Pre-Season Snapshot

[The Coon Dog]

Jennifer Witham - AFL Website - 31 December


THE DOGS resumed training on November 15 with the majority of the sessions at Whitten Oval. They did break ranks for an adventure camp in New Zealand in December with lengthy hikes, an eight-hour race and canyon swinging and jet-boating splitting some tough training sessions.

* Info on: Medical room, Who's burning, Draftee Watch, Membership, After the break, Telstra Community Camp, NAB Cup opener & What they say.

Link (http://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/tabid/4112/default.aspx?newsid=106570)

[mjp]

Williamstown will be happy at how well Stack and Minson are going.

[AndrewP6]

Forget the training reports, this is gold...

"Draftee watch: Athletic Territorian Zephaniah Skinner has burst into his AFL career with a signature hairstyle and the ability to "leap tall buildings", according to Rodney Eade. His sense of humour was evident on his first day when he walked up to Daniel Giansiracusa and opened with the line, "Hey bro, you're a bit grey in the hair, man."

:):D :cool:

Funny he didn't say something to Baz....

Membership is about 10% up on last year, sounds good.

[Bulldog Joe]

Williamstown will be happy at how well Stack and Minson are going.

I expect Minson to have a good year. It appears he is determined to prove that 2010 was an aberration after his injury and illness concerns.

[Desipura]

I expect Minson to have a good year. It appears he is determined to prove that 2010 was an aberration after his injury and illness concerns.
If it is based purely on natural ability, Roughead will overtake him.

[LostDoggy]

Have to laugh at the Zeph mans comments to Gia - wonder what Gia said in return???:D

[AndrewP6]

Have to laugh at the Zeph mans comments to Gia - wonder what Gia said in return???:D

I'm tipping Gia wouldn't have been thrilled ;) I reckon the boys will bring that up more than once!

[LostDoggy]

I'm tipping Gia wouldn't have been thrilled ;) I reckon the boys will bring that up more than once!

Yep, I reckon you're right Andrew - I'm sure it will be a big source of amusement around the club! (That's considering that Gia hopefully has a sense of humour that can take the comment!)

[Go_Dogs]

Williamstown will be happy at how well Stack and Minson are going.

I wouldn't be overly surprised if both played over 15 games for the year. Obviously a lot of water to go under the bridge, injuries etc, but I'm slightly more optimistic about their chances in 2011 than you, mjp.

Stack will have some more competition with DJ and Vez, but I still think he offers some qualities we don't have - it just needs to click.

Minson will play a lot of football. When fit he's a fairly handy ruckmen, and although much maligned for it, is good enough for a shot or two a game on goal. Roughead will be breathing down his neck, but still has a long way to go to become a consistently reliable AFL performer. Should take more strides this year though.

[chef]

Williamstown will be happy at how well Stack and Minson are going.

So will the Dogs as we will need as much depth in our list as we can get(plus they could both easily end up being best 22 players in our side come September).

[Desipura]

Minson will play a lot of football. When fit he's a fairly handy ruckmen, and although much maligned for it, is good enough for a shot or two a game on goal. Roughead will be breathing down his neck, but still has a long way to go to become a consistently reliable AFL performer. Should take more strides this year though.
If Minson plays a lot of football, It would mean Roughy has not improved on last season. We need the likes of Roughy and Grant to continue to improve along with the likes of Higgins and Ward if we have ambitions to go deeper in September. Being injury free and fit and firing at the business end will also assist. Williams could be ready to have more of an impact on games. I cannot see Minson playing deep in September if Roughy and Huddo are fit and firing.

[chef]

If MInson plays a lot of football, It would mean Roughy has not improved on last season. We need the likes of Roughy and Grant to continue to improve along with the likes of Higgins and Ward if we have ambitions to go deeper in September. Being injury free and fit and firing at the business end will also assist. Williams could be ready to have more of an impact on games. I cannot see Minson playing deep in September if Roughy and Huddo are fit and firing.

Or he has gotten injured. He's(Minson) not a bad number 3(or 4 if Cordy comes on in leaps and bounds) ruck man to have up our sleeves in case of injuries.

[Desipura]

Or he has gotten injured. He's(Minson) not a bad number 3(or 4 if Cordy comes on in leaps and bounds) ruck man to have up our sleeves in case of injuries.
I agree, hence my last sentence if fit and firing.

