Where to play Caleb Windsor?

[Damo 3,415]

Id like Windsor to stay on the wing for the 1st 10 games or so. We have it seems many options leading into the season and Id like him to nail wing before having to step up.

Like McVee, just do that voodoo that you do, well.

Being good at it shouldnt mean you  necessarily get moved.

[Farmer 892]

19 hours ago, binman said:

Yep, i reckon its a lock Windsor will play as a running half back that has license to run and carry from our defensive half. 

Perfect for the role - leg speed, good decision maker and whilst his kicking wasn't quite as good as i hoped (and perhaps i'm being a bit unfair) he is still an above average kick.

Will be super important to how we transition the ball i think.

And as i noted in another thread, his leg speed will be critical in terms of defending turnovers because like Mcvee he has the wheels to get back, whereas May, Lever, Tmac and Petty don't.

Max Holmes is good comparison.

I reckon another is how Goody used Hunt in 2018 - ie a run and carry half back flanker. Hunt's issue in that role was his kicking was poor and we often gave it back, exposing us on turnover (in part because if Hunt turned it over he often did so when well up the field meaning we were often one down in defence).

I cant see Mcvee playing anything but occasional midfield minutes. I suspect he, and Bowey (and possibly Salem) will be tasked with taking on the high risk kicks from the back half that open up opponents and are key to the transition game (think Kitty Coleman, Nick Daicos etc).  

My query defensively is who will take the role defending oppo small forwards. It's been an issue for us since Jetts had his brilliant 2018 season.

I have hopes AMW will become that player, but there might not be a spot for him - in which case Bowey, Mcvee and even Salo will have to share the role. 

Must say I’m puzzled by the controversy re Windsor.  I thought he had a fabulous first season on the wing . We have heaps of half back flankers and I can’t see the point of adding him to that  list. I regard Monez Wakefield as v promising. I rate Marty Hore as very capable tho he struggles to get a game. I thought Howes’ end of 2024 was very promising . Salem is still an excellent defender with supreme kicking skills. Bowey, now fully recovered from injury might have a great year, and when fit his disposal is great. And then we have both  McVee and Rivers. I’m keen to see more of McVee in the middle , but it’s unlikely any of Petracca, Oliver, Viney, Sparrow will make room for him and I think he will at least initially start as a HBF. So why move Windsor?

[DeeSpencer 26,110]

1 hour ago, Farmer said:

Must say I’m puzzled by the controversy re Windsor.  I thought he had a fabulous first season on the wing . We have heaps of half back flankers and I can’t see the point of adding him to that  list. I regard Monez Wakefield as v promising. I rate Marty Hore as very capable tho he struggles to get a game. I thought Howes’ end of 2024 was very promising . Salem is still an excellent defender with supreme kicking skills. Bowey, now fully recovered from injury might have a great year, and when fit his disposal is great. And then we have both  McVee and Rivers. I’m keen to see more of McVee in the middle , but it’s unlikely any of Petracca, Oliver, Viney, Sparrow will make room for him and I think he will at least initially start as a HBF. So why move Windsor?

Rivers is really a mid now until anything changes.

Hore is depth. Howes hasn’t gotten involved enough to show he’s an attacking player. AMW is still a project to me, let’s see if a preseason has improved his tank and concentration.

So that leaves McVee, Bowey and Salo. All have strengths but none of them are line breaking runners.

If Windsor is on the wing he rarely gets to turn the burners on and run by guys and even if he does the reward is the ball is still up against the boundary.

Push zoom at half back and the ball is charging through the corridor and on a direct path inside 50.

It might not work and for the balance of the team he might have to go back to the wing, or even high half forward. But I see the vision and we need more counter attack from the backline.

[58er 6,712]

12 hours ago, demon3165 said:

I am not basing my opinion on the end of 24 so I don't know how you got that opinion.

Well why are you so against Salo playing in the AFL ?

His ability is “ when fit” is AFL standard so why not.

You don’t seem to realise that fitness is a very important part of his ability to play well. Just like every player. 

I don’t agree that his best is not AFL worthy. But he must be fit not struggling with leg issues or hamstrings. 

[58er 6,712]

17 hours ago, rpfc said:

I wouldn’t bother pushing him to HBF but if we have this sharp kid earmarked for the other wing to Langdon then ok. 

He will be behind most contests unless they specifically try to release him to the outside of them so he will rarely use his speed from the HBF into space. 

He will learn a lot.

As an aside, if it means more Rivers in the mids that’s great, if it means McVee in the mids I don’t really see it.

Cant understand your second para with Windsor “being behind most contests” which is  either your opinion or a lack of footy logic. Players can be placed and play in any part of the zone they are positioned in.

In other words if Windsor is at half  back as nd part of his role is to act as a running style defender on the outside say he simply places himself accordingly. What is he behind that prevents this as long as he doesn’t neglect his opponent and give him free reign to the ball or goal.

