2020 Player Reviews: #41 Jay Lockhart

Round 13 was unlucky for Jay Lockhart who fell out of favour after the Western Bulldogs game after he was seemingly on his way to establishing his place in the team as a small defender ahead of veteran Neville Jetta.

Date of Birth: 3 February, 1996

Height: 177cm

Weight: 75kg

Games MFC 2020: 10

Career Total: 22

Goals MFC 2020: 0

Career Total: 9

I’m a Lockhart fan but he’s at risk of becoming the backline version of Hannan. Not quite consistent enough, doubts over his fitness, often taped up and not looking 100%.

I’d almost have a rule that if you need something taped you can’t play for guys like Lockhart. 

If we want to play a high tempo ballistic game he has the smarts but he needs to be much fitter to keep making an impact.

Otherwise we should look to having more 188cm+ defenders who can all zone and intercept mark. Not many teams are playing smaller lock down defenders these days. You got to be up the ground and running unless you have size.
 

 

I think all the signs are there that Lockhart can develop into a really solid role player. I think he's a pretty decent kick of the footy, however at times this year just got caught wandering out of defence or taking on too much than he's really built for. Whether his best position is back or forward is up for debate I think, however I think his skills and smarts can allow him to be flexible. Would definitely need to work on his defensive efforts if he's to go the route of that smaller lockdown defender like Jetta has been in recent times.

He's certainly got the capability to be more than a fringe player, but whether he takes the next steps in his development to become a regular 22 player is no doubt in his court. 

I want to like him, but it is a real concern that he couldn't get into a mediocre team when supposedly fit in the last month of the season.

Needs to get super fit to convince that he is capable of cementing a spot in the best 22. At the moment he drops away every time he plays more than two games in a row, and then finds a way to get injured.

I think the fundamental football skills and decision making are there, but the overall package needs some work. I'm happy for him to get a two year deal, but he would need to be playing regularly to get another deal after that.

Just about an aotomatic selection for mine. Can play forward as well.

5 minutes ago, poita said:

I want to like him, but it is a real concern that he couldn't get into a mediocre team when supposedly fit in the last month of the season.

Needs to get super fit to convince that he is capable of cementing a spot in the best 22. At the moment he drops away every time he plays more than two games in a row, and then finds a way to get injured.

I think the fundamental football skills and decision making are there, but the overall package needs some work. I'm happy for him to get a two year deal, but he would need to be playing regularly to get another deal after that.

Complete over reaction on Jay   Was unbelievably rejected by Selectors after Bulldogs game. Is IMO a naturally talented footballer with good/high level of skills and as is required takes the game on ( occasionally to his detriment )so that our attacking game can start in defence and give us the best chance of scoring. Perhaps Jay takes on a bit too much but he is an exciting and relevant replacement for Nev.

Please keep him in defence he will only get better and gain great confidence after playing with Maysie Jake Riv Hibbo Smithy Salo Tommo and whoever else is playing with him.

Two year contract please and fair go at selection during 2021.

A lot to like about Lockhart for me. Helped in big ways in a few of our wins. Pretty dumbfounded to say the least when he was dropped, I think there could be some fruit to bear still.

Edited October 27, 20204 yr by layzie

Two things I didn't know about him.

I didn't realise how "old" he is. At 25 before next season starts, he'll need to get a wriggle on if he wants a permanent spot in the team. 

If the height and weight stats are correct (and they aren't always reliable) he's much shorter and lighter than I realised. Notwithstanding the success of Caleb Daniel, it makes me wonder whether the backline is the right place for him. I note that for comparative purposes only, Jetta is listed as 180 cm and 83 kg.   

2 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

I’m a Lockhart fan but he’s at risk of becoming the backline version of Hannan. Not quite consistent enough, doubts over his fitness, often taped up and not looking 100%.

I’d almost have a rule that if you need something taped you can’t play for guys like Lockhart. 

If we want to play a high tempo ballistic game he has the smarts but he needs to be much fitter to keep making an impact.

Otherwise we should look to having more 188cm+ defenders who can all zone and intercept mark. Not many teams are playing smaller lock down defenders these days. You got to be up the ground and running unless you have size.
 

 

And you can tell he struggles with consistency by virtue of him playing 10 games as a defender - right.

And missing one game with an injury also means there's doubts over his fitness - yeah right.

Personally I thought he was mega-impressive as a defender and his game against Pies where he was quick to apply pressure was stunning. Sadly the following week after being one of our few players to go inboard with success, he made one howler kick late in the game and the coach seemed to decide he was to blame for our loss - even though he wasn't on Wallis or Bont or Hunter who all carved us up that day.

The only thing I'll say is that a lot of us on DL, who like to think we are smart judges, were shocked at his exclusion and most of us summise that something must have happened off-field to warrant his exodus.

Showed some great signs this year.

6/10

Should be playing in the forward pocket IMO

Played as a fwd he wld be an upgrade on Spargo. But I also like him back.

We need Lockhart to come on as a small defender, as Jetta is on his last legs and may be gone next season.

Lockhart has shown he's got pace, skills, good defensive pressure, bit of mongrel and a decent footy brain. He just needs to keep his body healthy and try to build consistency. It was disappointing to see him dropped later in the year. Hopefully he establishes himself next season and becomes a mainstay in the back pocket longer term.

I think he's best 22.  Did some fantastic things in defence this year.  Not sure on what the question marks is on him - maybe it's fitness?  Surprising to me that he was overlooked at the end of the year as we don't have many players that can lock a small forward down. 