[Bulldog Joe]

If Minson plays a lot of football, It would mean Roughy has not improved on last season. We need the likes of Roughy and Grant to continue to improve along with the likes of Higgins and Ward if we have ambitions to go deeper in September. Being injury free and fit and firing at the business end will also assist. Williams could be ready to have more of an impact on games. I cannot see Minson playing deep in September if Roughy and Huddo are fit and firing.

It is not impossible for Minson to overtake Hudson. Based purely on age Minson should be better in 2011 than at any previous time, while it is hard to see Hudson improving on 2010 and a decline may not be too far away.

I honestly believe Minson can be as good as Hudson was in 2010, but as a pure ruckman Roughy is a way off.

Roughy could improve, but still be short of what Minson is capable of as a ruckman.

Still a nice problem if all 3 hit top form and Cordy comes on as well.

[Sockeye Salmon]

So will the Dogs as we will need as much depth in our list as we can get(plus they could both easily end up being best 22 players in our side come September).

Stack will be delisted next year

[Desipura]

Guys, just an update on preseason training. I got the following information:
Barlow won the time trial followed by Cross, dont know the times.

Coaching staff so impressed by Wallis that they believe he will play 12 games this year.
Minson has lost alot of weight.

Also was told some further useless info which I thought I would share relating to St Kilda:
Lyon is a control freak hence why Assistants come and go from that club

St Kilda had a list of 13 players thet were targetting in the draft with 10 going to another club, not too sure what that means.

[Mofra]

Coaching staff so impressed by Wallis that they believe he will play 12 games this year.
Great news, everything that is read about this kid's attitude is positive :)

[hotdog]

Guys, just an update on preseason training. I got the following information:
Barlow won the time trial followed by Cross, dont know the times.

Coaching staff so impressed by Wallis that they believe he will play 12 games this year.
Minson has lost alot of weight.

Also was told some further useless info which I thought I would share relating to St Kilda:
Lyon is a control freak hence why Assistants come and go from that club

St Kilda had a list of 13 players thet were targetting in the draft with 10 going to another club, not too sure what that means.

Excuse my ignorance but who is Barlow??

[hujsh]

Excuse my ignorance but who is Barlow??

Rookie we got after he was delisted at Sydney.

[MrMahatma]

Good news about membership being up 10%. Hopefully that continues throughout and we end up 10% up on last year and it's not just people brining their re-signing forward. (Hard to really tell what this figure means, cause for all we know they've just brought their marketing campaigns forward so it's not actual growth). A better figure would be comparing the number of re-signed members and new members with last year.

Good news though.

[Mantis]

Guys, just an update on preseason training. I got the following information:
Barlow won the time trial followed by Cross, dont know the times.



Barlow ran 10.16, beat Cross by 2sec. Barlow also had to stop to tie a shoe lace so probably wasted about 10sec.

Overall the standard was very high with quite a few PB's ran... Higgins broke his by close to 20sec. Grant also ran very well.

[comrade]

Higgins broke his by close to 20sec. Grant also ran very well.

If we're to go far in 2011, these two are very important components of our forward line. Good to hear that they're running well.

[Desipura]

Barlow ran 10.16, beat Cross by 2sec. Barlow also had to stop to tie a shoe lace so probably wasted about 10sec.

Overall the standard was very high with quite a few PB's ran... Higgins broke his by close to 20sec. Grant also ran very well.

A brilliant effort by Barlow, will have to come into consideration in the Nab cup if that is anything to go by.
We need Higgins and Ward to become A graders if we are to further improve and Williams to start to have more of an impact on games. Griffen needs more consistency in the home and away and he will almost be there, his finals record shows how close he is to being elite. Collingwood had Swan, Thomas, OBrien and Pendles to name a few who had breakout years, we need a similar thing to happen to the abovementioned

[LostDoggy]

Barlow ran 10.16, beat Cross by 2sec. Barlow also had to stop to tie a shoe lace so probably wasted about 10sec.

Overall the standard was very high with quite a few PB's ran... Higgins broke his by close to 20sec. Grant also ran very well.

Thanks Mantis - it is great to hear just how the boys are performing, and if I am correct, today was their first day back after Christmas break? Let's hope a few of them have a year to remember!

[The Coon Dog]

A brilliant effort by Barlow, will have to come into consideration in the Nab cup if that is anything to go by.

If running was the only criteria... Not having a crack at you Desi, just that some people get a wee bit excited by a time trial.

