nytdog wrote:
No worries man, not trying to criticise your view. All I am saying is that comparing the way that someone played in the SANFL to the AFL is like comparing apples and oranges. For example Bannister often dominates in the VFL. At AFL level his awareness is very average. Gibbs won't get the freedom in the AFL (whether it be in the middle or on the half back line) that he got in the SANFL. I would also like to see him up the field more. But I don't mind seeing him in the backline either, it didn't do B Ratten any harm. Learning defensive skills isn't going to kill a kid. For example, when Walker gets played in more attacking positions, he'll still have his instincts to fly for a mark, but he'll also remember the team rules that unless he is a really good chance to take the mark, he should be punching. Remember Kouta also played on the half back line for a year or two before he had his ridiculous great years of 1999-2001.
Absolutly.................i'm all fine with Gibbs playing on the half back line or even in defence cause he actually has fantastic awareness and skills (check out his spoils this year, he has the uncany ability to somehow reach around the body of a leading forward to spoil waht should have been a stock-standard chest mark...........what's more, he does this without giving away a free kick).
But it saddens me to see situations like Walker line up on Dale Thomas............Dale Thomas should be lining up on Walker!
I dunno, it's just my opinion. I'd like to see him pushed up a bit towards the role Scotland has & maybe Scotland take over the hole that Nick Stevens has left us. Playing off the half-back line would be far more benificial to Gibbs than a full back.