On white line fever last week a Melbourne supporter called in and asked Terry Wallace if he knew why Melbourne didn't draft any key defenders as this is their obvious weakness. Terry's reply was that there is a shortage of top line defenders coming through the underage system as nearly all the top players are playing forward or in the midfield. He also stated that Richmond and numerous other clubs were in the same boat, and are therefore trying to develop key defenders from within.

This got me thinking about the Blues managing to draft the All Australian Centre Half Back and the reportedly best key defender in last years draft with pick #20. Add to this Bower's running capacity and he appears to be the proto-type of the modern footballer. Now while it is way too early to start crowing about his selection, you could not argue with the logic applied, especially given the hit and miss nature of picks outside the top dozen or so.

If he works out it will leave a lot of opposition supporters scratching their heads as to why they took flanker/pocket types over a well credentialed key defender in a period when they are in such short supply. If he doesn't work out as a key defender he may still make it as a flanker or worst case scenario become one of a long list of second rounders that weren't quite good enough to make it in the bigtime. A well calculated punt in my book.

... has abit of spirit about him.
Regards Cazzesman

The reasoning is because Bower hasn't proven himself as a true CHB. He basically spent games peeling off as an option or to mark uncontested and use his pace and agility to carry the ball down to the forwards.

This aspect of his game (lack of contested work) though improving, is his biggest flaw along with his decision making by foot. So essentially we're developing him as a true defender also. The upside is once he has that part of his game down pat (and it isn't that hard as it's an issue of many up and coming players) we have a bloke who can read the flight and clear the ball out ala Chad Cornes.

I was having a chat with a couple of recruiters from other clubs on the weekend. They said finding Key defenders, that will play 150+ games, is one of their main challenges each draft.

They spoke about Max Hudghton and how several clubs passed on him because he was only 191cm and considered not overly creative. He plays game 175 this weekend and should easily make 200 by careers end. He hasn't been beaten to many times in the past 174 games.

As Weaver over on BF suggests, most of the AFL KP defenders will eventually come from the kids who were talented forwards in the Under 18 comps. I think he is right as on the whole, the more talented kids tend to play forward more often than not and the dour 'Stoppers' are used down back. There are of course exceptions but not alot.

Drum, Bower and Wayde Mills were the only consistant KP defenders picked in the top 30 last draft. The career of the Pies John Anthony at pick 37 will be one to watch as he has abit of spirit about him.

From the likes of Bower, Edwards and Flint there is a decent chance we could have the next Hudghton in 2 or 3 years. In the mean time, hopefully Saddington can slot in and take up the slack.

Regards Cazzesman

As Weaver over on BF suggests, most of the AFL KP defenders will eventually come from the kids who were talented forwards in the Under 18 comps. I think he is right as on the whole, the more talented kids tend to play forward more often than not and the dour 'Stoppers' are used down back. There are of course exceptions but not alot.


Regards Cazzesman

I agree his (Bower) decision making by foot needs alot of work.

Regards Cazzesman

As Weaver over on BF suggests, most of the AFL KP defenders will eventually come from the kids who were talented forwards in the Under 18 comps. Regards Cazzesman

Fev played as a forward before making his name as defender!