Post Game Passion; AFL Rd 16: Carlton vs Fremantle

[Gointocarlton]

Where does he want to play??
Not many other options for him.

Midfield I would think.

[DJC]

Rumour (dont shoot the messenger) has it that he isn't happy with the small fwd role.

He may not be happy, but he has a long way to go before he has first dibs on a small forward role and even longer before he would be in contention for a midfield role  :

[cookie2]

He may not be happy, but he has a long way to go before he has first dibs on a small forward role and even longer before he would be in contention for a midfield role  :

Yes, something to do with beggars and choosers I would think.

[capcom]

Still think he's a good player and wants to be more "involved" in the game.  That's a distinct positive, but you first have to earn your stripes.

[Baggers]

Rumour (dont shoot the messenger) has it that he isn't happy with the small fwd role.

I wouldn't be at all surprised and wouldn't blame him for a second. He was recruited as a midfielder and IMHO is suited to that role. Trying to make him into a small forward is just another example of us playing blokes out of position.

Small forwards are a unique bunch. They signal their skill pretty early in their career and they love hanging around packs and creating something out of nothing. Once they've majored their craft you'll see them venture up the ground from time to time. Toby G, Milne, Edwardo... a few good examples.

But taking a natural midfielder and trying to mould him into a small forward just because he's small, is silly and counter-productive. Zachery is the kind of mid who creates something out of nothing around and in the roaming midfield pack. Plenty of very good mids have been runts. If The TT is serious about 'playing blokes to their strengths' then Zachery lines up around the midfield and is given license to drift forward - and back.

[ElwoodBlues1]

Baggers nailed it... Small forwards are specialists, when you try and manufacture players for positions it usually backfires. The good ones are also strong in the air and can take a really good mark vs bigger players.
Fisher isn't great overhead like Eddie, Cameron, Ryan, Papley etc.. Doesn't mean he won't contribute but it's like buying a Suzuki Jimny as an off roader when you really need a Land cruiser..

[cookie2]

He may then need to go elsewhere to find a midfield role, depending on how others continue to develop.

[Baggers]

He may then need to go elsewhere to find a midfield role, depending on how others continue to develop.

And maybe that's the harsh reality, Fluffy One. I'd like to see him have a fair-dinkum crack at being a mid but we've a few very promising mids on our development radar who are bigger bodied. What Zachery offers to the midfield, though, is creativity and unpredictable/clever moves. Many blokes move through the midfield these days... perhaps Zachery is a wingman with license to get into the action? But he aint a small forward... and I don't think Owies is either.

At the moment Owies is not getting the no.1 small forward defender. Edwardo is... We have to be aggressive in the trade period and get a bona fide small forward. I wonder if Owies might actually be a better defender on small forwards (which would free up Stocker to get into the midfield)? Owies does read the game well, and has a dash of mongrel.

You cannot manufacture a small forward - they're a unique, instinctual breed.

[Thryleon]

Needs to get on the park first.  Fish spends more time injured than playing these days.

[Baggers]

Needs to get on the park first.  Fish spends more time injured than playing these days.

He aint Robinson Crusoe in that regard!