06-16-2019, 05:52 AM
When we go to centre bounces with Cripps and 2 of Walsh, SPS, Dow and Fisher (which we do at times) we are setting some unrealistic expectations despite Cripps being a beast. I think these kids all have bright futures, but they need more time to build their bodies and skills (and learn to tackle - HARD).
Throwing them all in the midfield together at once isn't an optimal strategy, we need to assign them some other roles to let them keep learning the game and build up to being the 2023 premiership wining midfield
Sadly our newest player, Walsh, is the best performer of this young midfield cohort. I'd keep Walsh on a wing with some rotations through the centre for the rest of the year. He is developing well but we have to make sure he doesn't take too many physical beatings while his body builds up. I really can't wait to see him in the guts though once he has added 6kgs of muscle and can dish out some physical work to go with his brilliant outside game.
I don't think reserves time is the right way to go with SPS, but neither is keeping him in the midfield in the seniors. I would like to see him tried on the half back line for the rest of this year in a role similar to Johannisen, but with more tackling. A role that lets him use his pace and agility to run and carry the ball out of the back line so we can reduce our reliance on kicking down the boundary line or switching play. Putting SPS down back we'd have to consider using one of Thomas, Simpson or Newman in the midfield though.
Fisher may need some time in the reserves as he seems down this year and needs to find his confidence again. While this would be ideal, its hard to see how we do drop Fisher as there is literally nobody knocking on the door in the reserves that could come in and do better. Maybe Deluca once he's ready to go? If he's in the seniors, I'd have Fisher play more as a half forward where he could start to focus on chasing hard, tackling and applying pressure to lock the ball in our forward line. I'd also like him to start showing some heart and ferocity like Puopolo or Zorko. So when small defenders or opposition mids get the ball, Fisher should be trying to bury them in the turf at every chance. He may be smaller, but I don't want him to turn out like certain senior players who won't go hard.
Of this group, Dow probably is the one that needs some time in the twos the most. He should be played on the ball and at half forward there with a focus on improving his kicking, tackling pressure and endurance. I think he could also do with a confidence boost and his pace could really make him a weapon at that level. But he needs to start turning out regular 25+ disposal games before we bring him back. Until he sorts out these issues I think Kennedy is the better option for the big stage. He may not have Dow's speed, but he has regularly been our best in the reserves and deserves the opportunity to continue improving his game in the seniors. I think Kennedy is physically ready to go, but he needs to learn to lift his work rate. Maybe a tagging role at times will help him with that.
If only we could mix Kennedy's size and strength with Dow's speed and Simpson's spirit!
Throwing them all in the midfield together at once isn't an optimal strategy, we need to assign them some other roles to let them keep learning the game and build up to being the 2023 premiership wining midfield
Sadly our newest player, Walsh, is the best performer of this young midfield cohort. I'd keep Walsh on a wing with some rotations through the centre for the rest of the year. He is developing well but we have to make sure he doesn't take too many physical beatings while his body builds up. I really can't wait to see him in the guts though once he has added 6kgs of muscle and can dish out some physical work to go with his brilliant outside game.
I don't think reserves time is the right way to go with SPS, but neither is keeping him in the midfield in the seniors. I would like to see him tried on the half back line for the rest of this year in a role similar to Johannisen, but with more tackling. A role that lets him use his pace and agility to run and carry the ball out of the back line so we can reduce our reliance on kicking down the boundary line or switching play. Putting SPS down back we'd have to consider using one of Thomas, Simpson or Newman in the midfield though.
Fisher may need some time in the reserves as he seems down this year and needs to find his confidence again. While this would be ideal, its hard to see how we do drop Fisher as there is literally nobody knocking on the door in the reserves that could come in and do better. Maybe Deluca once he's ready to go? If he's in the seniors, I'd have Fisher play more as a half forward where he could start to focus on chasing hard, tackling and applying pressure to lock the ball in our forward line. I'd also like him to start showing some heart and ferocity like Puopolo or Zorko. So when small defenders or opposition mids get the ball, Fisher should be trying to bury them in the turf at every chance. He may be smaller, but I don't want him to turn out like certain senior players who won't go hard.
Of this group, Dow probably is the one that needs some time in the twos the most. He should be played on the ball and at half forward there with a focus on improving his kicking, tackling pressure and endurance. I think he could also do with a confidence boost and his pace could really make him a weapon at that level. But he needs to start turning out regular 25+ disposal games before we bring him back. Until he sorts out these issues I think Kennedy is the better option for the big stage. He may not have Dow's speed, but he has regularly been our best in the reserves and deserves the opportunity to continue improving his game in the seniors. I think Kennedy is physically ready to go, but he needs to learn to lift his work rate. Maybe a tagging role at times will help him with that.
If only we could mix Kennedy's size and strength with Dow's speed and Simpson's spirit!