Gwilt

[Teflon]

we have a few players that are worthy of playing AFL footy but not in positions that they are played

Gwilt and Raph are not backmen, neither is Ferguson. Would love to see Jimmy Gwilt get a run on HFF instead of backline, but it comes down to team balance

I would also love to see Gilbert or Goddard in the Fwd 50 too, but that wont happen. I did not Goddard got a run in last qtr in fwd 50

good coaching, mixing it up

Its nice to say "id like to see Gilbert, Goddard, Ferguson, Gwilt, heck the whole team" play in the fwd line.......nice if you have replacement defenders.

We dont.

[Teflon]

why couldnt he be played in short bursts there?

I disagree because I can't really recall any occasions where he has done what's required of a midfielder-

You being irrational/illogical again duck?

How many times AT ALL have you seen Gwiltplay midfield to say he aint a midfielder?

He played there for a time today at a time when we couldnt buy a clearance and won us some important ball in close???

Worth a look for mine as we need to be as flexible as possible.

[duckduckduckgoose]

Worth a look for mine as we need to be as flexible as possible.

I think we are going to have to create a saintsational first and agree to disagree!

I think the whole theory of making every player a utility is a flawed one.
Sure, give him some time in the midfield to enhance his "flexibility".
But to me, this comes at the expense of settling a young inexperienced player into AFL footy.

Option 1- Give him a name tag and job description:
"Hi, Im Jimmy Gwilt- Half Forward. My job is to blah blah blah......"
To me this gives him the time to invest in improving specific skills and builds confidence in knowing exactly what is required of him.

Option 2- Keep throwing him around all over the shop (The Jason Blake Experience)
"Hi, i'm Jimmy Gwilt- HF, FB, Mid, Wing. My job is to.... ummm ????
Well its complicated."

Of course it would be great if every player was the ultimate allrounder, ala Roo- but it just aint gonna happen!

And of course once he is settled and confident in his abilities- then sure, try him out elsewhere.

The form of Jason Blake is a good indicator of this I think.


With the exception of Luke Ball, most footballers aint potential brain surgeons.

Keep It Simple Stupid

[Teflon]

Worth a look for mine as we need to be as flexible as possible.

I think we are going to have to create a saintsational first and agree to disagree!

I think the whole theory of making every player a utility is a flawed one.
Sure, give him some time in the midfield to enhance his "flexibility".
But to me, this comes at the expense of settling a young inexperienced player into AFL footy.

Option 1- Give him a name tag and job description:
"Hi, Im Jimmy Gwilt- Half Forward. My job is to blah blah blah......"
To me this gives him the time to invest in improving specific skills and builds confidence in knowing exactly what is required of him.

Option 2- Keep throwing him around all over the shop (The Jason Blake Experience)
"Hi, i'm Jimmy Gwilt- HF, FB, Mid, Wing. My job is to.... ummm ????
Well its complicated."

Of course it would be great if every player was the ultimate allrounder, ala Roo- but it just aint gonna happen!

And of course once he is settled and confident in his abilities- then sure, try him out elsewhere.

The form of Jason Blake is a good indicator of this I think.


With the exception of Luke Ball, most footballers aint potential brain surgeons.

Keep It Simple Stupid

Yeah we might have to disagree duck.....your talking theories I aint even mentioned ..... who said we had to "play em all as utilities" - we are talking about Gwilt and whether or not hes got the tools to play in the midfield - i think he has.... you think he hasnt (the only reason you have offered thus far is you dont "feel" he has the composure - fair enough its your view and your allowed to be wrong.. )

Maybe it aint just the players that need to keep it simple...

[duckduckduckgoose]

Maybe it aint just the players that need to keep it simple...

Zing!

Well if you cant see the insinuation your making by suggesting things like gwilt into the midfield, your gonna have to come join me over here in stoopidland.

Don't worry- you'll like it- lots of padded walls and safety matches.

[ThomasR]

I think something that Geelong did well a couple of years ago was sit down and say 'what is this player's best position' for everyone on their list. There is not much chopping and changing of the roles there - everyone has a job.

