Controversial opinon

[hujsh]

Fletcher Roberts was a better defender in the 2 finals he played than Hamling. He won more one-on-one contests, made less errors and was less reliant on his team mates for a chop out. Hamling got credit for the good work of the team defense for keeping Cameron and Franklin quiet but there were a limited number of times he actually had to compete with/beat those two opponents. Fletch can regularly be seen beating Patton early in the GWS game so was wrongly attributed with the goals he kicked.

Now feel free to tell me I'm only saying this because Hamling left

[chef]

Re: Controversial opinon

Ive had the same thought.

[GVGjr]

Re: Controversial opinon

Roberts did well in the 2 finals games. I'm sure Hamling was better and seemed to be getting better towards the end of the season but Roberts did enough when it counted. I hope he stays injury free because it's a bit of a key for him to stay fit and playing regularly.

[Topdog]

Re: Controversial opinon

I'll have to watch them again but for me Hammer was superb in the GF

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Controversial opinon

Thought Fletch was great vs GWS. Hamling's turnover 20m out in front of goal at the start of these one quarter was a coach killer. But they both did well. Watching Fletch kill his opponents in the VFL Prelim vs Collingwood was a thing of beauty and his form carried on. Hopefully he can continue to develop as it's conceivable that Morris could retire & Adams could head home at the end of next year. Here's hoping he can develop as a player and also into a leader of the tall defenders.

[Greystache]

Re: Controversial opinon

Fletch was easily better in the prelim final, I thought Hamling was pretty average. Hamling did a great job in the GF and Fletch wasn't in the play much, but that could be just as much because he blanketed his opponent enough that Sydney didn't kick the ball to him.

Roberts has a much narrower range of opponents he is suited to however.

[comrade]

Re: Controversial opinon

Fletch was easily better in the prelim final, I thought Hamling was pretty average. Hamling did a great job in the GF and Fletch wasn't in the play much, but that could be just as much because he blanketed his opponent enough that Sydney didn't kick the ball to him.

Roberts has a much narrower range of opponents he is suited to however.

It's good to know that 2 of the teams we'll likely be meeting deep in finals during this period have forwards that suit Fletch.

[Throughandthrough]

Re: Controversial opinon

Controversial way to spell opinion

[SlimPickens]

Re: Controversial opinon

Not controversial at all. Fletch was huge in the last 2 weeks. He played the big man role in our back 6 incredibly well. Looking forward to him finally getting a crack at a full pre-season.

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

Re: Controversial opinon

Roberts and Hamling over the past two seasons proved to be our best two tall defenders. Hamling's loss is significant but with the possible return of Cordy to defence together with Adams from injury gives us some good options. The extra height of Roberts is important when matching tall forwards like Tippett who he was able to manage quite comfortably in the GF.

[hujsh]

Re: Controversial opinon

Controversial way to spell opinion

Actually it should say 'opine on'.
I blame the keyboard and these greasy sausage fingers for all my typos.

[Bornadog]

Re: Controversial opinon

Fletch kept Tippett well out of the GF and didn't let him get a goal. He played his role in both finals after not playing in the first two, but came back with a good performance in the VFL and deserved his spot.

He needs to start working on his upper body strength. I know he has had shoulder surgery which has limited his ability to work with weights.

[Twodogs]

Re: Controversial opinon

I thought it had the makings of a kick ass back six. Morris, Roberts, JJ, Biggs, Boyd and Hamling. At least it's a premiership back six.

pick 35 for a premiership full back. Mercy.

[Twodogs]

Re: Controversial opinon

I think there roles are/were slightly different. Fletch more lock down and stop opponent. Hammer for the more mobile tall opponents and provide some run. Hammer was terrific on Buddy in GF.

Hamling gave buddy such a towelling that the Swans pretended his injury was worse than it was.

Fletch kept Tippett well out of the GF and didn't let him get a goal. He played his role in both finals after not playing in the first two, but came back with a good performance in the VFL and deserved his spot.

He needs to start working on his upper body strength. I know he has had shoulder surgery which has limited his ability to work with weights.

And all we read and heard about was how disappointing Tippet was. Hardly a word about Fletch's job on him. Watching the finals again you can bet that if Fltechers opponent is in shot then Fletch is almost always in the shot too whether his opponent us running at full tilt or just standing still Flethcher is right there with him.

[Mofra]

Re: Controversial opinon

Fletch was pretty high in %er averages and totals, yes he's a stopper more than a rebounder but he does his job when it matters.