The Jarrod Grant Conundrum

[comrade]

Re: The Jarrod Grant Conundrum

Comrade, let me offer a counter to your arguement.

Grant played some of the early games at full forward and did ok. Little seems to have taken over that role so Grant has been tried in other forward positions. I don't think that is a bad thing. I think playing upfield will help build his tank up which is apparantly not very big. If Grant can play multiple forward line positions it will increase his value to the team by giving us more options. In fact I would even try him across the half back line next season.


Again I would offer this alternate view. I think Boumann has been handled sensationally well.

He has been made to earn his position in the Willi seniors. Nothing handed to him on a platter. He had to prove week in and week out in the ressies that he was worthy of the opportunity. He was promoted, did so so, then sent back. He was given a taste at senior level then went back worked hard again and got back into the senior side and has stayed there dislodging Wight in the process. I think that is how it should be. He now looks like he belongs. Well done to player, coach and development staff.

I reckon the Bulldogs senior side should make a couple of their senior players go through this but thats another debate.

Well done on making some very good counter-points.

I still think that Grant (as an outsider looking in) needs to be carefully managed to ensure he reaches his full potential and IMO Gotch has played him up field purely to accommodate more physically (and mentally) mature Williamstown players, placing success ahead of development (which he is entitled to do as a paid Williamstown head coach, but I’m also entitled to rant against it as a Western Bulldogs member).

Grant has yet to master the intricacies of playing out of the square (his natural position) and until he has I wouldn’t have been playing him in a position that he clearly could not manage physically, as all it has done is chip away at his self belief.

I guess the main positive is that he’ll now know he needs to have a huge pre-season to get himself fit enough to perform any role that Gotch throws at him.

With Boumann, you’re probably right, although he did have a very good pre-season and his practice match form leading into the season was also solid, so if he had have started in the seniors it wouldn’t have necessarily just been handed to him.

My biggest issue was when he was recently dropped back to the reserves to accommodate Cam Wight which was a shocking decision and one that I’m sure Rocket wasn’t happy about. Thankfully, it was rectified the following week.

[chef]

Re: The Jarrod Grant Conundrum

Grant is a full forward, plain and simple. This year was crucial in him further developing not only the ability to lead to the right spot, but when to time his leads, which Eade himself has said he needs to work on.

What happens if Cordy is a better option at full forward? Grant needs to be able to play more than one postion.

[comrade]

Re: The Jarrod Grant Conundrum

What happens if Cordy is a better option at full forward? Grant needs to be able to play more than one postion.

I’m not saying that Grant shouldn’t be able to play different positions (though Fevola seems to be doing just fine), but he should master the position that he is best suited to before being thrown into roles that he can’t physically handle.

Regarding Cordy, I’m not sure how much you’ve seen of him but he’s essentially a taller version of Bob Murphy and therefore will most likely play naturally higher up the field and will also be able to play out of the goal square without any issues.

[chef]

Re: The Jarrod Grant Conundrum

I’m not saying that Grant shouldn’t be able to play different positions (though Fevola seems to be doing just fine), but he should master the position that he is best suited to before being thrown into roles that he can’t physically handle.

Regarding Cordy, I’m not sure how much you’ve seen of him but he’s essentially a taller version of Bob Murphy and therefore will most likely play naturally higher up the field and will also be able to play out of the goal square without any issues.

Does Cordy have a frame like like a Tippett, White or Kosi? that will fill out. I haven't seen him play, with where i live and my job(working weekends) I rely on posters like you to keep me informed on all things Bulldog.

Hopefully Grant doesn't end up like Fev(moron and a selfish footballer), I see he had his strap on out again yesterday.

[GVGjr]

Re: The Jarrod Grant Conundrum

Again I would offer this alternate view. I think Boumann has been handled sensationally well.

He has been made to earn his position in the Willi seniors. Nothing handed to him on a platter. He had to prove week in and week out in the ressies that he was worthy of the opportunity. He was promoted, did so so, then sent back. He was given a taste at senior level then went back worked hard again and got back into the senior side and has stayed there dislodging Wight in the process. I think that is how it should be. He now looks like he belongs. Well done to player, coach and development staff.

