With all the additions to the backline (Laidler, Duigan, and the young boys) you would have to imagine army will be pushed out at some point (though probably not straight away), so where too for him? He can play both aggressive and defensive and has played as a outside mid a bit in stints so maybe to a wing and rotating through rover is a good option. You would imagine he could play as a defensive forward (not sure about his marking? Plus probably behind Robinson, Houlihan) and tagger too.

I guess there are some questions about his kicking but i'd say it was pretty top notch near the end of last year..

anyway thoughts?

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#23: Lachlan Henderson

wing for mine

Just watching the Round 7 win v Saints. Army was fantastic with his run. Would be a great addition in the midfield rotations. Love the way he takes them on and runs to support.

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Anybody who wants to put the footy and break the lines should spend some of the match doing it from the centre square. The proviso is that if they get clear, they should have the skills to either pinpoint a forward or slot it from 50. Not sure Armfield is there yet.

That's why I like the idea of Gibbs in the middle. Problem is he isn't in the middle but those few times he did run and carry through the centre square last year, he created merry hell.

Armfield is good at carrying the footy past his man, which creates a loose attacker. That is why he is good value off the backline ATM. We have recruited a couple of additional backline players so maybe Armfield will get a chance further up the field or maybe not. Either way, his position is under pressure and what we need to be a successful team is to have all of our best 22 under pressure to retain their spots as well as having the depth to fill positions when injury or poor form strikes. We are already getting there, which is why players like Grigg saw fit to leave. It's healthy.

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Let slip the Blues of war (with apologies to William Shakespeare) (and Sir Francis Bacon, just in case)

Atm i like him on the back flank running out of defence but in a year or so i could see him doing really well playing on the wing.

I think he plays in defense because there's no one better than him in that spot at the club....I think even the old Brown supporters will have finally agreed with this.

He has been played many a time in the centreline and usually tagging, and he has made a huge difference to our run and carry in the midfield.

Those who still doubt his ability to kick to advantage forget that he has improved and kicks within his means these days, and also forget some of the passes which have come off. 2 years ago he passed a ball running a million miles an hour to Fev who was also leading at a million, and hit him bang on the chest.

With his pace, he should be on a wing tearing the opposition a new one, but he's the best we've got in the backline for pace. I think finally everyone can agree with his value there.

If we can release any of Gibbs Russell and Armfield from defense into the midfield, it will be a bonus for Carlton. For that to happen they need good players in defense to release them.

IMO, Laidler releases Gibbs and Duigan may release Russell, or maybe Lucas or McInnes can release Armfield; they're all good kicks and we're not losing pace by adding those guys. I have no problem with Joseph taking the BP spot to release Armfield, but I honestly think that Joseph will be squeezed out eventually, along with Scotland, Houlihan and Carrazzo as the young legs with pace feel at home in the big time....Tuohy for instance is primed right now to take the BP spot from what I'm hearing; if not 2011, surely 2012.

Whilst I can see a successful changing of the guard in the midfield because of our depth in class with the natural maturity and development of our young stock, but whilst I welcome Armfield to the midfield I have to say good luck to McLean, Robinson, Ellard, Houlihan and even Walker to cement a spot in the 22 over the next few years, let alone 2011, because in 2012 we add Buckley to the mix as well as another first rounder and who knows, there may be a few gems knocking on our door to play finals and flags, so I expect few trades coming our way too.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

There's a fair chance that Buckley will be our first rounder.

Army has to get better with his disposal by foot.

You can be quick and have the balls to take some of these blokes on, but what good is it if you stream out of the back line and turn it over?

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Writer for SuperCoach Paige www.scpaige.com.au
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Need footy smarts to play in the midfield - Army doesnt have that - We have seen walker struggle there aswell

Some players can only play in one direction I think Army is one of them - Stay in the back line

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I can't fit him into the team yet.

I can't buy the phoenix johnson's post above because it's presumptious, and Army is past those days (circa 2008-9).
Surely he's earned some respect for his kicking in 2010. Compare effciency of Army's with any of your current heroes.

I hear what you're saying SB. Not sure if what you say is correct, but what about a tagging role.

Have a look at Joesph's stats and hurt factor in 2010 as a tagger.
I'm sure Armfield tagging further up the ground would hurt the opposition more than Joseph...........imo.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Armfield improved his disposal greatly in 2010 but his brain explosion in the last quarter against Sydney cost us a final. I think his best position right now is in the back pocket where he can run in straight lines and create. Short bursts in the centre could be useful if he improves his aerobic capacity over the pre season.

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You heard it here first!

The guys we've brought in are bigger build medium sized defenders. Armfield is the best at taking the quick small forwards. The only other guy who can do it is Joseph but Armfield is better on the small forwards and Joseph better in the middle so there's no need really.

Very harsh.

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#DonTheStash

Without doubt he is a quality BP player. Has the aggression, speed and spoiling ability needed. He should be the first picked to play on opposition small forwards. Offers fantastic dash from the backline and is gutsy as. The backline is where he is needed and suited. We would be a worse team if he wasn't in the backline for sure!

AJ played some of the worst games I have ever seen last year, he had some ok ones too, but played some absolute stinkers too. Was also really exposed in the back pocket, he is awful at spoiling overhead and in defensive marking contests. He is better suited to defensive midfield.

Army for back pocket!!!

He did what he did. There was a player two metres away who made no effort to shepherd. THAT is where Armfield came unstuck.
If you do what you do best all year and then get tackled in the last game, it shouldn't be held against you. Armfield likes to run and carry and that's why he's in the team. We lost the final because we lost on the day. Not because of one incident.

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Let slip the Blues of war (with apologies to William Shakespeare) (and Sir Francis Bacon, just in case)

First of all I think saying Army cost us a home final is extremely poor form, it's not like we were up and Dennis-Lane's goal put them ahead with 2 seconds left..

Second, I can't recall Army playing on many small forwards, I remember more of him playing on attacking backmen

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#23: Lachlan Henderson

I agree CK.

We miss 5 easy shots at goal in that final and Hotcox suggests Army cost us the game.
So wrong Hotcox. The game is 100 minutes long, not 30 seconds.

We should've wrapped the game up much ealier imo but we missed our chances then.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Armfield has the potential to be the Kenyan Dean Rice (ie, can run).

Although i was unhappy in the Sydney game what could you do? Blues should have iced the game well before that incident took place. Can't blame Denis for being a Menace.

I like the guy and hope he continues to develop. He can sometimes wow you with his disposal and other times make you cringe. Someone else did that not long ago... oh yeah, J. Russell.