bjDee

Michael Long, 2000 Grand Final. Ask Troy Simmons. And I can't believe no-one has mentioned Robbie Muir. Seem to recall he played something like 66 games and was suspended for a total of 22. Sorry - just saw R Muir was mentioned earlier - 1st by Hell Bent.

We have an excess of capable tall defenders, some of whom also seem likely to make for good options up forward. We have a shortage of tall forwards - at least in the short-medium term this year. But here is my key point: a good defender moving forward as an option does not have to become the key target to replace Ricky P. The 3rd Q on Satuday proved that. DB made a move by keeping Green & Sylvia in the forward 50, and we got instant results. Cleared up the middle in a small ground, gave us more than 1 option forward, and broke up the kangas' stranglehold through the middle by clearing out the area. Can't explain the 4th Q though! At least DB made a move mid game - unlike Daniher who was almost always out-coached all game. I like the option of Rivers or especially Garland as a 2nd or 3rd key forward option. With Chip, Warnock, JMac and the other of Rivers/Garland down back, we can cover Ricky's absence and not be lacking tall defenders. But it's not just players that will do it. It's also coaching tactics to suit the ground and the opposition, as we saw after half time on Saturday.

As someone else observed today in another topic, I couldn't believe the number of smothers laid on us yesterday - think I saw around 8 - usually by a man on a mark. And it wasn't all by Joel Mac. I don't think we managed one in return. That suggests to me that we need to make allowance for the different surface when kicking, but obviously don't. This stadium is not up to AFL standard. Also our clearance from kick-ins was horrible vs previous weeks. I suspect the shallower pockets, even if by a few metres, really cuts off an open left and right option for the kicker. That seriously needs more preparation by the coaching staff.