Cameron Wight

[OldSchool]

I have been a semi regular down at training for the past 6 weeks and think that Cameron Wight must be very close to getting a run for us during the NAB cup.
At 199cm and very mobile he now seems to be adding some weight to his frame and I think a 3rd tall defender role is not beyond his capabilities.
During these training session he is generally given the job on one of our better players and last week he matched up on Chris Grant and I thought he performed well.

It would balance our defensive group nicely if someone like Wight could come in and play 10 or 12 games as a 3rd tall defender in a similar way that Matthew Bishop does for Port and I think Cam Wight can't be too far off doing that for us.

Thoughts?

[John Gent]

Does he have Bishop's pace?

[scooter600x]

Does he have Bishop's pace?
Definately.

Does he have Bishop's upper body strength? (or even Jose Romero's)

Nope.

[stefoid]

this body strength stuff can be a bit overated. Defence is a lot more about experience and whats between the ears than strength and athleticism.

maybe silvagni and wellman can impart to our tall defenders what its all about, wight, included. he has pace and height on his side, doesnt he? Dustin Fletcher goes allright, so maybe he will be Wighty's hero?

Have the training watchers seen any improvement in harris since SOS and wellman appeared? are they doing 1:1s with him?

[OldSchool]

Definately.

Does he have Bishop's upper body strength? (or even Jose Romero's)

Nope.


Don't give him much of a chance in making it this year?

[King of the Mountain]

Mixed reviews from what I have been reading.Some say he is due others say he is at least another season away.The team would benefit if he could come in and be another tall defender for us.

[Cyberdoggie]

i'm a cam wight fan,

i see this guy as a 200cm hargrave. He's a great spoiler and reads the play well. He's also a good mark, it's just his body that is holding him back.

He's learning how to adapt by using his gangly body to his advantage, but by being so tall and thin he's succeptable to physical contact. A good footballer can use his body to get him out of the way.
He'll improve this year and may start getting some good matchups at senior level.

His ultimate goal is to get strong and wirey enough so he can be the human body glove. Dustin fletcher would be a possible similarity.

[scooter600x]

Don't give him much of a chance in making it this year?
I don't think so, not yet.

I liked Alex's Hargrave comparison. Maybe if he has become a bit stronger despite still looking skinny....

[amnesiac]

i think he will surprise a few this year. as mentioned his major problem in the past has not been his ability, but his size. from all accounts he has put on some weight this year and if he can compete somewhat in strength battles he is definately good enough to play on the 2nd or 3rd best forward.

[Pembleton]

Mixed reviews from what I have been reading.Some say he is due others say he is at least another season away.The team would benefit if he could come in and be another tall defender for us.

The split in opinion on Cam at present seems to be between those who think his lack of bulk/strength is too much for him to overcome, and those who don't. I haven't seen him enough to make a call on that. An important issue may be whether he has the flexibility to go forward and at least provide a target (and quite possibly a mismatch) when the match ups aren't working in defence.

[Dry Rot]

i think he will surprise a few this year. as mentioned his major problem in the past has not been his ability, but his size. from all accounts he has put on some weight this year and if he can compete somewhat in strength battles he is definately good enough to play on the 2nd or 3rd best forward.

Have you been to training at all? I only read the reports, which seem to suggest that he has been going OK in one-on-one match-ups and supports what you say.

[The Doctor]

I hope those who are optimistic about Cam's ability to make the grade are right. As yet I haven't seen anything in his game that suggests he has the tools in the kit to make it as an effective senior AFL player.

It is one thing to become a good spoiler but in today's game you need more than that unless you are extremely good at it. Cam's ability to get the ball is what I question, not just knocking it away, but getting it and disposing of it to our advantage. Does he read the play well enough to position himself to mark or gather the loose ball? Does he know how to link up in backline movements and when he does get it not become a liabililty in the way he uses the ball? Does he have the confidence to back himself in a marking contest or leave his man to intercept or be the third man in? I'm yet to see him do these things consistently with the required level of competence

In last year's VFL GF, I thought he had a shocker when the pressure was on. So the way I see it he would have to show an enormous amount of improvement and that won't come from just a good pre-season and good track form, it's matches that count. He needs to play well at Werribee for an extended period to show he is ready for AFL duty and silence sceptics like myself!

[amnesiac]

Have you been to training at all? I only read the reports, which seem to suggest that he has been going OK in one-on-one match-ups and supports what you say.

no i have not been down there. people who have been there have stated that he looks clearly larger than last season so i am going on their word. i believe this is his only major weak spot that has held him back for so long, and rate him as being good enough to make the grade.

[OldSchool]

I hope those who are optimistic about Cam's ability to make the grade are right. As yet I haven't seen anything in his game that suggests he has the tools in the kit to make it as an effective senior AFL player.



Excellent observations Doc.
Like you I was sceptical of Wight's ability based on what I saw last season but I have to say that he has made some improvements.
With Williams not available I can see Eade given Wight his chances.


