Good news for a change: we are on TV this Saturday from 1200 to 1500 on Channel 7.
About time!
The game is set for Cramer St and the forecast is about as ordinary as it could get.
Northern Blues vs. Richmond
Saturday, July 11
Preston City Oval at 12.12pm
Northern Blues
B: Byrne Jaksch McGuinness
HB: Johnston Rowe Wilkinson
C: Viojo Dick Russell
HF: Bransgrove Jones Boekhorst
F: Watson Foster Johnson
R: Aurrichio Whiley Walsh
Int: Wilson Kilpatrick Ballard Cattapan Soncin Smith Strachan Armitage Mattingly*
Richmond
B: Kruse Gale Barlow
HB: Aarts Wall Wynne
C: Arnot Thomas Menadue
HF: McQualter Lennon McDonough
F: McBean McKenzie Astbury
R: Soldo Cachia Knights
Int: Mcfarlane Dunkley Mellington* Scott Gleeson L. Conca Rippon Clay Mugavin
Very good to see Byrne finally named. Given the way they have not played him when he was expected to play, he is probably fit enough to really play.
We have at least 3 guys who are not yet good wet weather players: Jones, Watson and Smith. Of those, Smith may some day be reasonable in the wet, but I wouldn't argue for it at this point.
Well, after last night's debacle there is plenty of chance for promotion for anyone willing to step up.
We do have a much better side on the park this week, but looking at us last night and we seem to have forgotten how to win in harsh conditions.
Anyone going today, my hat is off to you.
Good to see Byrne in the side, is this his first game back?
He and Rowe look like the only senior footballers in that line up to me although earlier this year I thought Clem Smith might have come on.
I'll watch the game, and watch Jaksch closely, if he keeps showing little trading pick 7 for him will go down as one of our more memorable blunders of recent times.
Broadcast on Ch.7 VFL game day by the way!
Good first quarter by Jaksch but his foot skills aren't great.
NB's playing well, hard at it and combining well as a team, Rowe's been good.
Why is Rowe in the seconds?
Why is Rowe in the seconds?
He would have been handy last night. I can only think that the coach wanted more run out of the backline. Leaving Rowe out really stretched our defence, particularly with Jamison off early.
Jones is a liability even at this level.... Many people wanted Rys Mackenzie instead and he will be more than handy.
I hope we never get back on the telly again for a long time. We are as pox a side as I have ever seen. Sheesh I don't know how blokes like RR do it.
Disaster. We've lost it. Ahead all day until the last quarter. Really thrown it away.
We show all the same problems as the seniors! Haven't seen them for a while but sheesh, awful. :(
Some of the kids showed a bit for the future but we have little depth at the NBs. DVR showed a little more than previously and Jaksch ok, pretty disappointing from bulk of listed players. We need some good senior types atthe NBs to show the kids the way.
2015 Peter Jackson VFL
Northern Blues 2.2 3.6 4.6 5.9 (39)
Richmond Tigers 2.0 2.3 4.4 9.9 (63)
Unlike my expectations, we actually played better in the rain. When it dried out a bit, Richmond came back at us. :( >:(
It SOOOO irritates me, but with what we had out there, we did as well as we could.
Kristian Jaksch showed why we were interested in him, shutting out his man and getting heaps of rebounds.
B: Byrne Jaksch McGuinness
HB: Johnston Rowe Wilkinson
C: Viojo Dick Russell
HF: Bransgrove Jones Boekhorst
F: Watson Foster Johnson
R: Aurrichio Whiley Walsh
Int: Wilson Kilpatrick Ballard Cattapan Soncin Smith Strachan Armitage Mattingly*
I look at this lineup and I see a lot of guys who shouldn't be there. It amazes me that we didn't do due diligence and recruited them in the first place!
Jones was never going to be suited by the conditions, but honestly, he has no BRAIN! His disposal by hand is diabolical and he decision making is truly aweful! he worked so hard to get the ball today and turned it over every time!
Boekhorst: why did he bother going out on the field? He was useless and couldn't even win the push and shove!
