tap in 79 wrote:
Houlihan -
Positives as a saw it - his skills are good.
Negatives -
his lack of physical intensity in the clinches caused at least two turnovers that i can remember that resulted in goals to the other mob. I think his turnovers were more damaging to the psyche of our team than just about any other.
One that is stuck permanently in my mind was early in the second
quarter and he was behind a geelong player. he had the opportunity to
wrap him up... make him notice a strong, vigorous tackle. Instead he let
the guy get his hands free and pass out for a goal.
NOT GOOD ENOUGH to have a guy with no defensive area to his game in the ruck/rover position. He just doen't have it in his make up (no pun intended) to want to hurt the opposition.
I think try him on the wing.. or half forward flank. but not in midfield or half back line where defensive skills are needed to a larger degree.
Spot on assesment. Played too close in and was out of his league. Not his fault. The wing is where he is best placed as a focal point for our defence running the ball out. All he needs to do is run into space on the wing
and deliver it as only he can to our forwards. His value should be judged on the number of assists he creates.
The difference between the teams on the night was the delivery to the forwards. We were continually bombing it long and the Cats were kicking it to space for their forwards to run into. Our players have got to learn to hold on to it and even go backwards until a good option comes along.
Supporters are being overly harsh on Houla in my opinion playing in a role not accustomed to against one of the best midfield attacks. Having said that, the missed tackle still haunts me this morning.