPharlin, Merret, Trengrove, Rutten, Mal Michael were all forwards at junior level or early in their careers. They then moved to defence, so clearly it can and does work (if the right player does it).