[Desipura]

If running was the only criteria... Not having a crack at you Desi, just that some people get a wee bit excited by a time trial.
I think his tank was one of the main reasons he was rookied by us in the first place.

[The Coon Dog]

I think his tank was one of the main reasons he was rookied by us in the first place.

Yup agree, funny thought if running was so rated so highly, why hasn't Craig Mottram been drafted?

[ratsmac]

Barlow ran 10.16, beat Cross by 2sec. Barlow also had to stop to tie a shoe lace so probably wasted about 10sec.

Overall the standard was very high with quite a few PB's ran... Higgins broke his by close to 20sec. Grant also ran very well.

Sounds good but I have heard that Barlow was Sydney's best trainer yet hardly got a game in the last 2 seasons. Fitness freak. Lets just hope he can add something to our team.
Can't wait for the footy season to start and its only the start of Jan :(

[Desipura]

Yup agree, funny thought if running was so rated so highly, why hasn't Craig Mottram been drafted?
Unfortunately they think they can turn athletes into footballers as opposed to the other way around.

[Mantis]

Sounds good but I have heard that Barlow was Sydney's best trainer yet hardly got a game in the last 2 seasons. Fitness freak. Lets just hope he can add something to our team.


Very true, but I think we will try him in different roles to the ones he played with Sydney.

With the sub rule coming into force this year there will be a greater emphasis on running power so Barlow ticks that box... Let's hope he can play footy too.:D

[Desipura]

Very true, but I think we will try him in different roles to the ones he played with Sydney.

With the sub rule coming into force this year there will be a greater emphasis on running power so Barlow ticks that box... Let's hope he can play footy too.:D

If nothing else, he has risen the bar in terms of pushing yourself to the limit. At his height and weight, thats impressive in itself. Can he get the footy and dispose of it? Probably not. haha

[Mofra]

Sounds good but I have heard that Barlow was Sydney's best trainer yet hardly got a game in the last 2 seasons. Fitness freak. Lets just hope he can add something to our team.
Can't wait for the footy season to start and its only the start of Jan :(
Plenty of Sydney fans have said the same thing about Barlow - pre-season specialist. The descriptions were of someone who has to be played as a running player, not a KPP despite his height.

[Mantis]

If nothing else, he has risen the bar in terms of pushing yourself to the limit. At his height and weight, thats impressive in itself. Can he get the footy and dispose of it? Probably not. haha

I have heard that he is quite a good kick, but as you and the others have alluded to he needs to get it first.

[Desipura]

Mantis, we have heard how they are impressed with Wallis's attitude to training.
Who has been some of our best trainers thus far? I know they have only been back a day however who was tearing it up on the track prior to Christmas?

[Mantis]

Mantis, we have heard how they are impressed with Wallis's attitude to training.
Who has been some of our best trainers thus far? I know they have only been back a day however who was tearing it up on the track prior to Christmas?

The standard overall has been good lead by the leadership group who are all training strongly.

Most players are either setting PB's or maintaing the standards previously shown.

[soupman]

It's almost bizarre not having Cross come first in the time trial.

[Ghost Dog]

Unfortunately they think they can turn athletes into footballers as opposed to the other way around.

yep. Two don't go hand in hand. Andrew Walker springs to mind. I have some Carlton fans as friends and he drives them crazy with his disposal.

[chef]

yep. Two don't go hand in hand. Andrew Walker springs to mind. I have some Carlton fans as friends and he drives them crazy with his disposal.

Walker was a extremely good junior footballer as well as being a great athlete.

[Ghost Dog]

Right. Unfortunately it hasn't translated but as I understand it, as much through injury than anything else.
Needs a shoulder injury free year.

[LostDoggy]

Williamstown will be happy at how well Stack and Minson are going.

Spoken like a St Kilda supporter. Do we have an intruder?

[Mofra]

Spoken like a St Kilda supporter. Do we have an intruder?
Realistically, neither are in the best 22.
Stack fades in and out of games (although rumours of him switching to HBF this pre-season may see his role changed), and Minson is a good no 1 ruck but not a good no 2 ruck - Roughy offers more forward which is likely to be a requirement given the new sub rule.

[mjp]

Spoken like a St Kilda supporter. Do we have an intruder?

Explain? I don't understand what you mean...

Are you saying I am a Saints fan because I don't think Minson or Stack will play? Doesn't that really mean I think we have players better than guys you apparently rate very highly.

We wont play 3 ruckman and I think that Hudson and Roughead are better options. So apparently do the club who tried to trade Minson at the end of last year.

