Paton

[older saint]

How do we feel about Howard’s form?

Howard has plateaued into just a solid player…body shape doesn’t seem to have changed over the years..prone to concentration lapses and struggles in one on one contests with the big bodied forwards.
He’s a double grabber when going for his marks, unlike Harris Andrews, who’s a one grabber.
Having said that, he’s crucial to our back 7 make up.
I’ve always thought Wilkie is clearly our best defender!

15 Sacrificial acts and 12 spoils (I believe) last week in the 4th lowest scored on defence in the league - says he is going ok

[B.M]

I’m not so sure he’s the reason for that!

[Banger9798]

BM , I reckon you're tough on Howard.
Elite closing speed and spoil, good intercept Mark and long kick....he is doing a good job back there with Wilkie and co

[D.B.Cooper]

BM , I reckon you're tough on Howard.
Elite closing speed and spoil, good intercept Mark and long kick....he is doing a good job back there with Wilkie and co

Not sure BM rates Howard...

Dougal Howard

Overrated hack

Plays 30 off his man

Horrible kick

Needs to know his limitations

[Moods]

Casboult is not exactly Tom Hawkins and GC are a pretty average set up

He wasn’t poor by any means, but I just don’t like the way he plays FB

He will have 6+ kicked on him by either
Harry, Walker, Daniher or Walker

Too much latitude

If we drop Howard then I’ll give up on StKikda. He’s mobile and the only defender with any height. He’s not brilliant but he’s crucial to our structure and pretty much untouchable. He stays because we have no one who can remotely play on the gorillas.

[B.M]

I don’t think he should be dropped, just posed a question

IMO he thinks he’s a bit better than he is, in saying that, I hope he has a blinder tonight!

[Teflon]

Paton did a great job tonight shut down Green
Looks better every week

[The Recruit]

Underrated star defender
Anyone that says otherwise is only watching highlights

If fit can’t see him missing a game until he retires

[Lennylegs]

Paton did a great job tonight shut down Green
Looks better every week

1000% Would be one of the first magnets on the board each week...

In addition to that, thought Dougal was incredible. No genuine ruckman getting back to help him. Couple of crucial spoils late in the game. Made Himmelberg look third rate.

[meher baba]

Howard did well again tonight. He’s one of those players whom, it would seem, the haters are always gonna hate.

Yes he does sometimes play a fair way off his man, but - unless they’re as good as Rance was - FBs are always going to have to try a range of tactics against their opponents who - as is the nature of quality AFL forwards - can be expected to beat their direct opponent one on one several times in a game.

There are better full backs than Howard going around, but they are all securely contracted to their existing clubs. So you’re all going to have to put up with him for a while to come.

Paton generally did well last night, but made a few mistakes too. He’s still making his way back to his best game.

[Ghost Like]

Our Back set up is a credit to the coaching staff, as individuals you could probably pick better players in the league but as a collective they are very good.

We now have a plug & play defence where another, not in the first 6/7 can come in and make the Unit work. Joyce has done it, Long does it & I've no doubt Highmore & Connolly can do it when required.