Lav will need more than a few games in the magoos. His form pre-injury wasnβt exactly βsetting the world on fireβ levels. With a bit of work on tackling and endurance he will be a good player though
When he comes back Iβd be playing him forward. Its his natural position, heβll need continuity, and at the end of the day one injury to our small/large forwards and we would probably want him to play. Depending on how Begley keeps developing I suppose.
He has a bit of work to do to get into the team I reckon.
Stewart is doing a great job in the third tall spot and creates a genuine match up problem with his height and athleticism. Francis seems to be being developed into the Roughead role - a crash and bash forward who can go into the midfield and wreak havoc. Begley is showing a fair bit.
Our midfield is also looking increasingly settled, Parish will come straight back in and Langford is probably next in line for a spot. Hocking and Bird are putting up consistent numbers and Mutch is nipping at his heels.
It would be a frustrating time to be injured, watching all those guys stake their claim. Good to see - selection pressure is gold.
No doubt about that. He definitely does. They are trying to get more consistency into Langfordβs game. Heβll never have Laverdeβs approach, his personality is different.
Also Laverde runs straight lines, Langford plays angles, Laverde bullocks through, Langford steps around, etc.
Hard to remember Lav itβs been so long.
He would have loved playing o the weekend with the ball coming in fast and precise.
Another player with great footskills who can be potent up fwd. Iβm not sure heβll be designated the 3rd tall, but alot depends on his tank.
Nice that he may come back a hulk but itβs his fitness that will determine if he can gut-run, make 2nd attempts, chase etc. All important for a forward and all the more crucial with our gameplan.
Doubt very much that Laverde will play AFL in 2017 - Heβs still 2 or 3 weeks away from playing VFL and will need a block of 4 or 5 games at this level.
Spewing heβs been injured this year. I was very lid off about Lavs preseason form. So good that it convinced me we do actually have a really good player in the future if he remains injury free. Can find the footy, is clean, can mark it, can kick a goal and has that hard edge about him. Donβt think Stewart would have had a single game this year if Lav was fit.
Loved the way lav and Langford played across half forward/deep forward against fark Carlton last year. Such a tough match ups for the opposition to combat. Hopefully they can both feature together up foward and the midfield sooner rather than later.