Battle - Carlisle conundrum?

[B.M]

There are two types of Key defenders

Last line defenders, who defend first, and play man on man... like D.Talia


2nd tall defenders who don’t play as deep. Zone off and intercept, use the ball well... Like J.McGovern


We have 3 tall defenders

Two are better offensive players, better suited to CHB, one is better defensively and better suited to FB

But

We clearly would have both Battle and Carlisle in the side if both available. Which leaves Brown in the VFL and Carlisle in a position he’s not that comfortable... playing last line and defending first. Battle has been developing too well to take him from CHB
Brown is easily the best shut down tall and has experience

[shrodes]

We could always put Battle back in the forward line where he was drafted?

[BackFromUSA]

Let's take a look at Battle at Full Back. Very good 1 on 1.

[bigcarl]

The conundrum is that Brown is still playing very good football. Excellent yesterday.

And obviously you wouldn’t drop Carlisle - or Battle (when fit) for that matter either.

Various possibilities.

You could move Carlisle or Battle forward. Either could hold down second ruck and give Marshall a chop out.

The complication is that eventually we’re probably going to have to find a spot for Max King. Cross that bridge when we come to it, I say.

Anyway, team balance is important, but imo should never stand in the way of getting your best footballers on the park.

Good players, you need to find ways of getting them in.

[B.M]

Battle Forward is an option, but I think he has been much better at CHB than he would be as a forward. He might be an ok Forward, he has a big tank, can take a grab, good kick and is aggressive. I also think he will ultimately end up a forward.

But at the moment, he is performing well at CHB (an easier position) and moving him is not ideal.

Carlisle doesn’t like playing Forward or ruck.

[bigcarl]

Battle Forward is an option, but I think he has been much better at CHB than he would be as a forward. He might be an ok Forward, he has a big tank, can take a grab, good kick and is aggressive. I also think he will ultimately end up a forward.

But at the moment, he is performing well at CHB (an easier position) and moving him is not ideal.

Carlisle doesn’t like playing Forward or ruck.

Jake was great yesterday, but, really, all players should work as directed by their employer. Standard business practice.

Anyway, the only other option is to drop Brown, who, as I said, is playing good footy.

I’d find a way to get all three in, but - since Battle is out for the season - we don’t have to worry about it until next year

[BarryGrogan]

Battle Forward is an option, but I think he has been much better at CHB than he would be as a forward. He might be an ok Forward, he has a big tank, can take a grab, good kick and is aggressive. I also think he will ultimately end up a forward.

But at the moment, he is performing well at CHB (an easier position) and moving him is not ideal.

Carlisle doesn’t like playing Forward or ruck.

I've always felt Battle is the 3rd tall. He only CHB cause Carlisle was out.

I reckon Battle will be a legitimate star as a HBF who can play tall and intercept. Having Carlisle back in the team was the piece of the puzzle that he needed. IMO.


Remember, Dixon kicked 4 and Dale kicked 5. Paton had his arse handed to him on a plate. He's not ready yet, and I'm not sold he ever will be. Battle would have been an ideal matchup for Dale.

[longtimesaint]

Battle Forward is an option, but I think he has been much better at CHB than he would be as a forward. He might be an ok Forward, he has a big tank, can take a grab, good kick and is aggressive. I also think he will ultimately end up a forward.

But at the moment, he is performing well at CHB (an easier position) and moving him is not ideal.

Carlisle doesn’t like playing Forward or ruck.

Jake was great yesterday, but, really, all players should work as directed by their employer. Standard business practice.

Anyway, the only other option is to drop Brown, who, as I said, is playing good footy.

I’d find a way to get all three in, but - since Battle is out for the season - we don’t have to worry about it until next year

What makes you think Battle is out for the season?
Ratten said he would be close to play this week, and Webster also close but after a long break possibly start in the VFL.

[chook23]

Battle Forward is an option, but I think he has been much better at CHB than he would be as a forward. He might be an ok Forward, he has a big tank, can take a grab, good kick and is aggressive. I also think he will ultimately end up a forward.

But at the moment, he is performing well at CHB (an easier position) and moving him is not ideal.

Carlisle doesn’t like playing Forward or ruck.

Jake was great yesterday, but, really, all players should work as directed by their employer. Standard business practice.

Anyway, the only other option is to drop Brown, who, as I said, is playing good footy.

I’d find a way to get all three in, but - since Battle is out for the season - we don’t have to worry about it until next year

He maybe in the mix for selection as soon as this week.......if not the following week

[bigcarl]

Battle Forward is an option, but I think he has been much better at CHB than he would be as a forward. He might be an ok Forward, he has a big tank, can take a grab, good kick and is aggressive. I also think he will ultimately end up a forward.

