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He does have footy smarts. It's just that he's somewhat erratic in displaying them, just as Waite is.
Waite is like the girl with the curl. When he is good, he is very, very good, and when he is bad, he is horrid. He makes some bad decisions and executes badly on occasion, particularly by foot. He has brain fades, such as one occasion when he could have just tackled a guy and instead just pushed him right in the back. But these mistakes are outweighed on the whole by his athleticism and his ability to move the ball quickly, if riskily.
Santy hasn't been given much opportunity to do this, but is quite capable of doing the same. Some of his highlights are brilliant, and you can't do some of the stuff he's done without footy smarts. One example is an occasion on which he was rucking last year against the Pies about 30-35m out from goal. He grabbed the ball out of the air in the ruck contest and screwed it across his body for a goal. Against the Tigers the first time we played them last year, he grabbed a loose ball at half back and ran a short distance and then unleashed a raking kick to about 40-45m out from goal. The kick favoured Fev brilliantly even though he had an opponent on either side of him. He took the mark but missed the goal. His ability to do that sort of thing makes him a potent rebounder, but it's a pity that he isn't used in that role. But he doesn't just kick long. If you look back at his games last year, he had his fair share of short kicks when longer options weren't available, including sideway kicks when necessary and short passes (one example being a short pass he kicked from just outside the 50 to Fisher who marked and goaled against either Richmond or Essendon* early last year).
Brilliant post!!
Exactly what I see......thought I was going
as SB was telling me that I was actually seeing something else.
Unfortunately because of his background and his unparalled passion to succeed, when he does get something wrong he lets it affect his confidence and he goes into his shell or looks for a safe option. I enjoyed it when he took players on or went for something that was instinctive because he is capable of the freaky things as well.....but he needs support; mostly from his coach.
I have noticed that since Ratts has taken over he has been more hesitant, and this goes against achieving on the field and developing as a player. I truly believe that if he was given an assurance (like a Jordan Russell perhaps) that he will get games regardless of performance, and a green light to play the game to the full, he will grow. But I believe that this freedom will never be granted.
Let's hope that he does come back, and that his confidence isn't shot, and that he proves all the naysayers wrong. After all it would only benefit Carlton if he ripped it up on the field....we should be ALL backing him to the hilt.
GO GET'EM SANTY!!!
GO BLUES!!!
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