Can Everitt play as a tall forward?

[chef]

Has he been tried in this role at Willi and was it successful?

I would love for him to get a go in this role on Sunday against the Saints and believe he has the talent to do it, whats everybody else's opinion?

[Bornadog]

Re: Can Everitt play as a tall forward?

Totally agree. Back in 2007 I read somewhere that eventually he would like to take on CHF. I think he is wasted in the back line just punching a ball away from a forward. We need him to play somewhere around the 50 metre mark to Centre square area.

However, whether he is ready now to take that on, I don't know.

[Mofra]

Re: Can Everitt play as a tall forward?

We struggle to develop kids who played forward all their life to become forwards at AFL level. A kid who has been a defender for most of his junior life wouldn;t be any more likely.

I'd like to give him a go forward, but I doubt it will happen.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Can Everitt play as a tall forward?

I think the few times he's played up forward, he's got a little lost and hasn't really demanded the ball. He's not a player that will probably ever show the intensity of a Morris/Callan/Williams type, he's probably more like Hargrave in that he floats across contests and is better suited to leaping and marking/punching rather than body on body.

I think it would be worth a shot though. He's still lacking body strength but he's got a big enoguh build to start pumping games into. I'd like to see him trialed as a forward for a period of six or eight weeks because IMHO he really hasn't shown much as a defender. Even at Williamstown, he just looks uncomfortable and easily gives up front position in a contest.

For mine, Everitt needs to play in a position that's based around instinct. There's really only two positions for that - wing or as a leading forward.

I really hope we move him up the ground soon.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Can Everitt play as a tall forward?

One of the more interesting things from yesterday's game (there really werent many!) was where Everitt played. I picked him to play across half forward in my team for Round 1 2010, but that was based more on hope rather than genuine expectation.

I believe that he has the pace / skills / size to play a good role for us across half forward - do other posters think the same and do you think that Rocket will perserve with him in such a position. All the feedback from pre-season has been that he has really put in the effort and im hoping that this will really be his breakout year.

[Bornadog]

Re: Can Everitt play as a tall forward?

One of the more interesting things from yesterday's game (there really werent many!) was where Everitt played. I picked him to play across half forward in my team for Round 1 2010, but that was based more on hope rather than genuine expectation.

I believe that he has the pace / skills / size to play a good role for us across half forward - do other posters think the same and do you think that Rocket will perserve with him in such a position. All the feedback from pre-season has been that he has really put in the effort and im hoping that this will really be his breakout year.

Totally agree. Back in 2007 I read somewhere that eventually he would like to take on CHF. I think he is wasted in the back line just punching a ball away from a forward. We need him to play somewhere around the 50 metre mark to Centre square area.

However, whether he is ready now to take that on, I don't know.

Gave you the answer a year ago, still haven't changed my mind.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Can Everitt play as a tall forward?

No - if he can't take a simple chest mark. Let him off just for the weather. His kicking would need to improve from last years efforts.

[mjp]

Re: Can Everitt play as a tall forward?

He's not a player that will probably ever show the intensity of a Morris/Callan/Williams type, he's probably more like Hargrave in that he floats across contests and is better suited to leaping and marking/punching rather than body on body.

The intensity of Williams?

Morris and Callan are rolling in their graves.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Can Everitt play as a tall forward?

The intensity of Williams?

Morris and Callan are rolling in their graves.

Never seen Williams take a backward step. He runs straight. It's his lack of ability to read the play which hurts him, definitely not his intensity for the contest. I used him as a younger KP example to compare with Everitt.

Back to the subject, I think Everitt showed a couple of good signs yesterday. Moving better across the ground and his attack on the ball was better. Kicked two lovely goals in woeful conditions too. Perhaps he'll rotate between HF/wing, swapping with Hill?

[Missing Dog]

Re: Can Everitt play as a tall forward?

Morris and Callan are rolling in their graves.

Morris and Callan are dead? I hope not.

[Bulldog4life]

Re: Can Everitt play as a tall forward?

Never seen Williams take a backward step. He runs straight. It's his lack of ability to read the play which hurts him, definitely not his intensity for the contest. I used him as a younger KP example to compare with Everitt.

Back to the subject, I think Everitt showed a couple of good signs yesterday. Moving better across the ground and his attack on the ball was better. Kicked two lovely goals in woeful conditions too. Perhaps he'll rotate between HF/wing, swapping with Hill?

That is one of the reasons why I would like to see him play forward. He is a good kick. The 2 he kicked never looked like missing. That is one thing that disappoints me with young forwards when their kicking for goal is haphazard and/or iffy. I liked the way he made space on Sunday and if Callan Ward had noticed him in the first quater standing by himself about 20 metres from goal Everitt could have easily kicked three for the day.

[mjp]

Re: Can Everitt play as a tall forward?

Never seen Williams take a backward step. He runs straight. It's his lack of ability to read the play which hurts him, definitely not his intensity for the contest. I used him as a younger KP example to compare with Everitt.

This is the subject though. The call is Everitt to the forward line and part of the reasoning is that he lacks intensity? I don't buy it.

Because he looks lackadaisical doesn't mean he is...equally, because Williams doesn't take a backward step he is intense at the contest? 10m late to the contest as often as not. Williams gets a free pass on all of this stuff even though he was a higher draft pick and has been at the club longer - Everitt cops criticism from one and all. Why is that exactly? He was terrific as a rookie, has played every position under the sun in his limited appearances (Williams has played two or, at most 3 if you include the back pocket) and has made a reasonable fist of most of them. Yes, I know Williams has been injured. Everitt has had a better run, but has copped his share as well.

Can't we appreciate Everitt for what he truly is? A terrific, tall running utility who kicks the ball very well. He will play back and forward and as a runner as required. There will be times he has to play back - and that is fine as he can cover talls and mid-sizers pretty well. He can go forward and provide a target. He can run through the midfield in short bursts.

Is he about to replace Murphy up forward or Lake down back? Well, of course not. But that is fine - those guys are our best two players. He is what he is - a good young player still trying to find his way into the side and along the way find his best position.

[Mantis]

Re: Can Everitt play as a tall forward?

No - if he can't take a simple chest mark. Let him off just for the weather. His kicking would need to improve from last years efforts.

His kicking is extremely good as evidenced by the 2 set shots he slotted with ease on Sunday with a water-logged ball.

ES, can you remember some examples that have lead you to believe that Everitt's kicking is poor?

[chef]

Re: Can Everitt play as a tall forward?

No - if he can't take a simple chest mark. Let him off just for the weather. His kicking would need to improve from last years efforts.

I say yes, I saw nearly every Bulldog drop a chest mark(Lake and Morris included) on Sunday and he kicked a couple of important goals. I don't know about as a KP but he can play as a tall flanker IMO.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Can Everitt play as a tall forward?

Can't we appreciate Everitt for what he truly is? A terrific, tall running utility who kicks the ball very well. He will play back and forward and as a runner as required. There will be times he has to play back - and that is fine as he can cover talls and mid-sizers pretty well. He can go forward and provide a target. He can run through the midfield in short bursts.

Is he about to replace Murphy up forward or Lake down back? Well, of course not. But that is fine - those guys are our best two players. He is what he is - a good young player still trying to find his way into the side and along the way find his best position.

Agree with your post except your comment that he can cover talls down back. This is the glaring weakness in his game brought on because he is out-bodied at every contest with a tall.

He fails to hold his ground and makes the mistake of getting side on to his opponent.

Having said that I think he is a natural for the wing/midfield call it what you will. One of his better attributes is his poise when under pressure and his ability to feed off to a player in a better position.