After just watching the GWS Bris game I’d say an intercept markers are worth their weight in gold
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After just watching the GWS Bris game I’d say an intercept markers are worth their weight in gold
Keath and Bruce would definitely help our big man stocks. I like the fact that Naughton could go back if we needed to which is a big plus. Be interesting to see who we prune from our list and this is where Sammy Power gets paid the big bucks.
Adams, when he was fit, was arguably our best intercept mark. I don't think we've replaced him as a tall defender or intercept marker. Up until the last few games, Young was toiling away in the VFL. I'm not comfortable to rely our intercept defending on him just yet. As comrade aptly points out, a ACL and not medial would've been disaster with Naughton and our forwardline without a Bruce type. On just the last 12 months we need to replace Boyd & Adams. Bruce kicks more goals than Boyd, but not as strong in the second ruck but serviceable. Keath is good one on one, intercept marker and uses the footy better than Adams. It allows Cordy to move to a third tall type and JT & Young to compete for FB. Keath & Bruce make us better. Although I don't see room to keep Gardner around if we got both.
That's half the value in a Keath type acquisition : the shuffle-effect of being able to deploy others against better suited opponents.
Also of the view if Richmond can make a Riewoldt / Lynch combination work we can make hay with a Naughton / Bruce tandem, surely.
Yeah I saw that too, at least his timing was right. He's a had a lot injuries this year with his 'fresh start' with his body and a new medico team. Maybe he's just not meant to play afl footy. Which is a bit of shame because his best is eye catching, but I'm comfortable to take 2nd & 3rd rounders we got for him.
All excellent points
Bruce covers the Key fwd requirement , can go back and pinch in ruck
The other for mid are we looking for a big bodied mid (Constable) or wingman Long distance gains type or one who can kick goals ? SHows how important Picken was , and Libba fit and in form .
Is there anyone in our list that is equivalent to Isaac ? For some reason I see Richards in this mound with another pre season but he doesn’t have the kick penetration.
In terms of Bruce, Naughton and Schache working, it's not about how many talls you have but how many immobile guys you have. Naughton makes us more mobile than Dickson through his defensive efforts IMO. Also, Schache doesn't really play as a tall. More like a medium sized forward who can be damaging with limited chances.
One aspect I keep in mind with Naucheuce is that one will spend minutes in the ruck and they will at various times go off the ground for a rest so I wouldn't be surprised if we had 2 forward more often than 3 for the balance of the game and occasionally just had the one.
That and a tagger
I'm still hopeful that if Cavarra gets fit he's a chance.
Do we actually have room for that pacy small forward? Naughton, Bruce and Schache, Dale, B.Smith, McLean, Lloyd, West, Wallis and Dickson will occupy a lot of the spots and we still have Cavarra, Gowers and any midfielders resting forward to consider
If we don't get help for Naughton and Schache they may very well not become the players we think. They are battering rams at the moment taking the best defenders every week. They need the focus taken off them until they develop their game. Their confidence will grow when they get the 3rd and 4th best defenders.
Need to remember it takes time for the big fellas to master the art. We have been lucky to have Lewy Young learning the caper in the 2's for the past 2 seasons rather than risk getting flogged down back each week.
There is a good point to what you say however, Naughton is advanced beyond his years in terms of his craft and there is a fine line between supporting both of them and slowing down their progress by putting another similar type alongside of them
If we get it right then it's a good position for us