Armo- HBF?

Animal Enclosure · Sat 08 Sep 2007 10:53pm

Just thinking of Armo's development & after watching Luke Hodge today I was wondering whether blooding him on a HBF would be an option. Hodge spent his developing years across half back & used his ability to read the play & foot skills to great effect (eventually). Watching Armo during the pre season, reminded me of a young Hodge.

Considering his much discussed fitness issues, the option of putting him into the midfield might be too much too soon. Playing across HB would allow Armo to get significant game time & play some cameos in the middle. He would also improve his defensive skills and maybe allow Grammy to be released further up the ground.

Anyone who has seen Armo at Casey may be able to shed some light on this possibility.

Thoughts?

saintsRrising · Sat 08 Sep 2007 10:55pm

Not a bad way to start...either there or as a BP.

Burkey like many others put some time in down back before becoming good mids.

Gram to be given some midfield time...

Sat 08 Sep 2007 10:56pm

a very good thought

strong tackler too

Viking3 · Post: # 452242Post **Viking3** » Sat 08 Sep 2007 11:13pm

Was drafted as a back flanker/midfielder. Has played there a bit in junior days.

Unforgiven · Sat 08 Sep 2007 11:22pm

Would be a good move, though I would also like to see him into the middle. Hopefuly he has one hell of a pre-season.

Animal Enclosure · Sat 08 Sep 2007 11:24pm

Sounds like it could be a good option then. I suppose the running half backs are part of the midfield now anyway, with Gram, Chips, Joey, Gilbo, Raph and possibly Armo we've got a few that can rotate through.

I've heard Alex Rance mentioned as a key defender that may be available at No.9 for us. With Max having a few years left it would be an ideal time to pick up a young fella who could grow into the role by the time Max retired. I'd like to see Gilbo a bit further up the ground that stuck at FB.

redwhite&blackblood · Sat 08 Sep 2007 11:35pm

Sounds good to me particualrly with Attard out for a few months. Give the Kid a Defensive tagging job maybe?

redwhite&blackblood · Sat 08 Sep 2007 11:35pm

Sounds good to me particualrly with Attard out for a few months. Give the Kid a Defensive tagging job maybe?

mad saint guy · Sat 08 Sep 2007 11:49pm

We need midfielders desperately and we already have too many defensive flankers in the team.

S.Fisher
Goddard
Gram
Gilbert
R.Clarke
L.Fisher

Attard
Gwilt
Ferguson

Armitage was recruited to become an onballer and ultimately take Harvey's spot in the side. That is where he is needed and that is where he should play.

nicko016 · Post: # 452305Post **nicko016** » Sun 09 Sep 2007 1:15am

I'd first give him a crack and play him a few games in the centre and see if he can stand the heat. Maybe he could have an impact similiar to Joel Selwood. Has the body size but is yet to prove his temperament. If he can't stand the heat put him to HB and see if he can fin a bit more of the ball which will quickly build his confidence. Plus, he is not slow so will add some good run off HB.

LTN16 · Post: # 452479Post **LTN16** » Sun 09 Sep 2007 3:34pm

nicko016 wrote:I'd first give him a crack and play him a few games in the centre and see if he can stand the heat. Maybe he could have an impact similiar to Joel Selwood. Has the body size but is yet to prove his temperament. If he can't stand the heat put him to HB and see if he can fin a bit more of the ball which will quickly build his confidence. Plus, he is not slow so will add some good run off HB.

Agree nicko016

Good Post

Eastern · Post: # 452604Post **Eastern** » Sun 09 Sep 2007 8:01pm

Lets give him a BIG pre-season and then decide where he plays !!

bobmurray · Post: # 453143Post **bobmurray** » Mon 10 Sep 2007 6:18pm

Animal Enclosure wrote:Sounds like it could be a good option then. I suppose the running half backs are part of the midfield now anyway, with Gram, Chips, Joey, Gilbo, Raph and possibly Armo we've got a few that can rotate through.

I've heard Alex Rance mentioned as a key defender that may be available at No.9 for us. With Max having a few years left it would be an ideal time to pick up a young fella who could grow into the role by the time Max retired. I'd like to see Gilbo a bit further up the ground that stuck at FB.

Alex Rance-194cm, 87kg-Swan Districts. ( CHB/FB). The star defender of the National champs. His run out of defence was great. His defensive work was excellent. Has good pace and skills for a big bloke. He worked in well with Browne and Meyers to give WA the killer dash from defence. His handballing was creative and he hits targets by foot. He is simply a defender that every club will rate.
Top 15 pick.

Going by this description i doubt he'd last until pick #9

st_Trav_ofWA · Mon 10 Sep 2007 7:09pm

therse a few from the WA crop worth a look this year but most are going to be gone by pick 9 i think maybe a few will slip through for our first pick but by our second round i dont see it being as fruitful as last year

kp83 · Post: # 453182Post **kp83** » Mon 10 Sep 2007 7:14pm

redwhite&blackblood wrote:Sounds good to me particualrly with Attard out for a few months. Give the Kid a Defensive tagging job maybe?

Just an opinion, but I don't like the idea of giving kids jobs just for the sake of it. If we eventually want Armo to be an attacking mid, why send him into games with his focus being on stopping someone else?

An example is Andrew Walker and Bryce Gibbs at Carlton. They don't seem to have developed much given their potential because it appeared that Pagan wanted them to tag, rather than run forwards and set things up.

Just a thought, I may well be proven wrong...

Unforgiven · Post: # 453225Post **Unforgiven** » Mon 10 Sep 2007 8:18pm

Walker aint to shabby at all