Blake’s been brilliant for Carlton (which isn’t to say he would have been equally brilliant for us).
- Curnow and Big Harry mean kicks inside their 50 need to be less precise and getting it in early is the key. He’s excelled at that.
- They’ve got some big lads and extractors running through their midfield. He’s also benefiting from this.
- Voss given him same role every week and get sense told to make it his (amazing what happens when coaches give you confidence and same job every week. Leaving Sharp and Johnson as our dedicated wingers might give us same benefit.)
- interestingly teams are looking at ways to counter him and his decision to push so far up and back the field. Particularly in defensive 50. Last few weeks his winger opponents are actively trailing him inside 50, looking to be a marking option and have kicked goals. He’s gut run to be extra man up against key forwards. So instead of chasing him they’re stopping 25-40m out directly in front of goal as he heads to the square and team mates are spotting them up.
[Side bar]
- still think Ras can be an AFL mid / winger. Feel like he is WAY down on confidence and trying to do too much when he comes in. Hope he can turn it around. He’s only 20, 190cm, and if we were crap he’d be playing every week and getting games and development in.
- Johnson still has so much upside. Persevering with him will pay off. Last three games at Optus I have sat middle of ground / wing at ground level, up high middle of ground / wing, and behind the goals. Gives different perspectives on pressure players are under to find teammates. Sharp is our link winger. Johnson (right or wrong) appears to have been given a more defensive role on his side. So judging him on possession #s doesn’t seem fair. Both he and Sharp building chemistry with midfield group and forwards - turnovers are part their skills yes, but also understanding where teammates are running to OR meant to be running to.
- The Brodie conundrum.
Brayshaw spends more time on outside this year because Serong, Fyfe and Young are around ball more. Brodie plays same style and strengths as those three. Don’t see him on wing, or high half-fwd, or backline. So he’s not in the team. So he’s not getting a game until there is a role in middle.
- small (lock down)!defenders
Nightmare job taking Charlie Cameron, Weightmans, Elliots, etc etc and balancing shutdown role vs win football back vs taking game on. Walker and Hughes seem to most often get these gigs with Aish as back-up option. Personally, don’t think either bloke has nailed it yet. I’d like Walker to use his pace to be first to ball more often and not try and take game on as often. JOM and Chappy were awesome this week.
