Would love to see Clint moved into the middle for the first three rounds and see how he goes - we use him as a cold hard tagger.

He would not be solely judged on how many times he gets it, but more of the "effectiveness" of the opponent

Round 1 - Gets Black

Round 2 - Gets Priddis

Round 3 - Gets Cotchin or Martin

Give young Tynan or Nicholson a crack out of our backline. Leaves Magner & Jones a more free range role around the ground.

Would love to see Clint moved into the middle for the first three rounds and see how he goes - we use him as a cold hard tagger.

He would not be solely judged on how many times he gets it, but more of the "effectiveness" of the opponent

Round 1 - Gets Black

Round 2 - Gets Priddis

Round 3 - Gets Cotchin or Martin

Give young Tynan or Nicholson a crack out of our backline. Leaves Magner & Jones a more free range role around the ground.

Not a bad suggestion. He is disciplined enough to sacrifice his game to stop a dangerous clearance player. He is fit enough to run with one. If he limits the other side's clearances and can get his hands on a couple of possies and can "handball" it to us, he could be very effective. It also reduces the turnovers off half back flank when he gets it.

Also agree, that it could allow a younger player with better disposal, ( not Nicholson) and more speed, to open up the game for us.

Edited March 22, 201213 yr by Redleg

Not a bad suggestion. He is disciplined enough to sacrifice his game to stop a dangerous clearance player. He is fit enough to run with one. If he limits the other side's clearances and can get his hands on a couple of possies and can "handball" it to us, he could be very effective. It also reduces the turnovers off half back flank when he gets it.

Also agree, that it could allow a younger player with better disposal, ( not Nicholson) and more speed, to open up the game for us.

I was thinking Nicho more in Round 3 against Nahas - Tynan may just not be ready for him yet.

Edited March 22, 201213 yr by Dr Who

Bartram started as a tagger, and IMO played his best footy there. At that stage he was being talked up as Junior Mach 2. His role changed since then and he hit a few hurdles with injury and form, but Barty is all heart. He sets a really good example for teammates in regards to work ethic. While I'd love to see him tagging in the guts again, we probably need him down back more. We have a number of players who can run through the middle, albeit lacking in class, but we lack effective small defenders and forwards. Bartram can play as a small defender and shut down his opponent. I can't think of anyone else on our list that can play that role effectively at this stage.

I thought Jordie McKenzie had taken the role of midfield tagger.

Although from memory I think Bartram played a couple of good games as a defensive forward.

I hope he gets plenty of touches and cheap marks.

Tackles too.

He has done that role in the past for the club, and i don't think it works.

You want four of your best guys lining up at the centre bounce. I just can't see Bartram consistently as one of our four best. His stats indicate he's not a ball magnet, and his disposal is not going to cut oppositions apart.

He's trained with the backline - keep him there as a stopper.

_{Don't forget last season Barty did jobs and did them well on Ablett, Cotchin & Kerr 3 weeks in succession from memory}

If Jordie is fit then he's the tagger. If not, why not give Bartram a go and see how it pans out.

I don't want to see Nicholson in the backline though. His disposal is much worse than Bartram's, and that's saying something.

Would love to see Clint moved into the middle for the first three rounds and see how he goes - we use him as a cold hard tagger.

He would not be solely judged on how many times he gets it, but more of the "effectiveness" of the opponent

Round 1 - Gets Black

Round 2 - Gets Priddis

Round 3 - Gets Cotchin or Martin

Give young Tynan or Nicholson a crack out of our backline. Leaves Magner & Jones a more free range role around the ground.

Glad to see your getting onboard with us Dr, and creative and sound as ever. I can see where your headed.

I was thinking Nicho more in Round 3 against Nahas - Tynan may just not be ready for him yet.

I like your Ideas, but a bit worried about So Many changes to the structure of our backline all in one big Hit. > Sellar, > Bartram/Nicholson/Tynan, > Frawley out to CHB, > It's a fair shuffle all the while where changing totally our gamestyle 180 degrees. Do you think we can do it all at once or graduate it?

I was thinking Nicho more in Round 3 against Nahas - Tynan may just not be ready for him yet.

Wow, you think that much of Nahas? I think Nahas would be great for a first year player, especially one with a bit of toughness about him. Poor old Robin isn't a fan of the hardball.

I do like the sound of the OP, especially the part about Bartram not being solely judged on his possession count. I don't think those roles for Barty are anything new though are they?

