Can Fletcher Roberts bounce back and take a key role in Defence?
http://s.afl.com.au/staticfile/AFL%2...herRoberts.jpg
Fletch is still only 24 years old and a premiership fullback. Can he bounce back in 2018 and get back to being best 22?
This year he seems to have had an injury free pre-season (that I know of), so would be primed to show his best, but with new players coming in like Trengove, where does it leave Roberts?
Re: Can Fletcher Roberts bounce back and take a key role in Defence?
I think he can despite having Adams and Trengove in the mix for a spot in the back line. I wonder if he could also be tried as a key forward? He has some decent instincts up forward.
Re: Can Fletcher Roberts bounce back and take a key role in Defence?
He's been treading water for a few years now, however has proven to be capable as a back up and probably maintains his list spot unless he falls further back in the pecking order. He probably can't play in the same side as Trengove or Collins (at AFL level) because they all have limitations with speed/mobility so I suspect he's not an automatic selection, but who knows. Trengove struggled for a game towards years end at the Power and Collins still seems a way off being a regular contributor.
Re: Can Fletcher Roberts bounce back and take a key role in Defence?
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Originally Posted by
GVGjr
I think he can despite having Adams and Trengove in the mix for a spot in the back line. I wonder if he could also be tried as a key forward? He has some decent instincts up forward.
I still remember that 65 metre after the siren barrel for Footscray against Richmond in 2014 that got us the double chance and ultimately the premiership. Nobody else on our list could have done that.
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Originally Posted by
Go_Dogs
He's been treading water for a few years now, however has proven to be capable as a back up and probably maintains his list spot unless he falls further back in the pecking order. He probably can't play in the same side as Trengove or Collins (at AFL level) because they all have limitations with speed/mobility so I suspect he's not an automatic selection, but who knows. Trengove struggled for a game towards years end at the Power and Collins still seems a way off being a regular contributor.
I still think that Port found out that Trengove had committed to us and that's why he played out the last few weeks at SANFL level. He was persona non grata. Why else would they have gone into a final so short in defence? He's a much better player than a couple of the blokes they went with that night.
Re: Can Fletcher Roberts bounce back and take a key role in Defence?
Yes.
He is good enough. That bomb after the siren in the VFL and a few of his marks and overall performances at AFL level tell us he is. I'm not sure he is the best fit for Bevo, who wants versatility, he has the tools of being a decent swingman a la Hunter from WCE but I think he might be just an old fashioned, meat and potatoes FB.
I like those type of players. Always room on the list for one who can do a job, at whatever level we ask.
Re: Can Fletcher Roberts bounce back and take a key role in Defence?
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Originally Posted by
SonofScray
Yes.
He is good enough. That bomb after the siren in the VFL and a few of his marks and overall performances at AFL level tell us he is. I'm not sure he is the best fit for Bevo, who wants versatility, he has the tools of being a decent swingman a la Hunter from WCE but I think he might be just an old fashioned, meat and potatoes FB.
I like those type of players. Always room on the list for one who can do a job, at whatever level we ask.
Why is that SOS? Lack of belief, lack of skill? I see him as a player who can play both ends too but think he will end up as part of the grunt instead. As you say the blokes who provide the grunt are valuable but Fletch could be more.
Re: Can Fletcher Roberts bounce back and take a key role in Defence?
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Originally Posted by
Twodogs
Why is that SOS? Lack of belief, lack of skill? I see him as a player who can play both ends too but think he will end up as part of the grunt instead. As you say the blokes who provide the grunt are valuable but Fletch could be more.
Not enough pace to get seperation and not physically strong enough to wrestle in the contest. As a full back he uses his long arms really well which give him a lot of perceived height in the contest but he just isn't going to beat guys like Talia & Rance.
Re: Can Fletcher Roberts bounce back and take a key role in Defence?
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Originally Posted by
Testekill
Not enough pace to get seperation and not physically strong enough to wrestle in the contest. As a full back he uses his long arms really well which give him a lot of perceived height in the contest but he just isn't going to beat guys like Talia & Rance.
A lack of pace and strength is going to make life for an AFL defender difficult.
Re: Can Fletcher Roberts bounce back and take a key role in Defence?
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Originally Posted by
Twodogs
A lack of pace and strength is going to make life for an AFL defender difficult.
It's why he was great in the grand final; we slowed down their ball movement which let him not be exploited for pace so that he could spoil the ball away.
He still has his weaknesses but he's probably a Bulldog for life because he knows his role, is good enough to come in and play it but isn't a big enough star to attract many offers.
edit: The perceived height is actually why Roberts is a far better player than Michael Talia. Outside of the fact that Talia was thick as two planks while Roberts has a lot of football IQ, Talia had little t-rex arms which limited how effective he could be in the air while Roberts could sneak an arm in.
Re: Can Fletcher Roberts bounce back and take a key role in Defence?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Twodogs
Why is that SOS? Lack of belief, lack of skill? I see him as a player who can play both ends too but think he will end up as part of the grunt instead. As you say the blokes who provide the grunt are valuable but Fletch could be more.
Not a massive bag of tricks. Just dont see him as a guy that will out right win the footy and create opportunities offensively with his hand/foot skills. More likely to get himself into good positions and halve a contest aerially. Tie up more talented opponents. Chase, block space etc.he can do that and do it well.
Re: Can Fletcher Roberts bounce back and take a key role in Defence?
Fletch has proven he can play a role. Played all his junior career in the forward line so could be the perfect swingman. A solid citizen I hope he can make one of the positions in the team his own. Time will tell.
Re: Can Fletcher Roberts bounce back and take a key role in Defence?
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Originally Posted by
Testekill
He still has his weaknesses but he's probably a Bulldog for life because he knows his role, is good enough to come in and play it but isn't a big enough star to attract many offers.
Really? If he wasn't re-signed at the mid point of the year (which was premature) given his poor back half of the year he probably would've been delisted given a raw 18 yo was given preference to a role in defence.
As mentioned Fletch's lack of pace, physical attributes and lack of physicality in the contest means he is going to be up against it to forge out a successful career at the club and starts 2018 a long way back.. will watch with interest to how he shapes up.
Re: Can Fletcher Roberts bounce back and take a key role in Defence?
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Originally Posted by
Mantis
Really? If he wasn't re-signed at the mid point of the year (which was premature) given his poor back half of the year he probably would've been delisted given a raw 18 yo was given preference to a role in defence.
He's dirt cheap and knows his position. Getting someone in for a similar price is tough since they'll have to learn new systems and if they're as cheap as Roberts then they're not going to be particularly good.
Re: Can Fletcher Roberts bounce back and take a key role in Defence?
2018 will be his make or break season imo, I hope he makes it, seems a decent young bloke.
Re: Can Fletcher Roberts bounce back and take a key role in Defence?
He's up against it.
He's not quick and he's not strong - you're giving a lot away as a key defender with those two disadvantages.
Cuts angles and reads the play well, uses the pill pretty well but there's a lot of competition for spots. Trengove, Adams, Cordy and Morris are all well ahead. I think Roberts is ahead of Young and Collins despite the backend of last year, but I also expect those two to improve. Particularly Collins - it's his last chance. I wouldn't be surprised if Naughton overtakes all three of them (Young, Collins and Roberts).
