A leopard can’t change his spots but he might be able to change his shorts (Discworld reference for those who have no idea what I am on about), which can be useful if the shorts have pronounced skid marks from previous lack of endeavour.
Not sure if the players are finally getting it, becoming more courageous with maturity or just more scared of Malthouse but consider the following first round draft picks who have not been great in the intensity stakes.
Yarran is super-talented but has continued to be soft and lazy. MM's coaching efforts have been evident since the body language saga. Against the Swans he came on and made a couple of committed efforts before going missing in the final term. Against the Pies he made a couple of committed efforts in the first term (when the team was going well) but clearly didn't like the discomfort of physical contact and went missing thereafter. Against the ‘aints, he was noticeable in the way he tried to deliver the ball to teammates rather than his usual selfish solo efforts. Against the 'roos, he tackled effectively (instead of his usual passive efforts) and showed courage in some marking contests.
Despite having improved his output enough to be a regular senior player this year, Lucas has still shown regular glimpses of timidity but, in recent weeks, he has been winning some contested ball and also tackling with greater intensity.
Watson is still a liability when the ball hits the ground and he still lacks the speed to go with most tall forwards and to get to other contests to provide Jamo with some aerial assistance but he is finally playing with some intensity and, credit where credit’s due, his contested mark on Friday night was as big as Yarran’s in deciding the game and as good as anything I have seen him do in 3 years.
Another solid effort from Yaz who now seems willing to chase with intensity rather than thinking about it and deciding against it.
Lucas was so 'out of it' one would be inclined to believe he was 'out of it' after the solid knock early in the game.
The glacier was again worthy of his place in the team but I don't think that much of his opponent (Sam Day). Credit to the coaches for playing him in a way that has been beneficial to the team by allowing Hendo to move forward.
Carlton-listed players in descending order of usefulness against poor opposition in good conditions.
The first 7 played well enough to be considered for senior selection next round if there are any vacancies.
Nick Graham = Very good first half – almost as good in the second - only Lambert was ahead of him for BOG Nick Duigan = Played as a lead up forward and impressed with his speed, marking and endeavour Levi Casboult = Some useful ruckwork but particularly good in marking contests and his kicking looked better than at any other time since he arrived at the club – not just accuracy but his whole approach to set shots at goal looked deliberate and confident Robert Warnock = One of his better games – good in the ruck and more than useful around the ground Tom Bell = Good game but not our best midfielder Jeremy Laidler = Played in defence and looked much more at home Aaron Joseph = Typically good game in defence
Marcus Davies = Typically solid defensive effort Troy Menzel = Some brilliance but quite a lot of invisibility in between times Tom Temay = Played quite well today, especially in the first half – probably the best game I have seen from him Rhys O’Keeffe = Played with dash and vigour – best game back from his long lay off Frazer Dale = Looks accomplished in the air and has good balance – worthwhile contributor Dylan Buckley = Some brilliance but lots of invisibility in between times Luke Mitchell = Should have played in the early game again – spent no more than 50% of the game on the ground and managed one kick off the ground – a bollard would have been as useful and almost as fast
A leopard can’t change his spots but he might be able to change his shorts (Discworld reference for those who have no idea what I am on about), which can be useful if the shorts have pronounced skid marks from previous lack of endeavour.
Not sure if the players are finally getting it, becoming more courageous with maturity or just more scared of Malthouse but consider the following.
Yarran is super-talented but has continued to be soft and lazy. MM's coaching efforts have been evident since the body language saga. Against the Swans he came on and made a couple of committed efforts before going missing in the final term. Against the Pies he made a couple of committed efforts in the first term (when the team was going well) but clearly didn't like the discomfort of physical contact and went missing thereafter. Against the ‘aints, he was noticeable in the way he tried to deliver the ball to teammates rather than his usual selfish solo efforts. Against the 'roos, he tackled effectively (instead of his usual passive efforts) and showed courage in some marking contests.
Despite having improved his output enough to be a regular senior player this year, Lucas has still shown regular glimpses of timidity but, in recent weeks, he has been winning some contested ball and also tackling with greater intensity.
Watson is still a liability when the ball hits the ground and he still lacks the speed to go with most tall forwards and to get to other contests to provide Jamo with some aerial assistance but he is finally playing with some intensity and, credit where credit’s due, his contested mark on Friday night was as big as Yarran’s in deciding the game and as good as anything I have seen him d in 3 years.
I hate going to Box Hill - crap venue to watch football - today was crapper than usual because of the weather but I did go along to see the early game because I wanted to see Mitchell and I finally saw something of why we drafted him.
I don't think he was our best player by any stretch of the imagination but, despite the conditions, he took overhead contested marks and was able to out-body the slighter players at the lower level. Also, unlike other days when he has kicked multiple goals with minimal kicks, he could have finished with 8 to 10 today with the opportunities he created.
I didn't get a chance to ask him but I was wondering whether his demotion could have been at his request (similar to the decision Hampson made a few years back when he wasn't getting enough ground time in the Bullants' senior team). He is still as slow as a glacier but so were lots of others in the conditions.
Still to be convinced he can perform at the higher levels on a fast track but at least I saw something.
As for the senior game, in even worse conditions, I was completely satisfied with the efforts of ALL players in contributing to a team performance.
Ratts moved him into defence because he was too lazy as a forward / last year he started getting lazy as a defender / MM is now discovering what Ratts discovered in 2010.
