Agree that Curtain looks great early, but you would have to think West Coast would be extremely interested in him. Particularly if they are to lose Allen.
Hopefully he gets some senior games soon. He looks too big for the colts haha
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Just can’t see how we get him though. We need to start tanking big time…or hopefully Melbourne finishes last.
I don’t really like the kids going up to the seniors early in the season personally. I think the way Cody’s brother Dan did it is perfect. Play the first block of games at Colts level (or SANFL U18s) to get continuity and confidence in your desired position, then use that confidence to launch into the higher level games through the middle section of the season with the Academy and Champs… after the champs are finished and you have runs on the board against your peers at the highest junior level then you step up and play that final block of games and finals at senior state league level to challenge yourself and prove yourself against men.
If I look at the kids in recent years that have started immediately in SANFL or WAFL seniors I struggle to say that it did anything good for their draft stock.
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Yeah I think that is a fair point! It probably doesn’t serve them too well to throw them to the wolves this early. Although if he is kicking bags every week I would like to see how he goes. Even if it is just for a block of games to get a taste of the level.
Sharp started this game like he played last week, looking a little hesitant and only managing to find scrappy, relatively ineffective possessions. Either he or the coaching staff seemed make an adjustment in the third term as he was pushing higher up the ground almost as an extra midfielder and suddenly he was cracking into the contest and stoppage with decisive and powerful movements, extracting the footy and setting up his teammates on the outside.
It’s time that we saw Sharp get some run as a primary onballer to maximise his talents.
#freedyson
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To me, Lindsay seems like the most skilful mids in the draft. If we miss out on a few other players he would compliment our midfield well.
Doesn’t he sound more like a half back?
(Which we also need)
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I just don’t know if he’s a midfielder though. He hasn’t really shown that he has any stoppage craft, or the light feet to navigate traffic. His kicking skills are so elite that you’re kinda wasting him by shoving him into the middle of contests where he can’t make use of that asset.
There’s still time for him to show more or develop more of that inside to outside game but as it stands right now… I’m not sure he’s a mid.
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Can’t see that happening just yet. Centrals are one of the flag favourites and their primary focus is winning games so unfortunately for Dyson he has to know his role for now. They are missing a couple of mids at the moment too so once they come back he might see less midfield time for a little while.
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Do you know if they did change anything with his role in the third term? It was like a light flicked with him - he was fantastic in the second half I thought.
Yes, at half time the coaches changed it up a little as things weren’t working and they wanted him involved more
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Yep, but you need finishing quality on the outside. That’s why Merrett is so valuable. Sure Merrett has some great stoppage craft, but his biggest strength is distribution from the contest. We need more, better uses around the ball.
I agree with that completely, but if you have an elite ball user around the footy he needs to be able to find enough space to use those foot skills. Like Merrett who’s so clever and agile that he can get outside into space and then do damage. The periods we’ve seen with Lindsay on ball so far he hasn’t shown he can do that. Everything has been flat footed and rushed. When he was moved back into defense in the third term, suddenly he had space and was slicing the opponent apart.
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Yep, that makes sense. Unfortunately for him its pretty crucial to have those evasive skills on every part of the ground now (less so on the wing or in key positions).
I think his pace is a bit of a problem too.
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I also think it is easier said than done when it comes to players transitioning from a flank to a midfield role. Some players just don’t have it in them when it comes to reading taps and blocks and navigating the heavy traffic at a stoppage. Many are able to do it effectively, but we have seen so many failed midfield transitions over the years as well.
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100% - I have a few old posts on blitz during his first couple of seasons suggesting that Perkins didn’t have the craft to be a pure midfielder and that people were wrong to assume that he would be able to make that transition.
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Hetherton or Ludowyke on the menu at all this week Noob?
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Some clips of Ludowyke kicking 5 including the match-winner here:
https://x.com/jasperc53/status/1909100454497436038?s=46&t=yfIMIPcIchLUazwpjEMkcw
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Definitely Ludowyke
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I still think Perkins has the ability to be a pure midfielder. I would say he needs work on reading the taps, but his work in heavy traffic is decent…he has the great ability to pivot and change direction quickly.
I really think with Perkins it mostly fitness and mentality. These days if you’ve not an absolute competitive beast in the contest then you’ll get beaten. If Perkins is to ever make it as a midfielder, he needs to up his intensity and keep it consistent.
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