Wilkes in defense
Moderators: Saintsational Administrators, Saintsational Moderators
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.
- Con Gorozidis
- Saintsational Legend
- Posts: 23532
- Joined: Thu 19 Jun 2008 4:04pm
- Has thanked: 100 times
- Been thanked: 78 times
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.
-
- Saintsational Legend
- Posts: 23208
- Joined: Sat 13 Mar 2004 11:44pm
- Has thanked: 735 times
- Been thanked: 1776 times
Re: Wilkes in defense
This - yepnoob wrote:He can't play as a defender. His not good enough.
“Yeah….nah””
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.
-
- Club Player
- Posts: 1684
- Joined: Thu 11 Dec 2008 10:00pm
- Location: Melbourne
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.
Sainter for life.
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.
- ShanghaiSaint
- Club Player
- Posts: 1911
- Joined: Thu 24 Mar 2005 7:43pm
- Bernard Shakey
- Saintsational Legend
- Posts: 11237
- Joined: Sun 18 Mar 2007 11:22pm
- Location: Down By The River 1989, 2003, 2009 & 2013
- Has thanked: 120 times
- Been thanked: 137 times
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.
Old enough to repaint, but young enough to sell
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.
-
- Saintsational Legend
- Posts: 18579
- Joined: Thu 11 Mar 2004 1:36am
- Has thanked: 1905 times
- Been thanked: 841 times
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.
- bobmurray
- Saintsational Legend
- Posts: 7781
- Joined: Mon 03 Oct 2005 11:08pm
- Location: In the stand at RSEA Park.
- Has thanked: 497 times
- Been thanked: 226 times
Re: Wilkes in defense
Wilkes isn't AFL standard as a defender....he showed everyone that a few times...
Not an option
Not an option
Six debutants for the Saints so far in Season 2024. ![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
-
- Saintsational Legend
- Posts: 18579
- Joined: Thu 11 Mar 2004 1:36am
- Has thanked: 1905 times
- Been thanked: 841 times
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
-
- Club Player
- Posts: 297
- Joined: Sat 10 Jul 2004 11:27pm
Re: Wilkes in defense
Was terrible when he had to play down back against the Weagles, we would have to be desperate.
- Con Gorozidis
- Saintsational Legend
- Posts: 23532
- Joined: Thu 19 Jun 2008 4:04pm
- Has thanked: 100 times
- Been thanked: 78 times
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.
- Bernard Shakey
- Saintsational Legend
- Posts: 11237
- Joined: Sun 18 Mar 2007 11:22pm
- Location: Down By The River 1989, 2003, 2009 & 2013
- Has thanked: 120 times
- Been thanked: 137 times
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.
Old enough to repaint, but young enough to sell
-
- SS Life Member
- Posts: 2917
- Joined: Mon 28 Apr 2008 4:56pm
- Location: victoria
- Has thanked: 260 times
- Been thanked: 119 times
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
- Bernard Shakey
- Saintsational Legend
- Posts: 11237
- Joined: Sun 18 Mar 2007 11:22pm
- Location: Down By The River 1989, 2003, 2009 & 2013
- Has thanked: 120 times
- Been thanked: 137 times
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
Old enough to repaint, but young enough to sell
Re: Wilkes in defense
Wilkes was terrible down defence last year. Anyways, he wont be playing much in the sernior team next year.
Follow me for my expert opinions on Twitter @DanielClark93
- Little Dozer
- Club Player
- Posts: 855
- Joined: Tue 11 Jul 2006 4:44pm
- Location: Forward Pocket, Outer side, Linton Street end or bay 38 Waverley
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.
Are we waiting for a saviour?
I'm so sick of waiting!
I've been waiting my whole life!
This is a new day!
I'm so sick of waiting!
I've been waiting my whole life!
This is a new day!
- skeptic
- Saintsational Legend
- Posts: 16890
- Joined: Wed 10 Mar 2004 7:10pm
- Has thanked: 3580 times
- Been thanked: 2850 times
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