Re: Rd 15: Pre Game Prognostications: Carlton vs Collingwood
Reply #27 –
The only part I don't agree with is Gowers, I am assuming cimm1979 has the wrong player or name.
Seriously, people not voting from a stats sheet would have had him among our best last game(Rnd 12) as well.
I think under the MM regime they were trying to turn him into a Mid/Fwd, but he lacked the agility and awareness in traffic. Not sure how big he is now, his arrival stats showed 186cm, but I'd suggest he is closer to 190cm now and looks like he can hold down a flank. He has a great ability to read the ball and play, his recent games remind me of the way Docherty was in his early games.
His only problem is do we already have too many of the type that can play the flank role, Tuohy, Docherty, Simmo, Byrne, Walker, Lamb, Sumner, Graham, Kerridge, Curnow, Gibbs, etc., etc..
Gowers certainly looks bigger than 186cm and 83kg. I think he has bulked up (against the trend) and plays taller.
I was very impressed with him against the Hawks and he continued that form against Sandringham. What I like about him is his willingness to take the game on. He got pinged for running too far but, apart from forgetting to bounce the ball, showed a willingness top back himself in. I suspect that he does have a future as an AFL player.
Of course, he's a rookie and can't get a game and, as you point out, he has lots of competition for a half back position.
I guess Cimm's point is that Gowers should have forced his way into a nominated rookie position so he could contest for a spot in the 22.