Koby Stevens

[GVGjr]

Re: Koby Stevens

It's a good move, he still has plenty of upside.

[Scorlibo]

Re: Koby Stevens

Koby has signed on until the end of 2016.

For those who are not fans you will have to endure for a couple more years.

Congrates on 50 games today Koby.

Well deserved I say. He might have some serious flaws in his game, but he's got some serious positives as well. In particular, his power running will often be on show long after every other player has gone back into their shell - he takes the game on. With his big body and hardness around the footy he could be one of those players who makes a career on being a point of difference in the midfield and forward line, in the Max Rooke mould.

[The Underdog]

Re: Koby Stevens

Awesome news. I view him as the inverse Jack Macrae. Not much credit for the things he does well and an excess of criticism for the mistakes he makes.

[The Underdog]

Re: Koby Stevens

True, I like that he's hard at it. The downside is his disposal at times. I wonder when the side improves so will Koby.

It's a fair question. I think his disposal is generally on the good side of Boyd level but he can make glaring errors. He certainly won't die wondering. And if he's the 25th - 30th best player on the list by then, our depth will be pretty damn solid.

[boydogs]

Re: Koby Stevens

I think his disposal is generally on the good side of Boyd level but he can make glaring errors.

I think it's decision making more so than execution with Koby.

[ratsmac]

Re: Koby Stevens

I think it's decision making more so than execution with Koby.

Yep definitely. He doesn't have that Scott West style vision (but not many do) and he often runs himself into trouble and he ends up with too much unnecessary pressure on his disposal. He is at his best when he can run in a straight line kicking long at goal. I like him playing half forward and not so much in the middle.

I am happy with him sticking around for a few more years. Plenty of upside.

[soupman]

Re: Koby Stevens

Something to his credit that hasn't been acknowledged is that in the second half of this season he has really managed to cut down on the amountof hospital passes (by hand and foot) he gives to his teammates.

He has really cut down on either the handball to someone about to be tackled or the handball to their feet which were two very bad limitations.

I love the way he bashes and crashes in packs, he has similarities to Mitch Hahn and does play a bit like a KPP at times. Pleased that we picked him up and I think he will be a good player for us long term.

[Mofra]

Re: Koby Stevens

Happy to have him sign for 2 more years - we know he has little peripheral vision but his good definitely outweighs his bad.

[Greystache]

Re: Koby Stevens

2 more years is about right. If he improves in that time he'll get another contract. If he doesn't, other players will have gone past him.

[SonofScray]

Re: Koby Stevens

Koby has earned his spot. I'm not convinced he has the quality to stay in our best 22 over a long period, but for now he is and he brings what we need to the table. Clangers aside, I enjoy watching him play.

Can see him playing back up to a fit Clay Smith in time, who will perform the same role but just at a level or two above.

[Dancin' Douggy]

Re: Koby Stevens

You're never gonna have a team full of number one picks, so every team has to accept that some of their players will have flaws in their game. For the positives Koby brings to the game, he's worth having. The crash and bash style. The energy and enthusiasm for the contest, and his ability to kick goals when they're needed are great attributes.

It's his disposal over short distances that let's him down. Sometimes it's bad decision making, sometimes it's bad execution. I really hope he can improve this aspect of his game. Because everything else he does is pretty good. If he could sharpen up in this area he goes from fringe best 22 to a certain starter every week. I'm glad we re-signed him.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Koby Stevens

Positive bent, question. Could we make a tagger/defensive forward out of him?

I really liked Wally's game tonight and it's hard exactly to see where Kobes knocks someone out of the team (without injuries). Right now I'm thinking it could be Pickens position. They're both tough, hard at it, good tanks but some limitations with regard to disposal. Should Kobes be given the task of dethroning Picken? It's a big job, but with Jong stepping up so far, Libba (2016), Smith & Hrovat to come in with more legitimate claims to the midfield and looking at the balance tonight do we go down this path. For example, could Kobes have shut down Hurn the way he currently plays? I think Bevo got the right balance of types of players, so I'm not sure we should be tinkering too much, too soon.

[stefoid]

Re: Koby Stevens

Positive bent, question. Could we make a tagger/defensive forward out of him?

I really liked Wally's game tonight and it's hard exactly to see where Kobes knocks someone out of the team (without injuries). Right now I'm thinking it could be Pickens position. They're both tough, hard at it, good tanks but some limitations with regard to disposal. Should Kobes be given the task of dethroning Picken? It's a big job, but with Jong stepping up so far, Libba (2016), Smith & Hrovat to come in with more legitimate claims to the midfield and looking at the balance tonight do we go down this path. For example, could Kobes have shut down Hurn the way he currently plays? I think Bevo got the right balance of types of players, so I'm not sure we should be tinkering too much, too soon.

Picken so versatile though, and so predictable in his output. Coaches like that.

[boydogs]

Re: Koby Stevens

Positive bent, question. Could we make a tagger/defensive forward out of him?

You want to drop Picken? Stevens could come in for Goodes or Honeychurch without a role change

[jeemak]

Re: Koby Stevens

Koby's never going to be a tagger. His career to this point has been too proactive for that.

He'll be in the side within no time, we need his hard body around the ball. Tonight's effort will be too hard to sustain without him, let alone with him after a good month or so of regular season footy.