I don't see a spot for Stack because he continuously fumbles and wont run through the line of the ball. I have heard the half-back rumors and to me that smacks of a desperate attempt to try and replace Harbrow - Harbrow is clean with his hands and Stack is not - unless there has been a dramatic change Stack will not be a successful defender.

Not every player on the list can be a superstar you know.

[Remi Moses]

When I hear players winning time trials I immediately think of Chambers who went from W/Coast to Carlton .
I think he won their time trials in everything but unfortunately couldn't play!
Unfortunately I think Barlow fits into that category.

[Desipura]

Explain? I don't understand what you mean...

Are you saying I am a Saints fan because I don't think Minson or Stack will play? Doesn't that really mean I think we have players better than guys you apparently rate very highly.

We wont play 3 ruckman and I think that Hudson and Roughead are better options. So apparently do the club who tried to trade Minson at the end of last year.

I don't see a spot for Stack because he continuously fumbles and wont run through the line of the ball. I have heard the half-back rumors and to me that smacks of a desperate attempt to try and replace Harbrow - Harbrow is clean with his hands and Stack is not - unless there has been a dramatic change Stack will not be a successful defender.

Not every player on the list can be a superstar you know.
Totally agree and lets not forget only Gold Coast showed mild interest in Minson. I hear the talk that people think he will take over from Huddo when Huddo retires, he would want to have his best year yet.

[soupman]

I think in Minson's defence he is actually a half decent 1st ruck, and given the responsibilities proper for a period of over a season he would be a very good player in this role.

However, much like Hudson he isn't a second ruck. He offers too little around the ground for this. I believe that the clubs line of thinking with trading him is not that he isn't good enough but that he isn't in our best ruck combo (Hudson and Roughead), and with his age meaning he'd be on some decent money (nothing too much but enough) it would be better for all concerned if he went somewhere where he would fit in that best ruck combo.

Brennan Stack is a different matter. I'm not sure he is good enough. He has some good attributes but as MJP said, he fumbles too easily which will limit him playing at AFL level. Harbrow excelled in this area across half back, but Harbrow also played this role well because he was one of a handful of players who went at 100% intensity 100% of the time. Stack lacks this intensity and unless it improves (which is hard, ask Josh Hill) I can't see him making it at AFL level, even if other attributes improve.

[ratsmac]

Brennan Stack is a different matter. I'm not sure he is good enough. He has some good attributes but as MJP said, he fumbles too easily which will limit him playing at AFL level. Harbrow excelled in this area across half back, but Harbrow also played this role well because he was one of a handful of players who went at 100% intensity 100% of the time. Stack lacks this intensity and unless it improves (which is hard, ask Josh Hill) I can't see him making it at AFL level, even if other attributes improve.

Please don't forget that Harbrow used to butcher the ball before he went to play at half back. I don't know why but the pressure to score goals can hinder some players for example Chris Grant, Harbrow, Chris Tarrent to name a few, and when they go back they seem to grow another leg. Harbrows kicking would of been a worry at the time of placing him in the back line, but he developed into a beautiful kicker of the ball without the forward pressure.

I know it maybe wishful thinking for stack to try fill Harbrow's shoes but what have we got to lose. I wouldn't write Stack off just yet, but totally agree that he has to improve dramatically to make it at the elite level.

[Ghost Dog]

Please don't forget that Harbrow used to butcher the ball before he went to play at half back. I don't know why but the pressure to score goals can hinder some players for example Chris Grant, Harbrow, Chris Tarrent to name a few, and when they go back they seem to grow another leg. Harbrows kicking would of been a worry at the time of placing him in the back line, but he developed into a beautiful kicker of the ball without the forward pressure.

I know it maybe wishful thinking for stack to try fill Harbrow's shoes but what have we got to lose. I wouldn't write Stack off just yet, but totally agree that he has to improve dramatically to make it at the elite level.

Agree - Stack nowhere near Harbrows intensity and hunger. Appreciate, some players look a bit laconic, but just their style. He does seem a bit overwhelmed by pressure in the firsts. How does he go in the seconds? stands out?



(Disagree on examples though.

Harbrow did not have enough time in the forward line to develop the confidence. watch out for him with the SUns
Tarrant? Grant?. Tarrant - leading scorer for pies 6 times? maybe more. Dockers had PAv, that's why they didn't need him. Had a poor year in forward, put down back.
Was Grant's kick worse than any other player's?)

