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Matt Thomas
- Thread starter Tigermad2005
- Start date
Re: Pick 42 Matt Thomas
I have been happy with Thomas up until Friday night, but unhappy with our list development that has him a first up start in our mid field. Losing White is a pity but he was a PRE whipping boy for years who also showed some glimpses last year. He would still be on the outer at Richmond this year as a sub/burst player off a flank as he is at PA. It is ridiculous to lament these two as they obviously fill completely different roles.
So what does Thomas give us. Many have said he is a perfect replacement for Tuck as a big body going hard in the midfield. There are actually many similarities; big bodied, hard at it and poor skills (although Tuck was better overhead and not a bad set shot). But why can't we have a big bodied, hard at it midfielder with speed, a tank and sublime skills? Ahh well if you can produce that at will from a compromised draft or by steeling a player from another club or the VFL then load up and the flag is yours.
The question now is do we persist with Thomas as our preferred option in the midfield. What other choices are there? Do we need a big body in there. Is Arnott able to provide the same things with more upside?
I have been happy with Thomas up until Friday night, but unhappy with our list development that has him a first up start in our mid field. Losing White is a pity but he was a PRE whipping boy for years who also showed some glimpses last year. He would still be on the outer at Richmond this year as a sub/burst player off a flank as he is at PA. It is ridiculous to lament these two as they obviously fill completely different roles.
So what does Thomas give us. Many have said he is a perfect replacement for Tuck as a big body going hard in the midfield. There are actually many similarities; big bodied, hard at it and poor skills (although Tuck was better overhead and not a bad set shot). But why can't we have a big bodied, hard at it midfielder with speed, a tank and sublime skills? Ahh well if you can produce that at will from a compromised draft or by steeling a player from another club or the VFL then load up and the flag is yours.
The question now is do we persist with Thomas as our preferred option in the midfield. What other choices are there? Do we need a big body in there. Is Arnott able to provide the same things with more upside?
Re: Pick 42 Matt Thomas
My view is, you look at our midfield and there are too many that go missing, and too many that seem to have gone backwards with their delivery (Grigg, Ellis, Conca, Edwards).
All teams need the tough players, and we don't have enough, last year we were last for average tackles per game, and IMO we brought him in for tackling pressure and some additional clearance work. I think he does this well, but the players just aren't there to give the ball to.
I would persist with him as I feel he is doing his job fairly well, the big problem we have is that we have too many that aren't playing their roles well (Edwards, Conca - seems to just want to handball, yet he was a pretty good kick last year I though, Ellis, Grigg, Newman). If these guys were playing well and presenting for the ball, then he wouldn't need to kick.
My view is, you look at our midfield and there are too many that go missing, and too many that seem to have gone backwards with their delivery (Grigg, Ellis, Conca, Edwards).
All teams need the tough players, and we don't have enough, last year we were last for average tackles per game, and IMO we brought him in for tackling pressure and some additional clearance work. I think he does this well, but the players just aren't there to give the ball to.
I would persist with him as I feel he is doing his job fairly well, the big problem we have is that we have too many that aren't playing their roles well (Edwards, Conca - seems to just want to handball, yet he was a pretty good kick last year I though, Ellis, Grigg, Newman). If these guys were playing well and presenting for the ball, then he wouldn't need to kick.
Re: Pick 42 Matt Thomas
One other weakness he has which is common with our list is how slow he is to
transition into defensive running.I remember Pendlebury jogging through the middle and
Thomas couldnt get near him. We needed to draft faster endurance runner types
One other weakness he has which is common with our list is how slow he is to
transition into defensive running.I remember Pendlebury jogging through the middle and
Thomas couldnt get near him. We needed to draft faster endurance runner types
Re: Pick 42 Matt Thomas
Thomas is OK and fills a role for the time-being.
No one can question his hardness at the contest, yet I can't see him helping take the Tigers forward and further up the ladder.
The reality, somewhat disappointing really, is that Thomas will continue to be in the best 22 until the Tigers develop or recruit some better players.
Thomas is OK and fills a role for the time-being.
No one can question his hardness at the contest, yet I can't see him helping take the Tigers forward and further up the ladder.
The reality, somewhat disappointing really, is that Thomas will continue to be in the best 22 until the Tigers develop or recruit some better players.
