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Time to give Howes a fair go

Farmer
Farmer
in Melbourne Demons

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Not every new young player is an immediate star. True we have recruited 4 dashing, talented, 200 game players, all of whom played today.

But I feel Howes, who has been slower to develop could turn out to be a very good defender . In future I can see him played on tall half forwards- he has been nervous under pressure thus far but with some confidence I believe he will make it . Did well today in an undersized defence after Turner went dowb..

Talikibg of which how about Kelly Underwood? Decided that Disco was number 20 and repeatedly confused him with Howes, Lindsay and others even after Disco had been subbed out . Fearful error by a well paid journalist .

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      On 19/04/2025 at 11:11, Farmer said:

    Not every new young player is an immediate star. True we have recruited 4 dashing, talented, 200 game players, all of whom played today.

    But I feel Howes, who has been slower to develop could turn out to be a very good defender . In future I can see him played on tall half forwards- he has been nervous under pressure thus far but with some confidence I believe he will make it . Did well today in an undersized defence after Turner went dowb..

    Talikibg of which how about Kelly Underwood? Decided that Disco was number 20 and repeatedly confused him with Howes, Lindsay and others even after Disco had been subbed out . Fearful error by a well paid journalist .

    And she kept calling Kade Chandler Kyle Chandler 🤷‍♀️

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      On 19/04/2025 at 11:12, jane02 said:

    And she kept calling Kade Chandler Kyle Chandler 🤷‍♀️

    It's called being lazy, she's not alone in the world of football "journalists and commentators" on that score.

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      On 19/04/2025 at 11:11, Farmer said:

    Not every new young player is an immediate star. True we have recruited 4 dashing, talented, 200 game players, all of whom played today.

    But I feel Howes, who has been slower to develop could turn out to be a very good defender . In future I can see him played on tall half forwards- he has been nervous under pressure thus far but with some confidence I believe he will make it . Did well today in an undersized defence after Turner went dowb..

    Talikibg of which how about Kelly Underwood? Decided that Disco was number 20 and repeatedly confused him with Howes, Lindsay and others even after Disco had been subbed out . Fearful error by a well paid journalist .

      On 19/04/2025 at 11:13, Roost it far said:

    It's called being lazy, she's not alone in the world of football "journalists and commentators" on that score.

    Howes did pretty well considering the whole backline was pretty well makeshift, AND then Turner went down.

    As for Ms Underwood - not only inaccurate, but a totally unlistenable voice. Not looking forward to listening on the replay - synchronised 774 radio during the live telecast.

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      On 19/04/2025 at 11:11, Farmer said:

    Not every new young player is an immediate star. True we have recruited 4 dashing, talented, 200 game players, all of whom played today.

    But I feel Howes, who has been slower to develop could turn out to be a very good defender . In future I can see him played on tall half forwards- he has been nervous under pressure thus far but with some confidence I believe he will make it . Did well today in an undersized defence after Turner went dowb..

    Talikibg of which how about Kelly Underwood? Decided that Disco was number 20 and repeatedly confused him with Howes, Lindsay and others even after Disco had been subbed out . Fearful error by a well paid journalist .

    Kellie Underwood shouldn't call games. Come prepared or just sit it out.

    On your point about Howes, I agree. I actually rate Howes. He has good closing speed, and can defend. He is going to make a really serviceable 200 plus game player (also has upside). At times we'll miss May and Lever, but over the duration, we are better off finding our keys down back.

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      On 19/04/2025 at 11:21, VoiceOfReason said:

    Kellie Underwood shouldn't call games. Come prepared or just sit it out.

    On your point about Howes, I agree. I actually rate Howes. He has good closing speed, and can defend. He is going to make a really serviceable 200 plus game player (also has upside). At times we'll miss May and Lever, but over the duration, we are better off finding our keys down back.

    He's not 1st choice, happy to be proven wrong but I just don't think he has the smarts as a defender.

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      On 19/04/2025 at 11:21, VoiceOfReason said:

    I actually rate Howes. He has good closing speed, and can defend. He is going to make a really serviceable 200 plus game player (also has upside).

    Along with that, he tries his bloody hardest. He may not always win out but it’s not through want of trying.

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      On 19/04/2025 at 11:37, Redleg said:

    I still think Howes is a mid/half forward.

    You could be right Redleg but he was very good in the Men’s department today.

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    I feel he has gone backwards this year, but he was steady today. I agree, lots of players start on shaky ground and grow into AFL players, and Howes looks to be on the same path. With Lever & May out, Turner on the rise and Adams playing OK at Casey, Howes is among the pack and needs consistent games and consistent form.