I myself would have to of been Watson's biggest fan. Being a CHB myself I have a soft spot for them and setting his highlight reel when we drafted him I went out and got a baby blue gursney with the number 10 on the back. Haven't been able to wear it much, but watched the game with a port supporter who had never heard of Watson. After the game I he said he doubts her ever will again and unfortunately I have to agree.
The kid has the skills, has the body but his head must bee hollow. He's not slow, he just has no desire to get that ball more than anyone else. He jogs to contests and then pulls up instead of sprinting and throwing his body on the line and over the ball. Watson needs to get some c*nt about him, use his body to intimidate, get front position, if he can't at least use his body to apply pressure instead of waiting to meet the ball with a punch from behind at the last second.
This kid should be smashing packs and running off for an easy kick cause most chfs won't chase but he is lazy and uninterested. Like a lot of our boys he doesn't bleed blue, he doesn't want to do win that ball and I'm 95% sure he doesn't want that ball anywhere near him
In defence we had Jamison, who admittedly made some shocking errors, but he is a proven key position defender. He was ably assisted by MATHEW WATSON, that's right, the lad we took with our first pick in the 2010 National Draft at #18. He's a big kid too, 195cm & 100kg if you don't mind !!
I am one of many who is of the opinion that Watson won't make it and for a variety of reasons. He is quite slow, is not particularly strong overhead but his kicking is enough to bring back the old 'woof' cry (he is a left-footer like Christou too).
The thing is, if he was to really improve his game and warrant regular selection, it really straightens up our spine immeasurably. Now I'm not going to suggest that he should be gifted games between now & the end of the season to give him more confidence or the like, but what I do think may be a better option is for the people at our club to work on his fitness, body shape & overall agility. Whether we have the people at the club capable of doing this is actually a completely seperate & lengthy discussion on its own.
To me, Watson always looks like a young kid with a lot of 'puppy fat' on him, his body shape is not ideal for our game either. If you look at Karmicheal Hunt from the Suns, they have worked with him to reshape & remodel his body away from the typical NRL shaped player to one that works well in the AFL. Watson may benefit from the same sort of treatment !!
It would be a great waste (to me anyway) if we were to flick Watson before we put some intensive work into him to find out if he is the answer to our problems. I'm not saying that it is a 100% guaranteed winner idea, just a preference to give the guy one belting pre-season fitness campaign specifically designed to change him around.
The past 3 years suggest we do not.
The only thing that the coaches have done is identify that he should only be played on slow opponents and that he can be used effectively by giving him the ball on the switch and for kick-ins.
Geeze, Watson moved like an Iceberg. Surely gone either this year or next. Was so happy to see two key forwards in Hendo and Rowe dominating our forward line again. Its been a while. Jamo started the year off so well. Don't know what's happened. He's lucky Reiwoldt didn't bring his kicking boots. Yazz has all the talent in the world, but is so very lazy. No wonder he drives Mick mad! McInnes is goingto be a little ripper! Kreuzer needs to grow a pair! Plays too nice, and really should be better then he is right now. We didn't miss Robbo. Don't see why he should come back into the side to be honest. Garlett was the invisible man again. We still turn the ball over too often Armfield is another guy who is badly out of form Judd still plays like he's the Captain. Lifted when we needed him the most. Heard that Sticks came out in the pre match and defended our list. Seriously, is he for real ? Confirms what a lot of us are thinking about him and his board! The Tiprat is a total c*nt! Cant believe the big deal they were making about him being booed. Hello BT and Darc, we ve been booing him for 10 bloody years!!!
Watson has some great disposal skills (how about the torp ??) but you are right about his pace, he doesn't read it well enough to cut corners & gets himself out of position too often, sad really, but he will not be around for the long-term.
Yarran & his laziness .... !! Its the thing that irks the bejesus out of me, if he applied himself like Dangerfield does, he'd win a Brownlow but I have serious doubts whether he will ever get out of this second gear he just idles around the ground in, he too won't be in for the long haul.
As for Sticks ................ no seriously, did he really ?? Major face-palm & total embarrassment if that is the case.
Watson did his job about as well as he did last year and as well as he has been doing in the VFL when matched up against the slowest tall forward but he looked uncompetitive against the faster Lee - I was disappointed (but not surprised) when he gave up chasing as opponents ran into the goal square on two separate occasions - he couldn't catch them (or anyone) but giving up is a very bad look. At the moment he is a liability against genuine tall forwards (unless they are as slow as Luke Mitchell) but can fill a space against resting ruckmen who can't mark (Warnock might be a good match up).
Yarran was well served by Eddie's absence, which allowed him to play further forward and not have to run so much - super-talented but continues to be soft and lazy. MM's coaching efforts have been evident since the body language saga - against the Swans he came on and made a couple of committed efforts before going missing in the final term - against the Pies he made a couple of committed efforts in the 1/4 when the team was going well but clearly didn't like the discomfort of physical contact and went missing thereafter - yesterday he was noticeable in the way he tried to deliver the ball to teammates than his usual selfish solo efforts (except on two occasions) - it remains to be seen whether the leopard will change his spots or whether he will continue to be the ultimate downhill skier.
I would have an easier time accepting dropping Casboult for Watson, but I really can't get my head around dropping Casboult for Rowe. Does Rowe have comparable upside as a key forward? Dont think so and it's far more likely that Rowe will never cut the mustard at AFL level.
I'm not seeing a lot of evidence of a coach that consistently gets the best out of fringe players.
Rowe is probably a better key defender than Watson. I doubt the 'aints have a tall forward slow enough for Watto.
