Kozzie stage-fright?

[jumbo returns 6,547]

He could have easily kicked 3 or 4 on Sunday

[Engorged Onion 9,515]

1 hour ago, Skuit said:

You're one of the few on here with expert insight. Will value your opinion. 

Thanks, appreciate that.

I don't think he is down on confidence as some have suggested, he is fairly consistent.

He did look a little injured/sluggish yesterday, and still did some great chase downs... I guess I just feel there are always ebbs and flows throughout the season and some games you might be 20% down on previous weeks outputs (whatever metric you are using) - I think that's reasonable as it's a season that goes for 6 months... 6 bloody months ,and they run the equivalent of a marathon a week during game day and training, in such a ballistic sport, where they're getting knocks, injuries etc and still running a marathon. They're pretty special athletes (all AFL players).

[david_neitz_is_my_dad 3,946]

You have to remember he is only 22

[IRW 1,277]

2 hours ago, Fanatique Demon said:

I’d prefer him to stop trying for that and take the crumbs.

Arnt we all and, it appears, not the least Kossi himself .

He flies for pack marks even when he's not in contention to come soaring over the top,the result bring he isn't at the drop of the ball.

Sometimes it also seems he habitually plays for the contested ball capture, the weave,duck and dodge.....goal!! ..rather than the drop of the ball and running clear and delivering .

 

 

 

[Willmoy1947 3,814]

One more touch against Carlton by him and we win.

Nicely building in my OP. By him contesting he actually stops interference, and we all know about interference.

The bloke is a genius, and is an MFC national treasure. 

[DubDee 21,284]

This is the bloke that is our leading goal kicker as a small fwd

on his way to kick over 40 goals in 3 seasons and he just turned 22 (Cyril did this twice in his career)

he’ll have quiet games but he is still an absolute gun

[Deemania since 56 6,245]

38 minutes ago, Engorged Onion said:

Thanks, appreciate that.

I don't think he is down on confidence as some have suggested, he is fairly consistent.

He did look a little injured/sluggish yesterday, and still did some great chase downs... I guess I just feel there are always ebbs and flows throughout the season and some games you might be 20% down on previous weeks outputs (whatever metric you are using) - I think that's reasonable as it's a season that goes for 6 months... 6 bloody months ,and they run the equivalent of a marathon a week during game day and training, in such a ballistic sport, where they're getting knocks, injuries etc and still running a marathon. They're pretty special athletes (all AFL players).

Keep him front and centre up forward. He brings terrific pressure on opponents, and we all know he can burst like no other in our team. The stage is his, he will produce in what is ahead. Whoever we play, he's a very tough match-up that leaves opponents flat-footed and trailing; in the meantime, he's scored and seeks out other opportunities to pressure our challengers. If he is regarded as 'good' in the midfield/centre, he's bloody phantastique (with style) near goal and its approaches. 

[Demons11 6,404]

2 hours ago, Roger Mellie said:

He's taken a massive leap forward this season. I can't wait to see what happens after the preseason - more midfield time or will he continue to steam out of the back line?

I reckon he moves into the midfield next year 

[Supreme_Demon 3,020]

Kozzie Pickett was a bit off yesterday. But I think he'll bounce back against the Swans.

My only criticism is he flies for too many unrealistic speccys. He keeps wanting to take mark of the year! Which I think he has the ability to do one day. But he needs to focus more on his strengths as a crumber and being front and square to get goals. Let the big key forwards fly for the marks first.

[Gawndy the Great 7,725]

He has sublime skills and will rarely miss an opportunity when given one. However i find that his positioning just isnt great. He isn't able to read the game to the point where he is putting himself in the right areas often enough. 

Sometimes it is about our method and delivery inside 50.  Hopefully it was just a temp virus going around. We need him firing for finals. 

[Jaded No More 59,151]

He also played on a very good and experienced player yesterday, so lets give some credit to that. 

[Megatron 834]

He’s going to be our secret weapon come finals. I have a feeling Goody and the coaching staff will release him once finals start. Play him up the ground more, in Centre bounces etc. 

[Jibroni 4,239]

The concern with Kozzy is the gap from his best games to his worst are so far apart.

[Diamond_Jim 12,023]

4 hours ago, dee-tox said:

Interesting thread.

Just an observation when Kozzie is given close attention either by a strong direct opponent or by zone defence with midfielders flooding back he struggles to get the space he needs.

His best final was against Geelong in 2021 Prelim when we he kicked three and we thrashed em. His other finals have been relatively quiet.