GOALS: Johnson 2, Viojo, Watson, Jaksch.
DISPOSALS: Wilkinson 32, Walsh 23, Whiley 22, McGuinness 22, Cattapan 21, Dick 20
Wilko played his best game for the Blues today. Walsh was good, but he lacked a little poise today. Whiley tries hard, but I don't think he is going to be more than a VFL player.
I thought Foster showed a bit today. He has a way to go but I think that he could develop into a reasonable player.
I thought Foster showed a bit today. He has a way to go but I think that he could develop into a reasonable player.
yes. he found it difficult up forward but was pretty good in defence.
Byrne: Won’t be long before he is back in the seniors. He was a bit rusty, but he shows what a lot of our guys do not: desire.
Jaksch: Probably his best VFL game, with a brilliant 1st quarter and total dominance over his opponent. He went forward and gave a target with 1 goal 1 behind when we were being pounded.
Rowe: Spent a lot of time in the ruck and did it pretty well.
Viojo Rainbow: Did more than he has been, but he fell out of the game when we needed him. He isn’t hard enough at the ball.
Dick: Solid. Probably will get some senior games soon, but I am not expecting miracles from him.
Jones: A very big mistake. I would have loved to have picked up Caleb Daniel instead.
Boekhorst: Not impressive today. Did very little.
Watson: Looked dangerous, but didn’t do enough.
Foster: Promising, especially in defence when Rowe went into the ruck.
Johnson: Drifted out of the game after a promising start.
Whiley: tried hard but lacks pace and poise.
Walsh: Not his best game, but he is showing enough to be positive about him. He gets into the packs and gives a good contest.
Smith: Showed me a lot more today than he has recently. He is still far too light and can’t hold a tackle, but he put in hard, took some risks and generally kept his man out of the game while getting more of it himself.
Based on the game today if you were looking at promoting one of the talls Crash...who would get the nod?
Jaksch by a mile. Byrne also after another run, looked a cut above the rest.
Jaksch by a mile. Byrne also after another run, looked a cut above the rest.
I agree with that and I would add Foster as one to watch.
Of course, Rowe has to come back in.
X2.
Jaksch by a mile. Byrne also after another run, looked a cut above the rest.
The website says Byrnes game time was managed.
Makes his game even better.
The website says Byrnes game time was managed.
Makes his game even better.
Yes his game and that of Jaksch were the standouts for me. Rowe was OK too.
Jaksch was very good and should probably play seniors next week, I didn't see Fields' VFL form but he's well short of AFL at this stage judging by Friday night and Jaksch should get his spot comfortably.
Rowe will surely play next week either if Jamison doesn't come up or in White's place, but there's not much else in the VFL to get excited about if today's game was any guide even allowing for the conditions.
Smith goes hard but he's rough around the edges, Vojo looks skilful enough but doesn't go hard like Smith, Boekhorst isn't much chop, Whiley is a good workhorse who might have a future if he puts in the hard yards, none of the others look like AFL players except Byrne.
The only regulars missing from Friday night were Walks, Docherty and Rowe and every club will have two or three missing at any given time, our list is very weak.
Based on the game today if you were looking at promoting one of the talls Crash...who would get the nod?
Rowe will probably come in Jamo. Jaksch could well get promoted and maybe even play forward.
Fields: bit hard to judge on a single performance in hard conditions, but he is better matched up against guys who are a bit shorter. The really tall forwards get him because he doesn't appear to have the height or the spring.
I'd actually like to see him play on a wing in the seniors to see if he can play a more attacking role. Can't see it happening, but who knows?
I would not be playing Menzel: if he is 100% fit, then I'm Adolf Hitler. We are getting nothing from him: he shouldn't be there. Get him fit and get his head right and get him ready for 2016! If he is really 100% fit, I'll contact the Russians and say they burnt the wrong body. Then I'd put him up for trade.
