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Yeah, speed, height and mobility seem to be growing facets of AFL sportsman. We tend to talk about it a bit more as the sport itself is evolving.

But once again thanks to all who helped. It is very much appreciated.

J.J. you ask questions that I wouldn't expect just a "fan" to ask...

What's your interest or are you just a fan??

I'm a very passionate Carlton supporter.

After spending 6 years on the bottom two of the ladder, this year we just signed the best player in the competition.

Things seem to be looking up for us this year, and with the announcement of another Irish talent possibly joining our list along with Setanta (of whom we absolutely adore), we as Carlton supporters are all very excited.

There is hardly any information about him on the net, hence why i am asking information about him to explain the type of player he is to fellow supporters.

Btw, what questions wouldn't you expect a fan to ask?  Just want to know what type of an athlete he is.

4:01 PM Thu 1 November, 2007 | Back

Hot Footy News!

for carltonfc.com.au
News

County Cork defender Michael Shields has landed in Australia after accepting an offer to train with Carlton.

Shields won an All-Ireland U-21 medal this season and played in the All-Ireland senior final loss to Kerry.

The St Finbarr's player arrived in Melbourne on Thursday and headed strait to MC Labour Park to meet his new teammates.

Shields wasted no time in getting a footy into his hands. After meeting his teammates he joined Blues development coaches Jason McCartney and David Teague on the track for a good old fashioned game of kick-to-kick.

The Blues already boast the O'hAilpin brothers, Setanta and Aisake, and Shields' arrival for a trial over the pre-season means three County Cork players  now grace the club with their presence.

Blues General Manager – Football Operations Steven Icke said, 'We haven't offered him  [Shields] a contract, but the opportunity to spend some time at the club and get a feel for what we do and see if he wants to play in the AFL'.

'Aisake played with Michael at home as they are around the same age. They're pretty happy to have another lad from Cork spend time with them.

'It would be a record to have three Cork guys in the same team, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. But we wouldn't be bringing him half way around the world if we didn't think there was some potential for him to be able to play at our level.'

Shields is an excellent footballer and will be a huge loss to Cork if he goes. He has football in him as well as the ability to give and take a hit. I saw him last year v Kerry in the U21 and he looked a better prospect than Killian Young. For me he is a half back but he has been filling holes in the Cork fulll back line - a bit like Canty. Young had the advantage of coming into a more settled team and maybe because of that has made more progress this year.

On the subject of players going to Australia its a bit strange that more Kerry players are not targeted - one would have thought that some of last years minors such as Tommy Walsh would have been on somones list or even Donaghy at this stage. Maybe Kerry have "arrangements" in place for players as they had for Jack O'Connor

That's very encouraging. Thanks for the info!

You say he's a half back... Is he speedy?

I'm guessing he has that natural defensive skill?

Is he the boy who was cork corner back in the all ireland final?? The blondie boy??

If so I mind reading he was 6'1'' and being surprised. He did end up marking a boy who's about 6'5''(Donaghy) and was originally marking a boy who was 6'0 or so.

He plays in the corner so wouldn't really be marking tall boys generally but he is right and tall.

Somehow i feel like he's a Tadgh Kenelly type from your description.

In the other thread the guy has described him as the lynch pin in Cork's defence for the next decade. What is it about him that makes him so highly regarded?

No JJ. .  We don't have squad numbers yet and the standard line up is No.1 is  in goal .  The fullback line is made up of 2,3,4 with the full back no.3 and the corner backs on each side numbers 2 & 4.  5,6 & 7 then make up the halfback line with 8 & 9 at midfield.
10,11,&12 then make up the half-forward line with the full forward line completed by 13,14 & 15.
Of course with gameplans and strategies to mislead your opponents it does not always work out like that!

Thanks for that explanation zoyler. So as a defender, does he match up on the tall forwards or the shorter forwards?

http://gaaboard.com/board/index.php?topic=5263.0

Thanks for linking me to that thread fella. Is a good read. I'm very interested in a description of the role he plays, and his ability, can anyone tell me a bit about him? Looked on the net, can't seem to find a profile anywhere.

Corner back?

Sorry for my ignorance but i don't know much about the sport.

I'm guessing it's the equivalent to the half back flank in Aussie rules? In which the defender runs with the ball out from the backline?

Hey guys.

Have just received news Michael Shields has been asked to train with the Carlton Football Club in the AFL over the pre-season, and could be given a contract to join Setanta and Aisake O'hAilpin.

Just wondering if anyone could tell me a bit about him, or provide some details on height, athletisism, etc.

Thanks.