Guido into defence

[Greystache]

Re: Guido into defence

I still can't see him being particularly effective in this role because even though he is a good distributor of the ball he isn't going to influence an aerial contest in the way you would like this person too.

True he wouldn't, realistically he doesn't even like to put his arms above his head in a marking contest, but assuming Lake comes back that's an area we can overcome. Having an extra defender behind the ball, and a good user of it at that, would be really helpful in trying to create the overlap we've been badly lacking for some time. We usually try to create the free man in the midfield but more often that not when trying to run the ball from defence we end up with a group of midfielders all bunched together not providing any real option.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Guido into defence

I always find it funny how people will say he can't play there because of x but have no problems of him playing forward. My self I think if there is an x then he can't play either. If he is to slow to play back the same applies playing forward. Todays game requires pressure put on all over the ground and to my way of thinking if you can't then your in trouble.

[Greystache]

Re: Guido into defence

A born leader. Let's not forget, a hair's breadth away from being Captain. Many here would have been ok with having him as captain, while not jumping for joy.
Yet he cops a great deal of stick and his form can be very very frustrating. Does great things, cementing his spot in the side, teasing with a promise of more. Flashes of brilliance.
Yet perhaps just a bit too overconfident, or swanning along on his natural brilliance, causing lapses when simple the simple rules should apply.

I don't recall Gia ever doing the football equivalent of back to back test double centuries against India in a drawn series. If you're looking for an equivalent from cricket perhaps Michael Slater, or at a push Mark Waugh. Ponting is the equivalent of Wayne Carey.

[Mantis]

Re: Guido into defence

I always find it funny how people will say he can't play there because of x but have no problems of him playing forward. My self I think if there is an x then he can't play either. If he is to slow to play back the same applies playing forward. Todays game requires pressure put on all over the ground and to my way of thinking if you can't then your in trouble.

I think we tend be more lenient on Gia as a forward because he is such a good user of the ball and he usually makes his touches in the front half count.

I do agree that we really need to be careful of his lack of defensive pressure especially if he continues to play on much quicker opponents as he has been exposed a bit in our most recent games.

[Mofra]

Re: Guido into defence

Defence is his weakest spot for mine - he wouldn't have the pace to cut off an opposition lead.

He was no 1 in the competiton for assists last year, but we do need to be wary of defensive efforts (FWIW he was 4th on our tackles list last year so his defensive efforts are ok when he can catch the opposition). He still has value as a forward.

Ideally he'd play in the midfield but with pace issues there already we couldn't play Cross, and Boyd there at the same time.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Guido into defence

I think we tend be more lenient on Gia as a forward because he is such a good user of the ball and he usually makes his touches in the front half count.

I do agree that we really need to be careful of his lack of defensive pressure especially if he continues to play on much quicker opponents as he has been exposed a bit in our most recent games.

The point is his ball use would be just as good down back as it is forward. It just seems more effective because it usually directly relates to a goal unlike with the backs usually being the first of 3 - 4 possessions before a goal is scored but both possessions have the same importance in the chain of events. Like down back defense is seen as critical but the defense that is started up forward is just as important as the last chain of it in defense that may stop a scoring shot.

Personally I feel defense starts every where like good kicking and must take effect all over. If a player cannot be selected because his defensive game is not up to then surely this applies to any position on the field.

Lets say for example that Gia gets 2 goals and has 2 assists and 1 tackle for the game. His counterpart in the opposition forward line has similar stats. But also has done 2 smothers 5 tackles. Effectively the opposite number may have resulted in 4 or 5 thwarted thrust forward causeing his team to score 4 or 5 more goals. Hence he may have been able to help the team get 9 scoring shots.

Personally I am very frustrated with the lack of defense in the forward line and the midfield players. Speed may be a factor. But from what I saw on the weekend there was a bit of front running going on and that is something Gia relies on to get his possessions.

[Bumper Bulldogs]

Re: Guido into defence

For me it's also a no. I think he is a little light on and will get pushed off the contest a bit. The best reason is that he is still dangerous up forward and if he gets 12 touches we get 6 goals. I wouldn't want to move him from the forward line as we miss Murf already, a second hit up player would far out way the benefits IMO.

[comrade]

Re: Guido into defence

Gia = Michael Clarke

[Mantis]

Re: Guido into defence

According to Robbo on AFL 360:

Gia = finished.

[EasternWest]

Re: Guido into defence

According to Robbo on AFL 360:

Gia = finished.

Did he elaborate?

[Mantis]

Re: Guido into defence

Did he elaborate?

Too slow to play as a forward due to an ability to apply offensive pressure which is a must in the modern game.

[Go_Dogs]

Re: Guido into defence

Too slow to play as a forward due to an ability to apply offensive pressure which is a must in the modern game.

His best returns last year were when he played midfield in my opinion. His hands are good in tight, and he's good by foot too - so in my mind he's a possibly a better option as a "slow" midfielder than some of the other guys we are playing through there. We need to find a way to balance the rest of the midfield rotations so that Gia can play more minutes in there.

[boydogs]

Re: Guido into defence

His best returns last year were when he played midfield in my opinion. His hands are good in tight, and he's good by foot too - so in my mind he's a possibly a better option as a "slow" midfielder than some of the other guys we are playing through there. We need to find a way to balance the rest of the midfield rotations so that Gia can play more minutes in there.

Cross to defence? Everyone keeps talking about how bad his 39 possession game was in the 2008 QF, I reckon his fitness and marking could be put to good use there.

[Mantis]

Re: Guido into defence

They were pretty scathing of our performance and the way we played.

The main points of concern were that we had just 1 tackle in our F50 and we were smashed in contested play, but still had players getting forward of the ball.

Pretty much said that Gia needs to get his hands dirty and that if he won't apply pressure which is a most in the modern game then he doesn't have a role to play.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Guido into defence

They were pretty scathing of our performance and the way we played.

The main points of concern were that we had just 1 tackle in our F50 and we were smashed in contested play, but still had players getting forward of the ball.

Pretty much said that Gia needs to get his hands dirty and that if he won't apply pressure which is a most in the modern game then he doesn't have a role to play.

Obviously we are a good contested ball side, and I'm more than confident that's a stat we can turn around ... but 1 tackle in the F50 after it was a focal point in the off season? That's disgusting.

I can't argue with those comments about Gia, either. Problem is, you can add Cross, Gilbee and probably Hudson to that list too. It's a problem.