#10 St Francis de Agressi - up to 2021 round 2

Football Discussion Dustin Fletcher Hangar
7234

Is it actually a major gap? Or a desperate need? We have been winning or breaking even in clearances

7235

So the criticism is he is not fit and lacks intensity, so the solution becomes throw him in the middle? He needs to be more fit and more intense to play that role than he does to play forward or back.

I mean it’s an option, but yeah.

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7236

We don’t have much in the way of bulk or height through the middle. We get out bodied and out marked very often.

Francis has been used at center clearances at VFL level to great success. He hasn’t been thrown in there at AFL level, because he hasn’t had enough experience there. I’m thinking a Stringer type clearance player who can provide marking options through the middle and float forward or back as needed.

Edit - not saying he has the fitness to do this currently. Wait 2 years when Stringer and Francis have built up a serious tank. Weapon.

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7237

Im not sure. Stringer and franga arnt true talls. Both athletic, i was real encouraged with franga moving last night. Joe and mckernan are very agile. Why cant it work? Stringer and smack deep. franga and joe roaming.

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7238

Hmmm… I wonder who fills that role. :joy:

7239

Can anyone actually name me a game where a midfielder actually hurt us with overhead marking? In, say, the Worsfold reign, so post 2016?

I don’t think height of mids is really relevant these days. You do get Martin & Danger types who rotate forward to take marks, but they generally get a defender on them, not a midfielder.

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7240

If he kicks 10 in the next 2 weeks he’d stay in and forward for sure. I didn’t say he definitely goes out but he’ll have to improve to keep the spot.
Last night was a step in the right direction

7241

I get your point on stringer and Franga bit I still think they don’t offer enough defensively if you’ve also got 2 tall forwards in the forwardline. They’ve got pace in spurts which helps but neither of them has the fitness to apply consistent defensive pressure

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7242

Moved much better while his decision-making was a class above - Promising signs.

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7243

That candy he sold to setup Tippa’s boundary goal was smooth!

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7244

I thought he was excellent at chf last night. I especially liked his hip and shoulder to force a rushed behind when we were scrambling in defense at one point. It was good to see him covering ground and his footy smarts just be too good for his opponent. If he took one of those screamers…

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7245

He was involved in the majority of our goals to some degree, be it direct involvement or an important smother or interception. Easily the best he’s looked up forward. Worth persisting with until smack/brown are ready to go.

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7246

Great kick for goal. Off a few steps too. Stable and repeatable

7247

Loved his celebration after his goal. One of the highlights of the night.

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7248

Test

7249

francisgif https://media.giphy.com/media/1extmA2BXXMuZV5GI0/giphy.gif

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7250

Would help his confidence, especially playing as a forward you’d like to hit the scoreboard.

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7251

Still have no idea why he was penalised for that.
You’re going for the ball, an opponent is coming at you, you should brace yourself for contact.
The AFL’s new rules (interpretations) are teaching players to become soft and stupid.
What the AFL should have done was send that clip to all clubs and said “You want to bump - this is how you do it.”

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7252

Definitely. It was great to see him get rewarded for his effort.

7253

You could not get a better bump than that.

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