07-11-2024, 01:47 AM
[quote author=kruddler link=msg=418129 date=1720441037]
"Small defenders are scarce." Don't agree, largely for reasons that you identify in the remainder of your post.
"Docherty is out." True
"Williams is now a forward." Yes, but if we need a small defender more than his current role he can slot back in.
"Cincotta is a tagger now." Ditto Williams comment.
"We have Boyd and Saad who are more of the blokes you want going up the field disposing. Then you have newman and cowan playing more of a lockdown role." So there's 4 small defenders just there, plus Williams and Cincotta.
"Looking through the rest of the list, and that's about it. Cupboard is bare behind them." Pretty true, though Billy Wilson looks a likely prospect not quite ready yet, ditto Lord although he is more a mid I could see his determination and defensive nous translating into defence as long as he isn't matched up on someone with pace as he isn't quick. There's also a few more players who are more naturally suited to other parts of the ground who can be pressganged into service if need be.
Even if you mean quality small defenders are scarce I would disagree. Saad and Newman are clearly quality. I am a big fan of Boyd, we should be using his lovely kicking more. Cincotta was doing a great job as a lockdown defender before getting shifted on-ball. Williams has shown in the past he can be a weapon of half back, albeit he was badly out of form before being moved forward. I am a rap for Cowan though he is still young and has some rough edges. It's not the 1981 brigade (Hunter, Klomp both reigning All-Australians, Doull,, English, and Austin, with G Whitnall in reserve and Harmes and McConville available to shift into defence if needed - the talls being reigning All-Australian Geoff Southby, Woof Perovic, and Tatts Bortolotto with Scott Howell slotting in as a late replacement for Southby in the GF to stand Peter Moore quite effectively and Swan McKay able to swing back if needed. Any wonder we were in the middle of 3 flags in 4 years?)
"Small defenders are scarce." Don't agree, largely for reasons that you identify in the remainder of your post.
"Docherty is out." True
"Williams is now a forward." Yes, but if we need a small defender more than his current role he can slot back in.
"Cincotta is a tagger now." Ditto Williams comment.
"We have Boyd and Saad who are more of the blokes you want going up the field disposing. Then you have newman and cowan playing more of a lockdown role." So there's 4 small defenders just there, plus Williams and Cincotta.
"Looking through the rest of the list, and that's about it. Cupboard is bare behind them." Pretty true, though Billy Wilson looks a likely prospect not quite ready yet, ditto Lord although he is more a mid I could see his determination and defensive nous translating into defence as long as he isn't matched up on someone with pace as he isn't quick. There's also a few more players who are more naturally suited to other parts of the ground who can be pressganged into service if need be.
Even if you mean quality small defenders are scarce I would disagree. Saad and Newman are clearly quality. I am a big fan of Boyd, we should be using his lovely kicking more. Cincotta was doing a great job as a lockdown defender before getting shifted on-ball. Williams has shown in the past he can be a weapon of half back, albeit he was badly out of form before being moved forward. I am a rap for Cowan though he is still young and has some rough edges. It's not the 1981 brigade (Hunter, Klomp both reigning All-Australians, Doull,, English, and Austin, with G Whitnall in reserve and Harmes and McConville available to shift into defence if needed - the talls being reigning All-Australian Geoff Southby, Woof Perovic, and Tatts Bortolotto with Scott Howell slotting in as a late replacement for Southby in the GF to stand Peter Moore quite effectively and Swan McKay able to swing back if needed. Any wonder we were in the middle of 3 flags in 4 years?)