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Following on from the Bulldogs lack of pace thread there was quite a lot of mention in there of key position players and our inability to acquire them. What do you believe is the reason for this. Is it that the recruiting managers have other ideas or something else.
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Last edited by Eastdog; 09-01-2015, 03:11 PM."Footscray people are incredible people; so humble. I'm just so happy - ecstatic" -
Re: Key Position Players
That's my take on it too. We've now got our list of talls for 2015. There are also possibilities with Stringer & Bontempelli (if he really has become too big to go all game as a mid) for CHF. Some say Z Cordy could develop into a KPB from 2016 onwards. We have to see what happens in 2015 and if none of the 4 (Talons Talia, Roberts, Hamlet & the Widow-Maker) emerge, it will be back to the drawing board. But they have to be given a go first.Officially on the Bus-wagonComment
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[COLOR="#FF0000"][B]Western Bulldogs:[/B][/COLOR] [COLOR="#0000CD"][B]We exist to win premierships[/B][/COLOR]Comment
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Re: Key Position Players
Agreed. Watched him a few times in the back end of the TAC Cup season, and I really struggled to project him as a key defender - my best guess is he's going to be a third tall type who plays on medium marking forwards and will need to be a creator from the back half too. Whilst he may develop the ability to pinch-hit above his weight division at times, I don't think it should be a permanent role for him.
Another interesting point, and correct me if I'm wrong, but we recruited Redpath as a forward, whilst both Roberts and Hamling have been viewed as versatile types, they are potentially still more natural forwards than defenders (in saying that, I'm certainly hopeful about both) and Roughie was certainly a ruck/forward rather than a key defender. Talia, and now Cordy are really the only 2 'out and out' defenders 190cm+ that we have on the list.
If 2 or more of the Talia, Roberts, Hamling trio make it, we'll be OK, but if they don't and we have to start again through the draft we will be some way behind because key defenders do take a while, the three we're talking about here being a good example. I think we may really need to be active in the trade market to secure a ready made key defender at seasons end, and probably draft another developing key forward and ruck.Have you heard Butters wants to come to the Dogs?Comment
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Re: Key Position Players
Zaine will be the new Lindsay Gilbee. Everyone else is.They say Burt Lancaster has one, but I don't believe them.Comment
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Re: Key Position Players
You're forgetting the best defender on our list, Dale Morris, and rookie Jordan Kelly.
Morris doesn't have long left but if we're going to exclude him from the conversation and focus on the blokes coming through then we need to give them time to develop. In 2015, I expect Roughead, Talia and Morris to play most weeks, and Roberts to struggle to get a game. In 2016 or 17, Morris will be gone but then Hamling, Cordy & Kelly will be pushing for selection.
All of Roughead, Hamling and Roberts played in defense last season so I think we can reasonably count them as defenders, but with Talia, Cordy, Morris & Kelly to compete with they might be more chance of playing in another position. They might even struggle to all get a spot in defense for Footscray.
We recruited Boyd, Cordy, Hamling and Kelly this season, that's a fair attempt in one season to plug the KPP holes on the list. Now lets stay the course and give them a chance to develop. 5 small-medium players on national draft night does not a KPP phobia make.If you kicked five goals and Tom Boyd kicked five goals, Tom Boyd kicked more goals than you.
Formerly gogriffComment
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Re: Key Position Players
Redders to have a breakout year and shore up the defensive end with his sheer bruteness and out and out CONTROLLED AGGRESSION!Comment
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Re: Key Position Players
I wish the club and others weren't talking him up a KPD. I love the kid, and have since I first watched him. Yes he's tall enough, reads the play well and has a great leap and spoil, BUT, agree 100% with the above assessment. I think his main three assets are not the things I've mentioned, but rather running ability, mobility and kicking ability. When he takes the game on, he has looked a million bucks and much rather him try to do this next level up. He's not capable of playing on gorilla types so we'd be wasting his real talent.Rocket Science: the epitaph for the Beveridge era - whenever it ends - reading 'Here lies a team that could beat anyone on its day, but seldom did when it mattered most'. 15/7/2023Comment
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If you kicked five goals and Tom Boyd kicked five goals, Tom Boyd kicked more goals than you.
Formerly gogriffComment
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Re: Key Position Players
I see where you're coming from but Gunston in particular needs closer checking. I see Zaine as the 3rd tall, running flanker, counter attacking player. I wouldn't plan on using him solely as a KPP going into a game. He can relief for a teammate or third man up, no dramas. But if he can get to the fitness I hope for him, with his size and skills, I'd use him without too much pressure on the defence and let opponents try to spend a forward to shut him down. I quite liked his game in Bendigo this year when he was doing this, and had done for a month, and opponents could only drag him back to the square. If the Falcons had more quality defenders I don't think he would have been playing in key posts. I have big hopes for my boy, I think going down a KPP path is not best for him or us short, mid or long term.Rocket Science: the epitaph for the Beveridge era - whenever it ends - reading 'Here lies a team that could beat anyone on its day, but seldom did when it mattered most'. 15/7/2023Comment
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