[Desipura]

Please don't forget that Harbrow used to butcher the ball before he went to play at half back. I don't know why but the pressure to score goals can hinder some players for example Chris Grant, Harbrow, Chris Tarrent to name a few, and when they go back they seem to grow another leg. Harbrows kicking would of been a worry at the time of placing him in the back line, but he developed into a beautiful kicker of the ball without the forward pressure.

I know it maybe wishful thinking for stack to try fill Harbrow's shoes but what have we got to lose. I wouldn't write Stack off just yet, but totally agree that he has to improve dramatically to make it at the elite level.
Good call, some players cant handle the responsibility/pressure of kicking goals. Harbrow however did not miss alot of goals, he just could not get in a position to kick them. Hard to compare a goalsneak to Grant & Tarrant who were/are kpp's and have more attention placed upon them because they are expected to (a) mark it and (b) kick the goal.

The great forwards love to kick goals and more importantly do it on a consistent basis.
As you say when they played down back, they dont have the same scrutiny and are able to use their other strengths of their game.

[soupman]

Please don't forget that Harbrow used to butcher the ball before he went to play at half back. I don't know why but the pressure to score goals can hinder some players for example Chris Grant, Harbrow, Chris Tarrent to name a few, and when they go back they seem to grow another leg. Harbrows kicking would of been a worry at the time of placing him in the back line, but he developed into a beautiful kicker of the ball without the forward pressure.

I know it maybe wishful thinking for stack to try fill Harbrow's shoes but what have we got to lose. I wouldn't write Stack off just yet, but totally agree that he has to improve dramatically to make it at the elite level.

That's all well and good but I have no issues with his kicking and it won't be the thing that holds him back. Simply he lacks intensity and isn't clean, two things Harbrow excelled at. If he doesn't improve these areas he is going to be a liability at AFL level.

[Bulldog Joe]

Realistically, neither are in the best 22.
Stack fades in and out of games (although rumours of him switching to HBF this pre-season may see his role changed), and Minson is a good no 1 ruck but not a good no 2 ruck - Roughy offers more forward which is likely to be a requirement given the new sub rule.

I see Minson in our best 22 and expect him to be way ahead of 2010 and in fact should produce career best form given his age and experience.

Roughead still has a lot of development to come, but our ruck options are the best we have had in a long time.

[Ghost Dog]

That's all well and good but I have no issues with his kicking and it won't be the thing that holds him back. Simply he lacks intensity and isn't clean, two things Harbrow excelled at. If he doesn't improve these areas he is going to be a liability at AFL level.

Opposition punish turnovers. Forward players need stellar defensive efforts. This is the reality.
Stack has not earned his spot for the above reasons.
Eg: Looks like a rabbit caught in the spotlight at times. So how to develop these qualities is the mil dol question.


There were several games last season where we persisted with out of form players ( Higgo ) or older list. Neeed to give younger list a run, chance to succceed on big stage ( IF showing a bit at Willy ) . Examples, Everitt / stack / Hill in 2010 The club seemed just a little too conservative with selections IMO for 2/3 of the season, then only when things went pear shaped, pulled rabbits like Hoops out of the hat.

Reality is, getting clean Hands, skills like Harbrow's come with the package. If players don't have it now, maybe a long time waiting. Mentor? Will be great to have Zeph there with him. Seems he has big appetite.

[bornadog]

Agree - Stack nowhere near Harbrows intensity and hunger. Appreciate, some players look a bit laconic, but just their style. He does seem a bit overwhelmed by pressure in the firsts. How does he go in the seconds? stands out?



(Disagree on examples though.

Harbrow did not have enough time in the forward line to develop the confidence. watch out for him with the SUns
Tarrant? Grant?. Tarrant - leading scorer for pies 6 times? maybe more. Dockers had PAv, that's why they didn't need him. Had a poor year in forward, put down back.
Was Grant's kick worse than any other player's?)

Harbrow's kicking efficiency was woeful, both in the forward line and in the backline. Many times did some great things ducking and weaving only to just slam the ball on his foot to no one. Worse than Hargrave.

[Ghost Dog]

Harbrow's kicking efficiency was woeful, both in the forward line and in the backline. Many times did some great things ducking and weaving only to just slam the ball on his foot to no one. Worse than Hargrave.

Agreed. But Decision making or skills? IMO his decision making was woeful, not his ability to nail a target. - he hit some absolute bullet passes during the season, then other times, as you say.. hail mary. Anyway. Suns can worry about it now.

