Fitting PJ into the team

[Whispering_Jack 28,132]

PJ's return game at Sandringham last week was excellent and he has been included in the extended bench for Sunday's game against Adelaide.

My question is whether people think he can be played in a tall forward role not unlike the one Hawthorn employs with Buddy Franklin?

I'm fully cognisant of the fact that PJ doesn't have Buddy's talent but he (PJ) did play KPP when he was with the Eagles, he's a pretty agile footballer and while I don't expect him to excite and reach the heights the way Buddy does, his placement up there might cause opposition defences some problems.

[Gouga 528]

I've been saying this for the last two weeks without much support. Play him forward! He is good enough and if nothing else he'll attract a decent defender (probably Rutten).

[Kit Walker 210]

PJ's return game at Sandringham last week was excellent and he has been included in the extended bench for Sunday's game against Adelaide.

My question is whether people think he can be played in a tall forward role not unlike the one Hawthorn employs with Buddy Franklin?

I'm fully cognisant of the fact that PJ doesn't have Buddy's talent but he (PJ) did play KPP when he was with the Eagles, he's a pretty agile footballer and while I don't expect him to excite and reach the heights the way Buddy does, his placement up there might cause opposition defences some problems.

Only as a pinch hitter in that role at the moment with both Bate and Miller in the half forward line and Robbo deep.

It is entirely possible though that Bailey could play three ruckman and have two on the ball at any one time, with one playing a ruck-rover type role. He showed his bench selections aren't always the obvious when he went for the four talls against Freo.

Does he deserve a spot over Bode and Buckley? Probably.

[Bring-Back-Powell 13,675]

Does he deserve a spot over Bode and Buckley? Probably.

Even Issac Weetra deserves a game over Bode

[bjgc 0]

He's missed some sitters up forward. I don't think he deserves to come in so quickly Jamar had a good game. In the end he has only played 1 good game this year against Geelong. He was OK against the Hawks and poor against the Bulldogs and last week his opponents Street and Skipper were BOG. Give him another week at Sandy I'm sure Jamar will stuff up sooner rather than later then we can bring P.J in.

[Lil_red_fire_engine 10,492]

PJ's return game at Sandringham last week was excellent and he has been included in the extended bench for Sunday's game against Adelaide.

My question is whether people think he can be played in a tall forward role not unlike the one Hawthorn employs with Buddy Franklin?

I'm fully cognisant of the fact that PJ doesn't have Buddy's talent but he (PJ) did play KPP when he was with the Eagles, he's a pretty agile footballer and while I don't expect him to excite and reach the heights the way Buddy does, his placement up there might cause opposition defences some problems.

Yes he could play as a tall forward role. He just would not be very good at it. If I were to play all three I would play him on the wing in the Richo mould. However I do not think we will play all three. If I was forced to choose 2 I would play Jamar and PJ and not play White...We know that wont happen though.

[jacey 333]

Only as a pinch hitter in that role at the moment with both Bate and Miller in the half forward line and Robbo deep.

It is entirely possible though that Bailey could play three ruckman and have two on the ball at any one time, with one playing a ruck-rover type role. He showed his bench selections aren't always the obvious when he went for the four talls against Freo.

Does he deserve a spot over Bode and Buckley? Probably.

I personally think the trio target of Bate, Miller and Robertson is something we should persist with.

Have Green, Aussie and Davey floating around and providing smaller options.

I don't like the idea of sticking PJ in the fwd line cause he deserves a spot.

[bjgc 0]

Even Issac Weetra deserves a game over Bode

That's a bit rough. Bode might not be playing great football but everyone deserves a game ahead of Weetra. He makes Grgic and the Cockatoo twins look good.

[Blistering 493]

Yes he could play as a tall forward role. He just would not be very good at it.

Given that we played our skipper in the same role for the first five weeks of the season, would that come into it as a criteria?

I like the idea. It's worth a try and it would extend a lot of opposition defenders if it worked. If it doesn't work then Neita's back in Round 13 ... maybe and Newton ... well, who knows?

[Doggo 32]

I think PJ could be decent as lead-up FF from the square. His hands on the lead have always been very good, and he has improved his aerial judgement and overhead marking a lot since his junior days. Is a lovely kick at goal though has had the yips in recent times. Would be a good pinch-hitter, but would need to be playing in a side with a really skillful midfield to play there on a full-time basis and get the most beneficial outcome.

Ideally, would like to see him trialled and succeeding at VFL level in that role as the #1 "go-to" man, before even considering it for more than a pinch-hit option, but the same could be said about 3 or 4 of our guys, and in the past with Miller and even 426. Our alignment with Sandringham, or rather, Nick Sautner, has made it almost impossible for us to develop FF's in the VFL.

Back to the topic, PJ's main spot if he is to make it as an AFL player, would primarily have to be as a ruckman-follower type.