My assertion is that centre is his ideal position as a he is a straight line runner with exceptional speed and would only be a kick and a half from goal on many occasions for passing or assessing his scoring opportunities. 

As for the poster who is afraid that he will be crushed in 5 mins. What utter rot. Give the Duke  more credit !!! He would have built up his weight and really looks like he even puts weight on it doesn’t show. 

17 hours ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

Would rather him on the wing than half back, but definitely open minded to see how he goes down back. I can recall he turned the ball over a bit in year 1 so he needs to get that out of the game if he’s playing a quarter back type role from HB.

A no to McVee in the guts. I know it was a one game sample size but they gave him a full game (or mostly full game) in the middle against Collingwood late last year and he couldn’t crack double figures in disposals, while the Daicos brothers probably had 85 between them.

One game is not enough sample. 

[Rodney (Balls) Grinter 10,939]

15 hours ago, CHF said:

Windsor is a quality footballer. 

His first season was exceptional as he played on the wing. He has good vision and balance and always seems to have plenty of time to play the ball. His execution sometimes left a little to be desired, but that is understandable given his level of experience. 

I have no problem having a look at him in defence as long as the coaching team are proactive in response.

I recall Fritsch having a run in defence some seasons ago and it was very clear from the first couple of games that he was being played out of position but he was persisted with for some time before he was moved. I do not want to see that happen with any other player.

Have a look at Windsor back there by all means. When assessing the success of the move, there also needs to be an assessment of the player slotted into his wing position. Overall we need to see a team improvement in the moves.

 

Agree with this 100%

Personally I'm fairly loath to see him moved off the wing, because he added another dimension to us in that area that complmented Ed Langdon as seen by the great year that he also had.

I don't see anyone else really having the same skill set as Windsor to do what he did for us on the wing, but maybe he can still use that to greater benefit of the team off half back, so I'll reserve full judgement until whatever transpires does.

Also, surely another focus for the team/individual development has to be to stop Ed kicking it out on the full so often.  I do think it's not all Ed's fault, because I think the role we have him play, he's so often collecting the ball and disposing it so close to the boundary.  But I do wonder if we'd be better off either changing our game style a bit, so he's not so often in positions where he's hard up against the boundary or if we do see that as a critical part of how we use the ground, try to use a player who's a better kick than Ed to be in those positions more often.  Personally I'd like us to play a more direct game style that sees us move the ball through the centre of the ground more, so we almost eliminate the issue anyway.

[Rodney (Balls) Grinter 10,939]

57 minutes ago, 58er said:

Well why are you so against Salo playing in the AFL ?

His ability is “ when fit” is AFL standard so why not.

You don’t seem to realise that fitness is a very important part of his ability to play well. Just like every player. 

I don’t agree that his best is not AFL worthy. But he must be fit not struggling with leg issues or hamstrings. 

A fit Salo is A grade, end of story.  His contribution to our premiership season was very important.

[58er 6,712]

17 hours ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

Would rather him on the wing than half back, but definitely open minded to see how he goes down back. I can recall he turned the ball over a bit in year 1 so he needs to get that out of the game if he’s playing a quarter back type role from HB.

A no to McVee in the guts. I know it was a one game sample size but they gave him a full game (or mostly full game) in the middle against Collingwood late last year and he couldn’t crack double figures in disposals, while the Daicos brothers probably had 85 between them.

How did he turn it over? 
Fumbling ? Running over it? 
not bending enough ?

please prey tell??? 

Really interested in this little tidbit. 

[58er 6,712]

7 minutes ago, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

A fit Salo is A grade, end of story.  His contribution to our premiership season was very important.

Agree but I am interested in a post that wants to confine him to Casey but really doesn’t have a sensible valid reason that stands up if he is fit and firing . 

[Roost it far 9,013]

13 minutes ago, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

A fit Salo is A grade, end of story.  His contribution to our premiership season was very important.

I'm not sure the 25 version of a a fit Salo is anywhere near A grade. He hasn't had a good stretch of form since 21, that's a long time ago. Personally I see others going past him and he'll need to be at at least 80% of his best to remain best 22.

[tiers 2,868]

On the wing where he belongs. He's a natural.

The strong running to both ends of the field make Caleb and Ed the best wing combination in the league.

 

[demoncat 1,551]

I posted this on another thread a few months ago, but I love the idea of playing Windsor off half back 

The reason being is that he’s going to be in a much better position to win the ball at half back than he will on the wing (especially when the play is on the opposite side of the ground)

I think our lack of ball winners and link runners in the back half has been a real weakness of ours the last few years, and I honestly can’t remember a truly elite game by one of our half backs since Salem in the 21 GF or a handful of games from Gus in 22

With his speed, smarts and defensive running I can see the vision with Windsor, and him getting another 5-10 possessions a game could be a difference maker for us 

Time will tell 

Edited Tuesday at 05:30 by demoncat

[demon3165 2,818]

4 hours ago, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

A fit Salo is A grade, end of story.  His contribution to our premiership season was very important.

