Pick 55 - Ed Barlow

[Cyberdoggie]

As suspected the dogs gave Ed Barlow another chance.

196cm 99kg's from the sydney swans.

[Mofra]

Listed as a midfielder on the AFL site which suits the descriptions of him by Swans fans.

[Dry Rot]

Surprised we didn't rookie any tall defenders (not counting Barlow as one).

Swans fans I've talked to are happy to see the back of Barlow.

[Raw Toast]

Swans fans I've talked to are happy to see the back of Barlow.

Happy to wait a bit on this one - the views of fans are not always to be trusted. The Swans have been very good at getting more out of players that were not rated by their first club (nor by the fans of their first club), but I also suspect their system doesn't suit some types as well.

[mighty_west]

Surprised we didn't rookie any tall defenders (not counting Barlow as one).

Swans fans I've talked to are happy to see the back of Barlow.

I was just speaking to a big Swannies fan on the weekend, and we talked about Barlow at length, his only downfall as it seems is his lack of disposal, apart from that seems to have alot of things going for him, but isn't a KPP despite his height, him & his group of Swannies mates were a bit sad to see him go, he was a bit of a favourite, but can understand why they cut him loose.

I also mentioned Everitt about being a player that didn't have a set position, and wasn't really a KPP as well, he was generally miffed on the Swans getting rid of Vezspremi, is a huge wrap for the kid.

[Ghost Dog]

Happy to wait a bit on this one - the views of fans are not always to be trusted. The Swans have been very good at getting more out of players that were not rated by their first club (nor by the fans of their first club), but I also suspect their system doesn't suit some types as well.

Can you elaborate on this a bit? What is it about the swans system that is not suitable for what kind of player?

[Ghost Dog]

I also mentioned Everitt about being a player that didn't have a set position, and wasn't really a KPP as well, he was generally miffed on the Swans getting rid of Vezspremi, is a huge wrap for the kid.

I guess like our fans - Alot felt sad to see Dre go. Kind of a line ball thing.
Been hearing good things about Vez-star. Sometimes it just takes a new environment.

[G-Mo77]

I'm happy to wait on this one to Raw Toast. A lot of Noel Know-alls are already saying he would be a bad pick. I'm willing to wait and see how it pans out before I start throwing knifes.

[LostDoggy]

Swans fans I've talked to are happy to see the back of Barlow.

Same unfortunately, the one Sydney fan I know wished us luck with him but don't expect much, sounds like their scapegoat when he did play. I'll be more interested in seeing what he can do for us before getting worried about a fan's word.

[mighty_west]

Same unfortunately, the one Sydney fan I know wished us luck with him but don't expect much, sounds like their scapegoat when he did play. I'll be more interested in seeing what he can do for us before getting worried about a fan's word.

If Leigh Brown could make a serious impact in a Premiership side, who knows with Barlow, at least Barlow can run faster than Leroy, although Leroy did burn off Crossy!!!

[LostDoggy]

If Leigh Brown could make a serious impact in a Premiership side, who knows with Barlow, at least Barlow can run faster than Leroy, although Leroy did burn off Crossy!!!

This is not a bad point, actually. Some of these role players may actually add value if that's all we're expecting from them -- to fill a very specific role in the gameplan (Dew for Hawthorn was similar). I think where we'll be disappointed is if we expect them to become key players you build a side around.

[LostDoggy]

Happy to wait a bit on this one - the views of fans are not always to be trusted. The Swans have been very good at getting more out of players that were not rated by their first club (nor by the fans of their first club), but I also suspect their system doesn't suit some types as well.

Precisely. We've seen ourselves, players that our fans are happy to see the back of, playing in Grand Finals with other teams. *cough* Farren Ray *cough*


This is not a bad point, actually. Some of these role players may actually add value if that's all we're expecting from them -- to fill a very specific role in the gameplan (Dew for Hawthorn was similar). I think where we'll be disappointed is if we expect them to become key players you build a side around.

Agreed.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

This is not a bad point, actually. Some of these role players may actually add value if that's all we're expecting from them -- to fill a very specific role in the gameplan (Dew for Hawthorn was similar). I think where we'll be disappointed is if we expect them to become key players you build a side around.

Agree with this too. Brown is certainly the bext example but there are others too. I haven't seen too much of Barlow, so I'll wait until I see him play before judging. The NAB Cup should provide a good platform for us to test players like this out. It will be interesting what kind of role we envisage? It's hard to see him pushing anyone out of the midfield, even if it were a tagging role. I can't see him playing forward, so it leaves his best chance in defence - but apparently he can't play as a KPD.

Time will only tell.

