Do we need another small defender?

[Tannin]

The game v Norf made it clear that we need another fast small defender. Norf cut us apart by playing two good smalls: Harvey went forward, so we switched our best small backman onto him (Williams) ... but that left the dangerous Nahas uncovered. Well, Nahas had a defender on him much of the time, but that defender seemed to be whoever was spare at the time. Possibly Toovey is the only one apart from Williams with the pace to cover a second small forward - it's not good to be trying to cover a Nahas with the likes of Langdon or Oxley or Goldsack.

Sinclair would get the job, you'd reckon, if he was fit and in the 22, or even Armstrong. But even if you have a quick small defender like Sinclair available, if you are going to play him you are going to have to take someone else out to make room. On balance, you'd probably be better in most games with the extra medium back (the likes of Langdon and Oxley). Most but not all. Does that mean we just have to go with the one genuine small in defence and hope for the best?

I don't think so. Cast your mind back to our premiership side. We had an extra man available there to give us flexibility, one Ben Johnson. BJ could play back pocket, but if not required there he could be a hard-running flanker, a wingman, or even go into the middle as a genuine midfielder.

That's what we ought to be looking at now: grooming one or two midfielders as part-time defenders so that they can go back and pick a man up if needed (where the opposition play the extra small in attack, or if Williams is injured) but otherwise play as midfielders.

The player(s) would need to be quick, agile, and capable of that aggressively defensive mindset that back pockets need. Who are the possibilities?

• Adams: a required player in the middle (though might get some release with Greenwood coming back in), pace a question mark.
  
• Seedsman: has the pace, question marks over the agility and the true defensive mindset. Probably better used as an attacking HB/wing anyway.
  
• Blair: not quick enough, a bit weak overhead.
  
• Kennedy: has the pace, has the agility, does he have the defensive game?
  
• Broomhead: seems more of a midfielder/forward to me.
  
• De Goey. Would probably be very good at it, but you'd reckon he'll be too valuable in the guts to be released.
  
• Freeman. Not what he was recruited for. No idea if he'd be any good at it - he never seems to get on the park.
  
• Elliott: would be brilliant - but who is going to send our best, most reliable forward to the back pocket? You'd be mad.
  
• Fasolo. Too slow, too valuable in attack with his marking and brilliant kicking.
  
• Swan. Not while he's still getting 30+ and Brownlow votes in the middle.
  
• Pendlebury: not a chance.
  
• Sidebottom: very good in defence - remarkably good considering his less than stunning pace - but too valuable elsewhere.
  

Any ideas?

[cityslick1]

Jackson Ramsay says hello...

& Sinclair is also close to being back

[Tannin]

Hell! I forgot about Ramsey.

Excuse me. Must go. Have to duck out and bash the sand out of my ears now.

[Mossi]

Tanin, so you did watch the replay of the second quarter afterall! Ramsey has grown on a few of us as well! Much better suited to that role than Travis. Even if Varcoe did his job. Jackson is agile but he goes hard at it a bit like Tooves a few years back. Looking forward to seeing him back soon!

[sixpoints]

Ben Sinclair

[sixpoints]

DP

[sixpoints]

[quote="sixpoints"]Ben Sinclair, if ever fit, has the pace and defensive mindset for that role. But if ever fit.....

[think positive]

We need a big strong one

How about keefe
















Oh, bugger

[woftam]

Get Ramsey & Sinclair off the injury list & the problem is solved. We used Williams to shadow Harvey on Sunday. That left Seedsman, Oxley & Varcoe to cover the small to medium North forwards. Not ideal but we had to make do.

[Stinger]

As mentioned previously - Ramsey or Sinclair.

But really, do we need to play two? How many teams have 2 dangerous small forwards?

I'd rather Varcoe, Seedsman, Toovey, Langdon or even Fasolo go back if a second opposition small forward gets off the leash. Goldsack could play on a small too.

I'd rather see us use an attacking HB that is focused on getting the ball forward without turning it over.

[melliot]

With Crisp playing so well as a "run with" player in the middle, we maybe have the opportunity to play Caff in the back line also. Again when he comes back.

[Darkstranger]

I've always said this, we need to recruit a Broadbent type of player that can double up on big & smalls....

Scharenberg maybe in time but doesn't look quick enough at the minute? Maybe Maynard who is that type by the looks of it, has pace & is hard, also has enough height,in time of course. Goodyear, maybe?

Otherwise horses for course type selection.

[Skids]

[jackcass]

Sinclair, Williams & Ramsay obviously the main options when available but beyond them we've recruited a few utility types in Maynard, Goodyear and Manteit who'll all hopefully come on. Even Abbott at a pinch. Don't think it's an area of need.

[WhyPhilWhy?]

I reckon Chris Yarran is pretty pissed at Carlton. I'd love him to do an Eddie Betts on his old team...