Hardwick interview Jan 24 - 2014 expectations / Dusty the defender (afl site)

[Coach]

Can Dustin not learn to be better defensively without playing across half back? I don't really care if he's back there but it is possible to get defensive qualities without actually playing down back.

[The Big Richo]

Let's face it, as my old mate and excellent RFC judge, WAT was the first to point out, Hardwick is a good bloke and good coach during the week but a terrible match day coach.

[Yeahright]

Demott just nailed it..."he is a devastating midfielder so why take him out of there"

Nab cups the best place to test it out and see if its worth going along with. Who knows he may get used to it and become even more damaging

[Willy]

Dusty down back, dusty up forward...As long as he is playing well then it's much of a muchness to me.
A 60m through ball from half back can be just as damaging as a 60m pot shot at goal.
If it ain't working then Dimma will move him, but if he's on song then he'l be hurting the opposition, wherever he is.

[WA Tiger]

.???????

[tigs2011]

Fail. Doesn't have the concentration to take kick outs.

[WA Tiger]

Yep, we need him in the centre pumping the ball into the forward line and kicking goals. Anyone can rack up possessions across half back, particularly when the ball was coming in like it did last night.

Get him the stuff back where he belongs, look at the Blues set up, they haven't stuffed around with any player like we have. We have stuffed Martin and Jack around, we stuffed Griff up since he came to the club and we never played Matt White as a regular either but he has been on the ground all night tonight for Port with great results...

What are we doing????

[Chuck17]

Yep, we need him in the centre pumping the ball into the forward line and kicking goals. Anyone can rack up possessions across half back, particularly when the ball was coming in like it did last night.

Get him the stuff back where he belongs, look at the Blues set up, they haven't stuffed around with any player like we have. We have stuffed Martin and Jack around, we stuffed Griff up since he came to the club and we never played Matt White as a regular either but he has been on the ground all night tonight for Port with great results...

What are we doing????

Are you serious here are two names without thinking that hard; Gibbs and Yarren

[WA Tiger]

Yep, we need him in the centre pumping the ball into the forward line and kicking goals. Anyone can rack up possessions across half back, particularly when the ball was coming in like it did last night.

Get him the stuff back where he belongs, look at the Blues set up, they haven't stuffed around with any player like we have. We have stuffed Martin and Jack around, we stuffed Griff up since he came to the club and we never played Matt White as a regular either but he has been on the ground all night tonight for Port with great results...

What are we doing????

Are you serious here are two names without thinking that hard; Gibbs and Yarren

Are you watching the game???

[WA Tiger]

Gibbs has had 5 goal assists and 3 shots at goal .....where's he changed roles??? Martin??

[WA Tiger]

Yep, we need him in the centre pumping the ball into the forward line and kicking goals. Anyone can rack up possessions across half back, particularly when the ball was coming in like it did last night.

Get him the stuff back where he belongs, look at the Blues set up, they haven't stuffed around with any player like we have. We have stuffed Martin and Jack around, we stuffed Griff up since he came to the club and we never played Matt White as a regular either but he has been on the ground all night tonight for Port with great results...

What are we doing????

Are you serious here are two names without thinking that hard; Gibbs and Yarren

Yarren runs through the centre and kicks a goal.....not much change there pal!

[Chuck17]

You said the Blues have not stuffed around any players with their set up.

That is just pure BS as Yarren and Gibbs have played mid, forward and back.

Why do you have so much trouble understanding what you have posted?

[WA Tiger]

You said the Blues have not stuffed around any players with their set up.

That is just pure BS as Yarren and Gibbs have played mid, forward and back.

Why do you have so much trouble understanding what you have posted?

They were on the ball , that's why they were forward back and mid. The play a role, they haven't been completely shifted into a new position or role...

Wake up Geoff!

[gerkin greg]

remember when the blues tried to move betts into the middle and a year later he was playing for Adelaide? good times, good times 

[lamington]

You said the Blues have not stuffed around any players with their set up.

That is just pure BS as Yarren and Gibbs have played mid, forward and back.

Why do you have so much trouble understanding what you have posted?

They were on the ball , that's why they were forward back and mid. The play a role, they haven't been completely shifted into a new position or role...

Wake up Geoff!

In all fairness to Chuck, had Ratten stayed at the Blues, Gibbs would not be the 5 goal assists, 3 shots on goal player he was on the weekend. He was never allowed to settle in a position. Malthouse saved Gibbs career.

For me personally I am a bit worried about Martin playing in defence. Why would you play such an explosive player in defence? Opposition players poo themselves when he's in the forward 50 and when he has ball in hand you can be almost guaranteed he could fend off stampede of wildebeests and kick a goal on the run. I feel he's wasted in defence. I know Sam Mitchell plays well in CHB and so does Hodge but Martin is not a Mitchell or Hodge.