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.
Vs Dockers
One step forward several steps back for Yarran - p1ss weak effort to match that of "half a million" Eddie.
One move forward looked better than back for the Glacier - played within his considerable limitations because he can mark in his hands when the ball is well delivered and he is not being physically pressured and he can kick - good move by MM to play him as a forward because he looked more likely to make it as a forward than he has looked to make it as a defender in three seasons - might have earned himself another year on the list.
Lucas wasn't brilliant but he did put in an effort.
Had no idea we would lose when I decided not to go - just thought it would be a boring game and I felt like watching something more interesting - very disappointing
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.