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    Yep, Howes is one to keep developing. Wouldn't expect him to be a superstar but there's always room in a list for solid citizens who can sustain an AFL standard.

    I feel like as he progresses consistency will become a feature. Which is weird because obviously it isn't his top card right now.

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      On 19/04/2025 at 11:21, VoiceOfReason said:

    Kellie Underwood shouldn't call games. Come prepared or just sit it out.

    On your point about Howes, I agree. I actually rate Howes. He has good closing speed, and can defend. He is going to make a really serviceable 200 plus game player (also has upside).

    200 games is a lot. We've had less than 30 in our entire history.

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    I've been a staunch Howes supporter from the moment he was drafted. I personally didn't think he was the right inclusion for May this week but he had a huge job on Amiss after half time after Turner went down and thought he held up his end of the bargain.

    I still would like to see him being played up forward eventually as thats pretty much the reason he was so highly rated being a floating high half forward.

    If he does stay back, I see him turning out similar to Zac Guthrie.

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    Yeah, nah.

    Panics with the footy, has zero presence at the contest.

    Height and athleticism isn’t enough, has to develop some ability to win or use the ball sometime soon.

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      On 19/04/2025 at 13:23, DeeSpencer said:

    Yeah, nah.

    Panics with the footy, has zero presence at the contest.

    Height and athleticism isn’t enough, has to develop some ability to win or use the ball sometime soon.

    This might all still be true, but he was asked to play a difficult role today and did it pretty well, don't you think?

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      On 19/04/2025 at 11:21, VoiceOfReason said:

    Kellie Underwood shouldn't call games. Come prepared or just sit it out.

    I really don't like where some of the Kelli Underwood criticism goes, but I agree with this. Others do it too (e.g. BT) but it's infuriating when commentators don't know the names of players or get them wrong repeatedly.

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    Howes has had a fair go, needs to now repay the club if he is good enough. First few games seem to have been his best where he showed some ability, so its on him to show that more often

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      On 19/04/2025 at 11:11, Farmer said:

    Not every new young player is an immediate star. True we have recruited 4 dashing, talented, 200 game players, all of whom played today.

    But I feel Howes, who has been slower to develop could turn out to be a very good defender . In future I can see him played on tall half forwards- he has been nervous under pressure thus far but with some confidence I believe he will make it . Did well today in an undersized defence after Turner went dowb..

    Talikibg of which how about Kelly Underwood? Decided that Disco was number 20 and repeatedly confused him with Howes, Lindsay and others even after Disco had been subbed out . Fearful error by a well paid journalist .

    To be fair, there's a bunch of identical players with the same mullet & bum fluff stache combo

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    Hoping to see Blake Howes play wing or half forward eventually!

    But I will give credit where credit is due though....he played his role against Freo.

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      On 19/04/2025 at 15:35, Supreme_Demon said:

    Hoping to see Blake Howes play wing or half forward eventually!

    But I will give credit where credit is due though....he played his role against Freo.

    There was a time in the pre season before this current one where Howes was playing around the footy and Chaplin told me he had looked a bit like Chad Warner with his explosiveness. With some confidence, hopefully we see him live his true athleticism.

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    Howes has been cast as a plug and play type. He was brought to replace May but then had to play key back on Amiss when Turner was off at half time. Howes did a good job and gets to stay in.

    But I agree that if possible, I’d really like the Dees to give him a few games across half forward. He’s a good mark and kick. Got the tank and agility. Was drafted as a wing/half forward.

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      On 19/04/2025 at 22:08, Dannyz said:

    There was a time in the pre season before this current one where Howes was playing around the footy and Chaplin told me he had looked a bit like Chad Warner with his explosiveness. With some confidence, hopefully we see him live his true athleticism.

    Thanks Danny, I am glad to hear at least someone in the FD agrees with me on where he could/should be playing. Some like Dazzle and Supreme Demon on here also agree,.but of course we are just fans and everyone has an opinion on everything.

    Plenty on here want him delisted and say he can’t play.

    It is unfair imo to put a player where he possibly isn’t at his best and then judge him as a player on that.

    Plenty did that to JJ and Bedford, just as recent examples.

    Clubs and supporters continually make mistakes on players, but the more successful clubs limit the mistakes.

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      On 19/04/2025 at 14:02, titan_uranus said:

    This might all still be true, but he was asked to play a difficult role today and did it pretty well, don't you think?

    Yes, thought he was good in the first half playing on smalls and then it was a bold call from the coaches to trust him on Amiss and he did the job.

    I like his work rate and defensive discipline to stick with opponents, it’s just well and truly time to start winning some more contests.

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    He needs to get serious in the gym no matter where he plays. Those skinny arms aren't going to be able to compete given he hasnt got breakout talent others can rely on.

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