It is one thing to become a good spoiler but in today's game you need more than that unless you are extremely good at it. Cam's ability to get the ball is what I question, not just knocking it away, but getting it and disposing of it to our advantage. Does he read the play well enough to position himself to mark or gather the loose ball? Does he know how to link up in backline movements and when he does get it not become a liabililty in the way he uses the ball? Does he have the confidence to back himself in a marking contest or leave his man to intercept or be the third man in? I'm yet to see him do these things consistently with the required level of competence



His ball winning and subsequent skills is still a concern I have but like I mentioned above there is some improvement evident.
They seem to have got his mindset about making a contenst and the nproviding an avenue to move the ball forward during the sessions I have seen but he still has a long way to go.

I will be interested to see if Eade gives him an extended run in defence or not.

[Cyberdoggie]

I hope those who are optimistic about Cam's ability to make the grade are right. As yet I haven't seen anything in his game that suggests he has the tools in the kit to make it as an effective senior AFL player.

It is one thing to become a good spoiler but in today's game you need more than that unless you are extremely good at it. Cam's ability to get the ball is what I question, not just knocking it away, but getting it and disposing of it to our advantage. Does he read the play well enough to position himself to mark or gather the loose ball? Does he know how to link up in backline movements and when he does get it not become a liabililty in the way he uses the ball? Does he have the confidence to back himself in a marking contest or leave his man to intercept or be the third man in? I'm yet to see him do these things consistently with the required level of competence

In last year's VFL GF, I thought he had a shocker when the pressure was on. So the way I see it he would have to show an enormous amount of improvement and that won't come from just a good pre-season and good track form, it's matches that count. He needs to play well at Werribee for an extended period to show he is ready for AFL duty and silence sceptics like myself!

yeah i agree didn't have a great gf, but did play some great games down there, and certainly improved on the previous year, as well as notching up a couple of wb games. You'd have to say he's performances have been on an upward curve. Let's hope it continues

[The_Bulldogs_Bite]

IMO, Cameron Wight will play between 5-10 games this year showing improvement from 2005. However, I don't think he'll come in and play good football straight away. R17 onwards is when I'd expect to see Wight showing something in our side to look forward to in the next few years. Whether that be playing as a 3rd tall, releasing Hargrave, or perhaps even stints on a wing. Who knows. But I think he'll show some good progress throughoutt he year, more particular, towards the end. 2007 is when I'd be hoping he'd be playing most games.

[Dog Town]

Pretty confident that he will atleast become a regular fringe sort of AFL defender given his impressive attributes.The areas Doc mentioned will determine whether he nails down a career as a reliable first choice defender.What some dont realise is that he has actually improved quite rapidly.He was starting from miles back when we drafted him and he was basicaly just a tall kid who could run.Anyone who saw him at U18 level would agree that he has made pretty amazing progress.Hard to say whether the same level of improvement can continue but if it does he will start impressing pretty soon.

[stefoid]

I hope those who are optimistic about Cam's ability to make the grade are right. As yet I haven't seen anything in his game that suggests he has the tools in the kit to make it as an effective senior AFL player.

It is one thing to become a good spoiler but in today's game you need more than that unless you are extremely good at it. Cam's ability to get the ball is what I question, not just knocking it away, but getting it and disposing of it to our advantage. Does he read the play well enough to position himself to mark or gather the loose ball? Does he know how to link up in backline movements and when he does get it not become a liabililty in the way he uses the ball? Does he have the confidence to back himself in a marking contest or leave his man to intercept or be the third man in? I'm yet to see him do these things consistently with the required level of competence

In last year's VFL GF, I thought he had a shocker when the pressure was on. So the way I see it he would have to show an enormous amount of improvement and that won't come from just a good pre-season and good track form, it's matches that count. He needs to play well at Werribee for an extended period to show he is ready for AFL duty and silence sceptics like myself!

great expectations! Id settle for someone who doesnt get a can of whup-ass opened on them by the opposition CHF.

If we can manufacture a nil-all draw at CHB then we're way ahead of where we've been for the last couple of seasons, arent we?

[Hard Ball Get]

It is an interesting one.
He has the size and clearly we need that in defense. In my opinion he is a season away from becoming a good squad player. However if he can continue to improve like the training watchers are saying he is then perhaps it can come this year.
I would play him in the NAB cup. Wight, Skipper, and any other borderline tall that can have an opportunity to show what they have got.

[Polly Purser]

It is an interesting one.
He has the size and clearly we need that in defense. In my opinion he is a season away from becoming a good squad player. However if he can continue to improve like the training watchers are saying he is then perhaps it can come this year.
I would play him in the NAB cup. Wight, Skipper, and any other borderline tall that can have an opportunity to show what they have got.


