View Full Version : Sandilands - legend in the making
I hate seeing that other thread with the crappy title. Let it slip into oblivion.
Sandilands is a legend in the making. Tallest ever to play the game, heaviest ever to play the game. From day 1 he was dominating the taps, he's started dominating the clearances now and he's even kicking the odd goal.
Tall guys always take longer to peak. We were short sighted with Spider Burton who ended his career very well. No-one doubts Sandilands potential, and i think we will see it forfilled over the next few years.
The fact he steps up in big games makes for mouthwatering crystal ball gazing.
Yello Mit
26 Apr 2008, 02:22
Of course, the best highlight was when he toppled over Ablett and Ablett cried like a bitch to the umpires (but he got squat).
ImperialPurple
26 Apr 2008, 02:25
Absolutely amazingly dominant game he played tonight. Freak.
42 hitouts
25 possessions
(20 contested possessions)
10 marks
(4 contested marks)
11 clearances
1 goal
:eek:
I thought this was his best game for Freo in a long time.
Only one problem. He had a quick snap for goal in the first quarter and put it out on the full. I remember thinking, 'even a point is better than nothing.'
I want that point back. :mad:
Cameron_K
26 Apr 2008, 02:26
As they said on 6PR, would have been a 10/10 game if he didn't drop the mark which resulted in a Geelong goal.
Freo Shark
26 Apr 2008, 02:29
He played really well, still bit of a lug at times but sheesh he was way impressive tonight. Phenomenal game!!
Memories
26 Apr 2008, 02:47
When did he learn to pick it up off the ground like he was tonight? In the last week? Sheesh was great down low, never seen that from him. Hope he continues with it.
chook2734
26 Apr 2008, 02:50
Awesome game from the big man. A pretty good continuation on from his good form against Adelaide last week.
He seems to have found a bucket load of confidence in the last two weeks. Once he gets going, it's going to be very hard for anyone to stop him. Can't wait to see him take on that mummy's boy at Melbourne next week.
I hate seeing that other thread with the crappy title. Let it slip into oblivion ...
Yea, good idea.
As they said on 6PR, would have been a 10/10 game if he didn't drop the mark which resulted in a Geelong goal.
Obviously top game, I don't quite remember that incident, but I though he was good in the air tonight (not just taps obviously). The thing I like the most, besides his on the ground stuff, is he's turning into a better than average mark. If he can get the ball to stick more and more, he will continue to be unbelievable.
We'll be returning to talking about AA selection, if he keeps this up.
Kirke Special
26 Apr 2008, 03:07
Dont mean to rain on your parade.
But tonight he played on Blake a back-up at best, and a first gamer in the ruck.
Hardly stiff competition. But you still have to beat those put on the park.
Dont mean to rain on your parade.
But tonight he played on Blake a back-up at best, and a first gamer in the ruck.
Hardly stiff competition. But you still have to beat those put on the park.
Yea you're right, and in the other thread I did mention he was playing against a second string ruck, but if you've watched the Dockers regularly you would know that hasn't always made much difference. That's why I singled out his work around the ground and particularly his 'srappy in the thick of it' clearance work. For such a big man he can get hurt in that area, but he showed that side of his game in spades tonight.
dont bowl there
26 Apr 2008, 03:13
Probably the best performance by a ruckman I have seen, Cox has never come close to a game like that. God you are a champ Sandi.
Played very well tonight. More of the same please Aaron and try to work on your confidence when kicking, you can do it stretch!:thumbsu:
dont bowl there
26 Apr 2008, 03:15
Dont mean to rain on your parade.
But tonight he played on Blake a back-up at best, and a first gamer in the ruck.
Hardly stiff competition. But you still have to beat those put on the park.
He also got 11 clearances against players such as Bartel, Ablett, Corey, Kelly, Ling, Selwood etc etc etc. Hardly stiff competition. But you still have to beat those put on the park! ________.
Kirke Special
26 Apr 2008, 03:17
He also got 11 clearances against players such as Bartel, Ablett, Corey, Kelly, Ling, Selwood etc etc etc. Hardly stiff competition. But you still have to beat those put on the park! ________.
Alot of those clearances came from him plucking the ball out of the ruck and handballing or kicking.
Why?
The blokes he was rucking against were clueless.
Im sorry, but Dean Cox has played alot of games at the standard Sandilands played tonight.
estibador
26 Apr 2008, 03:20
Dont mean to rain on your parade.
But tonight he played on Blake a back-up at best, and a first gamer in the ruck.
Hardly stiff competition. But you still have to beat those put on the park.
So was it Blake and the first gamer that we can thank for all those strong marks Sandi took in the back 50?
I look forward to seeing sumavich posting in this thread - though it's probably hard for him to see his keyboard with all that egg on his face.
chook2734
26 Apr 2008, 03:22
He also got 11 clearances against players such as Bartel, Ablett, Corey, Kelly, Ling, Selwood etc etc etc. Hardly stiff competition. But you still have to beat those put on the park! ________.
Exactly dbt. Why is it that every time there is a positive at this club, someone wants to attach some kind of disclaimer or discredit to it? :mad:
If Sandilands plays like he has in the past 6 quarters, I honestly don't know who will be able to stop him (legally anyway). His main weakness in his marking is almost gone and he's finally realised that that big body of his is good to not only block and make room for his teammates, but to knock an opposition player or three out of the way to make room for himself.
dont bowl there
26 Apr 2008, 03:23
Alot of those clearances came from him plucking the ball out of the ruck and handballing or kicking.
