Mathew Robbins - In the team this week?

[mjp]

Re: Mathew Robbins - In the team this week?

Forward pocket player for a small defender/midfielder?

I dont think so.

[Bornadog]

Re: Mathew Robbins - In the team this week?

Forward pocket player for a small defender/midfielder?

I dont think so.

With the flexibility of players, your point isnot really valid. If Robbins deserves to come and if Addison deserves to be out then the team will be moved around appropriatetly.

[Mantis]

Re: Mathew Robbins - In the team this week?

I cant see a spot for him at present.. On Sunday vs Melbourne we had 5 players in our forwardline at various stages that for different reasons didn't play at the end of last season. Someone has to make way for these players and one of these is Robbins. We have a heap of quality small forwards all of which bring something different to the side. Robbins isnt at as flexible as many of these and for that reason isnt getting a game at the minute. The form of these smallish forwards in the team at present is also quite good so until that drops away or we we cop some injuries then I think Robbins stays at W'Bee for the time being.

[Mantis]

Re: Mathew Robbins - In the team this week?

With the flexibility of players, your point isnot really valid. If Robbins deserves to come and if Addison deserves to be out then the team will be moved around appropriatetly.

But does Robbins deserve a spot more so than someone like Faulkner...I think not.

[mjp]

Re: Mathew Robbins - In the team this week?

With the flexibility of players, your point isnot really valid. If Robbins deserves to come and if Addison deserves to be out then the team will be moved around appropriatetly.

I actually think it EMPHASISES my point. If Addison is struggling, then Robbins will not be the replacement. Addison adds run and flexibility to the team - Robbo gives us an extra small forward. From a coaching/match-up perspective, this is a bad swap as all of a sudden you have too many guys who are limited in the roles they can play.

If he comes in, it would be to replace either Harbrow, Hahn or even (given injury) Johnno. He is not a good replacement for Addison at all. If you wanted Faulkner or Power for Addison, I could sort of see where you are coming from.

[dog town]

Re: Mathew Robbins - In the team this week?

Have to agree with RT and MJP here. Harbrow was impressive in his short amount of time on the ground and has come off two good performances at Werribee after he was probably harshly dropped. He has not put a foot wrong and has done more to command a place in the side than Robbins so far this season. The way he responded to being dropped after the Richmond game was the sign of a class player particularly given his inexperience. He has better foot skills than I gave him credit for and thats is going to compliment his evasive abilities. We actually really need to pump games into our young running players because we are not as well stocked as we seem to think.

Robbo will have his chance again. He is still a good dangerous forward for us. He needs to regain the defensive side to his game to give himself another string to his bow. Cant agree that he is our best defensive forward any more.Correct me if im wrong but it must have been 12 months since he last took down a defender with a holding the ball in our forward 50 and maybe even as far back as 2005. I really see it as a bit of a myth these days. He has put on only 3 tackles this season and had only 52 from 24 games last season (thats actually a reasonable total but nothing out of the ordinary). If he can get back that defensive pressure that he was doing so well in 2004/2005/early 2006 then he will have more to offer than a 3 goal game every couple of weeks. I like having him in the side because he is always dangerous and takes a good defender but I want him contributing more than what he has been.

[Dry Rot]

Re: Mathew Robbins - In the team this week?

Why do you think Robbins' defensive game has fallen away?

[dog town]

Re: Mathew Robbins - In the team this week?

Why do you think Robbins' defensive game has fallen away?

Its not as if its non existant I just dont think he is using his pace to chase blokes down as much these days. I think opposition players are more aware of him and he may have just got a little bit comfortable (kicked 40 goals last year so might have felt pretty safe) and forgotten what secured him a place in the forward line to start with. Its easier to cop a 5 possesion game from him if he is applying plenty of pressure. I might be being a bit harsh but I have kept an eye on his defensive pressure for a while now and its not even close to what it was.

[Mofra]

Re: Mathew Robbins - In the team this week?

Why do you think Robbins' defensive game has fallen away?

No, the players around him have caught up.

Who were his F50 compatriots last year:
- Johnno (players tag him even on the rebound he is so dangerous)
- Gia (has little defensive side for the most part anyway)
- Cooney (for mine, is a different player this year, seen under packs & running down defenders at times this year. His workrate is up. Last year he drifted off a few times)
- Resting Street & Minson, not noted quicks who often catch up with players, RoJo notwithstanding.

This year he shares the F50 arc with:
- Higgins, excellent defensive side for a young playmaker
- Darcy, plays deeper than Robbo so unliklely to catch anyone
- Power, often plays as a defensive forward
- Harbrow, noted tackler
- Hahn, he is a pressure player, enough said
- Murph, played as a defender for a while, knows how to stop an opponent

Put simply, this year we have more players who can play defensive roles in the F50. Robbo may not be doing less, it is just that compared to his teammates this year, he is less likely to stand out whilst doing it because so many others are.

[Bornadog]

Re: Mathew Robbins - In the team this week?

If he comes in, it would be to replace either Harbrow, Hahn or even (given injury) Johnno. He is not a good replacement for Addison at all. If you wanted Faulkner or Power for Addison, I could sort of see where you are coming from.

I actually don't think we should drop Addison, he really impresses me even thou he makes some mistakes. Your right with your assessment on Robins for Addison, I was just trying to see who could be dropped if we thought Robbins would come in and I couldn't think of any one.

I think at the end of the day, the coaching staff will look at the opposition and and try and see who the best match ups are. maybe Robbins need a few more weeks in the Bees before he can be considered.

[Go_Dogs]

Re: Mathew Robbins - In the team this week?

So unchanged this week?

[Mantis]

Re: Mathew Robbins - In the team this week?

So unchanged this week?

There are many possible in's, I would think all of Faulkner, Power, Robbins & Skipper have a case for being included for various reasons, but who goes out? I think they may keep a status quo this week and see how several players perform, and then make a few changes for the Sydney game. Am I right in saying that W'Bee dont play for 3 weeks due to the bye then state game, will make it hard for these guys to keep there form up..

[Go_Dogs]

Re: Mathew Robbins - In the team this week?

I think your right re: Werribee, possibly only 2 weeks, but definitely an extended period w/o a game.