Stack of Worries

[LostDoggy]

Anyone else have concerns about Stack.

So far he has played 3 games. He looks to have all the tricks. But seems to be just not doing enough to ever be consistent.

Looks a very shy type who doesn't really seem to think he belongs here. Plays most senior games at Willi but from what I have seen doesn't seem to be able to put more than a few patches of play together.

Would a different role elevate him to new heights. Maybe a back flank or tagging role with opposition players bringing him into the play more?

Just think at this stage we need to get more out of this guy. He is obviously talented but needs to get more involved.

[LostDoggy]

Anyone else have concerns about Stack.

So far he has played 3 games. He looks to have all the tricks. But seems to be just not doing enough to ever be consistent.

Looks a very shy type who doesn't really seem to think he belongs here. Plays most senior games at Willi but from what I have seen doesn't seem to be able to put more than a few patches of play together.

Would a different role elevate him to new heights. Maybe a back flank or tagging role with opposition players bringing him into the play more?

Just think at this stage we need to get more out of this guy. He is obviously talented but needs to get more involved.

Agree with the gist of your post. Have been thinking about Stacky and parallels to Harbrow. Some have been calling for Harbrow to go into the forward line (forgetting that it was where he started), to fill the crumbing role that seems to be missing. Jarrod struggled when playing that role earlier in his career (with similar issues to Stack ie. floating in and out of games), but I think with the new-found confidence borne from his running half-back role, he may well be ready to go back up front and be our poor man's version of Cyril Rioli (can tackle too).

If we move Harbrow up, would Stacky be a like-for-like replacement to slot into the half-back flank? He looks to have the same type of acceleration (albeit a more laconic version), and may well blossom when given such a well-defined role, in the same way Jarrod did. The only question marks for me would be his defensive nous (although we didn't know if Jarrod had this until he played there), and if he has the intensity to play there for four quarters. We always knew that Jarrod was having a red-hot go even when he wasn't finding the ball, which boded well for HIS move to the backline. I don't know if Stacky has the same go-go-go.

Maybe he can be trialled in that position to free Harbrow up, but with the option of both of them swinging back and forth as required by the game ie. Stacky to swing back forward if Jarrod's acceleration and intensity is required down back. In any case, I think a gaping spot in the 22 is up for Stacky's taking, it's just up to him to grab it.

[Mofra]

I am worried about Stack. His intensity seems quite low; I liked that he was trialled in the centre of the ground for a short stint during the NAB cup, but the guy has spent quite some time in the system for very little return, even in terms of output at Williamstown. I hope he does start putting his hand up for selection soon.

[LostDoggy]

I don't think Stack will make it. His body is AFL ready but he still struggles to be a consistent contributer at VFL level let alone AFL. No real weaknesses but no real strengths either.
But I do like your suggestion of him being a tagger. He has the athletic qualities required (not sure on his tank) and tagging would give him a clear objective which should mitigate his laconic nature and propensity to drift out of games.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Stack spent a bit of time at Willi on a HBF and didn't really perform that well.

[Dazza]

Agree with the gist of your post. Have been thinking about Stacky and parallels to Harbrow. Some have been calling for Harbrow to go into the forward line (forgetting that it was where he started), to fill the crumbing role that seems to be missing. Jarrod struggled when playing that role earlier in his career (with similar issues to Stack ie. floating in and out of games), but I think with the new-found confidence borne from his running half-back role, he may well be ready to go back up front and be our poor man's version of Cyril Rioli (can tackle too).

If we move Harbrow up, would Stacky be a like-for-like replacement to slot into the half-back flank? He looks to have the same type of acceleration (albeit a more laconic version), and may well blossom when given such a well-defined role, in the same way Jarrod did. The only question marks for me would be his defensive nous (although we didn't know if Jarrod had this until he played there), and if he has the intensity to play there for four quarters. We always knew that Jarrod was having a red-hot go even when he wasn't finding the ball, which boded well for HIS move to the backline. I don't know if Stacky has the same go-go-go.

Maybe he can be trialled in that position to free Harbrow up, but with the option of both of them swinging back and forth as required by the game ie. Stacky to swing back forward if Jarrod's acceleration and intensity is required down back. In any case, I think a gaping spot in the 22 is up for Stacky's taking, it's just up to him to grab it.

