Please explain....

**The Doctor** · 04-10-2008, 08:15 AM

Re: Please explain....

Originally posted by dog town

Well he might only get 12-18 touches but its going to get us 5 or more goals. The main problem is that we dont have that flexibility at this point with our lack of run and class out of the backline.

This is perhaps where we need Everitt to step up as I believe he could be a very good half back rebounder. He reads the play well, he can run and his field kicking is generally pretty good.

**GVGjr** · 04-10-2008, 08:22 AM

Re: Please explain....

Originally posted by The Doctor

I would leave Hargrave in the backline full stop. I like the idea of a settled back 6 and if we can keep Lake, Morris, Hargrave, Gilbee, Callan and Williams together we have an excellent defence. Allowing Gilbee a bit of adventure up forward occassionally wouldn't upset the back half. We still have Everitt, Tiller, Addison in reserve and could call upon Griffen or Murphy to lend a hand. But I wouldn't want to change it around too much as a cohesive backline is essential in a premiership challenging side.

I'd prefer settled backline as well but given the weakness of our forward line we must find was of helping them out. So many times when Gilbee pushes into the midfield his delivery into the forward line finds one of our forwards. That's something that I would like to see a few more times a game. Teams take him back deep into defence for a very good reason and its not just about exploiting his size.

As you pointed out, we have plenty of back line depth as well and if Callan, Tiller, Everitt or Addison can free him up without compromising the back 6 then I think it would be a good experiment.

**dog town** · 04-10-2008, 08:26 AM

Re: Please explain....

Originally posted by The Doctor

This is perhaps where we need Everitt to step up as I believe he could be a very good half back rebounder. He reads the play well, he can run and his field kicking is generally pretty good.

He is a brilliant kick at times but we need a more consistent effort from him. Being injured early did not help him. He never really recovered. I still maintain that if an attacking half back pops up somewhere and he fits all the criteria then we should have a look at him. Hawthorn got Guerra in to do it, StKilda got Gram, North put Harding down back so they cant be too hard to find. Would give us better flexibility and make us far harder to shut down. I am sure Gilbee is sick of having guys like Lower following him around every week.

**The Doctor** · 04-10-2008, 08:49 AM

Re: Please explain....

Originally posted by dog town

He is a brilliant kick at times but we need a more consistent effort from him. Being injured early did not help him. He never really recovered. I still maintain that if an attacking half back pops up somewhere and he fits all the criteria then we should have a look at him. Hawthorn got Guerra in to do it, StKilda got Gram, North put Harding down back so they cant be too hard to find. Would give us better flexibility and make us far harder to shut down. I am sure Gilbee is sick of having guys like Lower following him around every week.

Let's not forget Everitt was only in his second year this year and probably had a dose of 2nd year blues. He'll come good, I'm certain of it.

We had an attacking half back in McMahon but we cleared him so maybe Eade is happy with what we already have?

**LostDoggy** · 04-10-2008, 09:07 AM

Re: Please explain....

Originally posted by Dry Rot

You've got to be joking vs 2008 vintage Aker.

Beside that obvious one, Scarlett is better than Lake. Some people need to take their blinkers off.
If you can find room in our side for Otttens, Chapman, S Johnson and Mooney in our side when players like Eagleton and Ray were getting regular games there is something wrong.

**The Pie Man** · 04-10-2008, 09:11 AM

Re: Please explain....

Originally posted by The Doctor

Let's not forget Everitt was only in his second year this year and probably had a dose of 2nd year blues. He'll come good, I'm certain of it.

We had an attacking half back in McMahon but we cleared him so maybe Eade is happy with what we already have?

Lil Spider started to look his first year self in Willy's finals - very confident he'll be a solid contributor next year and beyond

**dog town** · 04-10-2008, 09:43 AM

Re: Please explain....

Originally posted by The Doctor

Let's not forget Everitt was only in his second year this year and probably had a dose of 2nd year blues. He'll come good, I'm certain of it.

We had an attacking half back in McMahon but we cleared him so maybe Eade is happy with what we already have?

Pretty sure McMahon asked to be traded and given his attitude problems during that year Eade was pretty happy to move him on. The year before Eade publicly stated we were looking for another attacking half back to go with Gilbee and McMahon. We even had a look at Ryan Lonie of all players.

I agree Everitt will come good.

**GVGjr** · 04-10-2008, 09:48 AM

Re: Please explain....

Originally posted by dog town

Pretty sure McMahon asked to be traded and given his attitude problems during that year Eade was pretty happy to move him on. The year before Eade publicly stated we were looking for another attacking half back to go with Gilbee and McMahon. We even had a look at Ryan Lonie of all players.

Slightly off topic but were we interested in Ben Johnson from the Pies a couple of season ago for that attacking defenders role? Word is that he is now off the untouchables list at the Pies. He probably isn't a good fit for us now anyway.

**Sockeye Salmon** · 04-10-2008, 09:51 AM

Re: Please explain....

Originally posted by GVGjr

Slightly off topic but were we interested in Ben Johnson from the Pies a couple of season ago for that attacking defenders role? Word is that he is now off the untouchables list at the Pies. He probably isn't a good fit for us now anyway.

Good God no.

He would be off the untouchables list and just about onto the delistables list.

**GVGjr** · 04-10-2008, 10:02 AM

Re: Please explain....

Originally posted by Sockeye Salmon

Good God no.

He would be off the untouchables list and just about onto the delistables list.

Were we interested in him at one stage though? I'm not sure why but I thought we were. I agree we don't need him.

**Missing Dog** · 04-10-2008, 01:24 PM

Re: Please explain....

The thing about Gillbee in the backline is that he's probably the straightest kick in the AFL: Many of our forward thrusts begin with him at half back or kicking in , here he'll always hit a target. If he goes to the wing or plays forward who can really do this as well he does? He also has a very good football brain, no-one in the backline has his decision-making ability. I've seen Lake do some really really stupid things kicking in or starting a forward move.

**Missing Dog** · 04-10-2008, 01:38 PM

Re: Please explain....

Originally posted by ErnieSigley

Beside that obvious one, Scarlett is better than Lake. Some people need to take their blinkers off.
If you can find room in our side for Otttens, Chapman, S Johnson and Mooney in our side when players like Eagleton and Ray were getting regular games there is something wrong.

What I'm talking about is straight like-for-like swaps : eg Lake for Scarlett at FB not Lake and Scarlet both in with Scarlett at CHB ( which again Scarlett would not have a clue how to play at CHB). How much better than Lake? Chapman for Murphy or Brad Johnson, Aker?, Milburn for Gilbee, S Johnson for Murphy or Brad Johnson, Mooney for Brad Johnson? These are harder decisions than getting rid of Tiller, or Callan or Ray or Eagle.

My point is if you look at Geelong on an individual player basis, we have equivalent and even better players playing in the equivalent roles. What Thompson was able to do was get them to gell really well as a team, and add to that a couple of super stars in Ablett and Bartell.

**LostDoggy** · 04-10-2008, 02:25 PM

Re: Please explain....