Round 12 - Footscray v Frankston Saturday 10th June 2023

[azabob]

Re: Round 12 - Footscray v Frankston Saturday 10th June 2023

Smads, thanks so much for the reports.

Is it too early for Clarke to replace Arty Jones?

On Roarke Smith hopefully he can get some more KM in the legs over the next few weeks. I’m a big fan of his.

[Smads57]

Re: Round 12 - Footscray v Frankston Saturday 10th June 2023

Is it too early for Clarke to replace Arty Jones?

I don?t see Clarke being a ?like? replacement for Jones if you want to retain forward half pressure (which Arty brings). Clarke is not as quick across the ground, but smart with ball in hand. If he was going to replace any position it would be the West role. I think West is still subject to brain fades in a game from time to time, but no-one can question his determination. For mine, Clarke is not (yet) as strong as West, but I would expect him to make better decisions with ball in hand.

I sort of expected Clarke to also be a bit goal hungry - but in the VFL games I have seen, he will pass the ball off to someone in a better position.

Lastly re Clarke - he really had a ?zero? pre season. I?m sure other pre season watchers can confirm that for many sessions including Jan/Feb this year, the kid couldn?t even run laps such was his back injury. When you are new to a club, you would be itching to get out amongst your new team mates and he would?ve missed the opportunity to develop any substantial camaraderie with his teammates at this time.

[EasternWest]

Re: Round 12 - Footscray v Frankston Saturday 10th June 2023

I sort of expected Clarke to also be a bit goal hungry - but in the VFL games I have seen, he will pass the ball off to someone in a better position.

I can't work out whether you think this is good or bad.

[Smads57]

Re: Round 12 - Footscray v Frankston Saturday 10th June 2023

I think it’s a good trait - ie a team player

[EasternWest]

Re: Round 12 - Footscray v Frankston Saturday 10th June 2023

I think it’s a good trait - ie a team player

Agreed. Thanks for all your work.

[lemmon]

Re: Round 12 - Footscray v Frankston Saturday 10th June 2023

Thanks for the reports. Do VFL watchers feel like we're edging closer to a Buss debut? We've cycled through options for that third tall/intercepting defender that he sounds suited to. Wonder if he can play a similiar role to the one Richmond carved out for Gibcus in his first few seasons, next to Jones and Keath/Gards.

[Smads57]

Re: Round 12 - Footscray v Frankston Saturday 10th June 2023

Thanks for the reports. Do VFL watchers feel like we're edging closer to a Buss debut? We've cycled through options for that third tall/intercepting defender that he sounds suited to. Wonder if he can play a similiar role to the one Richmond carved out for Gibcus in his first few seasons, next to Jones and Keath/Gards.

While at the Frankston game, that very question was raised by two fellow Bulldog supporters standing nearby.

I said I thought if the AFL side started to fall away in the latter part of the season, I'd definitely look to push him up into the seniors to get that very experience you describe. Otherwise, like Marra in his first season, let him build his game in the VFL for now (unless we have some major injury concerns to our defensive KPPs).