But at the moment, he is performing well at CHB (an easier position) and moving him is not ideal.

Carlisle doesn’t like playing Forward or ruck.

Jake was great yesterday, but, really, all players should work as directed by their employer. Standard business practice.

Anyway, the only other option is to drop Brown, who, as I said, is playing good footy.

I’d find a way to get all three in, but - since Battle is out for the season - we don’t have to worry about it until next year

What makes you think Battle is out for the season?
Ratten said he would be close to play this week, and Webster also close but after a long break possibly start in the VFL.

Ah, okay. That’s a pleasant surprise. I thought he was long term. Play him half back flank if necessary or move him or Jake forward. I wouldn’t drop either Brown or Carlisle to get him in.

[saintsRrising]

Personally for the year I would keep Brown at FB , Carlisle at CHB (where now he is match fit he is starting to flourish again).

Battle can play as our third tall back and or/ be the tall hit up player on the wing. If the second he can also push forward. Battle sets up the play well and so should be able to play both roles well.

Most likely first game back will be the Crows with Josh Jenkins at FF.

[fugazi]

Keep Brown in. Massive, fit and intelligent. The boys love having him there.

Our backline is not our problem.

[supersaints2]

Isn't it nice to have such a problem?
That's a problem that good sides have every week......!
Play Battle forward against sides that struggle with height defensively, play him back against sides that have a lot of forward height

He can be our mr fixit man ... wouldn't hurt his development at all, I think it will quicken it. He's grown in confidence this season

Battle may already have improved enough to try him forward for the remaining games

[saintsRrising]

Isn't it nice to have such a problem?
That's a problem that good sides have every week......!
Play Battle forward against sides that struggle with height defensively, play him back against sides that have a lot of forward height

He can be our mr fixit man ... wouldn't hurt his development at all, I think it will quicken it. He's grown in confidence this season

Battle may already have improved enough to try him forward for the remaining games

Yes good teams often will have a player that can be used forward or back in games and from week to week.

The marking link man role is also an important role is also a handy asset to have. In recent times this has caused Bruce to run far and wide. And of course "Mr Aerobic" Roo used to do it as part of playing at CHF and then alter as the roving tall wingman that roamed far and wide.

The club is said to be chasing the FA Tomlinson who is of a similar height. Well Battle can IMO play a similar role that Tomlinson can and indeed will probably be better at it.

[mad saint guy]

My preferred team for the rest of the season (assuming Steven is available but Webster and Hannebery continue their A. Hamill - 2 weeks trend)

B: Wilkie, Brown, Coffield
HB: Clark, Carlisle, Savage
C: Billings, Steele, Acres
HF: Parker, Bruce, Steven
F: Lonie, Battle, Membrey

Foll: Marshall, Gresham, Dunstan
Int: Hind, Langlands, Paton, White

Right now Wilkie, Brown and Carlisle are doing a brilliant job in defence. Battle was great as well, but he is the one whose skills in defence can be covered, yet we don't have anyone who can offer what he does in the forward line. I'd love to see us go in with three tall forwards which will also mean our structure doesn't fall to pieces when Bruce has to go into the ruck.

[saynta]

My preferred team for the rest of the season (assuming Steven is available but Webster and Hannebery continue their A. Hamill - 2 weeks trend)

B: Wilkie, Brown, Coffield
HB: Clark, Carlisle, Savage
C: Billings, Steele, Acres
HF: Parker, Bruce, Steven
F: Lonie, Battle, Membrey

Foll: Marshall, Gresham, Dunstan
Int: Hind, Langlands, Paton, White

Right now Wilkie, Brown and Carlisle are doing a brilliant job in defence. Battle was great as well, but he is the one whose skills in defence can be covered, yet we don't have anyone who can offer what he does in the forward line. I'd love to see us go in with three tall forwards which will also mean our structure doesn't fall to pieces when Bruce has to go into the ruck.

No Ross? You must be f****** kidding.

[BarryGrogan]

My preferred team for the rest of the season (assuming Steven is available but Webster and Hannebery continue their A. Hamill - 2 weeks trend)

B: Wilkie, Brown, Coffield
HB: Clark, Carlisle, Savage
C: Billings, Steele, Acres
HF: Parker, Bruce, Steven
F: Lonie, Battle, Membrey

Foll: Marshall, Gresham, Dunstan
Int: Hind, Langlands, Paton, White

Right now Wilkie, Brown and Carlisle are doing a brilliant job in defence. Battle was great as well, but he is the one whose skills in defence can be covered, yet we don't have anyone who can offer what he does in the forward line. I'd love to see us go in with three tall forwards which will also mean our structure doesn't fall to pieces when Bruce has to go into the ruck.

