RiverRodent wrote:
Unlike many, I do not think we are too badly served by our existing defenders. I think they do a damn fine job in the face of so little pressure from some of our mid-fielders.
1. Waite has found a home at CHB and is an important attacking option to break the zones with his kamikaze running. To do this he needs to zone off at HB and back his judgment but he can also play the defensive role if need be.
2. Thornton attacks in a more measured fashion than Waite but is a far better kick to position. He was starring early in the season (before being injured) with the luxury of playing on lesser opponents. Unfairly maligned by some supporters, T-Bird has spent years fighting out of his weight class but he is poised to play his best football as an attacking HB.
3. Jamison is clearly our best defender against a fast-leading forward - regardless of the size of the opponent - but has consistently struggled against big bodied opponents.
4. Bower has played some exceptional games this year to shut down some very good opponents and is a very important component of a versatile defence. Also provide strong attacking runs but, like Waite, can be a bot heart in mouth when kicking. Has developed into a better hand-passer.
These four guys represent to core of out defence and have the versatility to play on tall or small opponents but all have struggled against the largest opponents.
5. Setanta has been the only effective option against the big lumps but he too has the versatility to play against shorter opponents. He also provided important depth to the defence because of injuries to Thornton, Jamison and Bower at various times.
6. Bannister also offers a very useful option - especially against forwards who have big tanks and like to use them. Banno has the endurance to run with them plus the speed to go with them on the lead and the height to spoil overhead.
7. Walker can be used as a pinch hitter but I would prefer him as a forward.
8. Saddington has consistently been asked to play out of his height and weight bracket whenever he has been promoted.
9. Austin is still a developing player who struggles against fast leading forwards and big bodied opponents.
10. Anderson played possibly his best senior games in recent weeks after many injury interruptions.
In summary, we are well served by the versatility of the top six and have two promising youngsters but we are a little shallow on depth if there are injuries in certain areas. Setanta in particular appears to be the only effective option against bigger opponents.
1. Waite has found a home at CHB and is an important attacking option to break the zones with his kamikaze running. To do this he needs to zone off at HB and back his judgment but he can also play the defensive role if need be.
2. Thornton attacks in a more measured fashion than Waite but is a far better kick to position. He was starring early in the season (before being injured) with the luxury of playing on lesser opponents. Unfairly maligned by some supporters, T-Bird has spent years fighting out of his weight class but he is poised to play his best football as an attacking HB.
3. Jamison is clearly our best defender against a fast-leading forward - regardless of the size of the opponent - but has consistently struggled against big bodied opponents.
4. Bower has played some exceptional games this year to shut down some very good opponents and is a very important component of a versatile defence. Also provide strong attacking runs but, like Waite, can be a bot heart in mouth when kicking. Has developed into a better hand-passer.
These four guys represent to core of out defence and have the versatility to play on tall or small opponents but all have struggled against the largest opponents.
5. Setanta has been the only effective option against the big lumps but he too has the versatility to play against shorter opponents. He also provided important depth to the defence because of injuries to Thornton, Jamison and Bower at various times.
6. Bannister also offers a very useful option - especially against forwards who have big tanks and like to use them. Banno has the endurance to run with them plus the speed to go with them on the lead and the height to spoil overhead.
7. Walker can be used as a pinch hitter but I would prefer him as a forward.
8. Saddington has consistently been asked to play out of his height and weight bracket whenever he has been promoted.
9. Austin is still a developing player who struggles against fast leading forwards and big bodied opponents.
10. Anderson played possibly his best senior games in recent weeks after many injury interruptions.
In summary, we are well served by the versatility of the top six and have two promising youngsters but we are a little shallow on depth if there are injuries in certain areas. Setanta in particular appears to be the only effective option against bigger opponents.
Excellent summary and I agree. I actually think Ratten has done a good job addressing our problems in defence.
I reckon your comments on T-Bird are spot on. I'm surprised so many Carlton supporters are so keen to trade him. We are not exactly spoilt for experienced key position players..
The only one on that list that won't be there next year is Saddo.
I think we need to hang onto Carlos. He may not be an automatic selection (with the emergence of Bower & Jamo, and with Waite & T-Bird down there), but he's really the only one we have that can play on the gorillas. This is important, particularly in a developing side that is still prone to being monstered now and then. We'll need him against specific opponents over the next few years. As already mentioned, Carlos gives us real depth (and can also be thrown forward or into the ruck as a pinch-hitter). I really hope Phil Cleary is wrong...(and that German medical science has the answers....)