Just on Harbrow I would have liked to have seen him trialled in the midfield for a quarter or two during the nab cup with Griffen going back. I really think he has what it takes to become a good mid and I recall reading somewhere that is where he sees his best position.

[azabob]

I wouldn't like to see Harbrow move from defence.

I think we lost a bit of run and drive when Griffen moved from the HBF.

To be a running defender you have to have a sense of dare and freedom and also the ability to know when to go and not when to go.

Not sure Stack has that ability, nor do many on our list perhaps only Harbrow and Griffen.

[bornadog]

I don't think Stack will make it. His body is AFL ready but he still struggles to be a consistent contributer at VFL level let alone AFL. No real weaknesses but no real strengths either.
But I do like your suggestion of him being a tagger. He has the athletic qualities required (not sure on his tank) and tagging would give him a clear objective which should mitigate his laconic nature and propensity to drift out of games.

His main weakness is mental toughness. He better start finding something or he is gawn.

[LostDoggy]

Of those playing in the VFL at the weekend, Eagleton was one of the best, lifting when he had to. Stack just seems to be where the ball isn't for too much of the time. Can that be taught? Will it come with experience? He reminds me of players we have delisted before who just don't get enough of the ball.

[Mofra]

Of those playing in the VFL at the weekend, Eagleton was one of the best, lifting when he had to. Stack just seems to be where the ball isn't for too much of the time. Can that be taught? Will it come with experience? He reminds me of players we have delisted before who just don't get enough of the ball.
We couldn't teach it to Cam Faulkner, who had an amazing knack of getting the hard ball and using it well but couldn't find the easy ball to save himself.

[LostDoggy]

Stack spent a bit of time at Willi on a HBF and didn't really perform that well.

That's that idea down the drain then... :)

Really hope Stacky makes it.. the only thing really missing from our team is an 'X factor' type player, but then again, the inconsistency usually found in these types mean that they can't be risked week to week unless they were truly elite ie. Leon Davis/Cyril Rioli level. I mean, even Milne, Medhurst and Farmer still/used to get caned by their own supporters every other week.

[Mofra]

Harbrow has a bit of X Factor about him, but I really wish we had some in the forwardline. A small crumbing specialist would suit us to a T. Shame Lynch didn't make it.

[LostDoggy]

Harbrow has a bit of X Factor about him, but I really wish we had some in the forwardline. A small crumbing specialist would suit us to a T. Shame Lynch didn't make it.

Hasn't Thorne been earmarked as a possibility? Everyone was talking up his sublime skills in the off-season, how far away is he?

[Mofra]

Hasn't Thorne been earmarked as a possibility? Everyone was talking up his sublime skills in the off-season, how far away is he?
With a dislocated knee-cap & listed as out for 12 weeks and only one pre-season under his belt, one would suggest a fair way away.

[lemmon]

Not sure he has the same genuine pace or acceleration as a guy like Cyril or Leon to play as a small forward to be honest. His main asset for mine are his skills, I wouldn't mind seeing him played on a wing as a real link man going into the forward 50 but we already have an embarrassment of riches in this area. Interesting times for Stacky as he really needs to start putting performances on the board.

[LostDoggy]

Interesting to see Stack has been named on the Half Back Flank. Wonder if he will stay there this week.

[LostDoggy]

Interesting to see Stack has been named on the Half Back Flank. Wonder if he will stay there this week.

German's reading my posts on WOOF. Willy should just hire me as an assistant coach -- I can specialise in player/opposition analysis, half-time cupcakes and shooting the breeze with injured players.

[GVGjr]

Interesting to see Stack has been named on the Half Back Flank. Wonder if he will stay there this week.

I think he is best suited there.

[comrade]

I think he is best suited there.

Unfortunately, that role doesn't best suit the Bulldogs moving forward.

[Mantis]

Unfortunately, that role doesn't best suit the Bulldogs moving forward.

Yep.

We have Addison, Wood, Howard & Tutt as players either being groomed/ almost ready to play a HB role.

What we don't is a quickish small forward who can apply defensive pressure, Stack has the attributes to play this role, he just has to start putting it together.

[Topdog]

He'll be off the list at the end of the year IMO.

[Mantis]

He'll be off the list at the end of the year IMO.

It all depends on how big the turn-over is at the end of the year. I would think there would be atleast 4 or 5 in front of him at present.

