Match Preview: Round 15- Carlton vs Western Bulldogs

[Ghost Dog]

Re: Match Preview: Round 15- Carlton vs Western Bulldogs

Certainly at this stage there's no reason to suggest he's capable. Whether or not he can develop into the player the club originally hoped for, I don't know.

Not sure you can teach a player to perfect the art of reading the play and positioning his body better. You can improve it, but to the extent that he can play on good to very good forwards? I'd say probably not.

Any coaching staff / people with experience in training backs / ex players here like to comment on this? Interesting point. Would be frustrating, having invested, not to get a return on Williams.

[Mantis]

Re: Match Preview: Round 15- Carlton vs Western Bulldogs

I think you're giving Williams a little too much credit, Mantis.

He coughed up 3? goals on Gumbleton earlier in the season. Gumby only had 5 or so possessions, but he out-pointed Williams in three or four critical marking contests.

Leigh Brown from Collingwood has kicked a couple on Williams too.

My point is, on paper Williams looks like a good fit for the above players. Unfortunately, he hasn't delivered at all. He really struggles with body positioning and reading of the play. Until he fixes this, he's always liable to leak goals on ordinary players let alone good players. Morris has been killed by Riewoldt too many times, and while he can play a role on him I think Lake needs to take his fair share of turns too. Similar to the PF where Lake gave Morris a chop out several times. Means Lake dominates Kosi and provides support/drive too.

I really hope Williams can hit form because it could potentially make a massive difference to our side. Possibly even 'season saving', but he's just not smart enough IMO.

I fully understand where Williams is at, but with some better positioning Williams can be effective in defence. Too often he stands in front of his opponent and loses body contact. He then tries to find his opponent, but in the process takes his eyes from the ball and then he is stuffed. He needs to play from behind at all times.

As RJ points out (and you have acknowledged) we have to try something. At present we have just one or two of our forwards who look like beating his direct opponent and without the ball being provided on a silver platter we aren't going to kick a winning score against quality opposition. So we either throw Lake forward to give Hall a hand or we hope like hell that the likes of Higgins, Johnson. Hahn, etc find a way to have an impact.

At some point the kiddy gloves have to be taken off Williams - I think that time is now.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Match Preview: Round 15- Carlton vs Western Bulldogs

I fully understand where Williams is at, but with some better positioning Williams can be effective in defence. Too often he stands in front of his opponent and loses body contact. He then tries to find his opponent, but in the process takes his eyes from the ball and then he is stuffed. He needs to play from behind at all times.

As RJ points out (and you have acknowledged) we have to try something. At present we have just one or two of our forwards who look like beating his direct opponent and without the ball being provided on a silver platter we aren't going to kick a winning score against quality opposition. So we either throw Lake forward to give Hall a hand or we hope like hell that the likes of Higgins, Johnson. Hahn, etc find a way to have an impact.

At some point the kiddy gloves have to be taken off Williams - I think that time is now.

It might be a silly question, but is there any chance he can be tried as a forward?

[Hotdog60]

Re: Match Preview: Round 15- Carlton vs Western Bulldogs

With Lake going forward, although he's a strong marking option I don't like his kicking for set shots. Most good forwards tend to run straight with their approach, Brian has this run sideways and kick across his body which I think lends itself to inaccuracy.