Brendan McCartney on the couch Monday

[Ghost Dog]

Re: Brendan McCartney on the couch Monday

Gia is consistently in top 2 or 3 in all time trials along with Boydy and Cross, and has been up there for a decade. Incredibly underrated tank.

Also, I really hope he can be helped out by some better inside 50 delivery.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Brendan McCartney on the couch Monday

Also, I really hope he can be helped out by some better inside 50 delivery.

I suggested him playing as a mid as I think he would improve our inside 50 deliveries no end. He didn't lead the league for 4 years in assists for no reason.

When he filled in for Boydy in the centre bounce set up last year he had his best three games of the year, and was BOG for 2 of them. With Gia delivering the ball, Jones, Cordy et al will find it a lot easier up forward.

[Ghost Dog]

Re: Brendan McCartney on the couch Monday

I suggested him playing as a mid as I think he would improve our inside 50 deliveries no end. He didn't lead the league for 4 years in assists for no reason.

When he filled in for Boydy in the centre bounce set up last year he had his best three games of the year, and was BOG for 2 of them. With Gia delivering the ball, Jones, Cordy et al will find it a lot easier up forward.

Good call and IIRC you are not the first to make that call. But replacing who?

[LostDoggy]

Re: Brendan McCartney on the couch Monday

Good call and IIRC you are not the first to make that call. But replacing who?

Dahlhaus. Move him back to the forwardline.

[Mofra]

Re: Brendan McCartney on the couch Monday

Dahlhaus. Move him back to the forwardline.

Cross has been spending more time outside of the centre too - I like the idea of Gia spending more time in the centre. Right now Higgins is performing better in the slowish/nice finisher/smart mid-forward role that we seem to have invented.

[stefoid]

Re: Brendan McCartney on the couch Monday

Dahlhaus. Move him back to the forwardline.

Ultimately we need Dalhaus firing in the midfield and the faster he devlops there, the better.

I think moving him to the forward line might be marginally better for the team this year, but ultimately a negative.

This is a devlopment year - lets get players developing in the spots where we want them to play long term.

And if that costs us a game or two, resulting in better draft picks, then we'll just have to live with that

[LostDoggy]

Re: Brendan McCartney on the couch Monday

Ultimately we need Dalhaus firing in the midfield and the faster he devlops there, the better.

Interesting view -- I think Dahl does well pinch-hitting through the middle but I don't see him as a long-term mid. His speed, tackling and goalsense tell me that he's best utilised primarily in the forwardline, but that's just my opinion.

[Ozza]

Re: Brendan McCartney on the couch Monday

I agree - I think Dahlhaus is at his best in the forward line. When he's not there we miss his pressure and his ability to create something out of half chances.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Brendan McCartney on the couch Monday

Ultimately we need Dalhaus firing in the midfield and the faster he devlops there, the better.

I think moving him to the forward line might be marginally better for the team this year, but ultimately a negative.

This is a devlopment year - lets get players developing in the spots where we want them to play long term.

And if that costs us a game or two, resulting in better draft picks, then we'll just have to live with that

But if he's better suited to the forward line, play him there. As soon as a player shows anything they're pushed into the midfield, perhaps he just needs to stay where he is and nail it.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Brendan McCartney on the couch Monday

Interesting view -- I think Dahl does well pinch-hitting through the middle but I don't see him as a long-term mid. His speed, tackling and goalsense tell me that he's best utilised primarily in the forwardline, but that's just my opinion.

I agree.

Capable of quick bursts in the midfield, but most effective up forward.

Hard to tell if we are developing him as a midfielder because that's where we want to play him long term, or if we are trying to compensate for a severe lack of pace in our current midfield stocks. I get the impression it's the former, but like you Lantern, I think his best position is/will be as a forward.

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

Re: Brendan McCartney on the couch Monday

Cross has been spending more time outside of the centre too - I like the idea of Gia spending more time in the centre. Right now Higgins is performing better in the slowish/nice finisher/smart mid-forward role that we seem to have invented.

Cross has done his best work this year dropping back in defence. Gia has never done well in the midfield. Higgins looks better suited down back as his lack of pace still remains a problem in attack. Dahlhaus has been our best forward but is beginning to get tagged at half forward.
Could become an ideal crumbing forward pocket in the mould of a Betts or Milne type.

[jeemak]

Re: Brendan McCartney on the couch Monday

Ultimately we need Dalhaus firing in the midfield and the faster he devlops there, the better.

I think moving him to the forward line might be marginally better for the team this year, but ultimately a negative.

This is a devlopment year - lets get players developing in the spots where we want them to play long term.

And if that costs us a game or two, resulting in better draft picks, then we'll just have to live with that

I see what you mean, and I agree that Dahl will spend a fair amount of time in the midfield throughout his career.

For mine, midfield performance is a lot more dependant on building up a nice mix of burst and aerobic fitness, as well as strength over a few pre-seasons and throughout matches. On the other hand, I think becoming an effective small forward is likely to learned predominantly through being coached within matches, and repetition under match conditions.

I think it's important that Dahl learns how to play as a forward for the short term, as his particular forward position is a bloody difficult one to master, and quality small forwards with his pace and tenacity are hard to find.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: Brendan McCartney on the couch Monday

Cross has done his best work this year dropping back in defence. Gia has never done well in the midfield. Higgins looks better suited down back as his lack of pace still remains a problem in attack. Dahlhaus has been our best forward but is beginning to get tagged at half forward.
Could become an ideal crumbing forward pocket in the mould of a Betts or Milne type.

Gia has almost always done well in the midfield

[Maddog37]

Re: Brendan McCartney on the couch Monday

I would prefer Dahl play the Milne role predominantly with a run in the midfield to break tags. Perhaps the Cyril Rioli model is what I am suggesting now that I think of it.

[stefoid]

Re: Brendan McCartney on the couch Monday

Dal has a rare ability to create play and break lines, we should use that all over the ground, not just the front half.

While he might do OK as a goal sneak I dont see that his kicking skills and goal sense is as good as true 'goal sneak'. He dosnt seem to have that innate ability to snap a goal from anywhere. Nor is he great set shot or a good mark that I have noticed. His skill lies in his ability to win and distribute the ball creatively more so than his ability to kick goals himself, I think.

The guy is already being tagged in his second year (first year as a mid) -- he must be doing something right.