I wouldn't be playing Tutt either. He can't hold a tackle and he panics. He doesn't go hard enough. I'd promote Byrne, but I think he will play a whole game in the VFL next week and maybe the week later. Hopefully he will have run into form and fitness by then. In the mean time we may give Dick another go, not in the back pocket!
Lousy game to watch but wet weather tells you a lot about your players because kicks dont come easy...
Best for us were Jaksch, Byrne and Walsh IMO...
Jaksch: more accomplished than his teammates and is better than VFL footy, skills are not the issue, its just when he gets to senior footy he gets
caught out vs the bigger KP players who have more kegs on their frame and can push him around...
Mcbean or Mr Bean didnt touch the footy when KJ was on him but when Jaksch got moved forward he got away from Foster who doesnt have the nous.
Byrne...bit rusty but has some style and zip to his game, is composed and uses the ball well and would be in my senior team next week as the sub.
Walsh...ok I like the kid and probably overstate his abilities but he contests well, has some nous about what he is doing and apart from one sloppy left foot kick usually finds a teammate..for a WA kid he did well in the wet and was fairly clean with the ball...
Dick...better when he can take the game on but lacks footy smarts which is what the three players above have, second efforts are not that great and he fumbles
too much for mine...
Smith....has a go and wasnt our worst player.....ball use isnt great by foot and he can turn it over but he does contest well and will stick up for his mates.
There is something there to work with...
Foster...long was off senior footy, lacks know how and needs some more meat on the bones..
Boekhorst...wet weather means lots of contested footy which doesnt suit the Boeky man who is your outside running mid...used the ball ok when he did get it but
he didnt get a lot of footy and I looked at him closely on one occasion when he did get the ball and he has that look of a player who wants back home to
the safety of the WAFL and I am not sure he is committed enough to make it in the AFL.
Viojo Rainbow...skillful left footer in the Menzel mode but like Boeky doesnt like too much contested ball or having to graft for his kicks.....very lightly built and
needs plenty of gym work...
Rowe..for a senior player didnt do enough IMO and I wanst impressed all be it the weather didnt help big blokes today....
Jones...not much from him and alas looks like a trade bust.....
Johnson...good VFL player, was ok in parts but doesnt do enough...next
Whiley...got plenty of ball but did nothing with it, disposal is atrocious...lacks nous and smarts but does contest and tag well...
Watto, couldnt get much of the footy given the weather and congested play..kicked one nice goal, led ok but wasnt a factor though delivery too him was woeful and lacking....
Thomas, McQaulter being ex senior players took over in the middle for the Tigers and we fell away....
Smith....has a go and wasnt our worst player.....ball use isnt great by foot and he can turn it over but he does contest well and will stick up for his mates.
There is something there to work with...
I'd give some serious thought to making a small forward out of him.
He's quick, tough and can tackle, no one would be getting easy kicks on him and our options at the moment seem to be Armfield and Ellard.
His kicking action is fine so there's no reason he couldn't be an accurate shot at goal, we haven't got anything to lose by giving him a crack.
looks like a real sad state of affairs, Boekhoerst , Jones , Tutt, Smith, Whiley, Dick all seem to be list cloggers and all on the books for next year I believe. Going to cost. To clear them, or restrict being able to move forward quicker. Add to that , Watson ( would love him to be there but enough chances it's time) Johnson , 206, and that's a quarter of our list that can't make a mark in the seniors, no wonder we are struggling . Looking like a long road back at the moment.
Posters keep focussing on poor marking, but the real problem is poor disposal. The best marks in the league would look ordinary under our kicking regime.
Casboult is a great mark, but struggles to get more than 5 or 6 a game even with several contested marks. That is because we can't kick, and neither can the NBs. Blokes like Casboult and Watson end up marking on the HBF, when they should be marking around the F50.
I agree on Jaksch and Byrne. Probably the only two that look like making the grade at this stage. Foster wasn't bad either.
I don't think you can play both Fields and White in defence. I'd move Hendo back and give Jaksch a go up forward. I'm not sold on both Kreuzer and Wood in the same side either.
I agree on Jaksch and Byrne. Probably the only two that look like making the grade at this stage. Foster wasn't bad either.
