chef
09-06-2010, 06:44 AM
Mark Stevens From: Herald Sun June 09, 2010 12:00AM
WHEN the Western Bulldogs welcomed a draftee named Brian Harris to the club back in 2001, the players wasted no time inviting him out for a bonding session.
Such a good time was had by all, disorientation set in by the time the gathering broke up. New to Melbourne, and struggling to remember how to get home, Harris took the easy option of sleeping at the place he knew best - the E. J. Whitten Stand.
For a long time the former South Australian was ribbed about not knowing where home is. At least the key forward prospect soon found a home on-field, re-inventing himself as a full-back.
After a name change to Brian Lake, he became an All-Australian defender.
But after years of being settled, confusion reigns again: where is home?
Lake might just be the best forward in the game not playing there. Coach Rodney Eade has always started Lake at full-back as Plan A, moving him forward in times of crisis this season.
The cameo switches have been such a success, the "Throw Lake Forward" faction is growing by the day.
Until now much of the argument has been based on perception and feel, but detailed statistics reveal the full extent of Lake's impact when planted inside the forward 50.
A Champion Data investigation found Lake has spent only 71 minutes, or a little more than half a game, as a set forward this year.
But in that time the Dogs have kicked a staggering 15 goals and four behinds.
In the same time period, without Lake holding down full-back, the Dogs have only conceded 7.5 - they are almost eight goals better off for rolling the dice.
In the final eight minutes of the Round 7 game against Melbourne, with Lake forward, the Dogs kicked 2.1 to 0.0 and stole a victory.
When Lake was thrown forward against Essendon for the final eight minutes in Round 10, the Dogs booted 3.1 to 0.0.
On Sunday Lake was sent forward 10 minutes into the third term. From there the Dogs kicked 10.2 to 7.5 in 55 minutes of play.
Lake has only kicked three goals in that 71-minute period, but has caused panic among opposition defences by prowling inside 50 near Barry Hall.
When Lake is forward, the Dogs are converting 41.7 per cent of forward entries into goals. On average, teams only convert 25.7 per cent of forward thrusts into goals.
Lake has made a name using his judgment to take clean defensive marks rather than spoil. Up forward Lake is working to the same strengths, only cashing in on the kicks of teammates.
We have seen glimpses before. Who could forget the day Lake wandered forward against Richmond in 2008?
He "clunked" a contested mark, then went to ground clutching his hamstring. The kick went to Will Minson, who levelled the scores with less than a minute left. He also snagged the winning goal in the NAB Cup semi-final against Port Adelaide this year.
The Dogs are coming from a long way back at 6-5, but throwing Lake forward may be their chance to strike for a flag.
The big fella would love to get lost on his way home from celebrations on the last Saturday in September
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/the-new-lake-district/story-e6frf9ox-1225877227370
WHEN the Western Bulldogs welcomed a draftee named Brian Harris to the club back in 2001, the players wasted no time inviting him out for a bonding session.
Such a good time was had by all, disorientation set in by the time the gathering broke up. New to Melbourne, and struggling to remember how to get home, Harris took the easy option of sleeping at the place he knew best - the E. J. Whitten Stand.
For a long time the former South Australian was ribbed about not knowing where home is. At least the key forward prospect soon found a home on-field, re-inventing himself as a full-back.
After a name change to Brian Lake, he became an All-Australian defender.
But after years of being settled, confusion reigns again: where is home?
Lake might just be the best forward in the game not playing there. Coach Rodney Eade has always started Lake at full-back as Plan A, moving him forward in times of crisis this season.
The cameo switches have been such a success, the "Throw Lake Forward" faction is growing by the day.
Until now much of the argument has been based on perception and feel, but detailed statistics reveal the full extent of Lake's impact when planted inside the forward 50.
A Champion Data investigation found Lake has spent only 71 minutes, or a little more than half a game, as a set forward this year.
But in that time the Dogs have kicked a staggering 15 goals and four behinds.
In the same time period, without Lake holding down full-back, the Dogs have only conceded 7.5 - they are almost eight goals better off for rolling the dice.
In the final eight minutes of the Round 7 game against Melbourne, with Lake forward, the Dogs kicked 2.1 to 0.0 and stole a victory.
When Lake was thrown forward against Essendon for the final eight minutes in Round 10, the Dogs booted 3.1 to 0.0.
On Sunday Lake was sent forward 10 minutes into the third term. From there the Dogs kicked 10.2 to 7.5 in 55 minutes of play.
Lake has only kicked three goals in that 71-minute period, but has caused panic among opposition defences by prowling inside 50 near Barry Hall.
When Lake is forward, the Dogs are converting 41.7 per cent of forward entries into goals. On average, teams only convert 25.7 per cent of forward thrusts into goals.
Lake has made a name using his judgment to take clean defensive marks rather than spoil. Up forward Lake is working to the same strengths, only cashing in on the kicks of teammates.
We have seen glimpses before. Who could forget the day Lake wandered forward against Richmond in 2008?
He "clunked" a contested mark, then went to ground clutching his hamstring. The kick went to Will Minson, who levelled the scores with less than a minute left. He also snagged the winning goal in the NAB Cup semi-final against Port Adelaide this year.
The Dogs are coming from a long way back at 6-5, but throwing Lake forward may be their chance to strike for a flag.
The big fella would love to get lost on his way home from celebrations on the last Saturday in September
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/the-new-lake-district/story-e6frf9ox-1225877227370