I think we could use him better. Often he creates space and we don't use him. He's a nightmare matchup one-on-one for a defender. As mentioned we could throw him into the centre bounces more often to release the shackles a bit.

At 22 years old you'd reckon he'd be close to the peak of his powers. Let's hope he turns it on this September.

 

I think you have it. He needs space where his speed and elusiveness wins out. More one on one ground balls to his advantage would be a start.  He is a Charlie Cameron style player with better lateral movement

We had 60 forward entries yesterday. How many were high bombs or picked off

[Little Goffy 12,783]

I'm going to say it is 50% coincidence (Pickett's lowest-rated games this season have been against Hawthorn, Richmond and St Kilda) and 50% that the best teams have tighter defensive systems and work hard to get back, reducing the opportunities for small forwards.

Obviously small forward is a very tough gig come finals time, but they can turn games with barely a touch.

Charlie Cameron had just five disposals in Brisbane's semi-final win over us last season but his three goals probably made the difference in the game because he frequently put our defensive structure out of place.

Anyway, Pickett has had some pockets of poor form and a few games where he has been almost invisible, but he's doing alright for current form with 11 goals and 7 goals assists in his previous 6 games.

He's also continuing to bring a ton of pressure, including midfielder-level tackle counts.

(Per game) He's behind only Fritsch for goals and behind only Petracca for goal assists, while this season every second disposal of Pickett's is a score involvement.

He's doing his job and doing it well.

[IRW 1,277]

1 hour ago, Demons11 said:

I reckon he moves into the midfield next year 

That's what was said at the end of last season.

Goodwin is patient ( for better or worse)

[IRW 1,277]

15 minutes ago, Little Goffy said:

I'm going to say it is 50% coincidence (Pickett's lowest-rated games this season have been against Hawthorn, Richmond and St Kilda) and 50% that the best teams have tighter defensive systems and work hard to get back, reducing the opportunities for small forwards.

Obviously small forward is a very tough gig come finals time, but they can turn games with barely a touch.

Charlie Cameron had just five disposals in Brisbane's semi-final win over us last season but his three goals probably made the difference in the game because he frequently put our defensive structure out of place.

Anyway, Pickett has had some pockets of poor form and a few games where he has been almost invisible, but he's doing alright for current form with 11 goals and 7 goals assists in his previous 6 games.

He's also continuing to bring a ton of pressure, including midfielder-level tackle counts.

(Per game) He's behind only Fritsch for goals and behind only Petracca for goal assists, while this season every second disposal of Pickett's is a score involvement.

He's doing his job and doing it well.

Cameron ,Dusty and Toby only need three kicks to turn or complete a game.

[BDA 20,642]

his defensive forward work is elite. never gives defenders a moments peace. 

very strange the way he can't get his timing right to take a hanger. always flies too early.

 

[Demon Disciple 11,138]

3 hours ago, DubDee said:

he’ll have quiet games but he is still an absolute gun

It’s because we know he’s such a gun and has genuine impact that it’s easy to identify he’s in a form slump.

[Accepting Mediocrity 1,418]

6 hours ago, Demon Disciple said:

He’s struggling with his form and needs to get back to the basics of being a small forward. 

Is he though? It's been demonland narrative all year, but the stats don't really back that up.

Compared to 2021, he's averaging the exact same number of goals, marks and disposals. He's averaging more goal assists, overall tackles and I50 tackles.

[picket fence 15,570]

2 hours ago, IRW said:

Cameron ,Dusty and Toby only need three kicks to turn or complete a game.

Same as Clarry and to a slightly lesser extent Tracc

[Witches Hat 237]

3 hours ago, IRW said:

Cameron ,Dusty and Toby only need three kicks to turn or complete a game.

I think you're grossly over estimating the influence Nankervis has on games!

[IRW 1,277]

5 hours ago, picket fence said:

Same as Clarry and to a slightly lesser extent Tracc

Nope  ,completely different way of influence.

I am not comparing  quality

 

[Fanatique Demon 2,416]

12 hours ago, jumbo returns said:

Hope he takes a hanger, wins the carton of Rothmans and the Ford Escort and gets it out of his system

He's still very dangerous, just a bit low on confidence atm

A guy called Merv Hobbs took this mark…

It ruined his career because he didn’t get it out of his system. He thought he could take another like it every time the ball came his way. Better if Kozzie just stops trying. Now.

[Kozzie4PM 765]

Kozzie is an awful set shot, which has got to be mental given he has sublime skills. 

It also seems like everyone missed that he did actually finally take a hanger against Carlton.

In terms of the original question - I'd like to see how he goes in this finals series before making a judgement.