I don't think you can play both Fields and White in defence. I'd move Hendo back and give Jaksch a go up forward. I'm not sold on both Kreuzer and Wood in the same side either.
Apart from your last point, I think that's pretty well spot on.
I'm not sure that they have really worked out the Kreuzer-Wood ruck combination, or should that be the Kreuzer-Wood-Casboult ruck combination? However, both Kreuzer and Wood do enough around the ground and win enough hitouts to trouble teams that rely on one ruckman and a part timer. A little more thought needs to be put into how they work together and separately, how and where they rest and how to get the best value from the 'third man up'.
Apart from your last point, I think that's pretty well spot on.
I'm not sure that they have really worked out the Kreuzer-Wood ruck combination, or should that be the Kreuzer-Wood-Casboult ruck combination? However, both Kreuzer and Wood do enough around the ground and win enough hitouts to trouble teams that rely on one ruckman and a part timer. A little more thought needs to be put into how they work together and separately, how and where they rest and how to get the best value from the 'third man up'.
Yeah, I like both of them around the ground but they're hopeless up forward. Especially Wood.
I agree on Jaksch and Byrne. Probably the only two that look like making the grade at this stage. Foster wasn't bad either.
I don't think you can play both Fields and White in defence. I'd move Hendo back and give Jaksch a go up forward. I'm not sold on both Kreuzer and Wood in the same side either.
Alas, beggars can't be choosers. We have 2 fit ruckmen and that is it. They both have to play, unless we sacrifice one and run him into the ground and fill in with Casboult.
Here are the stats:
(http://i.imgur.com/Zm19Vek.png)
Ciaran Byrne had 18 possessions in less than 3 quarters on the ground. That is what we were missing for all those weeks.
We killed them in the ruck, yet didn't get much advantage out of it. They had the sort of mids in Cachia and Thomas who do well in those conditions.
Rowe having 14 possessions was probably not enough, although he was positively dynamic compared to Jones (9 possessions and only 2 kicks).
(http://i.imgur.com/UGSrhaa.png) Even in the wet a conversion rate of barely 30 % is the sort of things nightmares are made from.
That Watson had 7 marks in the conditions was excellent. But 1 goal...
2015 Peter Jackson VFL
Northern Blues 2.2 3.6 4.6 5.9 (39)
Richmond Tigers 2.0 2.3 4.4 9.9 (63)
GOALS:
Northern Blues: Johnson 2 Jaksch Watson Viojo
Richmond Tigers: McBean 2 Astbury 2 McKenzie Scott Cachia McDONOUGH Knights
BEST:
Northern Blues: Bransgrove Whiley Walsh Dick Wilkinson Jaksch
Richmond Tigers: Thomas Kruse Astbury McKenzie McDONOUGH Barlow
I can't wait to see Byrne in the seniors. I truly believe he will be a great player for us and for many seasons. He just has what it takes and will develop into a player at least as good as Docherty. IMO only. ;)
Byrne moves well, is proactive and dynamic and kicks well... a lot to like. He is taller than Docherty which will make him an even handier player.
Boekhorst didn't look interested and didn't get dirty in a game that needed people to go in an get it in average handling conditions.
Foster looked horribly inexperienced in defence but has pace, height and kicking ability ... again something to work with.
D V-R looks looks as thin as a reed and his attack on the contest and man is lacking at this point in time... but gees can he kick. He looks to be all class but his body will need a lot of development before he is ready for senior level.
Jones was horrid... flying one handed for speccies when it was hammering down and hard enough to take chest marks, a couple of the worst handballs you will ever see... the story just keeps getting worse.
I wasn't impressed with Whiley, who should have revelled in the conditions... many of his disposals were "invisible" and I was surprised to see he got so many stats. He looks like a "jumper chaser" i.e. a good tackler who is second to the ball but he doesn't appear to have much of an offensive game.
Walsh isn't big but he goes in hard and looks like a solid sort of a mid, although his kicking can be a bit scruffy. Suspect he will be handy footsoldier in time.
