Wilkes in defense
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Wilkes in defense
I kind of hope that Wilkes has seen the reality that his spot in the forward line has been practically lost for next season and has decided to dedicate his pre season to reinventing himself as a defender. Meaning that he works very closely with Max and whoever else that can help him learn all the skills and knowledge necessary to play in defense.
Physically he has all the attributes to play the big FB position and he definitely doesn't lack the general footballing ability to play the game. The only reason that he isn't good at it is because he has very little experience and doesn't seem to have the natural know-how. But those deficiencies can be fixed.
Especially in a situation where we don't get Brown, I think that Wilkes could have a very successful career for us if he puts in the hard yards now to turn himself into a defender.
Physically he has all the attributes to play the big FB position and he definitely doesn't lack the general footballing ability to play the game. The only reason that he isn't good at it is because he has very little experience and doesn't seem to have the natural know-how. But those deficiencies can be fixed.
Especially in a situation where we don't get Brown, I think that Wilkes could have a very successful career for us if he puts in the hard yards now to turn himself into a defender.
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Re: Wilkes in defense
+ 1noob wrote:He can't play as a defender. His not good enough.
Wilkes was recruited as a fwd. He cant play back. Lets get a back to play back.
First Kosi, then Roo - now Wilkes.
Who next - Milney to FB?
Lets get Brown or Hartigan to play defence.
Re: Wilkes in defense
He is too slow to play as a defender. If he does not mark the ball seems to have no real second effort. Love seeing him up forward taking marks but too much of a risk at full back.
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Re: Wilkes in defense
This - yepnoob wrote:He can't play as a defender. His not good enough.
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Re: Wilkes in defense
Con Gorozidis wrote:+ 1noob wrote:He can't play as a defender. His not good enough.
Wilkes was recruited as a fwd. He cant play back. Lets get a back to play back.
First Kosi, then Roo - now Wilkes.
Who next - Milney to FB?
Lets get Brown or Hartigan to play defence.
Con Wilkes was recruited as a backman but couldnt play there.
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Re: Wilkes in defense
Yes he was recruited by West Coast as a backman, but we recruited him primarily as a forward (considering he played full forward at subiaco before we drafted him).plugger66 wrote:Con Gorozidis wrote:+ 1noob wrote:He can't play as a defender. His not good enough.
Wilkes was recruited as a fwd. He cant play back. Lets get a back to play back.
First Kosi, then Roo - now Wilkes.
Who next - Milney to FB?
Lets get Brown or Hartigan to play defence.
Con Wilkes was recruited as a backman but couldnt play there.
He is a decent forward (and should play ahead of Kosi) but he is a crap defender, that's why West Coast delisted him.
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Re: Wilkes in defense
SaintSimmo wrote:Yes he was recruited by West Coast as a backman, but we recruited him primarily as a forward (considering he played full forward at subiaco before we drafted him).plugger66 wrote:Con Gorozidis wrote:
+ 1
Wilkes was recruited as a fwd. He cant play back. Lets get a back to play back.
First Kosi, then Roo - now Wilkes.
Who next - Milney to FB?
Lets get Brown or Hartigan to play defence.
Con Wilkes was recruited as a backman but couldnt play there.
He is a decent forward (and should play ahead of Kosi) but he is a crap defender, that's why West Coast delisted him.
Strange that we recruited him as a forward but only played him back in practice games before we realised he wasnt up to it. He was recruited to play FB. That I am 100% sure.
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Re: Wilkes in defense
Wilkes and Kosi will be a formidable pair on the forwardline for Sandy next year, and hopefully neither of them will be required to play for the Saints again.
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Re: Wilkes in defense
Bernard Shakey wrote:Wilkes and Kosi will be a formidable pair on the forwardline for Sandy next year, and hopefully neither of them will be required to play for the Saints again.
Hope you are right. Probably means the recruiting of Lee and maybe even Hickey has worked.
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Re: Wilkes in defense
Might have to. I rate him as a forward, but he now seems behind Lee and Stanley and in front of only Kosi.FQF wrote:I kind of hope that Wilkes has seen the reality that his spot in the forward line has been practically lost for next season and has decided to dedicate his pre season to reinventing himself as a defender.
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Re: Wilkes in defense
Wilkes isn't AFL standard as a defender....he showed everyone that a few times...
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Re: Wilkes in defense
He might have to reinvent himself if he wants to get a gamebobmurray wrote:Wilkes isn't AFL standard as a defender....he showed everyone that a few times
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Re: Wilkes in defense
Was terrible when he had to play down back against the Weagles, we would have to be desperate.
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Re: Wilkes in defense
I think Wilkes is depth as a fwd.
But with Kosi almost toast and Roo with dodgy knees Wilkes might play more games than any of us anticipate in the next 2 years. He makes a good 3rd banana fwd and will remain a good 3rd banana fwd for a few years to come.
But with Kosi almost toast and Roo with dodgy knees Wilkes might play more games than any of us anticipate in the next 2 years. He makes a good 3rd banana fwd and will remain a good 3rd banana fwd for a few years to come.
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Re: Wilkes in defense
You got the banana bit right, he's about as soft as a ripe one.Con Gorozidis wrote:I think Wilkes is depth as a fwd.
But with Kosi almost toast and Roo with dodgy knees Wilkes might play more games than any of us anticipate in the next 2 years. He makes a good 3rd banana fwd and will remain a good 3rd banana fwd for a few years to come.
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Re: Wilkes in defense
Agree,cant play back,we really need a key backman,if we dont pick up one in the trade,who have we got to play there? Those who have seen Ferguson on a regular basis,can he fill that gap ALLseason,or does he get occasional game when required
I justcant see any other options
I justcant see any other options
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Re: Wilkes in defense
Ferg not ready yet on last years form.bergsone wrote:Agree,cant play back,we really need a key backman,if we dont pick up one in the trade,who have we got to play there? Those who have seen Ferguson on a regular basis,can he fill that gap ALLseason,or does he get occasional game when required
I justcant see any other options
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Re: Wilkes in defense
Wilkes was terrible down defence last year. Anyways, he wont be playing much in the sernior team next year.
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Re: Wilkes in defense
Some harsh posts above regarding Wilkes. He did a good job in his stints as a forward. Clearly isn't a defender though. Wilkes will feature more than Kosi next season and rightly so.
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Re: Wilkes in defense
some of you guys are so tough... anyone who's not a star right away is S#!t
Bloody Podsiadly an Judd have created thus impression that the best players tae to it right away.
I bet half of you guys would have delisted Goddard, Monty etc after 2 years
For a first year player in a team that finished outside the 8, I think he did ok as a forward and I would like to see more of what he has to offer next season
Bloody Podsiadly an Judd have created thus impression that the best players tae to it right away.
I bet half of you guys would have delisted Goddard, Monty etc after 2 years
For a first year player in a team that finished outside the 8, I think he did ok as a forward and I would like to see more of what he has to offer next season