Is Garlett's kicking consistent enough to play HB?

_________________
C'mon Blueboys!

Yarran in the middle and I ole the Gibbs key forward idea.

Could be fun next year.

_________________
They coud'nt.....could they?

Doubt Yarran's got the engine (yet) to play midfield.

Like the idea of Buckley getting some senior time as a small forward.

Like the idea of putting games into McCarthy. He's probably our most gifted tall athlete on the list. Need to give him every chance of making it.

You need to play a couple of small defenders these days. I think our number 1 go to player in that role should be Lucas (give him a couple of years to really find his feet at senior level). I'd love to see Bootsma get a chance at the number 2.

A lot of injuries rocked us in 2012, none more important than the attacking drive we lost when Yarran suffered his turf toe.

A don't think there will be many positional changes, but I can see players being asked to play differently to what they may have otherwise been used to.

Positional changes:
Gibbs is the main one and will become Malthouse's special project playing a mid-field role.
Yarran has already requested to be played through the centre and he may just get his wish, but he may just have to prove himself at training though.
Would love to see Henderson forward but that will be a drip-feed of sorts. That can't happen unless Watson or McCarthy really step up.
Collins playing back was going to be trialled last year but that never eventuated. Can't see it happening next year either.
The rucks I have no idea about but don't be surprised should Warnock come through again as our no. 1 ruck.

I can't see why we'd need to re-invent the wheel with most of the other guys although Malthouse should grab Lucas and make him another "special" project.

The thing with Waite is he transforms our forward line when playing at CHF. In the past I've liked the idea of him as a third tall type, but if so then Walker is probably pushed out of deep forward which is where he has played best up to a flank. Perhaps Waite as a flanker playing that lead-up role alongside a CHF would work, especially at the MCG where you can use two marking targets at half forward because of the size of the ground.

On another note, the idea of Bootsma as a small defender has merit, he has the pace and the spoiling ability, it would minimise his problems with lack of bulk, only question is whether he can adapt to the role and not get turned inside out by the clever small forwards. That's something that you'll only know if you give it a go.

The idea of Waite on the wing has its merits. We need someone who can take a contested mark/possession in that area and provide a linking role. Lately this has been done by Scotland, and prior to that, by Hadley. When we kick it slowly along the boundary line, this is a crucial role.

..i like positional changes, but i'm more incli9ned to moving certain players back to where they ought to be.. ..Gibbs needs to play half fwd, with a relief role thru the middle.. ..we need him there because his a smart, creative player and a good strong mark.. ..and he's the perfect link for our hb's and mids to kick to, for that crucial I50 entry.. ..it's not just talls you need, but strong marking targets, and it gets easier to do when you have natural fwd craft..

..for the similar reasons, it's why Hendo works well for us at CHF.. ..let him be the workhorse type that leads high, he's not gonna be the fanciful goal scorer from the boundary.. ..he's the CHF labour force, let him roam and he can kick to walker or waite [if hes on the park]..

..Yarran ought to be moved up the ground, middle and 2nd string rotation thru the middle, provided he can prove fitness, and work ethic.. ..i don't think Collins works as a small defender, he's not zippy enough to lock down on a good small fwd.. ..our smalls would carve him up.. ..plus, i think after Gibbs he's the next smartest half fwd we have.. ..and he's also got a good engine, kid can run..

..for small defenders, i think it's touhy and army that work best.. ..fast, zippy strong types that can defend on the ground and in the air due to their core strength.. ..however, i think army came on when allowed to run off a wing, and was a damaging defensive hf too [though i'm not a huge fan of the tactic all the time]..

..Lucas isn't a defender for me, i think he's an outside runner.. ..old school wing, can play lead-up HF too since he's a good mark.. ..could also become part of 2nd string midfield rotation.. ..i don't think the dire need for Mids is as crucial as it need be, but rather smarter midfield set-ups, and more varied players rotated thru there instead of a small core and nobody else allowed in the mid brigade..

_________________
..if you can't be good, be good at it..

Funny that we keep calling Bootsma small. The guy is listed at 190cm. and I'd better he's even a little taller than that.

Josh has very long limbs and is a great spoiling unit in the way that Fletcher is and will get to contests that the talls couldn't.

I still see Josh finding his home on a wing when his gets his motor up as he'd make for a great attacking defender or a defensive attacking unit. Whichever way you want to look at it.

