Time to pull the Liam Jones move.

[hujsh]

I'd have killed for either Gardiner or Keath yesterday over either of the other key defenders. Huge ins if they come good

[Mantis]

Gardner has only lost one, 1 on 1 in the games he played this year.

He lost multiple against WC.

Gardner will punch when given the opportunity and has far superior closing speed.

He's no world beater but when fit he's easily in front of Schache as a defender

He will try to punch, but it's not always effective.

Schache has a long way to go to be a competent defender, but he does have the ability to win the ball back which is something Gardner has never shown... he is a defend (punch/spoil) at all cost player which is not the way of the modern tall defender.

[DOG GOD]

Gardner and Cordy cannot/do not take contested marks. Cordy is always behind his man so he’s no chance. Young and Schache can at least take a mark down there which will be very much required come finals.

Realistically, I have no faith in either 3 to stand up in finals.

[bornadog]

Gardner and Cordy cannot/do not take contested marks. Cordy is always behind his man so he’s no chance. Young and Schache can at least take a mark down there which will be very much required come finals.

Realistically, I have no faith in either 3 to stand up in finals.

We need Keath and Gardner.

[DOG GOD]

We need Keath and Gardner.

I’d go with Keath, Gardner and Young, but the only way Cordy doesn’t play finals, is if his injured.

[bornadog]

He lost multiple against WC.

Is that official or your observation?

[Happy Days]

That one on one stat is super misleading BAD, and I think it only takes into account isolated wrestles with no one else in the vicinity, of which there might be one a game.

The same stat had Liam Jones allegedly only losing one all year too, and he gave up 3 marks to Naughts in about 5 minutes when we played them.

[Mantis]

Is that official or your observation?

Observation.

But in re-collection it was probably only one contest where his opponent (Allen) marked it, in the other he was ineffective with his spoil and the ball spilled to a free to a WC player who goaled.

As we know stats can be dressed up in any way to tell a story.. Zaine probably has good 1 v 1 stats too, but often isn't in the picture when his opponent marks the ball.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Nothing against Gardner, but the fact that he's our 2nd choice KPD says a lot about our KPD stocks. It simply must be addressed this offseason, along with the ruck.

[GVGjr]

Nothing against Gardner, but the fact that he's our 2nd choice KPD says a lot about our KPD stocks. It simply must be addressed this offseason, along with the ruck.

We have been light on for KP and ruck depth for a few years now. Even adding both Bruce and Keath in the same trade period only got us back to a reasonable position.

We might address it in the off season but I wouldn't hold my breath unless there are free agents we can acquire.

[boydogs]

At least Josh gets involved in the game and offsets the losses with good hurt factor per his stats in the first three games

Maybe play him in the Matthew Richardson/Nick Riewoldt wing role

[bulldogtragic]

Maybe play him in the Matthew Richardson/Nick Riewoldt wing role

That could also work for sure. But I’d persist with KPD #2 or #3. I think sides will go with three talls more now, or two and a ruck resting forward. Josh has the extra height. He just needs more exposure in the role and a preseason to truly learn and develop into a KPD. He can only get better. His marking and hurt factor is good. Once he can develop the one on one skills, and other tools of the trade I think he will absolutely make the grade.

[comrade]

That could also work for sure. But I’d persist with KPD #2 or #3. I think sides will go with three talls more now, or two and a ruck resting forward. Josh has the extra height. He just needs more exposure in the role and a preseason to truly learn and develop into a KPD. He can only get better. His marking and hurt factor is good. Once he can develop the one on one skills, and other tools of the trade I think he will absolutely make the grade.

I'm excited to see what he can produce after a pre-season of training with the defensive group.

[bulldogtragic]

I'm excited to see what he can produce after a pre-season of training with the defensive group.

Me too. He’s shown more than enough in the other parts of his game, that when schooled by Dale Morris 6-7 months he will get the defensive skills to succeed. If he’s our second ruck, some time to improve on this would be great too. All we needed this year was ‘proof of concept’, and we’ve got that.

[Bulldog4life]

The thing that frustrated me the most was 2, maybe 3, occasions where Shack was behind a 200cm key forward and decided to go up with flat hands trying to ??outmark him??. Put a bloody fist through it.

That can be taught preferably over a pre-season.