I reckon the Bulldogs senior side should make a couple of their senior players go through this but thats another debate.

Totally agree. He got a lot of game time, played in a variety of positions (sometimes in the same game) and earned his way into the senior side and once there performed well.
I think it will serve him well in the future. Too many players can get handed senior games without working hard enough for it.
As you know Grants season is an exact contrast to Boumanns

[alwaysadog]

Re: The Jarrod Grant Conundrum

Totally agree. He got a lot of game time, played in a variety of positions (sometimes in the same game) and earned his way into the senior side and once there performed well.
I think it will serve him well in the future. Too many players can get handed senior games without working hard enough for it.
As you know Grants season is an exact contrast to Boumanns

Both had issues at the beginning of the season though Boumanns's were greater. He seems to have decided that hard work is the go and has found an adaptability that is critical to success today.

Whether Grant is more suited to FF I can't say but one thing is certain he has to be able play in more than one spot if he is to be a serious senior player and that is what I think this season at Willy has been all about, even if it has left Grant somewhat flat. He isn't going to walk into one of the KPP possies and so needs to find the application necessary to work his way through and into games.

The criticism of Willy's use of him seems to me to be wide of the mark and I'd like to hear from one of those who have the ear of the coach that he is unhappy before I see it as other than trying to teach Grant about soemthing referred to as the "hard yards".

[alwaysadog]

Re: The Jarrod Grant Conundrum

Well done on making some very good counter-points.

I still think that Grant (as an outsider looking in) needs to be carefully managed to ensure he reaches his full potential and IMO Gotch has played him up field purely to accommodate more physically (and mentally) mature Williamstown players, placing success ahead of development (which he is entitled to do as a paid Williamstown head coach, but I’m also entitled to rant against it as a Western Bulldogs member).

Grant has yet to master the intricacies of playing out of the square (his natural position) and until he has I wouldn’t have been playing him in a position that he clearly could not manage physically, as all it has done is chip away at his self belief.

I guess the main positive is that he’ll now know he needs to have a huge pre-season to get himself fit enough to perform any role that Gotch throws at him.

With Boumann, you’re probably right, although he did have a very good pre-season and his practice match form leading into the season was also solid, so if he had have started in the seniors it wouldn’t have necessarily just been handed to him.

My biggest issue was when he was recently dropped back to the reserves to accommodate Cam Wight which was a shocking decision and one that I’m sure Rocket wasn’t happy about. Thankfully, it was rectified the following week.

With respect comrade you make some big assumptions without producing evidence to support them and jump to some even bigger conclusions.

Whenever I think I know more than a respected coach or what's going on in that coach's head it's usually time for a rethink. I'm not saying he is all wise, but neither is he all stupid.

[Mantis]

Re: The Jarrod Grant Conundrum

With respect comrade you make some big assumptions without producing evidence to support them and jump to some even bigger conclusions.

Whenever I think I know more than a respected coach or what's going on in that coach's head it's usually time for a rethink. I'm not saying he is all wise, but neither is he all stupid.

I can assure you that most of what comrade has posted is factual.

[LostDoggy]

Re: The Jarrod Grant Conundrum

The only exposure of Grant I have seen was the 2 games he has played this year. (Nab and Home and Away)

There was a bit of deer in the headlights against Carlton and he really just needs to build up his endurance so he can run the game out. He has sticky hands but I think he is a few preseasons away from consistent footy. The taller kids take alot longer to fill out and Jarrod is seen as a long term solution rather than the quick fix. I hope he pinches a few games but he is going to take time. As will Ayce the frame is just not there and I would prefer that time is given to them so we don't throw lambs to the slaughter.

I will be the first o admit I don't watch Williamstown play so my opinion is somewhat ignorant but when he fills out, builds the endurance and get a bit more maturity (ie willing to work all day) he will be a real asset to the club.