Re: Northern Blues vs Essendon
Reply #64 –
Don't agree with the part on bold.
The agility we discuss is not about lateral movements in open space, basically running in a straight line and timing a side step with a lot of space and time to prepare. The agility he needs as an inside mid is about getting to multiple contests, twisting and turning in a small space and a short period of time with little or no time to react. Laying tackle after tackle, blocking, smoothers inside are not SoJ strength, he is relatively poor compared to the likes of Cripps or Fisher. SoJ commits when he is coincident with the contest and the ball, but he is not good at getting to where the ball is. If Cripps of Fisher are on the wrong side of the contest they find a way to get to the ball, SoJ not so much! But give him time he'll come good because as you mention he has smarts!