Tapscott courage

[Young Dee 1,303]

I agree with you but isn't he being played in the wrong position.?

I remember his first 6 outstanding games deep on the back line. He was terrific at kicking in. I think we can use his driving drop punts better if he is coming straight ahead. With Jetta to miss these 2 weeks lets put Tappy back where he belongs

I really strongly believe if we are to improve Neeld needs to get some consistency to the side. He can not keep moving players around - we need consistency to help the players build confidence and focus their skills/development on a specific role. Tappy might be handy to have down back but I think we need to look to the future - I see Tapscotts greatest potential as playing in a Chappy/Sylvia role. I think the same needs to be applied with other players such as Watts - Neeld needs to decided where he sees Watts role in the future and then put him in that spot permanently (whether that's up forward/back/wing for Casey or Melbourne).

I have heard so many times that Neeld is always clear about what he expects/wants - it's time to prove it - give every player at the club a role/position (like Colingwood). Therefore they know exactly what they need to work/focus on and we can develop quicker.

Edited April 23, 2013 by Young Dee

[low flying Robbo 979]

Would anyone be able to tell me why that website says I'm outside of the Australian/New Zealand area and therefore cannot watch it? I'm far from beyond the borders of Victoria..

Incompetent afl/bigpond tech department haha. Check out the other thread on the AFL Smart TV

[RalphiusMaximus 6,030]

I agree with you but isn't he being played in the wrong position.?

I remember his first 6 outstanding games deep on the back line. He was terrific at kicking in. I think we can use his driving drop punts better if he is coming straight ahead. With Jetta to miss these 2 weeks lets put Tappy back where he belongs

I believe he played as a junior in the high HF/mid role. That is what he was recruited for, and to be honest we have plenty of players who can go to the back pocket. He's doing a very good job where he is and providing a nice spark to the forward line with his good marking, aggressive defence and theoretically good kicking (note that he seems better at hitting targets than goals).

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,704]

Tapscott has improved his physical shape - he's slimmed down, particularly around the shoulders and neck. Hopefully that gives him better mobility.

But I remain concerned that his kicking is not as penetrative or accurate as we were told it would be when we drafted him. Mind you, he's not alone there. Maric and Strauss are also meant to be super kicks and Maric didn't show it and Strauss is yet to.

[dee-luded 2,959]

At one point in the 4th quarter he just kept attacking - was the only one, surrounded by GWS players but he just kept throwing himself at them. Would have made 4 tackles in as many seconds - that was one of the highlights of the game for me. We need more players to do the second, third and even fourth efforts.

Anyone else see that - for some reason the commentators missed it?

absolutely agree, phook the ponsy princesses with swish, lets have the aggro & bullishness, & we can supplement the class on an as needs basis.

Deesperation & havin' a crack, is the way out of this hole.

[stueyspencer no12 73]

Tapscott has improved his physical shape - he's slimmed down, particularly around the shoulders and neck. Hopefully that gives him better mobility.

But I remain concerned that his kicking is not as penetrative or accurate as we were told it would be when we drafted him. Mind you, he's not alone there. Maric and Strauss are also meant to be super kicks and Maric didn't show it and Strauss is yet to.

Well I agree. His kicking from the backline was exciting 2 years ago. To me he is the perfect Matty Whelan type. And I actually think we have more options forward than back. Blease would normaly fit into our best 22. A great kick out of the backline pinpointing a player 60m away is a terrific springboard into attack. I'd love to see him doing that again. I think he won votes for his first match R1 of 2011?

[Bitter but optimistic 22,222]

Tappy has limitations - no doubt. However, if we are ever going to finally Kill the "bruise free" reputation, then we need heart and attitude transplants to a couple of our prima donas.

[Return to Glory 8,412]

His good form at Casey was up forward. Much prefer him playing high with the occasional run on the ball. Brings good forward pressure as well.

[Norm Smith's Curse 2,593]

Tappie often does work around the ground and especially in the forward 50 that doesn't get him stats but helps the team and his team mates. Under rated by some.

[monoccular 17,416]

I really strongly believe if we are to improve Neeld needs to get some consistency to the side. He can not keep moving players around - we need consistency to help the players build confidence and focus their skills/development on a specific role. Tappy might be handy to have down back but I think we need to look to the future - I see Tapscotts greatest potential as playing in a Chappy/Sylvia role. I think the same needs to be applied with other players such as Watts - Neeld needs to decided where he sees Watts role in the future and then put him in that spot permanently (whether that's up forward/back/wing for Casey or Melbourne).

