Should Davey Take Our Kick-Ins?

[Jerry Lundergard 420]

In games like yesterdays, when Aaron Davey is completely ineffectual and tagged out the game, I can see no reason why he should not take every single one of our kick ins, unless there is a clear cut quick outlet.

He has the ability to hit targets 40-50 mts out with regularity every time he does take them, so why not get him to do it more often.

It is an area we have always struggled in, and when teams put on that tight forward press like the Crows and Hawks do, we tend to crumble and not be able to move the ball forward as we have nobody with foot skills to hit targets with precision like Davey.

It would also allow him to gain some confidence by getting a feel of the pill and a kick.

We need to find ways to get Davey into games when he has a hard tag, because along with Jamar and Frawley, I feel he is our most important player, and we can't afford him to have games like he had against Adelaide and Carlton.

[Dee Fan 3,247]

In games like yesterdays, when Aaron Davey is completely ineffectual and tagged out the game, I can see no reason why he should not take every single one of our kick ins, unless there is a clear cut quick outlet.

He has the ability to hit targets 40-50 mts out with regularity every time he does take them, so why not get him to do it more often.

It is an area we have always struggled in, and when teams put on that tight forward press like the Crows and Hawks do, we tend to crumble and not be able to move the ball forward as we have nobody with foot skills to hit targets with precision like Davey.

It would also allow him to gain some confidence by getting a feel of the pill and a kick.

We need to find ways to get Davey into games when he has a hard tag, because along with Jamar and Frawley, I feel he is our most important player, and we can't afford him to have games like he had against Adelaide and Carlton.

Why, don't you enjoy watching Garland and Grimes wait about 2 minutes every time they kick out ensuring every option is covered?

[ox_5 163]

In games like yesterdays, when Aaron Davey is completely ineffectual and tagged out the game, I can see no reason why he should not take every single one of our kick ins, unless there is a clear cut quick outlet.

He has the ability to hit targets 40-50 mts out with regularity every time he does take them, so why not get him to do it more often.

It is an area we have always struggled in, and when teams put on that tight forward press like the Crows and Hawks do, we tend to crumble and not be able to move the ball forward as we have nobody with foot skills to hit targets with precision like Davey.

It would also allow him to gain some confidence by getting a feel of the pill and a kick.

We need to find ways to get Davey into games when he has a hard tag, because along with Jamar and Frawley, I feel he is our most important player, and we can't afford him to have games like he had against Adelaide and Carlton.

Agreed, but I think he should only take it in the games he is struggling to find the pill himself. On the days he is 'on' his run and carry through half back and wing are vital, which would be eliminated because he doesn't work hard enough after kicking out.

In games he is struggling in, he really seems to drop his head. He doesn't attack the footy as hard and certainly doesn't chase as hard.

When he is 'off' we may as well benefit from his kicking ability at kick ins, cause we sure as hell know that we struggle with them as is. The amount of times the kick long to Rivers/Jamar is used is a real concern. Our speed from kick in's is also horrible. The one time we moved it on rapidly we went end to end and kicked a goal.

[Dee Fan 3,247]

Agreed, but I think he should only take it in the games he is struggling to find the pill himself. On the days he is 'on' his run and carry through half back and wing are vital, which would be eliminated because he doesn't work hard enough after kicking out.

In games he is struggling in, he really seems to drop his head. He doesn't attack the footy as hard and certainly doesn't chase as hard.

When he is 'off' we may as well benefit from his kicking ability at kick ins, cause we sure as hell know that we struggle with them as is. The amount of times the kick long to Rivers/Jamar is used is a real concern. Our speed from kick in's is also horrible. The one time we moved it on rapidly we went end to end and kicked a goal.

I noticed one particular time Adelaide kicked the ball in and were out of our 50 mtr zone before we had the chance to drop anyone back there to cover the kick in.

What I would like to know is where were our players?

[dee-luded 2,959]

Agreed, but I think he should only take it in the games he is struggling to find the pill himself. On the days he is 'on' his run and carry through half back and wing are vital, which would be eliminated because he doesn't work hard enough after kicking out.

In games he is struggling in, he really seems to drop his head. He doesn't attack the footy as hard and certainly doesn't chase as hard.

When he is 'off' we may as well benefit from his kicking ability at kick ins, cause we sure as hell know that we struggle with them as is. The amount of times the kick long to Rivers/Jamar is used is a real concern. Our speed from kick in's is also horrible. The one time we moved it on rapidly we went end to end and kicked a goal.

Yeah I agree 'ox_5_demons'. That makes sense that if Flash is being 'tagged out', then have him do the kickin, but we'd need other elite kicks with run 'N' carry abilities in the side.

Edited June 28, 2010 by dee-luded

[Nasher 33,607]

No, if he really really has to be in the defensive 50 during kickins, then I'd prefer him to get a cheapie in the back pocket and use his speed and skills to get it out that way. My primary preference would be for him to be the receiver on the HBF though, as between the 50 arcs is where he is most damaging.

We've got lots of weaknesses, but I'm reasonably happy with Garland taking the kickins at this point (not so much Grimes - this role highlights his weakness and does not utilise his strengths).

