Jordie McKenzie

[Ouch! 2,043]

Jordie did a good job on Ablett last time we played the Suns, and should get the job again. I also wouldn't mind seeing someone like Matt Jones, who has the leg speed, get the tagging job. If nothing else, it'll be a good football lessons.

Not taking anything away from Jordies effort on Ablett last year which was a top effort, but I also recall that part of the reason it was so effective, and it was mentioned at the time by Jordie and others... Garland perhaps?? was that they understood that it was something that Jordie couldnt do alone, and there was a clear understanding that players would need to assist Jordie in sticking the tag, ie curb his influence.

I might not have that 100% correct, but I recall it was partly this treatment of Ablett that had Bluey McKenna whining last year.

[Chook 14,613]

If you observed Paul Roo's comments on AFL 360 regarding taggers, then it would be fair to say he is more interested in the taggers ability to restrict their opponents influence on the game and not the number of possessions (cheap) that the opponent gets. Jordie was very effective, in this respect.

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Who's Paul Roo?

[Bombay Airconditioning 5,981]

2015 so next year is the last.

See rpfc's "2014 contracts" thread.

Cheers, will have a look tonight. Running out of spots at work to hide and come on here.

[picket fence 15,550]

Pig Dog maybe the one. Played well on the weekend Jordie, but really still consider it a mistake to have put a tagger on a three year deal!

[Scipio 5,868]

Pig Dog maybe the one. Played well on the weekend Jordie, but really still consider it a mistake to have put a tagger on a three year deal!

I'm really looking forward to Riley coming in but I think he's still too underdone and should have another week at least in the VFL.

[ManDee 7,093]

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Who's Paul Roo?

s'

[nutbean 8,837]

I asked Jordie about his discussions with Roosy, basically Jordie was told if all he could do was tag he wouldn't get a game, "it leaves the team a man down", he was told he needed to become a link man, hence the goal assists at the weekend, and to improve his kicking and not be handball happy, only bit he hasn't quite got yet, is he needs to score goals, all the midfielders have been told that

I only semi agree with that.

You absolutely have to mix it up a little so you don't become predictable - the opposition knowing that you will only handball. But if you are better by hand than foot then thats what you should do if the hand option is clear. ( unless your team mate is by himself in the goal square screaming for the ball)

Mitchell vs Pendlebury is a perfect example. Mitchell is adequate by foot over the shorter distances. He is going at 46% by foot this season ( Jordie was 50% on Saturday) and he goes 52% over his career. Pendlebury goes over 60% because he is so delicious by foot. Jordie over his career goes at 37% by foot so he does need to lift it.

Kicking goals ? Lots of the best midfielders don't - I think the point that Roos is making is he needs to work harder and deeper into the forward half to create an option at least. If your opponent who is a tagger kicks a goal, coaches go berserk as they always want the "markee" to work hard both ways.

I guess the message is get more involved when we have the ball and push forward as well.

I wasnt unhappy with Jordie's game on Saturday as Gibbs wasnt effective and Jordie was more involved when we had the ball than I have previously seen him do.

Edited April 15, 2014 by nutbean

[nutbean 8,837]

I posted this elsewhere...

The reason I am quite gung ho on McKenzie - is because he has the unbelievable appetite for the contest and has a great attitude. I absolutely see his limitations - Whilst he doesn't have the same abilities as Jones I rate him the equal in his attitude to extract the best out of himself. Under the proper tutelage of Roos and Stone I can see him extracting every last bit of talent out of himself - whether it is good enough time will tell

[rpfc 27,637]

At a club where, even when we were good, we were worried about application 'on the day' - Jordie is a coach's godsend.

Every single day and twice on Sundays.

At some point I will move past 186 but who was the beacon in the night during that game?

[DeeSpencer 23,482]

Pig Dog maybe the one. Played well on the weekend Jordie, but really still consider it a mistake to have put a tagger on a three year deal!

If the last year of McKenzie's deal is next year then that's fine by me. So many others to go before I'd worry about him. Even if he's limited to one position at least he has shown he can play that position at AFL level.

The main concern I have for McKenzie is not that he can be a reasonable tagger, I think he already is and with an injury free run he can develop weaknesses in his game. My concern is more that whether it makes sense for us to have a regular tagger given where we are at in development. Until we establish a consistent trend of competing with most sides and hopefully wins every now and then I'd probably play McKenzie as he might give us the best shot at winning. When that happens I might favour spreading the tagging jobs through various midfielders to help development.

I'm really looking forward to Riley coming in but I think he's still too underdone and should have another week at least in the VFL.

By week I hope you mean month. Riley was nearly getting lapped by Viney in 300m runs only in late Feb/March. If he even ran before the new year I can't recall seeing it. Playing a guy with that level of fitness is asking them to fail especially as if we play Riley it's only fair to give him a percentage of midfield time otherwise you are wasting his best attributes.

[old55 21,634]

Jordie, Ro and Lynden - perennial whipping boys - instrumental in that victory.

[rpfc 27,637]

Jordie, Ro and Lynden - perennial whipping boys - instrumental in that victory.

And the latest 'no effort, doesn't care' whip applied to Frawley was shown up...