I think an important part of footy is trusting and knowing your teammates - their capabilities, abilities, and being able to read what they are likely to do. Playing with the same back six week in week out must go a long way to helping this, same for the mids and forward line.

Blake has blossomed since being sent down back and occasionally pinch-hitting in the ruck. It's still early enough to decide where a bloke like Gwilt with a good boot on him and above-par defensive skills should play - but once that decision has been made, leave him there. I'm sure blokes like Matty Ferguson might have turned into something decent had they been left up forward rather than shuffled down back at the first sign of danger.

[joffaboy]

Gwilt is only 21, didn't come through the usual way (no TAC etc) and is still LEARNING to play at AFL level.

The kid has potential and needs nurturing. Sam Fisher didn't get a gig until he was 23. Clint Jones is 22 and only just got a gig.

Jim Gwilt has got a bit of time and has bought himself a bit more with his display yesterday.

Nice to see players like him and Mini and Blake showing something.

Now to get our truly skillful players in the wings like the Clarke Bros up and about.

[meher baba]

Spot on JB

Gwilt always had bucketloads of raw talent. We saw that in 2005. He has first rate skills at disposal by foot: a fundamental footy skill not exactly in oversupply at our club

He has a big, hard body and good hand-eye coordination

I don't know where those on here who go on about him being an "athlete, not a footballer" are coming from

He is definitely a footballer, but one who has taken a bit longer than most to develop the instincts and judgement needed at the AFL level

He still might not make it, but he could also become a superstar. Players who can win their own ball in the middle of the park and then deliver it low, hard and with pinpoint accuracy into the forward 50 don't exactly grow on trees!!

[joffaboy]

yeah mb, pretty spot on.

The kid has played 19 senior game and apart from a cameo in 2005 in the final against Adelaide yesterday was the best.

Like to see him continue to develop and hopefully play 100 game for the club.

[saintly]

one or two games doesn't make a footballer. Gwilt has to begin to be consistant, otherwise he will be dropped.

[joffaboy]

one or two games doesn't make a footballer. Gwilt has to begin to be consistant, otherwise he will be dropped.

Lets all give it up for Captain Obvious

Really? You dont play well and you get dropped do you? Well I never.

[BAM! (shhhh)]

Gwilt is only 21, didn't come through the usual way (no TAC etc) and is still LEARNING to play at AFL level.

The kid has potential and needs nurturing. Sam Fisher didn't get a gig until he was 23. Clint Jones is 22 and only just got a gig.

Jim Gwilt has got a bit of time and has bought himself a bit more with his display yesterday.

Nice to see players like him and Mini and Blake showing something.

Now to get our truly skillful players in the wings like the Clarke Bros up and about.

Only thing I don't agree with here is CJ; he's 24

Gwilt is/has been a project. Personally, I've thought he was looking like starting to show some fruit last year (defensively responsible), and showing improvement this year (more confidence with the ball). Hopefully that was another step forward. Confidence with the ball is a huge step in the development of any young player, especially one whose kicking is a centrepiece of their game. Perhaps he should have come via rookie list, but I'd be very reluctant to let him go at years end as some want to. He's that all improtant step ahead of a guy like Ferguson in that he's who we look to to cover injuries as well as being someone who's improving and has the ever mercurial potential about him.

What he'll be? Still don't know, but I'm hoping that was a sign he's about to emerge and not a blip on the radar.

One of the big positives for me out of that game was that in a game where Reiwoldt was pretty well held, Hayes and Dal weren't dominant, lesser lights such as Gwilt and Fiora were able to step up and play crucial roles in getting us over the line. While I'd rather they didn't need to, that's the level I'd be hoping to see from guys in that position on the list, trying to move up and keeping rpessure on those baove them.

[bigcarl]

Gwilt is only 21, didn't come through the usual way (no TAC etc) and is still LEARNING to play at AFL level.

The kid has potential and needs nurturing. Sam Fisher didn't get a gig until he was 23. Clint Jones is 22 and only just got a gig.

Jim Gwilt has got a bit of time and has bought himself a bit more with his display yesterday.