Of the tigers' kids I liked Rhy Mackenzie who rucked and played up forwards pretty effectively IMO.
Does Aurrichio ever kick the ball?
He is a big lump of a lad and doesn't mind going in hard but I wanted to see if he has mastered kicking. I believe that he played in the USA so he should know the basics.
He is an effective knock ruckman at VFL level.
Byrne moves well, is proactive and dynamic and kicks well... a lot to like. He is taller than Docherty which will make him an even handier player.
Boekhorst didn't look interested and didn't get dirty in a game that needed people to go in an get it in average handling conditions.
Foster looked horribly inexperienced in defence but has pace, height and kicking ability ... again something to work with.
D V-R looks looks as thin as a reed and his attack on the contest and man is lacking at this point in time... but gees can he kick. He looks to be all class but his body will need a lot of development before he is ready for senior level.
Jones was horrid... flying one handed for speccies when it was hammering down and hard enough to take chest marks, a couple of the worst handballs you will ever see... the story just keeps getting worse.
I wasn't impressed with Whiley, who should have revelled in the conditions... many of his disposals were "invisible" and I was surprised to see he got so many stats. He looks like a "jumper chaser" i.e. a good tackler who is second to the ball but he doesn't appear to have much of an offensive game.
Walsh isn't big but he goes in hard and looks like a solid sort of a mid, although his kicking can be a bit scruffy. Suspect he will be handy footsoldier in time.
Of the tigers' kids I liked Rhy Mackenzie who rucked and played up forwards pretty effectively IMO.
Would've rathered take a punt on him than Liam Jones. His old man played 67 games for Carlton and apparently we had been following Reece since he was 16 and playing Basketball. Tigers got him at pick 77. >:(
Would've rathered take a punt on him than Liam Jones. His old man played 67 games for Carlton and apparently we had been following Reece since he was 16 and playing Basketball. Tigers got him at pick 77. >:(
Agree...both McKenzie and Astbury looked far more accomplished than Jones who tried to play dry weather footy....McKenzie plays in front and and is nice kick for goal also shows some physcial attitude and can throw his weight around. Astbury can play both ends and is similar to Jaksch in style..
Jones just lacks nous and while he is athletic he doesnt have a football brain...
whiley and jones ,our recruiting dept got totally stooged,duded,sucked in, those two players would not get a game for there previous club yet we recruit them. JOKE
There were many on this site who wanted Mackenzie... or anybody... instead of Jones. At the time I was ropable that we didn't draft Mackenzie but Foster has something to work with. He has that touch of pace that many bigger blokes lack and has some football nous. When he fills out he will be a large unit.
Not convinced by the likes of Astbury, MacBean etc but at least the Tigers have blokes in the 2's on slow heat.
There were many on this site who wanted Mackenzie... or anybody... instead of Jones. At the time I was ropable that we didn't draft Mackenzie but Foster has something to work with. He has that touch of pace that many bigger blokes lack and has some football nous. When he fills out he will be a large unit.
Not convinced by the likes of Astbury, MacBean etc but at least the Tigers have blokes in the 2's on slow heat.
I think you're right about Foster Prof. He actually looks like a footballer while Jones, Watson and a few of our recent additions don't give that impression at all.
Foster may take a season or two but I think he is the most promising of our new talls, Jacksh included.
Does Aurrichio ever kick the ball?
He is a big lump of a lad and doesn't mind going in hard but I wanted to see if he has mastered kicking. I believe that he played in the USA so he should know the basics.
He is an effective knock ruckman at VFL level.
He goes out f his way to handball at the moment. To be honest, I haven't seen him kick since he the preseason. I have no idea how good or bad he is at the moment.
His ruck work is coming along nicely. He is good at the centre bounce because he has a very good leap. He is learning to use his body and strength at boundary throw ins, but he has some way to go in this area.
He is the opposite of Cox of Collingwood (another American), who was hopeless at the centre bounce, but very good at boundary throw ins and body work. He really tossed Casboult around like an unwanted ragdoll.