And what year was that again and what year is it now, axl rose had a great voice years ago now sounds like like a possum and a cat fighting we all have our time in the sun.

[A Bit Of Biff 26]

1 hour ago, demon3165 said:

And what year was that again and what year is it now, axl rose had a great voice years ago now sounds like like a possum and a cat fighting we all have our time in the sun.

Take a chill pill dude .... FFS

[demon3165 2,818]

3 hours ago, A Bit Of Biff said:

Take a chill pill dude .... FFS

FFS suggest you take one maybe a bex and a good lie down.

[Rodney (Balls) Grinter 10,939]

5 hours ago, demon3165 said:

And what year was that again and what year is it now, axl rose had a great voice years ago now sounds like like a possum and a cat fighting we all have our time in the sun.

Yeah, but quality players don't grow on trees and until he's either sufficiently out of form and out of contract and/or deemed medically beyond repair, I'd rather be optimistic that he can return to his best. 

A few players of late that we've had have been almost given up for dead, but then turned around their injuries/fitness and fortunes on the feild and made some very valuable contributions.  Thinking of guys like Melksham and TMac in particular, but possibly even Disco to an extent.

Edited Tuesday at 11:40 by Rodney (Balls) Grinter

[FTB 278]

It does seem as though Windsor will play off half-back this season per training reports.

Who do we think plays on the opposite wing to Langdon though? I’m not convinced that Sharp is in our best 22 just yet. I can’t even squeeze Sparrow into our best 22.

Bowey on one of the wings perhaps?

[Wizard of Koz 1,132]

I dont think teams and coaches use player positioning names as described here. I have heard Goodwin use terms like small forward, power forward. Can anyone enlighten me on some of the AFL coaches & player level names for positions . Or are they not called positions but roles? If so what are they?

Edited Tuesday at 13:10 by Wizard of Koz

[58er 6,712]

10 hours ago, demoncat said:

I posted this on another thread a few months ago, but I love the idea of playing Windsor off half back 

The reason being is that he’s going to be in a much better position to win the ball at half back than he will on the wing (especially when the play is on the opposite side of the ground)

I think our lack of ball winners and link runners in the back half has been a real weakness of ours the last few years, and I honestly can’t remember a truly elite game by one of our half backs since Salem in the 21 GF or a handful of games from Gus in 22

With his speed, smarts and defensive running I can see the vision with Windsor, and him getting another 5-10 possessions a game could be a difference maker for us 

Time will tell 

Don’t you  watch Judd McVee?

Not a bad half back.

Surely Riv has played some good games from HBF. 

Me thinks you need a memory rethink or a trip to specsavers.

[Go Ds 80]

Umm reading through this whole thread and seeing so many names mentioned I'm a little surprised to not see Kolt mentioned at all. Where will he play?

[58er 6,712]

14 hours ago, Roost it far said:

I'm not sure the 25 version of a a fit Salo is anywhere near A grade. He hasn't had a good stretch of form since 21, that's a long time ago. Personally I see others going past him and he'll need to be at at least 80% of his best to remain best 22.

That’s the point a FIT Salo is the key as well as consistency. 

[58er 6,712]

1 minute ago, Go Ds said:

Umm reading through this whole thread and seeing so many names mentioned I'm a little surprised to not see Kolt mentioned at all. Where will he play?

Where he is selected but nobody knows where?

HFF. Mid.  I/C. Sub. Em.  ????

[Go Ds 80]

Interchange, yes. But emergency? Surely he's in the team at the moment.

Edited Tuesday at 16:33 by Go Ds
Mistake

[demoncat 1,551]

5 hours ago, 58er said:

Don’t you  watch Judd McVee?

Not a bad half back.

Surely Riv has played some good games from HBF. 

Me thinks you need a memory rethink or a trip to specsavers.

m8 don’t get me wrong I love McVee and Rivers, but I think you’re the one who needs their eyes checked if you think we have Dan Houston or Lachie Whitfield back there 

The fact is compared to a lot of  contenders our half backs don’t rack up a lot of possessions and, apart from the odd highlight or two, don’t play a significant role in our ball movement 

[layzie 34,183]

23 hours ago, Damo said:

Id like Windsor to stay on the wing for the 1st 10 games or so. We have it seems many options leading into the season and Id like him to nail wing before having to step up.

Like McVee, just do that voodoo that you do, well.

Being good at it shouldnt mean you  necessarily get moved.

Me too.

Wing with the view of half-back at some point in the season.