Nice to see players like him and Mini and Blake showing something.

Now to get our truly skillful players in the wings like the Clarke Bros up and about.

Only thing I don't agree with here is CJ; he's 24

Gwilt is/has been a project. Personally, I've thought he was looking like starting to show some fruit last year (defensively responsible), and showing improvement this year (more confidence with the ball). Hopefully that was another step forward. Confidence with the ball is a huge step in the development of any young player, especially one whose kicking is a centrepiece of their game. Perhaps he should have come via rookie list, but I'd be very reluctant to let him go at years end as some want to. He's that all improtant step ahead of a guy like Ferguson in that he's who we look to to cover injuries as well as being someone who's improving and has the ever mercurial potential about him.

What he'll be? Still don't know, but I'm hoping that was a sign he's about to emerge and not a blip on the radar.

One of the big positives for me out of that game was that in a game where Reiwoldt was pretty well held, Hayes and Dal weren't dominant, lesser lights such as Gwilt and Fiora were able to step up and play crucial roles in getting us over the line. While I'd rather they didn't need to, that's the level I'd be hoping to see from guys in that position on the list, trying to move up and keeping rpessure on those baove them.

good posts.

very impressed with gwilt yesterday and just watching the replay noticed he's one of the few who can lay a tackle that actually sticks.

the lesson from gwilt is do not be too quick to write off young players. sometimes it all just clicks into place. confidence is an amazing thing.

noticed that raphael was BOG in the scorps yesterday ...

[ThePunter]

Gwilt didn't come from the rookie list because Thomas didn't believe in it. Thomas' neglect of the rookie list was easily his greatest mistake, and we are still paying for it. Since arriving, Lyon has got Attard, Jones, Eddy from the rookie list, used it to give McQualter some more time (and it has really paid off), and we have Miles and Chivers on there at the moment with some potential.

But back to the topic at hand, and what was really encouraging about yesterday was seeing Gwilt, Fiora and Schneider work through rough starts to make a contribution. Especially Fizz and the Schneiderman - both were poor early but put their heads down and bums up, and both made important contributions.

Gwilt is a wonderful kick - both goals didn't look like missing at all. He's not quick but he is very strong through the lower body, and at 188 cm, I would like to see him left at HF for a while. Unfortunately, yesterday without Max, this was a luxury we didn't have.

[Sobraz]

Jim was wondeful yesterday.. Played the game in a similar style to Luke Hodge... I saw alot of similaraties yesterday, aside from the obvious left foot kicking.. Strong and upright in tackles, and in the right spot at the right time...

Very similar body size and skill set... Interesting to see how he continues from here... very encouraging...

[yipper]

Jim was wondeful yesterday.. Played the game in a similar style to Luke Hodge... I saw alot of similaraties yesterday, aside from the obvious left foot kicking.. Strong and upright in tackles, and in the right spot at the right time...

Very similar body size and skill set... Interesting to see how he continues from here... very encouraging...

Funny, I thought we have, maybe, finally found our replacement for A.Hamill. Jimmy has a big, strong body and an ability to use it. Also a very good kick and reliable mark. He has opened up a spot for himself for sure. He needs to string some good games together now.

[saintsRrising]

Gwilt always had bucketloads of raw talent. We saw that in 2005. He has first rate skills at disposal by foot: a fundamental footy skill not exactly in oversupply at our club

He has a big, hard body and good hand-eye coordination

I don't know where those on here who go on about him being an "athlete, not a footballer" are coming from

I agree MB on the bucket loads of raw talent.

But my athlete rather than a footballer comment I still reckon hits the mark.

He was not a footballer when he joined us (ie ability to read the play etc) and mainly relied on athletic gifts including yes a nice kick,,,and is learning to become one. This is his upside.

The comment does not mean that he can never become a footballer, but rather that he needs to become a footballer which he may or may not do. this is his challenge.

Certainly his PA game was excellent, and his abilty to read the play and put himself in the right positions was much much better.

think of Sam Fisher....a great athelte and gifted golfer that joined us. At first he looke all at sea..and if you had watched any of his early reserves games you would have thought him awful. But he steadily turned himself from an athlete into a footballer.