[mighty_west]

Agree with this too. Brown is certainly the bext example but there are others too. I haven't seen too much of Barlow, so I'll wait until I see him play before judging. The NAB Cup should provide a good platform for us to test players like this out. It will be interesting what kind of role we envisage? It's hard to see him pushing anyone out of the midfield, even if it were a tagging role. I can't see him playing forward, so it leaves his best chance in defence - but apparently he can't play as a KPD.

Time will only tell.

I don't think he has to play as a KPP as such, like with Brown, just switch hit him anywhere & everywhere required, even a chop out in the ruck from time to time if required, run down forward and create a mismatch for the opposition etc, and cheat a few goals that way.

[LostDoggy]

I don't think he has to play as a KPP as such, like with Brown, just switch hit him anywhere & everywhere required, even a chop out in the ruck from time to time if required, run down forward and create a mismatch for the opposition etc, and cheat a few goals that way.

Could he be the perfect sub?

Can play many positions and run all day

[mighty_west]

Could he be the perfect sub?

Can play many positions and run all day

Possibly, although i don't believe there is a "perfect sub" as such, players ranked 18 - 28 could all be played as that sub, perhaps even debuting players and only giving them so many minutes.

Josh Hill, Dylan Addsion, Ed Barlow, Pat Veszpremi, Nathan Djerkerra, Andrew Hooper, Ayce Cordy, Mitch Wallis, Brennan Stack, Sam Reid etc could all be rotated on a weekly basis as that sub.

[Mofra]

Could he be the perfect sub?

Can play many positions and run all day
It may be part of the club's thinking - the club website didn't peg him as key defensive cover, and he certainly has the tank to run through the middle if required.

[Raw Toast]

Can you elaborate on this a bit? What is it about the swans system that is not suitable for what kind of player?

The Swans have played a very structured style of footy, with players given very specific roles and not a heap of freedom to go outside those (even players like Adam Goodes have sometimes chafed at the limitations imposed on them, though at times Roos was happy for him to just follow the ball).

This has worked well for many of their players, and helped seemingly below average players from other clubs eg Rhys Shaw and Marty Mattner. But it's going to hurt players who are pretty adaptable but have more limited role players ahead of them (ie players who can't do as many things, but can do a specialised thing better than them), and it's also going to hurt players whose skill-set doesn't fit well into the structures they have set up.

I don't know enough about Barlow (Or Vezspremi for that matter), to know if the Swans system hindered him. But I'm sure it has hindered some players (so system is going to suit all types). And I'm happy to wait and see if our recruiting staff are correct in their assessment that the way we play (and coach) will suit him better.

[boydogs]

But it's going to hurt players who are pretty adaptable but have more limited role players ahead of them (ie players who can't do as many things, but can do a specialised thing better than them)

Sounds like Everitt

[LostDoggy]

A bit of feel-good fluff from the mighty Bega Disctrict News




Barlow’s going to the Dogs

JOSH BARTLETT
10 Dec, 2010 08:40 AM

FORMER local Ed Barlow has been given a second chance in the Australian Football League (AFL).
The 23-year-old was selected by Western Bulldogs with pick 55 in the NAB AFL Rookie Draft on Monday.

After a disappointing 2010 season, which included several injuries and a form slump, Barlow was delisted by Sydney Swans in mid-October.

He was originally selected by the club in the 2006 rookie draft and played 26 games for the Swans, kicking 18 goals.

However, Barlow managed just one game this season, against Geelong Cats in round seven.

In the past few weeks, Barlow joined the Bulldogs for their pre-season training, impressing the club enough with his work ethic to be picked as a rookie.

Barlow spent his junior footy years at the Tathra Australian Rules Football Club before attending Scotch College in Melbourne from 2003-2005.

The following year he moved up to Sydney to play for the Swans.

Tathra club president Dave Gartside said he was pleased with Barlow’s selection.

“It’s good to see Ed get another chance,” he said.

“By all reports it was good signs (that Bulldogs would select Barlow) but we had our fingers crossed because you never know until on the day.

“He’s only a rookie but at least he is on a club list again.”

Gartside said Barlow would have to be patient but could be successful at his new club.

“He has had a difficult couple of years with injuries but he might just suit the Bulldogs’ running style of play with their open, free play making,” he said.

“It’s really good to see Ed rewarded for hard work.

“The club is very proud and hopefully he can break through now.”

Monday’s draft also saw Merimbula footballer Sam Martyn selected by Adelaide Crows with pick 84.

[LostDoggy]

It may be part of the club's thinking - the club website didn't peg him as key defensive cover, and he certainly has the tank to run through the middle if required.

Won the 100m beep test by 3 lengths a couple of weeks ago from Boyd and Cross.