He goes out f his way to handball at the moment. To be honest, I haven't seen him kick since he the preseason. I have no idea how good or bad he is at the moment.
His ruck work is coming along nicely. He is good at the centre bounce because he has a very good leap. He is learning to use his body and strength at boundary throw ins, but he has some way to go in this area.
He is the opposite of Cox of Collingwood (another American), who was hopeless at the centre bounce, but very good at boundary throw ins and body work. He really tossed Casboult around like an unwanted ragdoll.
That shouldn't happen! I know Casboult can lift heavy weights but our fitness and conditioning people should be working on improving his ability to out-muscle opponents. And not just Casboult, our whole team is too easily pushed aside in one on one contests.
That shouldn't happen! I know Casboult can lift heavy weights but our fitness and conditioning people should be working on improving his ability to out-muscle opponents. And not just Casboult, our whole team is too easily pushed aside in one on one contests.
It's not about strength, it's about aggression! ;)
It's not about strength, it's about aggression! ;)
I agree that aggression is part of the problem LP, but there's not much point being an angry ant.
I reckon our boys in general are undersized and are poor at "bodying" players, and have been for some time. They looked liked they put on size in the preseason but it's all gone. I know endurance athletes burn muscle but the Swans, Cats, Hawks and Freo mids maintain their size.
I know Jaksch, Buckley, Holman, Whiley and Boekhorst are young but they are far too light. Boekhorst was supposed to be ready for AFL football. ???
I reckon our boys in general are undersized and are poor at "bodying" players, and have been for some time. They looked liked they put on size in the preseason but it's all gone. I know endurance athletes burn muscle but the Swans, Cats, Hawks and Freo mids maintain their size.
I know Jaksch, Buckley, Holman, Whiley and Boekhorst are young but they are far too light. Boekhorst was supposed to be ready for AFL football. ???
Boekhorst is Kane Lucas incognito. He and Jones shaping up as monumental flops from last year's draft.
Boekhorst is Kane Lucas incognito. He and Jones shaping up as monumental flops from last year's draft.
My theory is that the club recognised that early and pushed Shane Rogers to "resign".
I agree that aggression is part of the problem LP, but there's not much point being an angry ant.
Clarkson, Jack and Harvey might disagree!
Give me a 5'10" footballer(Mitchell) over a 6'4" spud(Jones), and I'll back the footballer every time!
I think Boek will turn out ok. Better mark, much better kick and has much better evasive skills than Lucas
Just needs the right role.
Harker from BF is quite bullish about his prospects.
Clarkson, Jack and Harvey might disagree!
Give me a 5'10" footballer(Mitchell) over a 6'4" spud(Jones), and I'll back the footballer every time!
And I'll back the Jones in a one on one test of strength with Mitchell (unless Mitchell gives him a corkie first).
Our players are being outmuscled because they have been conditioned for endurance running. Aggression doesn't come into it when one player has a size and strength disadvantage. Aggression may tip the scales when two players are more evenly matched. Weight training also helps to encourage aggression.
sorry but we fail with endurance running to .How many times i have seen 1 of our player against 2or3 of the opp players .
Boekhorst is Kane Lucas incognito. He and Jones shaping up as monumental flops from last year's draft.
Geez we turn quick on our blokes. Boeky has only done 1 real preseason. Give the bloke a chance.
Yes he is 'mature aged' to a degree, but tell me 1 team outside the AFL that trains up to AFL standard??
Lucas had 4 years on our list...Boeky has had half a year.
Geez we turn quick on our blokes. Boeky has only done 1 real preseason. Give the bloke a chance.
Yes he is 'mature aged' to a degree, but tell me 1 team outside the AFL that trains up to AFL standard??
Lucas had 4 years on our list...Boeky has had half a year.
Looked to be limpng a bit for what it's worth.
Boekhorst is only 75kg, he has the body of a young TAC cup player and while mature in age isnt mature in body and needs several seasons in the gym to
get another 7-8kg on the frame. In the AFL you have to win your own ball more and I think this season has been a shock to him how physical the game is even at VFL level and especially in the wet.
