15 hours ago, Ethan Tremblay said:

Yes, I noticed they got in each others way a lot. One example had Weid set for a simple overhead mark, only to have Smith leap from behind to attempt the impossible. I know Weid and Smirh are still young, but surely these guys get taught leading patterns to keep clear of each other???

 This is critical stuff. Spot on! Just imagine if these two actually did lead out - even just a little way - creating a 2-prong or better space. Their current concept of a lead is three steps - get to the take-off foot, leap and hope that the incoming sticks. Pathetic. Earn your dollar, forwards. 

I think Cox of Collingwood is the poster boy for B Rookies but Smith is very handy and still learning his craft as a forward or back.

Smith looks in excellent nick. Much more defined than last year. He is a very handy utility player to have also. 

Expecting big things this year

No news on his scans?

What’s the actual issue with him? An article earlier had him suffering from groin soreness. I guess we’re running with that.

3 hours ago, Dee Zephyr said:

What’s the actual issue with him? An article earlier had him suffering from groin soreness. I guess we’re running with that.

I saw him cop a cork, not long after his burst in second quarter, hence why he stayed on the ground. Hope that is what it was.

 

11 hours ago, Deemania since 56 said:

 This is critical stuff. Spot on! Just imagine if these two actually did lead out - even just a little way - creating a 2-prong or better space. Their current concept of a lead is three steps - get to the take-off foot, leap and hope that the incoming sticks. Pathetic. Earn your dollar, forwards. 

It’s also voice from everyone around the players coming to the ball. Smithy don’t go, Weids is in. 

Weids in! Weids in! 

Got to let your players know if a better option is in for that ball.

1 hour ago, Cards13 said:

It’s also voice from everyone around the players coming to the ball. Smithy don’t go, Weids is in. 

Weids in! Weids in! 

Got to let your players know if a better option is in for that ball.

Agree with you about verbals, but:

* these signal functionality to opponents per player triggering blocks and screens/tags/positioning to nullify

* it is too late if the ball has already been kicked/is in-coming

Make the play is the 'percentage' play, I reckon; that is, to lead to space prior to dispatch of the ball by the feeder and be there just as the ball arrives.

 

Smith coupled with Fritsch make for a rather springy medium forward combo to cover if we can clear out some space and craft the leading patterns to advantage. Need a small crumber to complement though.

1 hour ago, Skuit said:

Smith coupled with Fritsch make for a rather springy medium forward combo to cover if we can clear out some space and craft the leading patterns to advantage. Need a small crumber to complement though.

Reckon Kade Chandler could be the one in the long term or Bedford

48 minutes ago, samcantstandya said:

Reckon Kade Chandler could be the one in the long term or Bedford

We need short-term though. Was calling for it a couple of years ago after we erred in recruiting JKH etc. as hedged two-way options. Never mind potential midfield ability, a forward pocket specialist is a necessity - and Bedford is apparently so far off that we didn't even bother giving him a taste in any of the trials.

I haven't seen him play yet this year, but from what I've seen so far, he knows how to run, jump, tackle and mark. His kicking is not bad, but not great, either. His greatest weakness is his understanding of the game itself, that is, what to do with the ball once he's got it. I don't know if he'll make it, but I suspect that the bit in his game that's missing might be something that could be quite quickly learnt. And if that's correct, he could be come a valuable commodity - too tall for small defenders and too fast for tall defenders.

Those bozos at afl.com.au must read Demonland:

"Joel Smith kicked six goals across two games in a new role as the 'third tall' alongside Tom McDonald and Sam Weideman. All three found themselves flying at the same football too often, so that's something they'll have to refine before the season."

22 minutes ago, Moonshadow said:

Those bozos at afl.com.au must read Demonland:

"Joel Smith kicked six goals across two games in a new role as the 'third tall' alongside Tom McDonald and Sam Weideman. All three found themselves flying at the same football too often, so that's something they'll have to refine before the season."

i doubt we'll refine it before the season starts. our forwards have been getting in each others way for years now and we've continued to do stuff all about it.

7 minutes ago, Demon Dude said:

i doubt we'll refine it before the season starts. our forwards have been getting in each others way for years now and we've continued to do stuff all about it.

It's only taken about a decade (or perhaps more) for our defenders to learn not to go three or sometimes four up in a pack. Surely our forwards can learn from that...particularly as two (McDonald and Smith, or three if you include Hunt) used to be defenders.

I was staggered to read  missions injury report re risking him after his injury " because we were 2 down on the bench" . Surely there was another way around this rather than risk long term injury in a practice match?

 

Edited March 12, 20196 yr by Wells 11