[Guest Rojik of the Arctic]

When he is 'off' we may as well benefit from his kicking ability at kick ins, cause we sure as hell know that we struggle with them as is. The amount of times the kick long to Rivers/Jamar is used is a real concern. Our speed from kick in's is also horrible. The one time we moved it on rapidly we went end to end and kicked a goal.

I agree but to have him kicking in he needs to be near the goals when the point is scored otherwise the kick in will be slow one. So I guess to do that he would have to play as a deep backman and I'm not sure what we gain on the swings would be worth what we lose on the roundabouts - especially if he is having an "off" day.

I think we just need to hope that Strauss comes along the way the club hoped when we drafted him.

[Prof 15]

Melbourne kick ins are surely going to consign me to an early grave. Our set ups are generally predictable and non-innovative. Our execution is often somewhere from poor to average. Garland is NOT a good option to kick the ball in. He lacks initiative and vision. I've said it before ... watch the successful opposition sides and start copying them.

[Trisul 664]

We doubled Adelaides goals from kick ins. 2 to 1.

This of course says nothing about what happens when we get it wrong.

[ox_5 163]

I noticed one particular time Adelaide kicked the ball in and were out of our 50 mtr zone before we had the chance to drop anyone back there to cover the kick in.

What I would like to know is where were our players?

Asleep or picking themselves up from slipping over Robbie!

It has been a concern for a long time, both our kick-ins and our set up during opposition kick ins

[Steamin Demon 392]

James Strauss anyone ??

[Nasher 33,607]

James Strauss anyone ??

Needs to learn to get the ball first.

[Jaded No More 67,636]

James Strauss anyone ??

Would be the perfect kick-in specialist, but yes, needs to learn to win the ball in the contest and also develop his defensive skills.

Davey should be delivering the ball inside our forward 50. God knows that barren forwardline can use all the help it can get!

[4jacks 0]

thread needs more poll... but in a word, yes. Davey is top 5 for kicking skills in the league.

[Lil_red_fire_engine 10,836]

We doubled Adelaides goals from kick ins. 2 to 1.

This of course says nothing about what happens when we get it wrong.

How many points did Adelaide kick?

For mine we have actually looked best with Davey taking the kickins but he is needed further up the ground. Here's an idea how about like every other side the player closest to the ball (with a few exceptions in Warnock and Rivers) kicks the ball in to allow fast movement. Where it is a stationary score I would be using Frawley who style aside has actually been suitable with short and long options when kicking out.

[Nasher 33,607]

Would be the perfect kick-in specialist, but yes, needs to learn to win the ball in the contest and also develop his defensive skills.

I wouldn't limit it to the contest. Needs to learn how to get the ball at all; contested or otherwise. Having an elite kick means nothing if you get the ball three times a game.

[e25 5]

I have no problem with Grimes and Garland taking the kick-ins.

While they aren't perfect at it now, the only way they will get better is by practicing it in games and one thing I am is confident they will perfect it with time.

As far as I'm concerned we are still playing to develop a champion team for the future.

Wins now would be nice, but the main objective is still development of our players.

[titan_uranus 24,583]

I don't like Grimes taking them. For starters, his short kicking sucks. Too many turnovers from him when he goes for an option 15-20 metres away. He's a superb long kick, but he turned it over 3 or 4 times going short. Second of all, it puts him at full back, when he is best at half back breaking the lines.

If Davey happens to be down there, then yes, I'd give it to him. But in the main I'd like Garland to take them.

[big tuna 0]

With our limited kicking options Garland is the best kick with his range and ball speed through the air. He doesn't seem to get picked off as much and usually gets it to the intended recipient. The problem with him (and everybody besides Davey) is that he lacks the vision or confidence to hit a target between the zoning defenders. If there isn't a free player near the boundary (boundary side of the oppostion) then he just goes long to Jamar who is at best in a 50/50 marking competition. The problem is that clubs are now aware of this and watch Jamar and get numbers around him.

Davey should take the kickins if he is inside 50 when the behind is conceded... which includes everytime opposition have a set shot because he has time to get back. He has the accuracy and the self belief to go short through the middle of the zone (in between players) and can then run past for the handball and kick beyond the next line.

There are just too many times we get trapped in our defensive half and concede multiple behinds from attacking waves before giving up a goal through frustration.

Edited June 29, 2010 by big tuna

[dee-luded 2,959]

I wouldn't limit it to the contest. Needs to learn how to get the ball at all; contested or otherwise. Having an elite kick means nothing if you get the ball three times a game.

Absolutely your right 'Nasher', but he can't do more than play in great form @ Casey, to try for a spot in the team.

We need to give him a go to try & show something like we've been doing with others. he was thrown to the Wolves in Rnd 1 in a real stuff up game where everyone was shown up. His confidance would have been hit.

Two years now on the list, we need to give him a leg up & hopefully see him on his careers way.

[Deebate 7]

Not sure Davey can be everywhere. Its hard to take the kick-in and then be the creative player we need across halfback. Also, when he is tagged, everything seems to go bad, including his kicking skills. He needs to learn to handle a heavy tag, while the rest of the team is developing, rather than hiding from it taking kick-ins.

[Jumping Jack Clennett 1,748]

We doubled Adelaides goals from kick ins. 2 to 1.

This of course says nothing about what happens when we get it wrong.

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this a dangerously useless statistic.

Edited June 29, 2010 by JUMPING JACK CLENNETT