Welcome to the Bulldogs: Laitham Vandermeer

[EasternWest]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Laitham Vandermeer

I've been Setka'd on my own spelling errors

Wait a minute!

I don't know what you're talking about.

[Bornadog]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Laitham Vandermeer

3rd worst for overall tackles, worst for pressure acts. There?s a difference between tackles inside 50 and tackles by forwards it?s mids, Weightman and West doing the tackling, the tall forwards are sitting on current totals of 11 - 13, West and Weightman 28-30, Bont?s on 88. Stats aside, just look at how easily opposition defenders clear and launch attacks.

We are number one for Disposals, so means we have the ball more and don't tackle as much overall.

Launch attacks, but we have the 6th best defence in terms of points against and 3rd best for Points 4.

[D Mitchell]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Laitham Vandermeer

We are number one for Disposals, so means we have the ball more and don't tackle as much overall.

Launch attacks, but we have the 6th best defence in terms of points against and 3rd best for Points 4.

Disposals. How many of them are the ring-a-rosy hand passes that result in turnover or kicks straight to the opposition ? tthe turnovers Bev emphasised in his post match presser. We play more diagonally since mid season. Stats don?t lie but they don?t always tell the full story. The defence is cleaner with O?Donnell instead of Gardiner, the improvement of the whipping boys Bramble, Vanderneer and the mids are a massive improvement on the last 2 1/2 years because of Richards, Bont?s current form and Treloar?s never been better. Now back to the Achilles Heel. Get yourself a seat at ground level at half forward, you?ll see it for 2 quarters.

[SquirrelGrip]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Laitham Vandermeer

So where we do think Laith is placed this year? I've also liked his attack on the opposition, and of course his repeat running efforts. Conversely his disposal and his predisposition for soft tissue injuries makes me nervous. He plays his role - like McNeil - but to me just seems a placeholder until we recruit someone better. Also his old school mate Voldemort (or is it Macbeth) - either can't be spoken around here anymore - has now left for the Cattery.

With the recruitment of Josh Dolan, I think our preference would be to have a repeat running forward who can also kick goals. That ain't Laith.

What's next for him? Does he go to half back and give run like Bramble and JJ? Does he have rotations in the middle or even tag? I don't feel there's a permanent spot for him up forward any more.

[Axe Man]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Laitham Vandermeer

So where we do think Laith is placed this year? I've also liked his attack on the opposition, and of course his repeat running efforts. Conversely his disposal and his predisposition for soft tissue injuries makes me nervous. He plays his role - like McNeil - but to me just seems a placeholder until we recruit someone better. Also his old school mate Voldemort (or is it Macbeth) - either can't be spoken around here anymore - has now left for the Cattery.

With the recruitment of Josh Dolan, I think our preference would be to have a repeat running forward who can also kick goals. That ain't Laith.

What's next for him? Does he go to half back and give run like Bramble and JJ? Does he have rotations in the middle or even tag? I don't feel there's a permanent spot for him up forward any more.

I'm not sure I would want him as a distributor off half back as his ball use is questionable. However could he be the lockdown small defender to take over from Doc? He has the pace to keep up with those quick small forwards and the required mongrel to make their lives difficult. Not sure on his defending and smarts but would give him a try in the VFL at the position if he finds himself on the outer in the forward line.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Laitham Vandermeer

So where we do think Laith is placed this year? I've also liked his attack on the opposition, and of course his repeat running efforts. Conversely his disposal and his predisposition for soft tissue injuries makes me nervous. He plays his role - like McNeil - but to me just seems a placeholder until we recruit someone better. Also his old school mate Voldemort (or is it Macbeth) - either can't be spoken around here anymore - has now left for the Cattery.

With the recruitment of Josh Dolan, I think our preference would be to have a repeat running forward who can also kick goals. That ain't Laith.

What's next for him? Does he go to half back and give run like Bramble and JJ? Does he have rotations in the middle or even tag? I don't feel there's a permanent spot for him up forward any more.

I’ve been banging on about trialling he or maybe McNeil at HBF. For whatever skill sets/effort they have, they just don’t kick enough goals. With JJ in his last year and perhaps JF being able to move to the wing, perhaps there’s a spot down there to fight for. Either we make the move now and give him the preseason to work on the new role, or wait for Dolan to take the spot and he can transition into a different role as the MC won’t drop VDM for any length of time based on history.

[SquirrelGrip]

Re: Welcom to the Bulldogs: Laitham Vandermeer

Article here about him:

https://www.sheppnews.com.au/@sport/2018/11/21/332116/sport-football1111-afl-draft-hope-laitham-vandermeer

AFL Draft hope - Laitham Vandermeer

Laitham Vandermeer is proof a top-age year at the Murray Bushrangers can be the added boost needed to press for a spot on an AFL list.


