Lin Jong - Where does he play in 2020

[bornadog]

Can Lin Jong break back into the team and become best 22, and if so, where does he play?

Should he reinvent himself or just compete for a spot as an inside mid?

I am hoping he can stay injury free and come back stronger than ever. It could be a make or break year.

[bulldogtragic]

Probably Footscray to be direct. We have forwards covered and I'm not sure he's a defender. He could be a tagger perhaps, but we really don't pick a specialist negator.

In Order of inside mids/rest forward types in competition: Bonts, Macrae, Dunkley, Smith, Lippa, McLean, Libba, Wallis - Jong - West, Porter

Don't get me wrong, I'd love him to knock the door down and play most of the year. I'm just not sure how that would happen as it currently stands.

[GVGjr]

He's simply a long way back in the pecking order and it's hard to find a spot for him. I think we would all love to see him make an impact but I just can't find a logical spot for him.

[bornadog]

He's simply a long way back in the pecking order and it's hard to find a spot for him. I think we would all love to see him make an impact but I just can't find a logical spot for him.

I guess he is there for back up. A few injuries and things will change.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

He's really stagnated for a while now.

His improvement trajectory was impressive up until around 2017 from memory but due to injury and some challenges outside of footy he has fallen a long way behind. Hard to see him making up ground again, but three things he has going for him is his pace, athletic ability and overhead marking for his size.

[The Doctor]

Can Lin Jong break back into the team and become best 22, and if so, where does he play?

Should he reinvent himself or just compete for a spot as an inside mid?

I am hoping he can stay injury free and come back stronger than ever. It could be a make or break year.

I was going to post about Jong in the player re-invention thread. I think, for the sake of his career, he has to re-invent himself. He played no senior football in 2019. There are far too many inside mids ahead of him to break into the senior side as an inside mid. Unless he finds a new role he will play mostly at Footscray and end up being delisted.

My view is Jong should be tried as a pressure forward (Forward Pocket).

If we consider Jong's strengths they include; good speed, strong tackler, good mark, strong body, can kick goals, excellent roving capability, can win the hard ball. All proven at senior level.

His main weakness is disposal quality which makes him a bit of a liability in the midfield at senior level as he turns it over a bit too much. Perhaps the other thing he lacks is confidence. Numerous injuries have prevented continuity.

It will be a challenge for him but I think his footy characteristics could be well applied to a pressure forward role. What has he/we got to lose? No one at the club (as yet) has really stamped themselves as a lead contender for this kind of position.

It's interesting to note that when Jong has played under Bevo (51 games) the team's winning percentage is around 57%

[Go_Dogs]

Great suggestion Doc.

It's worth a try given he's so far back in the queue as a midfielder now. He's got the athletic profile and while he may not be a creative small forward in the traditional sense, his size and speed is sure to create opportunities.

[bornadog]

Great suggestion Doc.

It's worth a try given he's so far back in the queue as a midfielder now. He's got the athletic profile and while he may not be a creative small forward in the traditional sense, his size and speed is sure to create opportunities.

He is also a good mark for his height.

[macca]

If anyone has a copy of the VFL 2016 finals. Please hand it to Lin and ask him to play with his instincts like he did that day which he got BOG that day . Ran everywhere , tackled and outmarked spuds like Wiedermann .
He displayed Dangerfield like qualities. The power midfield who goes forward . He needs to finds his confidence , Consistency and just simplify his game

I hope he can find a new position somewhere in the team. Transform himself as a powerful forward pocket

[lemmon]

I actually think he'd potentially be a really good half back if he could sort his kicking out. His combination of size, speed and aerial ability makes him a really good potential matchup for mid-sized forward across the league.

Kicking would be the challenge... But it was for midfielder Matt Boyd too.

[comrade]

Could he become a De Boer type defensive mid/tagger? Powerful runner, can compete with most midfield bulls with his size. He doesn't have a naturally high footy IQ so giving him a task to just stop the opposition's best mid may suit him.

I know Bevo doesn't like playing negating roles, but I think it'd be a decent role for Jong. Otherwise, I can't see him breaking through as a stock standard ball winning mid when we have far too many ahead of him.