Not a bad suggestion. He is disciplined enough to sacrifice his game to stop a dangerous clearance player. He is fit enough to run with one. If he limits the other side's clearances and can get his hands on a couple of possies and can "handball" it to us, he could be very effective. It also reduces the turnovers off half back flank when he gets it.

Also agree, that it could allow a younger player with better disposal, ( not Nicholson) and more speed, to open up the game for us.

As someone of little belief in Clints value I suggest this is the only position worth considering him for. He would not be sacrificing his own game as he has no other worth while contribution in other positions. He can tag and when we need such a person he could be used. Regarding his ability to play off someone, after 100 games he has shown no ability to do this kind of role. In this era of set systems I'm not sure about the one on one role. The system is the defence. Maybe new trends this year will open up the one on one tagger again.

Black killed us - We need to find a cold hard tagger. Stop oppostions key game breakers.

no idea why we didn't put Bartram (or anyone) on Black. Neeld refused to tag him - that's what killed us more than the rubbish game plan.

no idea why we didn't put Bartram (or anyone) on Black. Neeld refused to tag him - that's what killed us more than the rubbish game plan.

Nope, what killed us was inept use of the footy resulting in turnovers and soft frees, all leading to opposition goals.

Far too many simple mistakes from Bartram - inexcusable.

A handful from Tynan weren't either, even if it's because he's a rookie in his 1st game - he's had a taste, but should still be dropped.

Positioning was bad too, but that's unfamiliarity with a new gameplan.

Nope, what killed us was inept use of the footy resulting in turnovers and soft frees, all leading to opposition goals.

Far too many simple mistakes from Bartram - inexcusable.

A handful from Tynan weren't either, even if it's because he's a rookie in his 1st game - he's had a taste, but should still be dropped.

Positioning was bad too, but that's unfamiliarity with a new gameplan.

Nope what killed us is an inability to stop their key movers of the ball - we failed to put sufficient pressure on them.

Yet we where constantly under pressure and hence the mistakes.

Tagging would be the only way to keep Bartram in the side. As a defender he is finished at AFL level. He's been serving up slops in terms of horrible turnovers for years. At some stage it has to stop.

This is a guy in the leadership group who can run, has good speed and can tackle well. Save his career and give him 10 weeks in the guts or get rid of him.

Edited March 31, 201213 yr by the master

Maybe playing a tagger isn't part of Neeld's game plan?

It certainly did not appear to be today.

Nope what killed us is an inability to stop their key movers of the ball - we failed to put sufficient pressure on them.

Yet we where constantly under pressure and hence the mistakes.

That is a result of continuously being on the backfoot and being caught out of position, because of easy turnovers that our other players should reasonably not expect to happen.

Also unfamiliarity with the gameplan leading to inability to read the play when attacking, contributed to this.

We need to stop Priddis round 2 or this could get ugly. He turned the game for the Eagles against Dogs - he is a machine.

Bartram is as courageous as the day is long. That is the start and end of his value.

Maybe playing a tagger isn't part of Neeld's game plan?

It certainly did not appear to be today.

I think your partly onto it monoccular.

IMO Neeld is going to try to get us to win the majority of the stoppages ourselves and leave us exposed to the Guns of the opposition deliberately exposing us to the Footy elements.

The pressure of the oppositions ball winning, will put our defenders and leadership under constant pressure, casing IMO a mini 'Uprising' within, & some calling spades a spade situation. Bringing much of our weak culture to a head inside the club. I think this can Bear Fruit. causing much needed change.

Big names who won't do the hard yards, but want to do the Clean green things & look polished should be dropped till they pull their heads out & start to play footy.

We need an influx of Real footballers in the team to take the lead and play real slogging blood & guts football.

That is a result of continuously being on the backfoot and being caught out of position, because of easy turnovers that our other players should reasonably not expect to happen.

Also unfamiliarity with the gameplan leading to inability to read the play when attacking, contributed to this.

Your right 'AW', but what better way to see the backlines weaknesses & fix them as we build the new defence.

And the Mids are forced to be exposed, showing who's doing IT & who aren't. Transparency.

A good way for all to see the reality.

And a good way to start to work harder to win our own ball, instead of many relying on a few, to do the hard responsible things, whilst others simply do as they choose.

Bartram is as courageous as the day is long. That is the start and end of his value.

Thats a very good starting point for the foundation of hard work.