I think you have got this right, we have a number of talls that we need to find out if they have what it takes. Skipper, Wight, Baird, Walsh and Davidson are the main ones that we need to find out if they have what is required.

[Mr. Walker]

It would balance our defensive group nicely if someone like Wight could come in and play 10 or 12 games as a 3rd tall defender in a similar way that Matthew Bishop does for Port and I think Cam Wight can't be too far off doing that for us.

Thoughts?

OldSchool

I am a bit surprised that you feel Wight will play so few games. With Williams gone and Grant needed up forward I have Wight pencilled in as the CHB for the year. While I believe Hargrave is in our best 22 I do not rate him quite as highly as some on this board as a CHB. I think he is a very good third tall back man but I would only rate him as a fair CHB given his height and weight compared to the main CHF’s.

On the other hand, although site unseen, I would rate Wight as a fair CHB and a fair third tall back man. Therefore playing Wight as CHB we keep a very good third tall back man and also get fair CHB compared to playing Hargrave as CHB giving us a fair CHB and a fair third tall back man. Wight at CHB therefore gives the team a more positive result which equates to +3.25 on the manpower performance-rating index.

(The manpower performance-rating index is described fully in the thesis “ Mr. Walker’s scientific rating method of manpower performance in both the Cardio-Pulmonary Transplant surgery and Football arenas”. Volumes 1 and 2 are sold separately. If you do want to buy one, purchase Volume 1. The rating method is explained fully in both volumes – award of the doctorate required a thesis of 50,000 words so a little repletion was essential – but Volume 1 has a forward by Peter Andre)

[Captain Sensible]

but Volume 1 has a forward by Peter Andre)


Is it available on DVD?

[scooter600x]

While I believe Hargrave is in our best 22 I do not rate him quite as highly as some on this board as a CHB. I think he is a very good third tall back man but I would only rate him as a fair CHB given his height and weight compared to the main CHF’s.


I haven't taken an in-depth, scientific study like your great self, but I reckon you've got some flawed data. Hargrave has been very good at CHB. He can't stand up with the big guys but we have Harris to do that. Hargrave has been excellent running forward and I can't think of a time where he has been burnt by a big bloke.

[footscray1973]

Therefore playing Wight as CHB we keep a very good third tall back man and also get fair CHB compared to playing Hargrave as CHB giving us a fair CHB and a fair third tall back man.

Mr Walker, is this sentence plagiarised from a Get Smart episode - it makes sense after several attempts to digest it, but that's what worries me - should it make sense? :D

[OldSchool]

OldSchool

I am a bit surprised that you feel Wight will play so few games. With Williams gone and Grant needed up forward I have Wight pencilled in as the CHB for the year. While I believe Hargrave is in our best 22 I do not rate him quite as highly as some on this board as a CHB. I think he is a very good third tall back man but I would only rate him as a fair CHB given his height and weight compared to the main CHF’s.

On the other hand, although site unseen, I would rate Wight as a fair CHB and a fair third tall back man. Therefore playing Wight as CHB we keep a very good third tall back man and also get fair CHB compared to playing Hargrave as CHB giving us a fair CHB and a fair third tall back man. Wight at CHB therefore gives the team a more positive result which equates to +3.25 on the manpower performance-rating index.

(The manpower performance-rating index is described fully in the thesis “ Mr. Walker’s scientific rating method of manpower performance in both the Cardio-Pulmonary Transplant surgery and Football arenas”. Volumes 1 and 2 are sold separately. If you do want to buy one, purchase Volume 1. The rating method is explained fully in both volumes – award of the doctorate required a thesis of 50,000 words so a little repletion was essential – but Volume 1 has a forward by Peter Andre)

Good one Mr W, I just went to the police station and filled out a missing persons form for you.

By the way be very careful not to be too critical of our sponsored player Ryan Hargrave. :)

Back to the subject, I actually think Wight has a fair bit to offer but I certainly think a number of Doc's views about him have plenty of merit.
He could be a very useful defensive stopper but just needs to prove that
he can also use the ball well and make the right decisions.

Hargrave is not suited to the CHB role each week but between you and I there is an expectation that Morgan will also spend some time as the CHB this season so between Hargrave, Wight, Grant and Morgan we do have sufficient options.

Lets see how Wight goes in the NAB cup.

Welcome back :D

[LondonBulldog]

Some excellent observations from all,

I have to agree with the Doctor in that I don't think we will ever be that great. Yet..... the big yet is he is at a team where there are opportunities for tall youth. Was lucky to get a game last year. Sometimes senior opportunity does great for confidence and tall guys will improve more than anyone on your list. So I haven't given up hope yet. Big query as said is his strength. Unfortunately has a small frame and small shoulder span which means weight work will only do so much.

Also agree with Walker that Hargrave is a good HBF (running off with support) type yet would struggle one out against quality. So a CHB is needed.

Spots are there for our youngster. Image with our onballers a young Tony Locklett coming through the ranks. Unstoppable!!!