Brendan McCartney on the couch Monday

[Ghost Dog]

Re: Brendan McCartney on the couch Monday

To me the problem with the Twin sons of Different Mothers : Higgins and Gia, is we can not afford to have them both in the forward half at the same time. The next problem then becomes, where the hell do you put the other one? Neither has pace, neither could tackle some one's grandmother, and they both regularly go walk about mentally during the game, or at the very least resolutely refuse to chase.

Buggered if I know what the answer is there, but it sure ain't the status quo!!

There is no point getting our knickers in a twist, and throwing the babies out with the dish water, but there needs to be changes made at season's end

Anyone up for throwing Gia down back? A good leader to have down there.
Just getting a bit bored with our forward line.

[GVGjr]

Re: Brendan McCartney on the couch Monday

Anyone up for throwing Gia down back? A good leader to have down there.
Just getting a bit bored with our forward line.

He just doesn't have the leg speed for a defenders position

[Hotdog60]

Re: Brendan McCartney on the couch Monday

Maybe we make Gia the stay at home full forward were his chase may not be as critical.

He'll either get a slower big full back he can lead on or he will drag one of their rebounder's deep.

[Ghost Dog]

Re: Brendan McCartney on the couch Monday

He just doesn't have the leg speed for a defenders position

Right fair comment. The coaching staff have some tough decisions to make. Pace is a real issue.
If we can be outrun by Sydney and their small forwards so badly, younger teams like GWS will just play kick in the paddock to make it a foot race and run over the top of us.

[GVGjr]

Re: Brendan McCartney on the couch Monday

Anyone up for throwing Gia down back? A good leader to have down there.
Just getting a bit bored with our forward line.

Who would you play him on? The first move by any opposition coach would be to put a Jetta, Rioli or Betts etc on him, which would amount to them getting a free rein.
The best option for mine might be to say to him, every time the opposition sends an extra man into the back line, you go and block him, prevent his getting into any space, or doing any interference.
If no spares, then go to the goal square and just sit. Force them to have at least one defender stuck down on the goal line at all times. Don't try to run about, except to lead into space, or crumb.

[Ghost Dog]

Re: Brendan McCartney on the couch Monday

Who would you play him on? The first move by any opposition coach would be to put a Jetta, Rioli or Betts etc on him, which would amount to them getting a free rein.
The best option for mine might be to say to him, every time the opposition sends an extra man into the back line, you go and block him, prevent his getting into any space, or doing any interference.
If no spares, then go to the goal square and just sit. Force them to have at least one defender stuck down on the goal line at all times. Don't try to run about, except to lead into space, or crumb.

Sounds like a good option Paul.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Brendan McCartney on the couch Monday

Gia, even at this pace, is still easily in the top 3 best mids we have at the club. Can win his own ball, can navigate traffic, impeccable disposal, can run all day. Lack of pace isn't such an issue playing on the edges of a pack. We could really use his quality ball use too.

If he wasn't such a great goalsneak Gia would have been one of the great mids of our modern era. A travesty he's been wasted up forward for years.

[GVGjr]

Re: Brendan McCartney on the couch Monday

Gia, even at this pace, is still easily in the top 3 best mids we have at the club. Can win his own ball, can navigate traffic, impeccable disposal, can run all day. Lack of pace isn't such an issue playing on the edges of a pack. We could really use his quality ball use too.

Excellent points.

[Ghost Dog]

Re: Brendan McCartney on the couch Monday

Gia, even at this pace, is still easily in the top 3 best mids we have at the club. Can win his own ball, can navigate traffic, impeccable disposal, can run all day. Lack of pace isn't such an issue playing on the edges of a pack. We could really use his quality ball use too.

If he wasn't such a great goalsneak Gia would have been one of the great mids of our modern era. A travesty he's been wasted up forward for years.

The best set shot in the team I reckon. Not sure of the above.

[Mofra]

Re: Brendan McCartney on the couch Monday

Gia, even at this pace, is still easily in the top 3 best mids we have at the club. Can win his own ball, can navigate traffic, impeccable disposal, can run all day. Lack of pace isn't such an issue playing on the edges of a pack. We could really use his quality ball use too.

If he wasn't such a great goalsneak Gia would have been one of the great mids of our modern era. A travesty he's been wasted up forward for years.

Bingo - the problem is with so many one-paced mids we've used the most versatile players out of position. Higgins played inside mid prior to being drafted too IIRC.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: Brendan McCartney on the couch Monday

Bingo - the problem is with so many one-paced mids we've used the most versatile players out of position. Higgins played inside mid prior to being drafted too IIRC.

Minson was mostly played out of position before this year, too.

[Hotdog60]

Re: Brendan McCartney on the couch Monday

Minson was mostly played out of position before this year, too.

Panos at the moment as well, although he hasn't taken his step in the big league yet.

[Bornadog]

Re: Brendan McCartney on the couch Monday

Panos at the moment as well, although he hasn't taken his step in the big league yet.

There is a deliberate strategy with Panos in playing him in the backline to hone his defensive skills. I don't mind that and will only help his development in the future.

[azabob]

Re: Brendan McCartney on the couch Monday

There is a deliberate strategy with Panos in playing him in the backline to hone his defensive skills. I don't mind that and will only help his development in the future.

I not sure we have long term plans for Panos.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Brendan McCartney on the couch Monday

The best set shot in the team I reckon. Not sure of the above.

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.