The Weak Link

[Bornadog]

I was listening to 3 AW on the way out last night and they were asking listerners, who would they trade for, to fill in a gap at their club . One Essendon supporter suggested a Scott Lucas would make the premiership a certainity for the dogs.

That got me thinking about whether we really have one weak link in our side. I mean we can always improve, but with nine wins, one draw and one 3 point loss, we are rated the best performed club in the first 11 rounds since Essendon in 2000.

So my question, is there any position that we have a weak link in to be a serious contender. Personally, love to have a big CHF etc, but we are kicking goals, the midfield is firing, rucks are great and the backline is tight.

[The Coon Dog]

Re: The Weak Link

I think all teams can improve, but we are stuck with what we have at present & whilst I'd love J. Brown across half forward, I'll gladly settle for Murph.

[1eyedog]

Re: The Weak Link

Think we have the best balance since 1954 we have good depth now too.

[Twodogs]

Re: The Weak Link

An uncompromising, doanythingittakes, hard nut/head case in the defensive half. The sort of bloke who really needs to be locked in a highly secured room between games for everybodies welfare.




Martin Pyke played in 4 premiership teams.

[Bornadog]

Re: The Weak Link

An uncompromising, doanythingittakes, hard nut/head case in the defensive half. The sort of bloke who really needs to be locked in a highly secured room between games for everybodies welfare.




Martin Pyke played in 4 premiership teams.

Tim callen looks like that sort of bloke but I am not sure if he is.

[LostDoggy]

Re: The Weak Link

I think all teams can improve, but we are stuck with what we have at present & whilst I'd love J. Brown across half forward, I'll gladly settle for Murph.

J Brown, thats someone i would be happy for the bulldogs to chase.

[LostDoggy]

Re: The Weak Link

An uncompromising, doanythingittakes, hard nut/head case in the defensive half. The sort of bloke who really needs to be locked in a highly secured room between games for everybodies welfare.




Martin Pyke played in 4 premiership teams.

Haha hilarious. Can't disagree.. someone like Mickey Martyn.

Funny thing is Pikey looked a madman when he played but he's such a calm, considered man to listen to when he speaks. Very intelligent too.

Big Mick is a big old softie off the field too, come to think of it.

[LostDoggy]

Re: The Weak Link

A fit J. Brown at the Dogs will contest the next seven straight prelim finals, be in five grand finals, and finish with 3/4 premierships. Easily.

Further down the list, Riewoldt is (in my eyes) worth a punt. Top-line talent, will add a lot of value to a near-premiership list.

[Twodogs]

Re: The Weak Link

Haha hilarious. Can't disagree.. someone like Mickey Martyn.

Funny thing is Pikey looked a madman when he played but he's such a calm, considered man to listen to when he speaks. Very intelligent too.

Big Mick is a big old softie off the field too, come to think of it.

Mick's a western suburban boy. It's a given he's going to be a little bit crazy.

[Bornadog]

Re: The Weak Link

With this thread I was thinking more along the lines of the current players and the roles they are playing and do you think we have a weak link amongst them.

Personally I don't think we really have and we do have some depth as well.

[Mantis]

Re: The Weak Link

At present I would say our only problem is the lack of a 3rd tall defender. Morris and Hargrave are both better playing on smaller players, hopefully Everitt can stand up over the 2nd half of the year.

As many other poster's have spoken about another tall forward would be handy, but I am very happy with the way our multi-dimensional forwardline is functioning.

But in saying all that we are just one injury away from being in trouble....Touch wood.

[1eyedog]

Re: The Weak Link

At present I would say our only problem is the lack of a 3rd tall defender. Morris and Hargrave are both better playing on smaller players, hopefully Everitt can stand up over the 2nd half of the year.

As many other poster's have spoken about another tall forward would be handy, but I am very happy with the way our multi-dimensional forwardline is functioning.

But in saying all that we are just one injury away from being in trouble....Touch wood.

We do not need 3 blokes 195cm down back. IMO that would be a tad top heavy. Lake and Williams are enough and Morris is the perfect 3rd defender at 191cm. Not many teams have 3 6'5 players in their forward line.

[Mantis]

Re: The Weak Link

We do not need 3 blokes 195cm down back. IMO that would be a tad top heavy. Lake and Williams are enough and Morris is the perfect 3rd defender at 191cm. Not many teams have 3 6'5 players in their forward line.

Maybe.

I'm just a bit worried when a team throws a resting ruckman up forward. We can get caught out a bit.

[1eyedog]

Re: The Weak Link

Maybe.

I'm just a bit worried when a team throws a resting ruckman up forward. We can get caught out a bit.

I understand, but let's look at some scenarios. Say Brisbane throws Charman forward and Bradshaw and Brown are playing. Morris would go to Bradshaw, Williams to Brown and Lake (only 3 or 4 cm shorter than Charman would go to him).

Say Ottens went forward with Mooney and Lonergan/Gamble down there. Williams to Ottens, Lake to Mooney and Morris to Lonergan/Gamble.

Sydney throws Jolly or Everitt forward, Lake to Hall, Williams to Jolly/Everitt and Morris to O' Loughlin.

Essendon throws Hille forward. Lake would go to Hille, Morris to Lloyd and Williams to Lucas.

I see where we could be underdone with height. Say Campbell went forward for the Hawks and our backmen had to pick up Roughie, Buddy and Campbell all 195cm+, Morris might struggle against that scenario but he has beaten Riewoldt twice this year and has prove capable of punching above his weight in any case. My point is I think we have the perfect balance down back atm are very flexible with our match ups. As twodogs? suggested a hard nut Archer type player would put the icing on the cake.

In effect Morris becomes the switch man as he goes to the shortest of the oppositions forwards, Williams almost always goes to the resting ruckman unless he is too strong for him and Lake the established power forward. IMO most teams these days are keen to play at least 3 crumbing forwards, North and ourselves play more than that at times. I cannot see a combination in the AFL that we cannot currently counter, of course an injury would change that as you say.

[Twodogs]

Re: The Weak Link

If Hawthorn are throwing Campbell forward we have them all but beaten.