What has Battle done as a forward though?

[CURLY]

My preferred team for the rest of the season (assuming Steven is available but Webster and Hannebery continue their A. Hamill - 2 weeks trend)

B: Wilkie, Brown, Coffield
HB: Clark, Carlisle, Savage
C: Billings, Steele, Acres
HF: Parker, Bruce, Steven
F: Lonie, Battle, Membrey

Foll: Marshall, Gresham, Dunstan
Int: Hind, Langlands, Paton, White

Right now Wilkie, Brown and Carlisle are doing a brilliant job in defence. Battle was great as well, but he is the one whose skills in defence can be covered, yet we don't have anyone who can offer what he does in the forward line. I'd love to see us go in with three tall forwards which will also mean our structure doesn't fall to pieces when Bruce has to go into the ruck.

What has Battle done as a forward though?

I think he looked very promising early days as a forward.

[BarryGrogan]

I think he looked very promising early days as a forward.

Personally, I thought he looked promising as a footballer, but not as a forward.

Not big enough to be a tall, and quick enough to be a small.


His output as a forward was very underwhelming. Granted he was only a 19yo with a couple of games under his belt.

I really think that the 3rd tall defender role is absolutely made for him.

I don't think he would have made it as a forward.

[B.M]

Don’t think Battle has the agility or ground level skills to play as a medium sized defender, he would get burned by faster, more agile opponents. He is not overly big, but only moves Ike a KPP. Whilst he has a big motor, he is pretty slow.

[B.M]

And Wilkie is our medium sized defender.

We like Savage across HB, Clarke is playing across HB, Wilkie is back, Coffield is back and then there’s Brown.

McKenzie seems to have lost his spot

Paton is playing as the seventh

[spert]

I've seen Battle as a potential FF- strong mark, uses his body well, and has good goal sense.

[B.M]

I think Battle is also a potential Forward, but atm he’s performing very well at CHB.

[DownAtTheJunction]

My preferred team for the rest of the season (assuming Steven is available but Webster and Hannebery continue their A. Hamill - 2 weeks trend)

B: Wilkie, Brown, Coffield
HB: Clark, Carlisle, Savage
C: Billings, Steele, Acres
HF: Parker, Bruce, Steven
F: Lonie, Battle, Membrey

Foll: Marshall, Gresham, Dunstan
Int: Hind, Langlands, Paton, White

Right now Wilkie, Brown and Carlisle are doing a brilliant job in defence. Battle was great as well, but he is the one whose skills in defence can be covered, yet we don't have anyone who can offer what he does in the forward line. I'd love to see us go in with three tall forwards which will also mean our structure doesn't fall to pieces when Bruce has to go into the ruck.

What has Battle done as a forward though?

I think he looked very promising early days as a forward.

Much easier to find a key defender than a key forward. I think Battle should play forward as soon as possible. Fit others around him. The guy is a gun in the making.

[stkfc1]

Isn't it nice to have such a problem?
That's a problem that good sides have every week......!
Play Battle forward against sides that struggle with height defensively, play him back against sides that have a lot of forward height

He can be our mr fixit man ... wouldn't hurt his development at all, I think it will quicken it. He's grown in confidence this season

Battle may already have improved enough to try him forward for the remaining games

Yes good teams often will have player that can be used forward or back in games and from week to week.

The marking link man role is also an important role is also a handy asset to have. In recent times this has caused Bruce to run far and wide. And of course "Mr Aerobic" Roo used to do it as part of playing at CHF and then alter as the roving tall wingman that roamed far and wide.

The club is said to be chasing the FA Tomlinson who is of a similar height. Well Battle can IMO play a similar role that Tomlinson can and indeed will probably be better at it.

Like this.

Battle could end up being a nightmare for opposition coaches as a link man and then used at both ends, as required. His flexibility could be easily used to disrupt opp game plans and you need to be able to mix things up if things arent working (Plan A) and Battle could be used as a point of difference for either end (Plan B)
By having him play like this would also mean we keep our structure more. Bruce would be able to stay home a bit more, therefore more effective. . There's a reason he takes speckys at the start of the match and not at the end so much. The poor guy is currently running himslf into the ground.

Funny thing is no one was expecting Brown to be having such a great year and Wilkie has been a gift from the heavens. (Seriously how f#$ing good is this guy!?) Fitting someone like Battle in shouldn't be a problem, but now is! This is what depth looks like folks!