Vandermeer returned alongside Nathalia?s Tom Boyd for another year in the system this year and was entirely dedicated to his time at the Murray Bushrangers.

In contrast to last year, while he was in Year 12, Vandermeer spent most of his weekends playing football for his school side at Xavier College.

The silky ball user said it was an enjoyable year and he was intent on ironing out any problems he saw in his own game.

??It was good, I hadn?t played that much TAC Cup because I played school footy, so to play with the same boys each week (at the Bushies) was good,?? Vandermeer said.

??(My aim was) just mainly to improve my weaknesses, that was my main goal (which was) probably just my contested ball.
??I maintained my strength and improved that.??

Vandermeer?s improvements had the Mooroopna talent included in the Young Guns match that pitted the best of the TAC Cup against VFL players before being named in the coveted Victorian Country under-18 side.

He rebounded superbly off half-back in the first match of the AFL Under-18 Championships but, while the experience was beneficial to his development, an injury in the final game ended his season.

??In the last game of the nationals against WA I just got a sling tackle, I don?t remember much, but I broke the collarbone,?? Vandermeer said.

??It was a surreal experience, I didn?t get the chance last year, so playing against all the best footballers helped improve my game.??

It was the second time he had broken the collarbone after previously injuring the same one, but a different part of it in 2013.

??I just tried to maintain my recovery because I?d been through it before, so I knew what to do,?? Vandermeer said.

But he made a major impact in the first half of the season and after working full-time at Drives For Industry in Shepparton this year, Vandermeer will be eagerly listening to each AFL club?s pick.

Based on his draft profile, maybe this silky ball user who played half-back in the Under-18 champs could be a great replacement for our ageing small backs? His propensity for injury raises some flags though.

[GVGjr]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Laitham Vandermeer

I’ve been banging on about trialling he or maybe McNeil at HBF. For whatever skill sets/effort they have, they just don’t kick enough goals. With JJ in his last year and perhaps JF being able to move to the wing, perhaps there’s a spot down there to fight for. Either we make the move now and give him the preseason to work on the new role, or wait for Dolan to take the spot and he can transition into a different role as the MC won’t drop VDM for any length of time based on history.

I agree that McNeil might be a better player for us as a defender, I do worry that he has the composure under pressure with his kicking skills but it's probably worth a try.

[SquirrelGrip]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Laitham Vandermeer

I agree that McNeil might be a better player for us as a defender, I do worry that he has the composure under pressure with his kicking skills but it's probably worth a try.

I would have said the same about Matthew Boyd before he went back. Funny how some players look to have better skills playing in a different position.

[GVGjr]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Laitham Vandermeer

I would have said the same about Matthew Boyd before he went back. Funny how some players look to have better skills playing in a different position.

Very true, Boyd was a great midfielder with average foot skills and for a couple of years the move to the back line was a fantastic fit for the team and the player.
McNeil is very quick, good endurance and is a reasonable field kick but a poor kick for goals. He's also very durable. It could work.

[Warrnambulldog]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Laitham Vandermeer

I agree regarding McNeil and Vandermeer not kicking enough goals. Issue with being a Taylor Duryea replacement is I cant see them going one on one with likes of Toby Greene, Charlie Cameron like Taylor does in the air and at ground level. Wish Cleary or Coffield was that player but they didnt show it last year, hoping Jacques gets up to speed quick

[Warrnambulldog]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Laitham Vandermeer

Maybe we just look at getting Brandon Starcevich for that role. Apologies for going off the Vandermeer topic

[Axe Man]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Laitham Vandermeer

Maybe we just look at getting Brandon Starcevich for that role. Apologies for going off the Vandermeer topic

Talk if he was to leave it would be back home to WA.

[azabob]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Laitham Vandermeer

Maybe we just look at getting Brandon Starcevich for that role. Apologies for going off the Vandermeer topic

He was my number one target for when Dunkley was departing.

No chance we get him.

[Mofra]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Laitham Vandermeer

Interesting reading old draft reports - VDM placed pretty high in the now-gone kicking test?
I think he plays a fairly sacrificial role and gets marked pretty harshly for it.

I suspect McNeill starts pushing a case to play further up the field and VDM ends up tying up one HF spot, with a medium (Kennedy/Hynes/Davidson) getting the other so we can rotate a mid there, while West/Weightman rotate in the pocket.

I think specific positions are largely defunct in lieu of nominating positions/groups of players who will rotate through roles. I do wonder if Davidson's blend of speed and endurance means he could play the role VDM does? If so, I hope he has thick skin.