Disappointed he wasn't included into the side this week. I hope he gets a gig sonner rather than later, he is clearly best-22 ahead of Jamar, who keeps his spot on the back of one good game (against an opponent whose style suited him) and one ok game against the Lions.

Not too worried though, Jamar will struggle this week against more mobile opponents than Sandilands. In fact, he'll struggle against everyone, except Sandilands.

[Surfa 0]

i was at the game against sydney when he done his shoulder the first time.. he was really kicking arse then. Then this year i though he has been the best and most consistant of our big guys.. not talking in the ruck department. Definately a forward. he would be a great foil for aussie and robbo swooping on the crumbs..but dunderhead miller i the ruck..that way he can run around all day without kicking goals taking marks and giving off pissy little handpasses.. kinda what he does know except he will be i n the right possy.. play white as ruck also dropping into centre half back freeing up rivers to do that sweeping role he does so well.. to be honest miller is as tall a whitey so why not just ruck him?? he is solid build can hurt oppersition and can take a good grab..atleast he wont have the shooting at goals issue or costing us a goal in defence and to be honest as good as jeff is in the ruck they hardly go to advantage anymore so jonesy can just burro in and get the ball anyway.white would kick arse having a breather and carving up centerhalf forwards.

[Rogue 585]

PJ's been used up forward a fair bit in the last year and a half, and hasn't done particularly well there.

I don't think there's room for three rucks - neither PJ, Jamar, or White are better than pinch-hitters up forward atm.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

Jamar played one OK game in the time that PJ was out, who until being injured was one of Melbourne's best.

Out: Jamar

In: PJ

[Adzman 2,086]

All PJ has to do is play another solid game at sandy, Bailz will then find a spot for him. He could play forward, could even play back. There is a spot for him when he is 100%.

[Doggo 32]

Word is he was flown to Adelaide with the squad and did not play for Sandy. A late change perhaps?

[kramer 0]

deserves a walk up start, was our only decent player in the first 5 weeks. appart from fitness he has nothing to prove playing at Sandy

[Kit Walker 210]

According to AFL Gameday Live, PJ in for Rivers at CHB.

Can't see any other late changes.

[Jaded No More 60,208]

According to AFL Gameday Live, PJ in for Rivers at CHB.

Can't see any other late changes.

%^*#$&!@$!

Not that I don't want PJ to play, but Rivers injured = biggest disaster ever.

[w00dy 146]

confirmed... PJ in for rivers... interesting to see PJ came in ahead of carroll given we lost a key backman...

[Doggo 32]

confirmed... PJ in for rivers... interesting to see PJ came in ahead of carroll given we lost a key backman...

PJ did ok on Tippett i thought, despite Tippett kicking 4 goals.

The way they brought the ball in today, i'm surprised Tippett didnt kick more tbh. PJ did well enough and 2 of Tippett's goals were a bit soft. What a dream it would have been to play in the forward line for Adelaide today, their players consistently made good desicions and hit targets when coming inside 50. PJ wasn't our worst down back in what was a real tough day, but a valuable learning experience for our young defence.

[rumpole 483]

PJ did ok on Tippett i thought, despite Tippett kicking 4.2.

The way they brought the ball in today, i'm surprised Tippett didnt kick more tbh. PJ did well enough and 2 of Tippett's goals were a bit soft. What a dream it would have been to play in the forward line for Adelaide today, their players consistently made good desicions and hit targets when coming inside 50. PJ wasn't our worst down back in what was a real tough day, but a valuable learning experience for our young defence.

Funny that we've been grooming Stef Martin for the CHB post at Sandringham and yet when the opportunity arose, we played PJ there. This suggests either that Martin isn't ready yet or that Rivers' injury or illness was a late thing or both.

[Doggo 32]

Funny that we've been grooming Stef Martin for the CHB post at Sandringham and yet when the opportunity arose, we played PJ there. This suggests either that Martin isn't ready yet or that Rivers' injury or illness was a late thing or both.

PJ played deep at FB on Tippet for pretty much the whole day. Frawley and Warnock were used more at CHB on Jericho/Goodwin/Burton, with little success.

Word on Stef Martin (though i haven't seen him play this year) is, as a late starter to footy, he is still very raw, not physically strong enough yet to play of the monster forwards yet. But his leap, closing speed and athleticism can't be taught, so the scope for him to improve greatly with more knowledge of the game is there. Will get his chance, probably later in the year, but he's still learning his trade, and isn't really pushing hard for selection yet, despite our dire need to develop another young KP.

[The Emblem 1]

Even Issac Weetra deserves a game over Bode

Jeez, thats harsh

[Eastie Boyz 0]

PJ did ok on Tippett i thought, despite Tippett kicking 4 goals..

Hello Supercoach!

Interesting match up though

[Rogue 585]

This suggests either that Martin isn't ready yet or that Rivers' injury or illness was a late thing or both.

I imagine that even if Rivers' withdrawal was a 'late thing', Martin's probably still a fair way off.