Always Right Match Committee - Round 3 Vs GWS 2020

[FrediKanoute]

I understand, and I didn’t want to drop him, but against Jacobs, we need a big body, especially playing English as the only ruckman.

Fie, if that's what we need, but I would then probably leave Schache out and play Naught's forward and Trengove back. English rests on the bench or forward and Trengove rucks

[comrade]

You've got the right answer but your working out is wrong. I like Naughton up forward more but we don't really have the luxury given Timmy has been woeful in the ruck and the backline desperately need someone to actually play on someone.

I still think we're a very real chance of doing something this year but only with the positional moves that playing Naughton in defence allows us to make. I've actually really liked how English has looked as a forward, Trengove will at least break even in the ruck and if Naughton is Carey he has it in him to be Jakovich too I guess.

I like Naughton forward too, who doesn't love a big screamer inside 50?

But I've always maintained that structurally, he's better for our team in defence.

And that was before our last 3 games!

[Jam Donuts]

Here's an idea from left field, by now the alleged Match Committee should have some idea of where the players are at and what position suits them best e.g Hunter - Wing etc, this is where it gets interesting, select a team based on where the players should be positioned, and leave them there for extended periods.. Never select an interchange bench without a back up ruckman on it to give some help to Timmy and above all select the team based on the best available players, not on the "let's give this guy a run", failed system, I would imagine that the young fellows need some stability in the early part of their careers, so give it to them. I know this is old school but it is where we are right now. Who needs 22 players that can play midfield, clearly we don't if some selections are an indication. The best players (McLean etc) are not being selected. Please do not waste this talent like this, it is very worrying.

[GVGjr]

I like Naughton forward too, who doesn't love a big screamer inside 50?

But I've always maintained that structurally, he's better for our team in defence.

And that was before our last 3 games!

My counter to that is that at the same time Templeton was making a name for himself as a key forward we had an undersized back line and resisted the temptation to move him

We should have looked at more options to sure up the back line in the preseason

[Danjul]

Here's an idea from left field, by now the alleged Match Committee should have some idea of where the players are at and what position suits them best e.g Hunter - Wing etc, this is where it gets interesting, select a team based on where the players should be positioned, and leave them there for extended periods.. Never select an interchange bench without a back up ruckman on it to give some help to Timmy ..... Please do not waste this talent like this, it is very worrying.

English is potentially the best forward in the competition. He has all the natural attributes and his time in the centre has given him a better overall awareness of play than most others. I can see All Australian stamped all over him.

English is not a ruckman. He doesn’t have the ruckman’s awareness of his opponent’s body, he is ball focused. And his proportions mean physics is against him.

But his height and agility and experience makes him the best back up (2nd ruck) we have had since Trengove. We have tried half a dozen others as fill-ins an they have failed miserably ( honourable mention to Cordy).

Who should be the ruckman you ask? Anyone who can subtly jump into the opponent’s body to put them off, like Ryder did on Sunday. They don’t have to win the contest, just stop the opponent from dominating.

Then we’re a winning team.

[westbulldog]

Imo if we are going to move English out of the ruck fulltime then he goes foward, Sweet comes in and Bruce goes. Bruce did sfa against the Saints

[1eyedog]

English is potentially the best forward in the competition. He has all the natural attributes and his time in the centre has given him a better overall awareness of play than most others. I can see All Australian stamped all over him.

English is not a ruckman. He doesn’t have the ruckman’s awareness of his opponent’s body, he is ball focused. And his proportions mean physics is against him.

But his height and agility and experience makes him the best back up (2nd ruck) we have had since Trengove. We have tried half a dozen others as fill-ins an they have failed miserably ( honourable mention to Cordy).

Who should be the ruckman you ask? Anyone who can subtly jump into the opponent’s body to put them off, like Ryder did on Sunday. They don’t have to win the contest, just stop the opponent from dominating.

Then we’re a winning team.

Agreed and this is why I was shocked we effectively let Campbell and Roughead walk. I think Tim can be a good ruckman but he is 3-5 years away from that at least and should be played forward and used in the ruck sparingly.

[Axe Man]

From AFL Website:

After getting smashed by the Saints, the Dogs must find a proper stop-gap on the wing and get their key pillars sorted. With Easton Wood (quad) and Lachie Hunter (suspension) unavailable for the next few weeks, help will have to come from those on the outer. Coach Luke Beveridge has been careful to temper expectations on Tom Liberatore, while Toby McLean is down the pecking order in Beveridge's eyes.

Verdict: Zaine Cordy and Will Hayes replace Ryan Gardner and Billy Gowers. - Jourdan Canil

[comrade]

Verdict: Zaine Cordy and Will Hayes replace Ryan Gardner and Billy Gowers. - Jourdan Canil

Gross.

[The Pie Man]

From AFL Website:

After getting smashed by the Saints, the Dogs must find a proper stop-gap on the wing and get their key pillars sorted. With Easton Wood (quad) and Lachie Hunter (suspension) unavailable for the next few weeks, help will have to come from those on the outer. Coach Luke Beveridge has been careful to temper expectations on Tom Liberatore, while Toby McLean is down the pecking order in Beveridge's eyes.