I have heard so many times that Neeld is always clear about what he expects/wants - it's time to prove it - give every player at the club a role/position (like Colingwood). Therefore they know exactly what they need to work/focus on and we can develop quicker.

Chappy = consistent contributor; Col = the odd flash in the pan. They are NOT the same...pity.

absolutely agree, phook the ponsy princesses with swish, lets have the aggro & bullishness, & we can supplement the class on an as needs basis.

Deesperation & havin' a crack, is the way out of this hole.

Couldn't agree more. Anyone who doesn't put in 100% should head off to Cranbourne East.

[prymke19 42]

The fact that the tap bagged six at casey says he knows where the goals are, and the idea of him ending up playing like chapman sounds great me. I'd play blease as an attacking half back/wing run and carry type role. Get tapscott at half forward, the future is looking better.

[DEE fence 5,004]

So he's not everything, can live with that with that sort of courage, he'll make other blokes nervous, we need hard at the ball more than anything, even if only to teach others how to do it.

[MadAsHell 4,212]

The fact that the tap bagged six at casey says he knows where the goals are, and the idea of him ending up playing like chapman sounds great me. I'd play blease as an attacking half back/wing run and carry type role. Get tapscott at half forward, the future is looking better.

This, or in the long term I could see Toumpas off half back but I certainly think Tapscott's best role is as a defensive forward.

Our 22 within a few years time could look like.

FB: Garland, Frawley, Terlich

HB: Grimes, McDonald, Toumpas

C: Evans, N. Jones, Bail

HF: Howe, Hogan, Tapscott

FF: Clark, Dawes, Kent

FOLL: Gawn, Sylvia, Viney

INT: Blease, Trengove, Watts

SUB: Jetta

Other players to keep the pressure on this lot will hopefully be the likes of:

McKenzie

Taggert

M. Jones

Barry

Strauss

Anyother new draftees etc...

[Little Richard 6,262]

Tappys getting better...just needs to improve consistency of getting hands on the ball.

Did anyone see him chasing against GWS...I did. He actually has very good pace for a guy with strong shoulders....

Loved his chases on the weekend.

As well as that his leading was very good. Fast and demanded the footy. His hands are much stronger seemingly in the last few weeks, I guess that's the confidence after he dominated in the twos.

[DeeZee 7,364]

He's an animal.....and I'm an animal lover

[Little Goffy 14,466]

Noticed him backing into a few packs over the course of the game, too.

Nothing builds confidence better than having a chance to be tested, and shown true, at the top level. Good on him, I hope this is the launch point for a good steady Jones-like climb.

[Rod Grinter Riot Squad 5,654]

Big fan of Tapscott, think he will keep getting better.

On the topic of courage, one play really had me happy. Tappy put a pass over Daveys head (intentionally and intelligently IMO), Davey backed up with the flight of the ball, didn't know what was behind him, probably expected to get crunched, but only had eyes for the ball and took the mark. Another courageous bit of play, one that gave me great hope that the Davey of old may be on the way back.

[Whispering_Jack 29,825]

What Tappy really needs is a breakout game where he kicks six goals as he did for Casey a few weeks back but he needs to do it on the big stage. Maybe Sunday?

[Young Dee 1,303]

What Tappy really needs is a breakout game where he kicks six goals as he did for Casey a few weeks back but he needs to do it on the big stage. Maybe Sunday?

I think you may be waiting some time for that breakout game!

I think 3-4 goals and 20 odd possessions would be considered a breakout game for Tappy. Very few players kick 6 goals in a game during their career - Cloke kicked 7 for the first time last week.

Sunday would be a good opportunity for Tappy with Clark out injured.

[bing181 9,197]

Incompetent afl/bigpond tech department haha. Check out the other thread on the AFL Smart TV

... and drop a note of complaint to the club, drawing their attention to it. Helps to put pressure on the AFL. Unacceptable.

[Return to Glory 8,412]

Tappy strikes me as a player that would benefit from supporter adulation rather than go into his shell. On that basis alone we need to give him every chance to shine.