Harbrow to the backline?

[Bulldog Revolution]

I've missed the past two games but was wondering how everyone has viewed Harbrows move into defence

He did a pretty good job on Betts apart from one foolish lunge on the boundary line where he was stepped around for a goal

What are the views on his games against StKilda and Adelaide

[The Coon Dog]

Re: Harbrow to the backline?

What are the views on his games against StKilda and Adelaide

He was highly rated by the match committee for his game on Milne v St.Kilda. I reckon he's been terrific back there. Obviously it's a learning curve for him but he'll be a better player as a result.

[Go_Dogs]

Re: Harbrow to the backline?

He was highly rated by the match committee for his game on Milne v St.Kilda. I reckon he's been terrific back there. Obviously it's a learning curve for him but he'll be a better player as a result.

Yes, still learning but playing a good role. His leg speed is very important down back, and his field kicking whilst not perhaps his greatest asset, has been pleasing.

[Mantis]

Re: Harbrow to the backline?

I am a big fan of his work so am probably biased, but I think he has been very good over the past 3 weeks. He is getting caught out of position at times which I guess is to be expected as he is fairly new in the role, but he is acquitting himself well in the small defender role.

A real feature of his play has been his sure hands and his accurate kicking coming out of defence. We have all had concerns about the kicking of some of our defenders, but I feel pretty safe with the ball in Harbrow's hands knowing that he generally will be able to find a target up field. There was one particular pass to Aker on Sunday that was a bullet (Aker dropped the bloody thing too).

[Mofra]

Re: Harbrow to the backline?

I wasn't a huge fan of his game on Betts (just needs more body-size), but thought his last two games were very good.

He does take the game on a little, which suggests to me he carries out the coach's instructions to the letter. Seems to be a team first, individual second type player which means he will wind up playing plenty of senior football.

Will be interesting to see what happens when Timmy Callan gets some fitness & VFL form back.

[Mantis]

Re: Harbrow to the backline?

I wasn't a huge fan of his game on Betts (just needs more body-size), but thought his last two games were very good.

He does take the game on a little, which suggests to me he carries out the coach's instructions to the letter. Seems to be a team first, individual second type player which means he will wind up playing plenty of senior football.

Will be interesting to see what happens when Timmy Callan gets some fitness & VFL form back.

Why?

Besides giving away a silly goal when he over committed on the boundary line it looked to me that Harbrow did a reasonable job on Betts.

[Cyberdoggie]

Re: Harbrow to the backline?

I am a big fan of his work so am probably biased, but I think he has been very good over the past 3 weeks. He is getting caught out of position at times which I guess is to be expected as he is fairly new in the role, but he is acquitting himself well in the small defender role.

A real feature of his play has been his sure hands and his accurate kicking coming out of defence. We have all had concerns about the kicking of some of our defenders, but I feel pretty safe with the ball in Harbrow's hands knowing that he generally will be able to find a target up field. There was one particular pass to Aker on Sunday that was a bullet (Aker dropped the bloody thing too).

I'm also a big fan.

I think it's a good move to have him as the small quick defender, however i think he needs to have more run across half back, as do a few of our defenders (ie Everitt, Williams, Gilbee, Addison).
These players are very capable of running through the lines but seem to be very flat and negative at times recently, and if they can be a little more confident and take a few risks then it would make a huge impact to our side. Of course we all know what Gilbee is capable of, however constantly tagging and some ordinary games have made him inconsistant this year. Harbrow can certainly play a similar role, although it will take some time before he improves as a defender.

[Sleeve1970]

Re: Harbrow to the backline?

Harbrow at the present time like so many other Bulldog players, he is still learning the game. His skill, football brain, vision, clean hands and kicking (that at times may let him down) are on the improve. I think he done a great job on Betts but Carlton just had one of those games that it didnt matter what you did they would make you look slow. His job on Milne was nearly the same I think. The one thing he will and us should take out of it is the fact that he never seems to give up.

I place him in the same league as Hill, so talented and still to reach his peak. Another 1 to 2 years and look out he will be a force.

[Bornadog]

Re: Harbrow to the backline?

He has got to buy some new shorts

Last year when he played at Willi, he was mainly in a back pocket so he has played the position before. We do miss his defensive skills in the forward line, but I think for his development, the back pocket is ideal.

[Mofra]

Re: Harbrow to the backline?

Why?

Besides giving away a silly goal when he over committed on the boundary line it looked to me that Harbrow did a reasonable job on Betts.

I thought he was out-muscled and out positioned a few times allowing Betts to influence quite a few passages of play.
Bearing in mind he did seem a fair bit lighter than Betts and was his first game back for a while so I'm willing to cut him some slack.

I still think he performed much better in the last two games.

[The Coon Dog]

Re: Harbrow to the backline?

He has got to buy some new shorts

Very Cameron Faulkner like.

[Desipura]

Re: Harbrow to the backline?

I want all the posters who did not rate him at the start of the year to come forward........NOW, I did not think anyone would admit to it.
I was asked why he should be in the side at the start of the year, simple answer he tackles hard and takes on the opposition (see preliminary final against Geelong). He gived his all and that is all you can ask. I disagree that he is quick, I wish he could gain a yard in pace.

[azabob]

Re: Harbrow to the backline?

I want all the posters who did not rate him at the start of the year to come forward........NOW, I did not think anyone would admit to it.
I was asked why he should be in the side at the start of the year, simple answer he tackles hard and takes on the opposition (see preliminary final against Geelong). He gived his all and that is all you can ask. I disagree that he is quick, I wish he could gain a yard in pace.

I can come forward and admit I didn't rate him in our best 22. I will say it will be interesting to see if he's in our best 22 at years end.
Currently he is playing good footy, but he is only young and history suggests he won't hold his spot for the remainder of the year.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Harbrow to the backline?

Currently he is playing good footy, but he is only young and history suggests he won't hold his spot for the remainder of the year.

He is in our best 22, whether for the rest of the year he is in the backline or, where I personally prefer him, in the forward line exerting pressure to keep the ball in the 50. He probably has this trait in the forward line as well, but it is more noticeable the number of tackles that he doesn't fully stick when in the backline.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Harbrow to the backline?

He has got to buy some new shorts

Last year when he played at Willi, he was mainly in a back pocket so he has played the position before. We do miss his defensive skills in the forward line, but I think for his development, the back pocket is ideal.

So you want him to buy shorts with back pockets?