[soupman]

Agreed. But Decision making or skills? IMO his decision making was woeful, not his ability to nail a target. - he hit some absolute bullet passes during the season, then other times, as you say.. hail mary. Anyway. Suns can worry about it now.

Harbrow's kicking was only bad when he was running out of the backline, and this was because after picking up the ball in a contest, evading one player, bouncing it twice, shrugging a tackle and finally looking up our forwards were all out of position and he was buggered, meaning it generally was a kick to a 50-50 that didn't quite go where intended.

[ratsmac]

(Disagree on examples though.

Harbrow did not have enough time in the forward line to develop the confidence. watch out for him with the SUns
Tarrant? Grant?. Tarrant - leading scorer for pies 6 times? maybe more. Dockers had PAv, that's why they didn't need him. Had a poor year in forward, put down back.
Was Grant's kick worse than any other player's?)

Sorry your right about these examples but I wasn't meaning to say they were bad players (Especially Grant, he is still my fav of all time) But for a time as you stated with Tarrant, they had bad seasons and putting them back, including Harbrow, released a lot of pressure off them and hence their confidence grew along with the quality of disposal. Although Grants field kicking was up there with the very best, it was when he was having the "yips" as they say in front of goal is what I am talking about. Tarrant may have been their leading goal scorer, but he was struggling for a couple of seasons so that's why they traded him. Pav plays at CHF and Tarrant was a FF, so they did need him up forward, he was just giving them nothing.

[mjp]

Pav plays at CHF and Tarrant was a FF, so they did need him up forward, he was just giving them nothing.

No.

Tarrant came to Freo as a CHF and his strength has always been his ability to operate as a lead up player. Pav plays the patented Jon Brown / Barry Hall Centre-half Full Forward position.

Freo set up a scenario whereby Pavlich and Tarrant would alternate between the high role and the deep role...it didn't really work for either of them but they stuck with it. Then McPharlin got injured, they threw Tarrant back (in desperation) and got lucky. To their credit, they persisted with him as a defender after McPharlin's return and ended up with two good key backs.

All this talk about more pressure on players kicking on goal versus kicking out of the backline - honestly. Have you seen the zones that defenders have to try and pick their way through today? Any time they miss that falls into the clanger category, and I guarantee would be brought up at their weekly review with their line coach.

Forwards missing goals? Different mentality but most of the pressure to succeed is internal rather than external...probably 40% of shots on goal are 'free shots' anyway (from the boundary, difficult angle etc) where you are essentially 'allowed' to miss, by fans, coaches, team-mates. It is only the simple ones (45 degree arc, inside 40m) that you will get much criticism for...

[Pedro Sanchez]

The bottom line is I and I'm guessing many fans and posters were very happy to pay money to watch Harbrow play - regardless if he butchered the ball a tad now and again. Not saying you guys are having an overly critical look at a past player, but just wanted to affirm my pleasure for watching a zippy and tough back pocket.

All the best at GC h-brow!

[Ghost Dog]

You can love a player and still be critical of certain aspects of his play. And certainly not pooh poohing his move to QLD. Good on him. I'd do the same if my family , gal-f were far yonder.
Yes, certainly remains one of my personal fav past Bulldogs. I don't think he was a bad kick, just seemed to bomb it a great deal but eh, who was on the lead? knew not I have the time. Lost my jobby last year - I watched a lot of games on the idot box -- hard to be a good judge of general play on the tube.

[ratsmac]

No.

Tarrant came to Freo as a CHF and his strength has always been his ability to operate as a lead up player. Pav plays the patented Jon Brown / Barry Hall Centre-half Full Forward position.

Freo set up a scenario whereby Pavlich and Tarrant would alternate between the high role and the deep role...it didn't really work for either of them but they stuck with it. Then McPharlin got injured, they threw Tarrant back (in desperation) and got lucky. To their credit, they persisted with him as a defender after McPharlin's return and ended up with two good key backs.

All this talk about more pressure on players kicking on goal versus kicking out of the backline - honestly. Have you seen the zones that defenders have to try and pick their way through today? Any time they miss that falls into the clanger category, and I guarantee would be brought up at their weekly review with their line coach.



Yes.

My point is that Tarrant was playing forward and was not playing well, then he went back (for what ever reason) and became a better player.

Good to see the boys out there on Friday, and a good turn out from the supporters, great to see.