Mes thinks Nick had better practice chasing and tackling this weekend.

These are the new barometers of the team's performance and let's be honest they are not Nick's strong suites. Not having a go, I mean he is probably our most skilled player and our no.2 midfielder, but I dare say he'd want to get with the new program.

Personally, I think the biggest thing holding back Nick's tackle count is the same reason why I think he has trouble with his overhead marks; he appears to lack strength through his shoulders.

No idea if this is a conditioning issue, a result of his on-going hand problems or other injury struggles.

"He will play in the Northern Bullants' six-quarter practice match against Frankston at Visy Park. "


Ummm, correct me if I'm wrong, but there would only be four quarters in a whole, six quarters = one and a half, so in fact they should be playing sixths?

Maybe to do with the neck injury?

Although that's only been for one season I guess

..Stevens was/is a winger.. ..and when he was learning and developing as a young player, game tactics were different, and wingers were more of the outside midfielder type.. ..a wingman.. ..he came here, and we made him our number one center-man right up until Judd.. ..and sure, the game's evolved into basically a few defenders/forwards and a roving pack of midfielders.. ..but if we want the best out of him, play him on a wing, every time..

Not sure that quite cuts the mustard anymore mate.

Fact is, Stevens is so skillful and potentially damaging opposition coaches will always run a tag on him, with the instruction to run off Stevo at all costs (because Stevo doesn't like to chase, tackle etc).

See R22 last year and Bateman murdered him, kicking goals on the re-bound etc.

In today's game, you just have to be accountable.

Stevo will be asked to adapt his game, just like Houlihan has.

Credit to Houla, he is definitely trying to win more inside ball, but that punch when he should have marked was embarrassing.

If Stevo doesn't put in the hard yards, it will be even more obvious this year given the new attitude the team is bringing into each game.

Again, not trying to bag him. I am confident he will do it. I mean, if Houla can change, then surely Stevo can.

Well i would give him an excuse against Hawthorn imagine playing after someone said they were going to come out and stab him when buddy kicked his 100th goal he also got reported in that game in hindsight he shouldnt have played

Mes thinks Nick had better practice chasing and tackling this weekend.

These are the new barometers of the team's performance and let's be honest they are not Nick's strong suites. Not having a go, I mean he is probably our most skilled player and our no.2 midfielder, but I dare say he'd want to get with the new program.

Good one bax .

Not a bad tackle count at all considering he gets the ball a lot more than a lot of other players as well .

Stevens knockers shouldn't read it though . It might destroy some of their arguments .

He'll be in the side next week . He's in our top 6 players .