Our defence

[Mantis]

I for one have been very critical of our defence in the past, but over the past 3 or 4 weeks they have been very good. I have always been worried about there ability to beat there direct opponent in a 1 on 1 duel, but they are certainly improving.

Lake is turning into a very dependable FB and has the great ability of taking defensive marks when the opposition goes forward. Hargrave has played probably the most consistent 3 or 4 weeks of his career, it certainly helps when he plays on a similiar sized opponent Morris, well he is Morris, if only he could kick, but we always know we will get at the very least a bloody strong contest. And Williams is improving every week and looks a very good long term option.

For along time our defence has been terrible, but things are certainly on the improve and as we push forward this season I'm starting to think our defence can do the job when we are under the pump.

Good signs indeed.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Our defence

The backline looked very sharp today, and managed to stand up even without Lake. Gilbee managed to have a run, and Williams was good with disposal. All member bring different qualities, and i think the combination is working out very nicely.

I like it when i see Gilbee or Hargrave tearing up a wing

[1eyedog]

Re: Our defence

Premierships are built from the back line and ours looks very solid.

[alwaysadog]

Re: Our defence

Very early to make definitive calls about them, but progress has clearly been made and we have added more agression, more size and have more quality defenders available so we can pick to match opponents and cover injuries.

Mind you a couple of injuries, god forbid, to Lake and Morris and we would be in all sorts of trouble.

[Mofra]

Re: Our defence

I for one have been very critical of our defence in the past, but over the past 3 or 4 weeks they have been very good. I have always been worried about there ability to beat there direct opponent in a 1 on 1 duel, but they are certainly improving.

Absolutely. We now have Williams who seems to improve every game, and I'd be confident having him take a monster CHB (could realistically play on a Brown/Cloke type).
Lake & Morris we'd back 1 on 1 anyway, and people seem to forget that Shaggy was our pseudo CHB for a while - when Everitt goes back, Shaggy's one of our short defenders!

Everitt will take some time, but he moves smoothly when he gets the ball & took a nice mark in the 3rd - for Skinny it doesn't look to be a question of whether he'll make it or not, merely a question of when.

[Missing-Dog]

Re: Our defence

The guys stood up well even when Lake went off the ground. Brian was fantastic today. Tom Williams is getting better with each contest not just each game. Shaggy and Morris were very good again and Gilbee has had a good couple of weeks. We are now starting to build some depth to cover these guys. Everitt can go back there when needed and I saw enough from Ward today to suggest that he could play across half back and be very attacking. Big Tom Williams vs Jonathon Brown next week!!!

[The Coon Dog]

Re: Our defence

Good post Mantis. Had similar thoughts myself, tho St.Kilda did themselves no favours today with the manner in which they brought the ball into their forward line.

I reckon Tom Williams at CHB is like the missing piece of the jigsaw, with him there there just seems to be the right match ups all round, Shaggy having to fight in his own weight division is a pefrect example.

Be interesting from those close to it how they see Peter Dean's arrival.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: Our defence

It's amazing how much better our backline is when we pressure the ball carrier in midfield.

[Mantis]

Re: Our defence

It's amazing how much better our backline is when we pressure the ball carrier in midfield.

Of course it makes a huge difference, but even so our defenders have all improved significantly.

The desperation the defence as a whole is also very good. They are a courageous group who don't mind standing in front of a pack and taking a hit or diving selflessly into the bottom of a scrimmage.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Our defence

It's amazing how much better our backline is when we pressure the ball carrier in midfield.

The key.

[Go_Dogs]

Re: Our defence

Would still like to see a few more guys through there who use the ball with more purpose more often, but as far as making our backline more dour, we have succeeded.

[dog town]

Re: Our defence

It's amazing how much better our backline is when we pressure the ball carrier in midfield.

Now that Lake has been given a bit more freedom he will take a mountain of marks if we can keep the midfield pressure right up. Pressuring the ball carrier is still the main aspect of defence. You defend as a team not just as a back 6. Its a team commitment in alot of ways.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: Our defence

Now that Lake has been given a bit more freedom he will take a mountain of marks if we can keep the midfield pressure right up. Pressuring the ball carrier is still the main aspect of defence. You defend as a team not just as a back 6. Its a team commitment in alot of ways.

I think I read that Lake took 7 defensive marks (that's 7 marks from St. Kilda kicks, not 7 marks in the D50)

[dog town]

Re: Our defence

I think I read that Lake took 7 defensive marks (that's 7 marks from St. Kilda kicks, not 7 marks in the D50)

He won that stat for the entire competition last season.

[hujsh]

Re: Our defence

He won that stat for the entire competition last season.

And got him a bucket load of DT points