 

I also would love to see him up forward crumbing with Kozzie if we don't go after another small forward in the draft / trade period.

Nothing like a good preseason  and straight into it. He has upside and can take over Jetta's role and is a handy player.

IMO Lockhart  can play forward as well  however down back defends well  and has go in him, can tag and link in play.

A late starter and will be 25 at the start of the season. Has the smarts.

1 hour ago, Deespicable said:

And you can tell he struggles with consistency by virtue of him playing 10 games as a defender - right.

And missing one game with an injury also means there's doubts over his fitness - yeah right.

Personally I thought he was mega-impressive as a defender and his game against Pies where he was quick to apply pressure was stunning. Sadly the following week after being one of our few players to go inboard with success, he made one howler kick late in the game and the coach seemed to decide he was to blame for our loss - even though he wasn't on Wallis or Bont or Hunter who all carved us up that day.

The only thing I'll say is that a lot of us on DL, who like to think we are smart judges, were shocked at his exclusion and most of us summise that something must have happened off-field to warrant his exodus.

He had numerous games under half a dozen or possessions. Disposals aren't everything but half back flank is the easiest spot on the ground to get the ball.

I can tell his fitness isn't great because he plays low time on ground, I've seen him run in the offseason and he's often taped up and hobbling along. 

Against the Saints we bought back Rivers, which well was due. As well as Oscar for a taller back line and Josh Wagner as an experienced fit player who was going to run to receive the ball and to fill gaps in the zone. We played a very good team defending game and played kick to kick to keep the dangerous saints away from the ball. It was probably the best coached game of the season and a selection victory. If smart judges couldn't work that out after the game they weren't very smart judges.

Lockhart's too small and doesn't have Nev's super human defensive capabilities. He can't be a pure shut down player. He has to find the ball and be an attacking option. He did that at Casey but has yet to make the step up in to that kind of role at AFL level.

1 hour ago, Elegt said:

Should be playing in the forward pocket IMO

Agree.  Needs to improve his disposal which can be sloppy. Also slips over too often.

Underrated player is young Jay. I for one would be happy with him in my best 22. Struggled with a few niggles this year but certainly can be a player.

Anyone know why he fell out of favour? He made mistakes early on then settled down Into the back pocket quite well I thought but was dropped and that was it. He showed some great qualities, burst speed, evasiveness, zero fear and willingness to take the game on. Might need some managing but plenty to work with, so was disappointed he didn’t get a late run. 

was eager for him to get 2yrs early days this season, would be happy now just to see him stay another year on the rookie list. probably starts next year as 'next in' given i would have a backline of

Salem-May-Lever

Hibbo-Petty-Rivers

Hore

real make or break, needs to up his possessions from 2 a game to 7-8 and at least have some kind of impact otherwise he will be moved on, he'll get chances tho

29 minutes ago, Earl Hood said:

Anyone know why he fell out of favour? He made mistakes early on then settled down Into the back pocket quite well I thought but was dropped and that was it. He showed some great qualities, burst speed, evasiveness, zero fear and willingness to take the game on. Might need some managing but plenty to work with, so was disappointed he didn’t get a late run. 

His kicking was terrible, probably why I reckon

25 minutes ago, Elegt said:

His kicking was terrible, probably why I reckon

You are probably right and he does have a lot of mates but not solely because of technique. I just don’t think the team game plan puts a premium on accurate kicking, it demands contested footy, get ball and bang it forward at all costs. Skill levels are secondary to brute, contested ability. If you get it right it overwhelms  bottom 6 sides, is competitive with middling 7 to 12 sides but struggles with top 4 sides big time. In short the coach and game plan worry me. 

I'm in 2 minds.  With zoning, switching and many other variables, sides are just too good at creating mismatches.  The days of having 77cm defenders is just too easy for forward set ups to take advantage of that.  Unless you are someone special like Short at Richmond who really hurts you offensively is the exception.  Lockhart could do that, but hasn't shown it yet, but certainly has 2 years of development to come til he can reach that standard.  I like his commitment, so maybe he will.

Like many, I was somewhat baffled by Lockhart being dropped following the Bulldogs game and not getting back in, but I do wounder if that was partially down to two factors somewhat outside his influence:

1.  I think following the Bulldogs we went heavy on rotating players through the team to mitigate several games in a row played in hot conditions off 4 or so day breaks;

2.  I also wounder if an intentional decision was  made to ballance the development and try out some different players in the last gasp few rounds following the absence of any real second tier comp this season.  While some like Wagner didn't come off, a few of the guys given an oppertunity like Rivers, Hunt, Spargo, Brown and even ANB did play some good footy.

11 hours ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

Two things I didn't know about him.

I didn't realise how "old" he is. At 25 before next season starts, he'll need to get a wriggle on if he wants a permanent spot in the team. 

If the height and weight stats are correct (and they aren't always reliable) he's much shorter and lighter than I realised. Notwithstanding the success of Caleb Daniel, it makes me wonder whether the backline is the right place for him. I note that for comparative purposes only, Jetta is listed as 180 cm and 83 kg.   

Prob could muscle up a little without pace reduction and height a Cwood 6 footer who actually jumps and reaches high for marks.

Reminder  to De la VC is that Jets was prob about 25 when Roosy recognised his talent and saved him from the scap heap as a forward so Jay is right on track IMO for consistent opportunity in 2021.