Verdict: Zaine Cordy and Will Hayes replace Ryan Gardner and Billy Gowers. - Jourdan Canil

They can't be our only changes.

[Axe Man]

English is potentially the best forward in the competition. He has all the natural attributes and his time in the centre has given him a better overall awareness of play than most others. I can see All Australian stamped all over him.

English is not a ruckman. He doesn’t have the ruckman’s awareness of his opponent’s body, he is ball focused. And his proportions mean physics is against him.

But his height and agility and experience makes him the best back up (2nd ruck) we have had since Trengove. We have tried half a dozen others as fill-ins an they have failed miserably ( honourable mention to Cordy).

Who should be the ruckman you ask? Anyone who can subtly jump into the opponent’s body to put them off, like Ryder did on Sunday. They don’t have to win the contest, just stop the opponent from dominating.

Then we’re a winning team.

I really don't get where the enthusiasm for English as a key forward is coming from. I just don't see many attributes that scream champion forward. Sure he seems like he may be able to play their competently, potentially have the odd good game, but to me he is a ruckman that can go forward, not the other way around. Whether he will become the ruckman we all hope he can be remains to be seen.

As for him being a key forward:
- Marking - he has decent hands but I don't recall too many contested marks where a big man is putting spoiling pressure on him. He tends to be ok when he can run and jump at the ball but those opportunities are somewhat rare inside 50. Maybe he can do it but I haven't seen it and have my doubts.

- Kicking - fine, no glaring issue there.

- Speed and agility - does he have decent speed and agility for his size and for a ruckman - yes. How about when compared to the best key forwards? Not in my view. As a key forward he appears a bit slow and cumbersome for mine when the ball hits the ground.

- Player comparison - what successful tall (200cm or thereabouts and up) forwards is he comparable to? Not as quick or agile as the King brothers or Daniher or probably even Ben Brown. I'm thinking somewhat similar to Mason Cox - quicker and more agile but obviously not as tall. Of course I could be wrong but Cox is about the level I can imagine English reaching as a key forward and he is no champion.

I am frustrated by an apparent lack of progress in Tim's ruck craft like most of us. It feels like he is big enough now to stop being pushed around and his height and leap should't see him losing as many taps. I wonder if he needs a different specialist coach (I assume he has been working with King?). Ruck work really should be something that can be coached and learned, I don't think it all just comes down to natural ability.

If Tim was performing better in the ruck would we even be talking about this?

[GVGjr]

Agreed and this is why I was shocked we effectively let Campbell and Roughead walk. I think Tim can be a good ruckman but he is 3-5 years away from that at least and should be played forward and used in the ruck sparingly.

It's interesting that with Roughead moving to the back line Macca was heavily criticized by moving him back. Bevo only used him there for a couple of game and now Buckley has turned him into a solid defender again.

Having players like Trengove and Roughead on the list would be as good thing for a young ruck man like English and Sweet plaus the provide the coach with some options

[Axe Man]

They can't be our only changes.

You haven't been following our match committee over the past few years?

[bornadog]

I am frustrated by an apparent lack of progress in Tim's ruck craft like most of us.

I don't think King has the time. I would really like a specialist ruckman down there to help Tim out - a part time guy just working with Tim. Minson is at North but would be ideal, but not sure about his relationship with Bevo. (Guessing only)

I agree Axe Man Tim is not a forward.

I think the best we can do is Trengove to do most of the ruck work (say 60 to 70%) and Tim to learn his trade. If Tim is playing well, then he increases his time in the ruck.

The last three games we have given no chance to our mids.

[The Pie Man]

I really don't get where the enthusiasm for English as a key forward is coming from. I just don't see many attributes that scream champion forward. Sure he seems like he may be able to play their competently, potentially have the odd good game, but to me he is a ruckman that can go forward, not the other way around. Whether he will become the ruckman we all hope he can be remains to be seen.

As for him being a key forward:
- Marking - he has decent hands but I don't recall too many contested marks where a big man is putting spoiling pressure on him. He tends to be ok when he can run and jump at the ball but those opportunities are somewhat rare inside 50. Maybe he can do it but I haven't seen it and have my doubts.

- Kicking - fine, no glaring issue there.

- Speed and agility - does he have decent speed and agility for his size and for a ruckman - yes. How about when compared to the best key forwards? Not in my view. As a key forward he appears a bit slow and cumbersome for mine when the ball hits the ground.

- Player comparison - what successful tall (200cm or thereabouts and up) forwards is he comparable to? Not as quick or agile as the King brothers or Daniher or probably even Ben Brown. I'm thinking somewhat similar to Mason Cox - quicker and more agile but obviously not as tall. Of course I could be wrong but Cox is about the level I can imagine English reaching as a key forward and he is no champion.

I am frustrated by an apparent lack of progress in Tim's ruck craft like most of us. It feels like he is big enough now to stop being pushed around and his height and leap should't see him losing as many taps. I wonder if he needs a different specialist coach (I assume he has been working with King?). Ruck work really should be something that can be coached and learned, I don't think it all just comes down to natural ability.

If Tim was performing better in the ruck would we even be talking about this?

Nup.

But he isn't, so we are. Based on a small sample size, he's at least had an impact forward when played there.