[AshMac]

Could he become a De Boer type defensive mid/tagger? Powerful runner, can compete with most midfield bulls with his size. He doesn't have a naturally high footy IQ so giving him a task to just stop the opposition's best mid may suit him.

I know Bevo doesn't like playing negating roles, but I think it'd be a decent role for Jong. Otherwise, I can't see him breaking through as a stock standard ball winning mid when we have far too many ahead of him.

With you on that one. His best was so good before he broke his hand that year but he’s now fallen very far back. Several players have really found their form as a tagger - Wally, Picko etc - no reason he can’t too.

Won’t play every game in that role but if he c an get a foothold and build confidence he is quick, a decent overhead mark and hard as nails.

[Mofra]

I like Jongy's story and he seems popular but sadly I think others have gone past him. I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn;t play a game in 2020.

He's not getting a game as an inside mid. If we were to play a tagger, we have one on the list who had the most underrated role in the 2016 GF - Libba, with his second half shut-down job on Josh Kennedy. Libba's a beautiful kick on his left too.

HF? We've just traded in two best 22 locks (Bruce and Lloyd) with Bailey Dale playing a mid-sizer role with a footy IQ off the charts, and Naughton and Schache are there too. Cavarra is a mature small forward and Weightman will push for games, ditto West. That's before we even consider where McLean plays or whether Fergus Greene can snag a game or two.

In the back half we have a real squeeze on with Keith and Cordy locks, Wood and Crozier mid sizers, Suckling rotates through there, and Daniel and Duryea rebounding smalls. Then there are players who play well in the back half but have been shifted elsewhere for team balance (Williams and Richards) who would be well ahead of Jong, and both Youngs are banging down the door too.

Wing? It's normally a spot for players with real footy smarts and a massive tank, which is why Hunter has one side sewn up. Jong is a power athlete but I'm not sure the grind of covering high kms per game is his forte.

[GVGjr]

Could he become a De Boer type defensive mid/tagger? Powerful runner, can compete with most midfield bulls with his size. He doesn't have a naturally high footy IQ so giving him a task to just stop the opposition's best mid may suit him.

I know Bevo doesn't like playing negating roles, but I think it'd be a decent role for Jong. Otherwise, I can't see him breaking through as a stock standard ball winning mid when we have far too many ahead of him.

That is clearly a good option for him but based on the last couple of years he is more likely to be used in the ruck from time to time than given regular run with assignments

He certainly has the toughness required

[bornadog]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EPLhScoU4AEHi4T?format=jpg&name=medium

By all accounts, Jongy is training well and looking pretty good for the upcoming season. Lets hope he stays injury free.

[Hotdog60]

That's a great photo.
All the best to Jongy his had some tough luck.

[dog town]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EPLhScoU4AEHi4T?format=jpg&name=medium

By all accounts, Jongy is training well and looking pretty good for the upcoming season. Lets hope he stays injury free. Jono Brown mentioned Jong is being trialled on a wing.

[Mofra]

Jono Brown mentioned Jong is being trialled on a wing.
Might be worth a shot. He's a superb athlete so if he covers enough ground he might force his way into the side.

FWIW Brown has him in his supercoach side!

[Insufficient Intent]

If anyone on our list deserves a change of luck, it's Jongy.

His path in recent years has been constantly crossed by black cats; trust he steers clear of walking under ladders and stops putting up his umbrella inside the house.

Hope he stays on deck all season and has a breakout year!

[Twodogs]

If anyone on our list deserves a change of luck, it's Jongy.

His path in recent years has been constantly crossed by black cats; trust he steers clear of walking under ladders and stops putting up his umbrella inside the house.

Hope he stays on deck all season and has a breakout year!

We should have a lucky superstition consultant or coach. His whole job would be involve taking the blame for soft tissue injuries.

[Insufficient Intent]

We should have a lucky superstition consultant or coach. His whole job would be involve taking the blame for soft tissue injuries.

... and maybe missed goals as well? :):)

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Go Jongy! He has the pace for the wing and is a great warrior, athlete and competitor. Should know our game plan backwards and fellow players' games. Now or never.

[ledge]

Get a game at Most clubs, he is very strong and a good overhead mark, just needs a decent run at it.
Tough as nails as proved in VFL finals.
Big Part of us winning a VFL flag.
Would have been a good inclusion against GWS.