This may sound stupid, and i'm sure people will tell me if it does, but i wouldn't mind seeing Scotland across half forward. I realise he just won a B&F, but i think there are signs that he's slowing down a bit. The way teams setup nowadays, a lot of pressure is placed on the half backline when clearing the ball, and as he slows down that pressure is going to impact his game more. I wouldn't mind seeing him pushed to the half forward area where he will get a bit more space and can utilise his foot skills to setup goals rather than clearing from defence.
Obviously this leaves a gap in that HB/wing role that Scotland has played over the years, but i would like to think that Tuohy will further develop into that role, while O'keefe could be an option as well. A back six consisting of Bootsma, Jamison, Laidler, Duigan, Henderson & Tuohy seems fairly composed to me and has the foot skills to clear the area. Plus theres Gibbs, Yarran, Lucas etc. who may play roles back there. Seems like a good time to push Scotland to half forward.

_________________
@cecil_anderson

I just hope we can get at least one, hopefully two, of the following to stand up for us in KP spots and it will make a massive difference to the dynamic of the side - Watson, Mitchell & McCarthy.

All three have now had two years in the system and could be on the verge of taking the next step. You never know. I remember reading repeatedly how well Mitchell was going pre-season before the shoulder got him. Can the penny drop with Watson and he finds the self belief I think he's lacking at the moment? If one or two of these talls that we recruited in 2010 can stand up, we will find ourselves moving back up the table again...

_________________
C'mon Blueboys!

That's very much my belief as well. There is no way he is a small defender. Stand next to him he is quite tall. Almost key position size.

I said it previously that i see him as a very good reader of the ball and also creative. Think Nat Fyfe.

It will also allow him to get more games into him early as playing deep in defence opposition sides will target him with stronger bodies at this point in his career.

_________________
#NewBlues beginning 25th August 2015

..dunno Marci, Mitchell and McCarthy have barely played their debuts.. ..sure i'd like to see them come on and stand up in vital positions as well, but if we're relying on them next year [even next after that] we're very much back in a rebuilding phase.. ..Watson i think stands more of a chance coming through next season.. ..he showed good signs this year, showed a steady improvement,, and with another good pre-season under his belt should make the body changes to help him play regular footy as a KPD..

..but we also need to realise that a couple of years in the system for a tall, is often little time.. ..especially if they've still got 'growing' to do..

_________________
..if you can't be good, be good at it..

Watson's the one for me that can realistically make a big difference in 2013. It will effectively be his third pre season and I expect a fair change in body shape and speed.

If he can do that and hold CHB we will be a much better side.

_________________
#NewBlues beginning 25th August 2015

You're dead right Psych.
Bootsma is a very good reader of the drop of a ball and will get to many contests for his speed but also for his reach.
Surprised me no end last pre-season and can't wait to see him a little older, heavier and wiser this coming one.

Of course it may not work out, but I was more excited for Bootmsa than for any of our other draftees since Yarran and possibly almost on par with him.

..i agree, we should settle Watto at CHB and release Hendo to return to CHF.. ..my spine for next season onwards would be--

jamo-watto-krooz-hendo-walks

_________________
..if you can't be good, be good at it..

He will have to be doing a lot of work in Arizona ........... a lot of work.

_________________
"Hence you will not say that Greeks fight like heroes but that heroes fight like Greeks"?

Winston Churchill

True, it is a long shot for Mitchell & McCarthy, however, it is not uncommon for KP’s to be able to step up quickly once they have been in the system a while. It is low percentage though

_________________
C'mon Blueboys!

Yep...agree with the lot. Ditto.

McCarthy is the one we should put time into imo. He's a beauty. He's an athlete...wingman...but seven foot tall....can be something...will be something...will pass Mitchell and Watson imo.

Really really like Bootsma.

But its all to do with MM.
Finals footy is what he's designing this team to perform at.

Syd vs Hawks proved to me that defense is the key. A defensive mindset, formation, stategy....whatever...that says Hendo at CHB to me...but I want him playing forward.

Less reliance on Judd...that means he'll play wing, HF...what?

Buckley? There's an interesting one.

I have a feeling we'll get more out of Arizona under pour belt than Qatar...that will give the players the belief they can play with a more defensive mindset.

One thing I believe will happen is the rotations through the middle with Yarran and Garlett have their turn to share the load.

_________________
Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Bit of a myth I reckon on Scotland's foot skills. Looks graceful either side but does he let loose on some clangers. For some reason, f _ _ _ 'n Scotland seems to come out a fair bit during games.

re: Bootsma playing the "small" defender role, it would be his lack of size/weight/strength where he could fit in vs his height and disparity of the forementioned against taller opponents. He'd have the advantage in the air whilst having the agility/pace to move with the smaller forwards. O'Brien often plays on the smalls, even Fletcher. Just a better option than AJ and worth a trial.

Will McCarthy be groomed for a key post or will he more like the 3rd man/flank role?