Re: Pick 42 Matt Thomas
Until the actual so called "skilled" players stand up and remove the reliance on the second and third tier grunts you will find players like Thomas will be major ball winners and distributors. The people being so critical of Thomas had made their minds up on him before he even played a game. Just still sucking on a lemon because miles didn't get a call up and the orren thread is desolate.
So why not actually have a go at the plebs who get paid well and still make no difference to the side when it matters?
Until the actual so called "skilled" players stand up and remove the reliance on the second and third tier grunts you will find players like Thomas will be major ball winners and distributors. The people being so critical of Thomas had made their minds up on him before he even played a game. Just still sucking on a lemon because miles didn't get a call up and the orren thread is desolate.
So why not actually have a go at the plebs who get paid well and still make no difference to the side when it matters?
Re: Pick 42 Matt Thomas
I say VFL for Thomas until we are in strife with midfield numbers.
Play Arnot, Jacko, Conca and Foley as the grunts. Martin Deledio Ellis Maddonna Lennon Flossy as the cream.
Cotch to play full forward until the bear hug is penalised.
In the Blood said:
I say VFL for Thomas until we are in strife with midfield numbers.
Play Arnot, Jacko, Conca and Foley as the grunts. Martin Deledio Ellis Maddonna Lennon Flossy as the cream.
Cotch to play full forward until the bear hug is penalised.
Re: Pick 42 Matt Thomas
That's what happens when your teammates stand still. At least he won the ball, kicked a goal and had zero clangers. Also played 100% game time and some wonder why he is slow? It seems that the hate dan Jackson and king used to get just filter over to the new guy.
lamb22 said:
That's what happens when your teammates stand still. At least he won the ball, kicked a goal and had zero clangers. Also played 100% game time and some wonder why he is slow? It seems that the hate dan Jackson and king used to get just filter over to the new guy.
Re: Pick 42 Matt Thomas
That's what special about Richmond. We don't just accept mediocrity, we positively embrace it and go out looking for more of it. We're like starving raccoons, come draft time there isn't a club recycle or garbage bin that we won't happily rummage through. No doubt they'll be at least another Thomas or two come next draft. A desperate Hardwick will probably be in survival mode and he'll try and top up further. It's the Richmond way...
osakabull said:
That's what special about Richmond. We don't just accept mediocrity, we positively embrace it and go out looking for more of it. We're like starving raccoons, come draft time there isn't a club recycle or garbage bin that we won't happily rummage through. No doubt they'll be at least another Thomas or two come next draft. A desperate Hardwick will probably be in survival mode and he'll try and top up further. It's the Richmond way...
Re: Pick 42 Matt Thomas
I agree, I think its the supposed "ball users" that are our problem at the moment. If they moved an were available he wouldn't have to kick at all. This is one of the reasons why I would love to have Lennon in on Thursday night
Jason King said:
I agree, I think its the supposed "ball users" that are our problem at the moment. If they moved an were available he wouldn't have to kick at all. This is one of the reasons why I would love to have Lennon in on Thursday night
Re: Pick 42 Matt Thomas
He is a dud. Slow with poor skills.
Hinkley is no fool and thats why he was delisted.
Sad to see a list clogger like this walk straight into the club and get a prime midfield spot.
And its even sadder that Hardwick rates him.
Dùuuuuuuuuuuuuudddddddddd
He is a dud. Slow with poor skills.
Hinkley is no fool and thats why he was delisted.
Sad to see a list clogger like this walk straight into the club and get a prime midfield spot.
And its even sadder that Hardwick rates him.
Dùuuuuuuuuuuuuudddddddddd
Re: Pick 42 Matt Thomas
Hard at it but slow of mind and foot with terrible skills. Forget finals if this guy is in our best 22.
Hard at it but slow of mind and foot with terrible skills. Forget finals if this guy is in our best 22.
Re: Pick 42 Matt Thomas
I don't disagree with a lot of comments here but I dips me lid to the bloke, he can't have busted his balls anymore for the club, I think he does bring out a fault in our attitude at the moment, the amount of times he has one the footy, held on to it wanting a handball option to come past then ended up just kicking it forward is criminal, he could be more of positive aquasition if our team was working harder
I don't disagree with a lot of comments here but I dips me lid to the bloke, he can't have busted his balls anymore for the club, I think he does bring out a fault in our attitude at the moment, the amount of times he has one the footy, held on to it wanting a handball option to come past then ended up just kicking it forward is criminal, he could be more of positive aquasition if our team was working harder
