Paul Bower

[biggooters]

Do you think this guy will get a game with the blues and consistantly score reasonably well?

[quinny88]

In and out of the team, wont play more than half the season. Pass

[bluedreamin]

Big discussion about him on SEN this arvo - with the point being made that he is not a good decision maker and as a result turns the ball over a lot - not a good thing when you are a backman. I'd be surprised if he got a regular gig unless someone like Duigan, Laidler or Russell go down...

[Obese Arachnid]

Big discussion about him on SEN this arvo - with the point being made that he is not a good decision maker and as a result turns the ball over a lot - not a good thing when you are a backman. I'd be surprised if he got a regular gig unless someone like Duigan, Laidler or Russell go down...

Even then they'd probably elevate Zach Tuhoy from the rookie list, so no.

[essendon33]

averaged 86.5 a few years go (2009). so from a sc perspective he could be a good get, question is if he gets games...

[RiOtChEsS]

cant string more than 3-4 games together before his wretched calf/hamstrings put him on the shelf...

[Speculator]

he needs to really establish his place in teh team in the team in the nab. without a couple of standout performances I won't be able to bring myself to pick him. Shame, I really wanted to but..... just can't see it working after watching him last weekend

[Didds70]

Big discussion about him on SEN this arvo - with the point being made that he is not a good decision maker and as a result turns the ball over a lot - not a good thing when you are a backman. I'd be surprised if he got a regular gig unless someone like Duigan, Laidler or Russell go down...

Yep my jury is well out on him stringing games together in Carltons best 22 due to lack of durability or the fact that better choices for Blues selectors have entered the scene .

Not quite sure what angle SEN are looking at him from , according to http://www.afl.com.au/stats/tabid/73/default.aspx#page=player&teamid=43 , AFL Stats , Bower has played around 60 games since '06 ( er , not good I know ) for about 84% disposal efficiency . Which is absolutely bloody stunning & doesn't read to me like a poor decision maker who gives up the ball to the opposition all that much . Makes nearly every possesion count .

Don't want to get too anal here everybody but by comparison : Boyd 62% , Swan 69% , Ablett 70% , Pendles 78% , M.Murphy 74% , Priddis 67% , Scotland 80% , Fyfe 61% , Birchall 81% , Goddard 77% , Chappy 77% etc.......

Admittedly these guys are racking up far more possies in differing roles & under differing pressures , so more opportunities to ferk it up .

But at 157K I wouldn't mind at all having Bower sitting next to Marty Clarke as D4 > D6 , if he picks up 12 > 15 touches , the stats say he'll score well without too many minuses , make some solid money , flick him maybe ,  and thank your mother for the rabbits .

Just a bit disappointing that he doesn't appear to fit that Best 22 atm .

Just my 2 bobs worth .

[Noz]

Those stats mean absoutly nothing you can not compare elite midfielders with a backman with disposal effiency. Midfielders cover the whole ground and rack up 20+ disposals a game and sometimes have to dispose of the pill at full speed causing the mistake every now and then. While with Bower he can just play kick to kick with other defenders rocking up the possesions in junk time.

[Ziplock]

he did compare him to goddard, birchall and scotland as well for defenders, cahppy and fyfe for forwards...

[meow meow]

who?

[bluedreamin]

I'd argue your ability to hit a target (disposal efficiency) doesn't have a lot to do with your decision making. The knock on him is not that he can't kick but that he turns the ball over or puts team mates under pressure with poor decision making. Likewise, he might be missing the more obvious rebound route into attack for a dinky sideways kick (an easy 20 metre lateral kick that artificially boosts his disposal efficiency). SEN were questioning whether Ratten would tolerate that kind of poor decision making from Bower given he couldn't tolerate Setantrum's any longer.

[biggooters]

see how he plays today to help me make my mind up

[PICCOLLO]

If he plays round 1 and hits a bit of form today, I'd say he is a lock.  Marty Clarke looks just as iffy at this stage.

[Torress]

only talking about him as there aren't many rookies we really want to start atm. maybe bugg and darley but you'd only start one. (wouldn't you?)

anyway picking this guy is like picking schoemakers - no good for SC. the past is the past, they won't look for him to get the pill out of D50 no more. yaz, scotland and whichever mid floats back will do that. had been considering but now he is definately goooooonnnnnneeeeee!!!!