I wouldnt be giving up on him yet as his WAFL form was also slow in coming and he took a few seasons to work out how to get a kick and be consistent but then had a breakout year.
AFL is very cut throat and I hope the new coach is prepared to be a bit patient with him rather than just cull anything that doesnt look like making it short term...
I have also been disappointed in how our senior players have ignored him at times on the field and the lack of encouragement he has got.....hope he has fitted into the group and has some mates who are looking out for him a bit...
Geez we turn quick on our blokes. Boeky has only done 1 real preseason. Give the bloke a chance.
Yes he is 'mature aged' to a degree, but tell me 1 team outside the AFL that trains up to AFL standard??
Lucas had 4 years on our list...Boeky has had half a year.
Sorry Kruds, I am one who would normally give players time, but the deer in the headlights impersonation with hands on the footy is the most concerning aspect of his play.
The things you want to see as a bare minimum in a recruit, is hardness or smarts (if not both).
Boeky has not really shown much of either.
Only thing that is working in his favour in terms of patience, is the fact that he has had two coaches with potentially two sets of different demands since he arrived here which can effect the ability for anyone to perform as required.
BB has 2 qualities i like hgt and speed,now go and put 5kgs on we might have a player.
Sorry Kruds, I am one who would normally give players time, but the deer in the headlights impersonation with hands on the footy is the most concerning aspect of his play.
The things you want to see as a bare minimum in a recruit, is hardness or smarts (if not both).
Boeky has not really shown much of either.
Only thing that is working in his favour in terms of patience, is the fact that he has had two coaches with potentially two sets of different demands since he arrived here which can effect the ability for anyone to perform as required.
I reckon you should go watch a pre-season game or 2. He put in quite a few hard tackles and looked very comfortable at stages. So much so, that i had him as my 23rd player on the list at the start of the year based on those qualities you listed.
Sure, he hasn't shown a whole lot of them during the year, but he hasn't had much going for him. Yazz hasn't shown much of those qualities of late, and he's a 'seasoned pro'. This kid has played half a season.....under 2 senior coaches plus 1 VFL coach. Give the kid a chance!
I reckon you should go watch a pre-season game or 2. He put in quite a few hard tackles and looked very comfortable at stages. So much so, that i had him as my 23rd player on the list at the start of the year based on those qualities you listed.
Sure, he hasn't shown a whole lot of them during the year, but he hasn't had much going for him. Yazz hasn't shown much of those qualities of late, and he's a 'seasoned pro'. This kid has played half a season.....under 2 senior coaches plus 1 VFL coach. Give the kid a chance!
I thought he showed a bit in the pre-season too Kruddler, but he hasn't come on as I was expecting.
I think part of the problem may stem from the following statement:
“Blaine ticked the boxes for us with his speed, agility and outside run. He’s the type of player who really takes on the opposition and will give us some depth in the midfield,” Rogers said.
“Having had a couple of years of development in the WAFL his body has matured a little more and he has matured as a player, making him someone who could easily slot into our team straight away.”
Some of us may have taken Rogers at his word ::) and expected a ready made player. Clearly that is not the case and we should be giving Boekhorst the same opportunity to prove himself as we give other first year players, or even players who are in their first season with us after a couple (or seven) years in the system.
Some of us may have taken Rogers at his word ::) and expected a ready made player. Clearly that is not the case and we should be giving Boekhorst the same opportunity to prove himself as we give other first year players, or even players who are in their first season with us after a couple (or seven) years in the system.
He shouldn't be punished for our draft decisions but you also can't treat him as an 18 year old kid. I would cut my losses if he isn't a regular by the time his contract expires.
He shouldn't be punished for our draft decisions but you also can't treat him as an 18 year old kid. I would cut my losses if he isn't a regular by the time his contract expires.
I presume he is probably on a 2 year deal but he probably needs an extra year on top of that IMO but I reckon the next coach especially if they like
their players robust and readymade will probably agree with you and move him on at the end of next season.
