Johnson was a strange pick.

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dane's trolling again

With Jeffy and Eddie gone our ability to keep the ball in the forward line is virtually nil. That's his window of opportunity.

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I hope Essendon* folds.

Buckley, Tutt, Smith, Walker, Menzel, Armfield, Thomas and Yarran would disagree with you.

_________________
29 different attributes,
And only 7 that you like;
20 ways to see the world,
Or 20 ways to start a fight.

How? Rookie pick when we needed a half forward and was one of the best performers in the U18 season for WA. Was also named in the top 25 or so players by Champion Data if that means anything.

He also played brilliantly in his first season of VFL in my opinion and although I pretty much agree with Jimmae that he's not quick enough like Breust for a half forward at AFL he still has time to develop into a player.

Can't see any AFL attributes atm.
I'll take your word for it though zee.
Here's hoping!

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dane's trolling again

You 'forgot' Ellard!

_________________
It's never as good as it looks and it's never as bad as it seems.

When they've done it they can disagree.

.........Buckley plays back pocket, Tutt has a defensive side? Walker is injured and has payed in the backline, Yarran plays back, Thomas couldn't run out of sight on a dark night last year.

The only guy there who has played well as a defensive forward regularly is Armfield and he's a borderline player.

Menzel is far more attacking than defensive.

So, when those guys start doing what Eddie and Jeffy could, you may have a point.

_________________
I hope Essendon* folds.

Won't know unless we try them.

Also for reference Buckley started his career with us as a forward/HF, and he's already demonstrated an ability to crumb packs and win the ground ball at both ends...

_________________
29 different attributes,
And only 7 that you like;
20 ways to see the world,
Or 20 ways to start a fight.

But is playing back.

All these guy's CAN do it. Just making the point that if Blaine wants to play his defensive skills and ability to keep the ball in the forward line will help.

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I hope Essendon* folds.

He's in the same boat as Johnson. I was an advocate for Ellard up forward in 2013, but he's past his used-by date now, and survives only as a backup because of last year's flower cull.

He's been a faithful servant of the club, and he might get another go this year at some point, but I'd much prefer to see the names I mentioned in the mix because we've got reliable depth in other positions if we want to bring Yarran and others into the forward setup.

_________________
29 different attributes,
And only 7 that you like;
20 ways to see the world,
Or 20 ways to start a fight.

Buckley has played most of his pre-season minutes up forward - including the WCE game - and, IIRC, has been training with the forwards.

_________________
29 different attributes,
And only 7 that you like;
20 ways to see the world,
Or 20 ways to start a fight.

Yes.

_________________
I hope Essendon* folds.

forward 50 pressure was our achilles last season. we couldn't sustain forward pressure, and the better teams were smashing us on the rebound because of it.

I like Clem ... but realistically, he's a long way away from eddie or garlett (in his prime). even robbo could be effective, but he's (rightfully) gone too.

i was all for getting saad if for nothing else, filling this hole.

Very hard to defend the indefensible.
Bomb it in and you will be cut to pieces

_________________
If you allow the Government to change the Laws in an emergency
They will create an Emergency to change the Laws

agreed. it's not the best way to play. carry and running through the corridor will always drag a defense out of shape and trump the long bomb.

... in saying that, bombing it in long is an okay strategy with a legitimate marking target like cas & a decoy like hendo, who worst case scenario, makes a contest.

it's the complete lack of crumbing forwards who could grab the pill afterwards or pressure their defense should they get the ball where we really faltered.

I sort of agree that he lacks some AFL qualities, I'd classify him as a more polished Simon Wiggins (is that a good thing?) but the pick all the way in the rookie draft was justified in my opinion. He had the numbers on the board in the championships and his VFL performances have sort of proved it successful. You don't see many rookies his age play AFL footy in their first two years.

Spot on.

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I am as mad as hell and I'm not going to take it any more!!!

I was just trying to stir you up Jim.

_________________
It's never as good as it looks and it's never as bad as it seems.

Wiggo was quicker but a poor decision maker.

It's like we keep getting these guys you would create for a roster in a video game; you start with whatever number of attribute points and each attribute costs so many points to upgrade and you get:

Quick dumb guy
Slow smart guy
Treacle slow smart skilful guy
Quick skilful guy who might as well be blind

etc

At least that's how some of our selections used to feel. I mean in those video games you could put them in training camp and paper over their deficiencies in about 3 minutes.

_________________
29 different attributes,
And only 7 that you like;
20 ways to see the world,
Or 20 ways to start a fight.

I never know any more with this Ellard business. I feel like people are passing this stuff on and he's going to tackle me in the street out of the blue.

World first case of Ellardophobia

_________________
29 different attributes,
And only 7 that you like;
20 ways to see the world,
Or 20 ways to start a fight.