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Shaun Smith: Joel can fill Lever's Role

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Demonland
in Melbourne Demons

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If he can fill that role for us then we are still going to be a threat.

Lever leaves a big hole back there, someone gets to put their hand up and I wish Smith well being that guy 

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    Let’s hope the knockers aren’t knocking after his first game back, in front of 80000. Good luck to him and let’s hope the dees stand tall .

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    3 hours ago, Dirts said:

    Let’s hope the knockers aren’t knocking after his first game back, in front of 80000. Good luck to him and let’s hope the dees stand tall .

    Agree, we need to give him a number of games, to settle in. Levers first 3-4 were ordinary, but last 3-4 were very good and it appears he really helped with leadership and structure down back.

    Best of luck to Joel Smith, may he be part of a grand win for the Demons today!!

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    2 hours ago, Nasher said:

    It’s a huge opportunity for him, because if he steps up, the job is going to be available to him all year. I reckon with the team in form and the rest of the backline settled, the stage has been set to give him maximum chance of succeeding. I’m excited for him.

     

    Unsure of form, but against the saints last year he was a standout before Riewoldt fell on his shoulder. Hoping he can re-capture that. Confident he'll come close.

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    Played really well on Milochek and when he went to Cox I thought he played him well considering he gave up 17 cms. He got in front and blocked Cox’s run. He ended up being one of our best. 

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    1 minute ago, SFebey said:

    Poor coaching to have Smith play on Cox, really stupid actually 

    once o mac went down there was no one else, unless you wanted t mac thrown back?

    we were trying to win the game

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    Just now, SFebey said:

    Poor coaching to have Smith play on Cox, really stupid actually 

    Well we didn't have options. OMac off the ground, Pederson required in the ruck for quite some time

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    8 minutes ago, whatwhatsaywhat said:

    once o mac went down there was no one else, unless you wanted t mac thrown back?

    we were trying to win the game

    Hibberd or Vince would’ve been better or even Pedersen, not a first game in backline player in front of 84k

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    I thought Smith struggled at times but definitely worth persevering with. In fact, his game yesterday was probably better than Lever's first game for us. Smith doesn't lack courage but was found out once he had possession of the ball. He just wasn't sure what to do with it. I feel that a couple more games at AFL-pace (compared with VFL-pace) and he might just fit in very well.  

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    2 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

     Smith doesn't lack courage but was found out once he had possession of the ball. He just wasn't sure what to do with it. I feel that a couple more games at AFL-pace (compared with VFL-pace) and he might just fit in very well.  

    Totally agree.

    He showed desperation at the ball, too, when defending (spoiling), at least from what I saw on TV.

    Which is more than can be said for others.

    Some good spoils and couple of good marks?

    Give a few more weeks at least.

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    Agree that in his 4th game he showed a bit. Prefer him on the flank instead of Bernie rather than in the key position. We need to re-organise the backline and the loss of Lever is massive

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    When you are a defender and are significantly outsized by your opponent, WTF do you go man-on-man against said opponent.  Start 2 metres behind, then launch yourself in to the body to spoil.  If you do it right, and it's not hard to do, you will never give away a free kick, and you take away the height disadvantage.

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    Didn't disgrace himself. I don't think he has Lever's read of the play (who does?), but at least in contests was good enough. His setup/launching work, as many predicted, wasn't there... which is something that can be built on. The worry now though is matchups. Taller forward lines will eat him up.

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    5 hours ago, The Chazz said:

    When you are a defender and are significantly outsized by your opponent, WTF do you go man-on-man against said opponent.  Start 2 metres behind, then launch yourself in to the body to spoil.  If you do it right, and it's not hard to do, you will never give away a free kick, and you take away the height disadvantage.

    Much easier said than done. Especially if kicked to the fwds advantage.

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    I thought Joel played well. He is a goer, we need more of his attitude around the ground, when the heat is applied. 

    Just needs more senior games

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    5 hours ago, The Chazz said:

    When you are a defender and are significantly outsized by your opponent, WTF do you go man-on-man against said opponent.  Start 2 metres behind, then launch yourself in to the body to spoil.  If you do it right, and it's not hard to do, you will never give away a free kick, and you take away the height disadvantage.

    There was zero pressure through the midfield, you play 2m behind Collingwood would have hit him lace out on a lead every time.  The only chance he had was to get in front take his space and if he is to big so be it.  Smith was let down by the midfield and lack of forward pressure.

    I thought Smith and Salem helped keep us in the game till half time

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