Paton

[CQ SAINT]

Before giving up on Paton, who is a contested ball winner, or at worst, a 50/50 chance of winning the ball, I'd give him the forward defensive role next year. He likes to attack the play but is solid defensively, has good hands and can work up some speed, you might say he is similar to Geary in some respects.

Paton, like McKenzie and Long is a fringe player in a finals quality side, Our list is on the fringe of finals. At times, all the desired qualities are put together and it produces good form but injuries and deficiencies have taken their toll.
I'd keep them all around though. Coffield will be back next year and Clark will have to get some luck with injuries soon.
These 5 guys in the 20-30 best player range is a bonus, not a problem.

We need to replace Hannerbery, Geary and Ryder, not Paton. We have to add the quality of Hannerbery and the influence of Ryder.
We can just unleash Marshall to 1st ruck and use Hayes, Campbell and Heath as back up but we need a 25+ possession balanced mid, who can kick goals, immediately.

[B.M]

The defensive forward

Where StK players go before delisting

[Impatient Sainter]

I would like to see him get a run through the middle or on a wing. He had big jobs most weeks as the lock down small and the mental toll started to show. I think the constant bombardment of our defence was under this year wore him down, as he constantly looked buggered. He needs freeing up and to re learn to get a bit of attack back into his game.

[CQ SAINT]

The defensive forward

Where StK players go before delisting

All forwards should defend and all defenders should look to attack.
Most of our list is regularly featured on SS in the delist category, it becomes a pile on.
Geary was cruelled by injury. Paton was flying before his and comes straight back to a shut down job a week.
Our losses happen because our midfield stops for 20-30 minutes a game and our ball winning forwards go to water in front of goal. Not because Paton wins the ball and then turns it over.

[Killa]

With Gresham, Higgins and Butler (plus Peris), why would we entertain playing a "lock-down" forward?

And at whose expense?

[B.M]

I think he is a lock down defender- that’s it

And Webster is better atm

He was tried up the field - not damaging enough

[CQ SAINT]

With Gresham, Higgins and Butler (plus Peris), why would we entertain playing a "lock-down" forward?

And at whose expense?

Last time I looked on SS, Gresham is injured again and cant kick straight anyway, Higgins can't kick straight, Butler is a Richmond cast off and Peris hasn't played a game yet. Sharman is developing at CHB and I think there might have been a number of halves that we barely scored in and the perception was that you could walk your bike past our forward defensive set up.

But I don't recall anyone but you mentioning a "lock down" forward.

If I recall rightly, Paton was going ok on the wing early on. He even got a few goals in his first three games. When he got his chance in 19 he was building on the wing picking up 15-20 kicks a game and then midway through 19 both Geary and Webster went out due to injury and Paton was outstanding right up until he broke his leg 18 months later. He's had an average season, he ain't alone there.

[B.M]

A ridiculous suggestion

Paton is clearly a small defender

[Impatient Sainter]

A ridiculous suggestion

Paton is clearly a small defender

Have you seen him play anywhere else?

[CQ SAINT]

A ridiculous suggestion

Paton is clearly a small defender

Didnt you say he was tried up the ground and didn't impact.
Fact is, he rose quickly and impacted dramatically.
Since his first game in round 21, 2018, barring 2021 when he missed an entire season, he has played 54/66 games.

[D.B.Cooper]

Would like to see how he goes next year.
Was very good in 2020.
Injured in 2021 and a broken leg is a very significant injury.

[cwrcyn]

His inability to make quick decisions with the ball has been an issue since day one. Either he's over cautious or he simply doesn't get it. Maybe both.

If we're going to play effective slingshot football from the back half then having the ball in his hand is exactly what the opposition wants. That's what would happen with Geary. The opposition were happy to let him get on his own because they knew he would kick it sideways or backwards to a stationary option .

Unless Paton fixes this part of his game, there'll be someone else pretty soon who will be able to do what he can't.

[spert]

His inability to make quick decisions with the ball has been an issue since day one. Either he's over cautious or he simply doesn't get it. Maybe both.

If we're going to play effective slingshot football from the back half then having the ball in his hand is exactly what the opposition wants. That's what would happen with Geary. The opposition were happy to let him get on his own because they knew he would kick it sideways or backwards to a stationary option .

Unless Paton fixes this part of his game, there'll be someone else pretty soon who will be able to do what he can't.

Seems to have an awareness problem and gets caught holding the ball a bit while making decisions, though slow ball movement is a trademark of Ratts coaching