40 by contrast never quite got there.
Rix is an other who is an exceptional athlete...but.....

[saintsRrising]

Jim was wondeful yesterday.. Played the game in a similar style to Luke Hodge... I saw alot of similaraties yesterday, aside from the obvious left foot kicking.. Strong and upright in tackles, and in the right spot at the right time...

Very similar body size and skill set... Interesting to see how he continues from here... very encouraging...

Funny, I thought we have, maybe, finally found our replacement for A.Hamill. Jimmy has a big, strong body and an ability to use it. Also a very good kick and reliable mark. He has opened up a spot for himself for sure. He needs to string some good games together now.

But does he have Hammill's mean sreak and fierce competitive spirit? That is waht really set Hamill apart.


With CJ...I in some ways (not in style or position, but in substance) think of CJ as a mini-Hamill because of his never say die attitude and fierce desire to attack the ball and ball carrier.

[perfectionist]

Who were his opponents in the second half? First or second gamers?

[bozza1980]

He was good yesterday.

Here's hoping he can replicate it next week against the Pies.

[joffaboy]

Who were his opponents in the second half? First or second gamers?

Westoff was an opponent.

Anyway Jim has played only 19 games himself.

Was instrumental in our clearances in qtr4.

You tell me his opponents at that time.

[SB10]

Who were his opponents in the second half? First or second gamers?

Westoff was an opponent.

Anyway Jim has played only 19 games himself.

Was instrumental in our clearances in qtr4.

You tell me his opponents at that time.

As stated, and after watching replay last night, Jimmy was instrumental in gaining some crucial clearances in the final qtr. Have we found another who could rotate through the midfield?

Big body, thumping kick who can spot a leading forward from long range or bang the ball to the top of the square.

If you look at our back-line there's really only Max who doesn't have the capacity to be thrown into the mid-field at any given time. Flexibility in the midfield is fast becoming a major strength of our club.

[bigcarl]

Who were his opponents in the second half? First or second gamers?

Westoff was an opponent.

Anyway Jim has played only 19 games himself.

Was instrumental in our clearances in qtr4.

You tell me his opponents at that time.

As stated, and after watching replay last night, Jimmy was instrumental in gaining some crucial clearances in the final qtr. Have we found another who could rotate through the midfield?

Big body, thumping kick who can spot a leading forward from long range or bang the ball to the top of the square.

If you look at our back-line there's really only Max who doesn't have the capacity to be thrown into the mid-field at any given time. Flexibility in the midfield is fast becoming a major strength of our club.

the thing i liked about his game is that he was just so direct. would see an option and delivers it with a thumping kick.

i think he can be very handy through the midfield, but might be needed forward to provide an alternative to roo and kosi.

[SB10]

Who were his opponents in the second half? First or second gamers?

Westoff was an opponent.

Anyway Jim has played only 19 games himself.

Was instrumental in our clearances in qtr4.

You tell me his opponents at that time.

As stated, and after watching replay last night, Jimmy was instrumental in gaining some crucial clearances in the final qtr. Have we found another who could rotate through the midfield?

Big body, thumping kick who can spot a leading forward from long range or bang the ball to the top of the square.

If you look at our back-line there's really only Max who doesn't have the capacity to be thrown into the mid-field at any given time. Flexibility in the midfield is fast becoming a major strength of our club.

the thing i liked about his game is that he was just so direct. would see an option and delivers it with a thumping kick.

i think he can be very handy through the midfield, but might be needed forward to provide an alternative to roo and kosi.

Jimmy has the potential to become a real wildcard for the team late in the season. While not wanting to pump his tyres too much after one good game, he can certainly play a variety of roles during the course of a game.

[BigMart]

Relax - it is one game.........he was pretty good..

against the Dockers he was terrible...

still a way to go for Jimmy

we were onboard

Ferg - after one game
Gardy after Sydney
Birss after Coll


Gwilt is NOT a strong overhead mark.....thus not a FF...

A good kick, so Running off HB - delivering fwd

or

Running into open goal - from HF

suit him