He looks like he has dropped his bundle a bit and I thought his body language on the weekend wasnt great....we really need to move Webster on and get a better VFL coach IMO.
What is our recruiting/scouting network like in Perth ? Surely the club doesn't make judgements based on 2nd-hand briefs & highlights packages ? If we don't have representatives watching the WAFL games & training week after week IN PERSON, then we will continue to fail (and WCoast will continue to pick the gems).
Problems such as a lack of size & strength with Bockhoerst shouldn't have surfaced mid-season. Why was this not picked up much earlier by Malthouse or Wiley ?!!
His application is hard to assess. I spent 2 years in Perth in my mid-20's and experienced a laid-back beer culture, and they don't endure winters like Melbourne. I'd only be considering WA players if they actually trained the house down and perhaps had spent time in Melbourne to reduce the 'culture & climate shock'.
I reckon you should go watch a pre-season game or 2. He put in quite a few hard tackles and looked very comfortable at stages. So much so, that i had him as my 23rd player on the list at the start of the year based on those qualities you listed.
Sure, he hasn't shown a whole lot of them during the year, but he hasn't had much going for him. Yazz hasn't shown much of those qualities of late, and he's a 'seasoned pro'. This kid has played half a season.....under 2 senior coaches plus 1 VFL coach. Give the kid a chance!
Don't get me wrong, I am not sacking him now, but you have to ask the following question:
Off early exposure, of Cripps, Graham, Boekhorst, Menzel, ill add Smith and ill put in Matthew Kreuzer, Chris Yarran, Marc Murphy and Bryce Gibbs in here for a measured bit of a litmus test (thinking of their early games), which one of them concerns you the most regarding their ability to make the grade?
My answer is Boekhorst.
That can and hopefully will change, but what I have adjusted regarding Boekhorst in my mindset.
For reference, of that lot, even Smith or Gibbs would be the next one I would list, which means he can make it, but Im not expecting him to.
As another reference point, Simpson is another who we would have in the same boat. Boekhorst may very well be a 200 game player. No one knows what happens from here, but the expectation HAS to shift based on his early football.
So, I am stating my position that I dont think he'll make it. Lets hope he does a Simpson, but I doubt it particularly in a game plan that asks for a bit of effort and thats about it.
He shouldn't be punished for our draft decisions but you also can't treat him as an 18 year old kid. I would cut my losses if he isn't a regular by the time his contract expires.
I agree. If he is not a regular player after another pre-season I doubt whether he ever will be.
Hopefully he will show that he can play.
So far I'm not convinced by Boekhorst but I'm happy to give him until the end of his contract period before we make a call. We must make all efforts to make him successful - we cannot afford to just write off early picks without at least doing that.
Don't get me wrong, I am not sacking him now, but you have to ask the following question:
Off early exposure, of Cripps, Graham, Boekhorst, Menzel, ill add Smith and ill put in Matthew Kreuzer, Chris Yarran, Marc Murphy and Bryce Gibbs in here for a measured bit of a litmus test (thinking of their early games), which one of them concerns you the most regarding their ability to make the grade?
My answer is Boekhorst.
That can and hopefully will change, but what I have adjusted regarding Boekhorst in my mindset.
For reference, of that lot, even Smith or Gibbs would be the next one I would list, which means he can make it, but Im not expecting him to.
As another reference point, Simpson is another who we would have in the same boat. Boekhorst may very well be a 200 game player. No one knows what happens from here, but the expectation HAS to shift based on his early football.
So, I am stating my position that I dont think he'll make it. Lets hope he does a Simpson, but I doubt it particularly in a game plan that asks for a bit of effort and thats about it.
See, with the Gibbs thing, i saw him play U18's and saw plenty from him. He just
knew how to play football. Sure he had times where people had doubts, but there was enough in the early stages to keep you interested. Whilst Boeky hasn't quite shown Gibbs like talent early, he has certainly shown more than Kane Lucas IMO.
We've given players like Rowe more time on the list before trying to crucify him and he was 27 when we recruited him!