Good driver in heavy traffic! Who?

[CURLY]

Hawthorn premiership coach described Gary Ayres as a good driver in heavy traffic. Do we have a player of similar ilk. A player who you want to see the ball in his hands when the preasures on. Someone who punches at the right time and pulls down the timely mark with sure hands. When he has the ball his disposal always hits its target and the right option.

[GrumpyOne]

Sam Fisher perhaps?

[wallbanger]

Prior to last year I would nominate Lenny as this player - always steady, hard at the ball, great decision making, a real leader with skills to match. Whilst he struggled a little at times last season (understandably), he came into his own again toward the end of the year and I expect him to burn again this year.

I am a massive Lenny fan, so perhaps I am biased?

[wallbanger]

Fisher's decision making when really under the pump can at times let him down I reckon...although on the whole he is very steady and consistent. His disposal sometimes falls a bit short of the rest of his game, but he was a massive improver last year and will do a great job again this season I'm sure. Good nomination.

[Otiman]

Me, I don't mind peak hour and never get road rage.

[CURLY]

Yeah Sam Fisher has those safe hands but just at times when I think he should slow things down and steady up he starts running and we look out of position up field. Also Id like to see him punch more.

[wallbanger]

I agree with the punching aspect - both him and Grammy have hopefully put in a bit of work over the off season in the art of spoiling. With Max there they have a teacher of the highest calibre - his spoiling is sensational.

[Zed]

R Harvey still pretty handy - but at his peak was the best in the league

N Winmar was another who sticks in my mind as being a cut above

[taz]

Harvey id clearly the stand out in heavy traffic.

hes a lika the Polizia at peak hour through Roma........

[Eastern]

Good Driver in Heavy Traffic?

LukeL26 has been trained to perfection
So too has Damien Saintsational !!

[Saints Premiers 2008]

happy with harves obviously

lenny too

bj although he has the ability to cause the occassionaly meltdown and subsequent goal

although i am completely solf on sam fisher the running back im not sold on him as either a third man up or a key defender week in week out...

him getting flogged by one j.brown last year in round 2 still clouds my judgement...he got his bottom handed to him and fed slowly but surely

strangely enough most footy commentators and writers said he held his own despite brown kicking 5 and taking close to 8-10 marks in or around the forward 50...

him vs fev last year is a prime example

although i do belive he will get first crack at barry hall next year come around one...he can make hall pay with his rebounding defensive efforts...so hall might kick 3 or 4 but its the rebounding efforts on the counter attack that add an extra bow to fishers' game

not many teams have a counter attacking full back

[Oh When the Saints]

A player reliable under pressure?

Leigh Fisher is one.


Perfect example is Banger's 350th ... Blake handballs to L. Fisher in the backline, and Leigh is surrounded by 3 Eagles players. Doesn't panic but executes a perfect handball.

[LTN16]

I would have to say Steve Johnson he's a good driver but gets caught by the boys in blue to easily.

[Oh When the Saints]

A player reliable under pressure?

Leigh Fisher is one.


Perfect example is Banger's 350th ... Blake handballs to L. Fisher in the backline, and Leigh is surrounded by 3 Eagles players. Doesn't panic but executes a perfect handball.

Solid under pressure is Kosi also.

In terms of mids, Dal is bloody good too.

[bigcarl]

dal santo.

tends to kick goals when we really need them. also kosi

[hAyES]

Dal and Hayes.

[plugger66]

Dal, Hayes and harvey stand out by a mile.

[battye]

Harvey.

[Sobraz]

Dal, Harvs, Kosi and L.Fisher are the best under pressure.. Dal has taken a leaf out of Harveys book about keeping cool when surrounded.. They are the 2 stand outs...

At the other end of the spectrum is Max.. Without doubt the worst when he has possesion and is under pressure... His possesion ability is pretty much gone now, but hopefully he wont be relied on too much and can focus on what he does best in stopping and defending..

[Saints94]

Milney!

[st_Trav_ofWA]

Milney!

hes the one bloke you dont want near the ball when the pressure is on him fizz and blake all have the unfortunate knack of doing somthing silly in those most important moments

[ctqs]

No surprises here:
Ball - when fit, he gets the job done irrespective of the absolute pounding he cops in the process.
Hayes - a machine who just keeps going hard at the ball or the bloke with it.
Dal Santo - sometimes looks like he isn't going flat out and yet always has time and never appears rushed or flustered, even when surrounded in close.
Harvey - all of the above. And for 20 years, whatsmore!

[milney044]

Tend to agree with all of the above. I definitely think Riewoldt is worthy of a mention too, he's saved us with those spectacular grabs when we've needed him to.
I cant fault Dal's decision making when he's got the footy, i know i can relax when the ball is in his hands.
Lenny and Ball i count on through sheer determination and of corse Harvey who is always there to ease the heart rate.
On the other hand I would never want to rely on R.Clarke in the dying minutes of a tight game.