Laverde was an interesting selection in that most changes have been like for like - On this basis J.Merrett or begley could have been chosen - You need to balance this against backing in potential ( Laverde ) against an average conveyance (J.Merrett ) and against Begley who may not have enough endurance to play Green’s role - One thing Laverde struggled with was getting up and down the ground as well as Green - Laverde will need to build his fitness in the AFL the next few weeks.
1 out of 2 chances blown, you’d think he’d use his first kick more intelligently than kicking it straight to a north player
was largely unsighted but for one tackle that will keep the hype train going
i was thoroughly unimpressed by his performance and think we missed Green’s sprinting to space to help his team mates on the wings that Laverde clearly does not
I don’t understand how nobody(almost) can grasp the fact that LaV taking Greens spot doesnt quite work because of the way our structure has been set-up
Not because Green is a better player or because he was in brownlow/coleman winning form
LaV would be suited to Stewarts spot because it would keep the structure better but Stewart isnt injured so that hasnt happened
I absolutely rate LaV and always have, one of my favorites since we picked him but I was one who didnt like the selection last week due to the change in our set up
Having said all that he shouldnt be dropped straight away but when Green is fit I think we should and will put him back in the side
A) Green is significantly fitter thus puts on more defensive pressure
B) Green is significantly faster
C) Green is a better all round crumbing player
And ‘if’ these are true are they more important than Laverde’s attributes over Green in the context of our current set up. You may well be right but I think we need more than one week (especially one where it’s the kids first game of the year) to see if it can work. Also remembering this isn’t the coaches first choice it’s a forced change.
I don’t think its got anything to do with comparing the 2 players, they are completely different and play different roles.
I think Lav will be 10x the player green could ever be but he is a totally different player and thats the reason i think he was the wrong choice to fill that particular spot. I wasn’t howling about the selection because it was a forced change but i didnt and still dont agree with it being Lav at the moment, but like i said definitely don’t want him dropped after 1 game but i do think when Green is fit he will and should come back in