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Messages - DJC

8
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 3 2024 Pre Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
My only problem with pigeonholing Kemp as a defender is that unless we try another option for him we'll never know.
I just think he's too good a player not to be playing senior football.

Kemp was used as a key forward and key defender but was unable to win a place in the firsts in either of those roles.  In his own words:

"I was, and still am, open to my strengths of being able to play multiple positions.

Vossy and I, we sat down last year and pieced together what we wanted to go after. We always wanted to keep the prospect of me being able to play multiple positions or play forward up our sleeve, but we just all agreed that we wanted to go after one role and being really clear on that.

I still like the idea of being able to play multiple positions, depending on what happens in a game or if there are areas I need to fill. But the continuity of just locking in one role and really going after that, it was good for me. It just gave me that clarity that I needed, in terms of what I wanted to go after."

The club could change his focus to key forward with the ability to go back but I suspect that his attributes lend themselves more to playing in defence.
9
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 3 2024 Pre Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
We have gone back to the defence we fielded in the prelim but with Williams in place of Cincotta.  That seems to be Vossy’s preferred defensive line up and, to be honest, it worked OK in the prelim.  We lose Young’s ability to mind gorillas and gain Weitering’s equivalent ability plus his generalship and capacity to play on virtually any forward.  We lose Kemp’s contested marking and ability to run both ways and gain Marchbank’s intercept marking and smart positioning … provided he’s fit and in form.

I think we’ll win but not by as much as I was hoping for.  A comfortable win but not necessarily a percentage booster.  Zurhaar might be a problem 🤔

If that is to be our first choice defence, it does raise questions about Kemp and Young.  Kemp attributes his improved, more consistent form to Vossy’s decision to have him focus on his key defender role.  I can’t see that changing, or the dynamics of forward line changing so Kemp will be a depth defender, as will Cincotta, Young and Cowan.

12
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 3 2024 Pre Game Prognostications Carlton vs North Melbourne
Great changes.
Not surprised both Young and Kemp got the flick, as I mentioned previously, they have been adequate, but not excellent.
I feel for Kempy, he's nearly there - but he's gotta stop trying to take the spekky in defense. It's like we're not entirely sure where to put him. His quality will shine soon enough.
The lack of authority in Young's game is of concern - stopper, spoiler, safe... we need more than that, but as a fill-in - great.
I would have been surprised if Fantasia was dropped, and if Motlop was fit I think he would have been, but his smarts and leadership contribute plenty - but he needs to do more.

I will be very surprised if Marchbank produces anywhere near the output of Kemp or Young.  When Marchy’s on, he’s a decent defender but he hasn’t played since last season and should have run out with the twos this week.

Larkey will be too good for him and, although Coleman-Jones is a bit of a spud, he’s a tall spud and could well be far too big for Marchy.

I hope we’re not getting ahead of ourselves, rushing Cola Hollands into the team after mediocre performances in our practice matches  suggests that we are.