Protecting Ball Carriers !!

[Eastern]

Being the OFF season, I have been catching up on some videos from during the season. One point that really stood out was the number of times Luke Ball, Nick Dal Santo & Xavier Clarke get belted around the head in packs and at stoppages. It doesn't take too many of these hits to deminish the effect of any footballer, and these guys are amongst our best ball carriers

I believe we really need to get better at protecting these guys, and we need more than one or two, we need 5 or 6. Some who I think should step up to to protect our ball carriers are; Gardi, Kingy, Kosi, Rixy, Blakey, Bakes, Lenny & Gilbo

We only need to look at Geelong of 2007 to see that Ablett, Bartel etc got plenty of protection and a free run at the ball. The results of that are there for everyone to see

Perhaps they can work on this at some of those CLOSED training sessions !!

[Riewoldting]

You don't think Birss has a role to play in this regard?

[The Craw]

wearing a "box" can be quite useful.

[The Craw]

One point that really stood out was the number of times Luke Ball, Nick Dal Santo & Xavier Clarke get belted around the head in packs and at stoppages. It doesn't take too many of these hits to deminish the effect of any footballer, and these guys are amongst our best ball carriers



Perhaps they can work on this at some of those CLOSED training sessions !!

wearing a "box" can be quite useful.

[Eastern]

You don't think Birss has a role to play in this regard?

YES !!

[Eastern]

One point that really stood out was the number of times Luke Ball, Nick Dal Santo & Xavier Clarke get belted around the head in packs and at stoppages. It doesn't take too many of these hits to deminish the effect of any footballer, and these guys are amongst our best ball carriers



Perhaps they can work on this at some of those CLOSED training sessions !!

wearing a "box" can be quite useful.

Are you suggesting we use Fiora as the stumps

You are talking about cricket !!

[midas_touch]

Are you suggesting we use Fiora as the stumps

rofl

[Quixote]

Being the OFF season, I have been catching up on some videos from during the season. One point that really stood out was the number of times Luke Ball, Nick Dal Santo & Xavier Clarke get belted around the head in packs and at stoppages. It doesn't take too many of these hits to deminish the effect of any footballer, and these guys are amongst our best ball carriers

I believe we really need to get better at protecting these guys, and we need more than one or two, we need 5 or 6. Some who I think should step up to to protect our ball carriers are; Gardi, Kingy, Kosi, Rixy, Blakey, Bakes, Lenny & Gilbo

We only need to look at Geelong of 2007 to see that Ablett, Bartel etc got plenty of protection and a free run at the ball. The results of that are there for everyone to see

Perhaps they can work on this at some of those CLOSED training sessions !!

Great post Eastern.

I believe the situation you describe, and it's significance, is greatly underestimated.

Of course there has been plenty of discussion on forums about it, however...

It remains - we were stung in an official capacity for protecting our on players on field in 2005 (?).

It was a hot issue then - now it is stone cold.

Geelong did it all bloody year for heavens sake!!!

The powers that be (Rossy!!) MUST promote old-school shepherding once again in 08 if we have any show.

The amount of times I saw Geelong run the ball out of their backline this year care of such tactics makes me sick to think.

O Powell Where Art Thou?

We must be SMARTER - TOUGHER.

SCREW letting our star ball-winners get knocked around like play-dough.

We must attack, rather than try to escape.

We were just a few years back pioneers of this modern shepherd.

It needs to happen again.


Prime movers:

Rix, hopefully King/Gardi, Baker, and yes, possibly Clinton Jones.