Our Worrying Defence

[Bornadog]

Re: Our Worrying Defence

How did you guys think it held up last Saturday night. Will Roughy recapture his form down there?

Every time the ball was in the air in the backline, I was nervous as hell. Roughead and Talia seemed to hold up well and of course Morris was his usual consistent self. Murphy hasn't lost his touch and Wood is doing his job, although he still doesn't get enough of the ball. JJ needs to improve his disposal, but otherwise his run and carry was very good.

We need this group to gel together and form a formidable team.

[Missing-Dog]

Re: Our Worrying Defence

As long as the mids and forwards bring that manic level of intensity each week and apply enough pressure to the opposition to force high balls into our defensive 50, I believe our backs will grow to be more than capable. As BAD has said, if we can get continuity into our back 6 / 7 we have the makings of a very solid defensive unit. Roberts and Hamling can provide great cover if any of the talls fall over. I have faith in this lot. I reckon we'll be ok

[LostDoggy]

Re: Our Worrying Defence

So far this year I feel very safe when the ball is kicked in long towards our defensive fifty and Roughy is in the vincinty. He's confidence is back, he's getting a fist in when required and even taking the grab when the opportunity arises.

Our backline truly was sensational on the weekend. Yes West Coast kicked some very easy goals, but that was a team defence issue which started in our forward half.

[SonofScray]

Re: Our Worrying Defence

The experience down there is a huge now with Boyd, Morris and Murphy. Smart move to send Boyd there, a reflection on his leadership that he has taken to the role and happily sacrificing his game rather than smoking about being asked to change.

The progression of the backline this season will be interesting, it's longevity is probably the concern now, rather than its capability.

[boydogs]

Re: Our Worrying Defence

The experience down there is a huge now with Boyd, Morris and Murphy. Smart move to send Boyd there, a reflection on his leadership that he has taken to the role and happily sacrificing his game rather than smoking about being asked to change.

The progression of the backline this season will be interesting, it's longevity is probably the concern now, rather than its capability.

Biggs, Darley, Hamling & Z Cordy will have some big shoes to fill

[jeemak]

Re: Our Worrying Defence

I'm concerned with Talia and Roughead being able to adjust to situations where the opposition presents a forward line similar to the forward line we present to the opposition.

In my view you need at least one quick tall, and Morris aside (and Morris isn't tall) we don't have a player that can fill that criteria.

[Mantis]

Re: Our Worrying Defence

The progression of the backline this season will be interesting, it's longevity is probably the concern now, rather than its capability.

Agree with this.. In a developing team it's probably not great that we have our 3 oldest players all in one part of the ground.. We desperately need to get games into the like of Darley, Biggs, Hamling, etc..

[Mofra]

Re: Our Worrying Defence

In my view you need at least one quick tall, and Morris aside (and Morris isn't tall) we don't have a player that can fill that criteria.

Bingo. Teams generally play 3 guys who in past years would have been legitimate KPFs.
We have to hope Talia & Roughy develop well and one of Hamling or Cordy come on (I like Roberts but he is slow).

[Bornadog]

Re: Our Worrying Defence

Bingo. Teams generally play 3 guys who in past years would have been legitimate KPFs.
We have to hope Talia & Roughy develop well and one of Hamling or Cordy come on (I like Roberts but he is slow).

Hamling needs to put on weight and muscle, he is not a KPP but could develop into one.

[Mofra]

Re: Our Worrying Defence

Hamling needs to put on weight and muscle, he is not a KPP but could develop into one.

If he develops into the "quick tall" he can fill a role. We should have Talia, Roughy and Roberts capable of taking the monsters, with Talia perhaps flexible enough with Hamling to take the quicker talls. Zaine Cordy is many years away so it would be brave to put him into the calculations.

I'd be surprised if we don't take a tall defender in the next few drafts - the lead time is so long you don't know how they'll turn out, and Morris in in his last couple of seasons.

[boydogs]

Re: Our Worrying Defence

I'd be surprised if we don't take a tall defender in the next few drafts - the lead time is so long you don't know how they'll turn out, and Morris in in his last couple of seasons.

Is drafting KP's the way to go for us now? Even Zaine might not have peaked when we are in our window

We've clearly got a special group of kids around the same age (Libba, Stringer, Macrae, Dahlhaus, Boyd, Roughead, Hrovat, Hunter) that will enable us to contest for a flag, I think our recruiting should be based around bringing in players that peak in that 2017-2021 period. We already started down this track with Boyd, Hamling & Biggs last year as mature agers

[Go_Dogs]

Re: Our Worrying Defence

Is drafting KP's the way to go for us now? Even Zaine might not have peaked when we are in our window

You'd hope Zaine has begun to play consistent senior footy by 2020!

It's an interesting question, and I guess subject to when out window opens and how long it will be open. Given the age of our players I don't think its too far a stretch to say in the early 20's it will still be well and truly open. I like the idea of looking for both a ready made and developing options.

[jeemak]

Re: Our Worrying Defence

If he tracks the same progress as his brother we might be waiting a while!

[boydogs]

Re: Our Worrying Defence

You'd hope Zaine has begun to play consistent senior footy by 2020!

He isn't 6'8" but his brother is a year older than Zaine will be in 2020 and just starting to put it together

It's an interesting question, and I guess subject to when out window opens and how long it will be open. Given the age of our players I don't think its too far a stretch to say in the early 20's it will still be well and truly open. I like the idea of looking for both a ready made and developing options.

Tom Liberatore will be 29 in 2021, Jordan Roughead will be 31. We won't necessarily fall off the cliff after that with the 2014 draftees peaking then, but I think we will start to move past the best years of some of our elite group

A KP drafted at the end of this year will assuming a November 1997 birthdate only turn 24 after the completion of the 2021 season, and be younger than Ayce Cordy & Jack Redpath are now for the entirety of that 2017-2021 window

[azabob]

Re: Our Worrying Defence

The boys appeared very composed and trusting of each other today. Roughead and Talia are so far holding firm which allows Morris to play third tall and help chop out. Murphy is Murphy, Wood and JJ are providing good run. But the biggest surprise is the ease with which Matt Boyd has taken to playing in defense and is queit effective.

Coupled with the whole team having the desire to pressure the ball carrier and attack the lose ball is pleasing.