Point remains that it is a big year for Brennan and he really needs to start performing to the level the club thinks he can.

[Go_Dogs]

We have Addison, Wood, Howard & Tutt as players either being groomed/ almost ready to play a HB role.

What we don't is a quickish small forward who can apply defensive pressure, Stack has the attributes to play this role, he just has to start putting it together.

Said the exact same thing in the Williamstown thread yesterday.

At what point does it start working against a player not having a clearly defined role and path into the AFL side? He's simply not going to get a game as a half back flanker at this stage, but we are crying out for a small forward. Surely he should be playing and working on that role at VFL level.

[Topdog]

It all depends on how big the turn-over is at the end of the year. I would think there would be atleast 4 or 5 in front of him at present.

Point remains that it is a big year for Brennan and he really needs to start performing to the level the club thinks he can.

I'd be interested to hear who you think would go ahead of him but I do agree that it depends on the turnover.

We will most likely lose Aker, Eagle and Johnno at the end of the year to begin with and promote Moles.

[Sockeye Salmon]

I'd be interested to hear who you think would go ahead of him but I do agree that it depends on the turnover.

We will most likely lose Aker, Eagle and Johnno at the end of the year to begin with and promote Moles.

On: Wallis, Liberatore, Moles
Off: Akermanis, Callan, ???

Eagleton and Johnson are already off the main list as veterans.

Someone like Stack is under pressure.

[azabob]

On: Wallis, Liberatore, Moles
Off: Akermanis, Callan, ???

Eagleton and Johnson are already off the main list as veterans.

Someone like Stack is under pressure.

The Gold Coast may fill in your 3rd blank.

Other players who could fill the 3rd spot are Addison, Boumann, Markovic, Mulligan or Thorne.

[Mantis]

I'd be interested to hear who you think would go ahead of him but I do agree that it depends on the turnover.

We will most likely lose Aker, Eagle and Johnno at the end of the year to begin with and promote Moles.

The 3 mentioned are the obvious ones.

All of Callan, Tiller, Markovic, Boumann as well as Stack need to prove they are worthy of another season/s.

We may also lose 1 or more to GC/ other clubs.

[Topdog]

I forgot about Markovic to be honest. Callan and Tiller seem like list cloggers at the moment. With GC and the compromised draft I don't know how many picks we'd want to be using.

I think Boumann will be safe but he's got to get his head in order.

[Hotdog60]

Stack spent a lot of time at Half Forward today against the GC.

[bornadog]

Stack spent a lot of time at Half Forward today against the GC.

How did he play? He has played in the backline before for Willi so its nothing new for him

[Hotdog60]

How did he play? He has played in the backline before for Willi so its nothing new for him

He got one goal, I was taking pictures and because of that you miss a lot of general play.

Stack, from what I notice got involved a couple of times but didn't do anything outstanding. He lead a few times but the ball was kicked over him to Little, who seems to demand the ball more from players upfield.

[Mofra]

On: Wallis, Liberatore, Moles
Off: Akermanis, Callan, ???

Eagleton and Johnson are already off the main list as veterans.

Someone like Stack is under pressure.
Tim Callan's knee injury will hurt his chances of retention IMO, as well as having a close look at Tutt & Hooper during the season.
Stack is under pressure. I think we will honour the two year commitment we have to Markovic & Thorne.

[soupman]

With regard to de listings, I think Stack is certainly in the group of players who if they don't show something won't be retained.

Others in this group would be Akermanis (due for retirement), Callan (depth player at best and now injured), Boumann (seems talented but also has attitude problems), Tiller (has shown he's capable but injury prone and not yet a player that commands a spot) and Eagleton (possible retirement. Is he on the veterans list?).

I'm pretty sure all of Markovic and Mulligan have two year contracts, otherwise bthey would also be on the list. And Thorne was described as being the equilavent of an 18 year old when he was drafted, so I doubt we'll be in a rush to get rid of him unless his attitude isn't there.

[LostDoggy]

I always thought a role on the halfback line might suit Stack. Maybe this is the start of something good.

[Remi Moses]

Make or break for Stack .

[bornadog]

How did he play? He has played in the backline before for Willi so its nothing new for him


I always thought a role on the halfback line might suit Stack. Maybe this is the start of something good.

Played there at Willi.