Durrrrrr Howard

[Annoyedsaint]

If that chump is in the best 40 defenders in Australia, then everyone that plays footy should be ashamed.

He shouldn’t even be playing for Sandringham 2nds.

Surely Lyon just scrubs him from the list. If you could do it you would do it yesterday.

[bobmurray]

Howard may well be kept on because there are NO AFL quality Key defenders out in footy land waiting for an opportunity.
Same thing regards AFL quality Key Forwards, the cupboards are pretty well bare.

Don't know how teams that lack go from here.
The problem only gets worse when the comp goes to 19 teams.

[Trixilver]

We need another Wilkie. Guy is almost too smart to be playing football.

[Otiman]

First game of the year, slotting into a position that was already covered by Cordy.

Plenty of other players to pot but everyone gravitates to Doug.

[Otiman]

We need another Wilkie. Guy is almost too smart to be playing football.

Wilkies best game of the season in a game where Howard plays his first game - coincidence?

[The_Dud]

He just seems to do it every week.

Our number 4 tall defender IMO

[B.M]

His selection was absolutely bizarre

Wasn’t needed

And he’s no good

Looked like he was having his first kick of pre season training- slow and rusty

[SaintPav]

He hasn’t lived up to expectations. Cordy has surpassed him.

[Trixilver]

We need another Wilkie. Guy is almost too smart to be playing football.

Wilkies best game of the season in a game where Howard plays his first game - coincidence?

Yeah probably. Not as if Wilkie has been putrid this year.

[B.M]

You reckon Howard made Wilkie play well?

Or did he play well because he’s a gun AA defender

[Otiman]

I reckon the wilkie-howard combination unlocks Wilkie's intercepting game.

Structurally important. Cordy is not yet in that space.

[Killa]

The rubbish contributed to this site by the usual continues

IF we want to discuss non contributors what about Sebby Ross

With our other experienced mid struggling to impact what was Ross's contribution?

There is commentary on our "weak" midfield and signalling out our kids

But what about our 200 game experienced player?

Where were the possessions, the run and the carry putting pressure on the Porr Adelaide defence instead of the clearance and spread putting the pressure on the St Kilda defence?

And the media reporting is as feral and one sided as the umpiring was

But what do you expect?

The AFL and its quest for publicity to maintain a market position is resulting in what we see - also in regards programming

And a word of warning

They can not afford for both Queensland sides to be also rans in a non AFL State

The publicity dries up, ceded to League which has the representation across the State it has

[Otiman]

Everyone has their whipping boys. Dougal seems to attract more than others.

[B.M]

Instead of calling Dougal a ‘whipping boy’

Rate his game last night?

I’d say insipid

Ross was very poor (especially in the first half) he has a few credits in the bank though - wouldn’t you say?

Steele was also average - also credits - a load of them

[66Iwasthere]

Steele was hampered by a heavily bandaged knee and couldn’t carry his usual heavy workload

[magnifisaint]

Ross won't be playing next year, neither will Howard.

[B.M]

Why was he selected in the first place

[axcellence]

First game back. Rusty and needing a touch. Interstate game.

I suspect he might get another chance, but not undeserved ones, I hope.

[Sanctorum]

Howard at best is just another fair to average quality player and it really surprised me that with Lyon's oft mentioned philosophy to get lots of games into the young fellas the selectors have not given a game to Arie Schoenmaker who has been knocking the door down in the reserves, with another strong performance yesterday.

Schoenmaker imho is going to become one of the comps best key tall defenders in the not too distant future which is really important as every premiership team has to have at least a couple!

[Moods]

Hope you’re right

[magnifisaint]

He's s*** and the only reason he:s playing is because he's 6'6"

[Devilhead]

Seb Ross can barely put 2 good games together currently .... about to turn 31yo and slow as treacle ... was only 60% TOG this week as well ... struggling to get thru a game??

[ace]

Dougal Howard is the full back you have when you don't have a full back.
But you have to play him because the team is better with him there than without him.

[SteeleSaints]

Dougal Howard is the full back you have when you don't have a full back.
But you have to play him because the team is better with him there than without him.

In the past I would agree with you, but now Cordy has proven he can play the position I think he has gone past Howard. Cordy mightn't be quite as good a spoiler but he is much more compsed mark and with the ball in hand. For me those qualities put Cordy ahead of Howard.

I wonder how Dougal would go playing in the ruck?

[cwrcyn]

200cm key defenders are hard to find and even average ones are worth having.

Howard has played some solid football for us in the past and when it comes to one on one his record is good except for the heavy giants like Dixon and Hawkins. He is not strongly built and that's a pity.

I think the issue most of us have is his inexplicable brain fades particularly when it comes to handballing.

Cordy is braver and harder, but Howard has the closing speed and the reach.

He frustrates, he infuriates, but historically he has gotten the job done more often than not.

Let's not write him off yet. He's just turned 28 and can play for another 4 years. That gives us time to recruit and develop a replacement