Why?
The blokes he was rucking against were clueless.
Im sorry, but Dean Cox has played alot of games at the standard Sandilands played tonight.
He probably had 3-4 from plucking it but the other 7 were from picking it up off the ground when all the AA mids were trying to get it.
Dean Cox wished he could play like that, there isnt a ruckman in the comp that has come close to what Sandi did tonight. ____ I hope he realises just how good he can be.
Kirke Special
26 Apr 2008, 03:24
So was it Blake and the first gamer that we can thank for all those strong marks Sandi took in the back 50?
I look forward to seeing sumavich posting in this thread - though it's probably hard for him to see his keyboard with all that egg on his face.
Um, yes, those strong marks were uncontested.
And he did drop a crucial mark at the death.
I was merely adding a touch of perspective, but hey sling away.
Avid_Avenger
26 Apr 2008, 03:25
Alot of those clearances came from him plucking the ball out of the ruck and handballing or kicking.
Why?
The blokes he was rucking against were clueless.
Im sorry, but Dean Cox has played alot of games at the standard Sandilands played tonight.
Ridiculous.
Cox plays a completely different game - he can't bullock clearances or push the other ruckman out of the way and clear the ball. Cox's value is around the ground and tap ruckwork. Sandi's tap work was sensational, his huge spikes were fantastic and his work around the ground was very, very impressive.
Cox's value comes through playing like a tall wide-receiving midfielder.
Sandi played like a dominant bullocking ruckman who can't be stopped in the air.
That's why he was so phenomenal - hopefully he can keep it up!
Kirke Special
26 Apr 2008, 03:25
He probably had 3-4 from plucking it but the other 7 were from picking it up off the ground when all the AA mids were trying to get it.
Dean Cox wished he could play like that, there isnt a ruckman in the comp that has come close to what Sandi did tonight. ____ I hope he realises just how good he can be.
Ok mate.
dont bowl there
26 Apr 2008, 03:27
Ok mate.
Top reply...mate.
Kirke Special
26 Apr 2008, 03:30
Top reply...mate.
You're not going to agree with my opinion are you?
No need to be a smartarse prick.
He probably had 3-4 from plucking it but the other 7 were from picking it up off the ground when all the AA mids were trying to get it.
Dean Cox wished he could play like that, there isnt a ruckman in the comp that has come close to what Sandi did tonight. ____ I hope he realises just how good he can be.
Yep, watched every Eagles game over the last 5 years and I have never seen Cox do what Sandilands did tonight. Full credit to Cox as he plays the loose wingman role better than most midfielders, but Sandilands tonight was on a whole other level.
20 contested possessions. 11 clearances and a goal. That is phenominal on its own. If Chris Judd had those stats in a game there would be a plunge on him for the Brownlow and a fapfest in the commentary box. Now add 40-odd hitouts and 4 contested marks. Yep. That is special.
Stronzo
26 Apr 2008, 07:16
You're not going to agree with my opinion are you?
No need to be a smartarse prick.
And then you go and abuse one of our posters, enjoy your holiday :thumbsu:
Chappy 35
26 Apr 2008, 09:01
Sandi ripped us a new one tonight.....:eek:
He was everywhere, took a few saving marks in the backline too, was amazine to watch, Dont take any notice of ppl saying that he only played on 2 back up rucks, Blake has been quite good this yr, and Sandi made him look like and undersized kid :(, anyway if he (and your team) can whack a few more games like this together, Im sure we will fight out a few more games this yr. :thumbsu:
wce4premiership
26 Apr 2008, 16:04
He's not a legend in the making at all. He's no dean cox.
He will be a very good player if he continues like that though because he singlehandedly kept freo in the match.
If only freo learnt to read his taps better, they don't quite gel yet.
Bradesmaen
26 Apr 2008, 16:31
He's not a legend in the making at all. He's no dean cox.
He will be a very good player if he continues like that though because he singlehandedly kept freo in the match.
If only freo learnt to read his taps better, they don't quite gel yet.
Thats right, he is no dean cox, he is better.
wce4premiership
26 Apr 2008, 16:36
Thats right, he is no dean cox, he is better.Don't make me laugh.
That was his best ever game, cox has done that plenty of times.
I love the way Dean Cox has revolutionized rucking over the past few years. A bunch of really nimble 200cm players weighing very little for their height are coming through the ranks and clubs are grabbing them by the truckload.
They contribute to the midfield blah blah. Link players blah blah. Sandilands is tossing them aside and winning clearances and force feeding our mediocre midfield. Don't get me wrong, Dean Cox is good, he can hold his own in the physicality aspect most of the time, thats what makes him special, great and endurance and strong. The other 'next' Dean Coxs' have great endurance but are piss weak. They should all be called the next Josh Frasier. Players who are tossed aside by Peter Bell in a contested marking situation.
Sandilands must be licking his lips playing against 95kg ruckman who are 200-205cm tall. The only guys worrying him at the moment are right at the end of their career. Sandilands is approaching that age group where ruckman really start to show their worth. Last night was a glimpse.
I didn't see any brownlow medallists running around in purple, or MVP in our midfield. Yet we drew equal in the clearances with a bunch of kids trying their hearts out and some good senior players.
You can see the value of Sandilands. If he starts averaging more than 5 clearances a game then he can make claim that he's one of the best midfielder/ruckman going around, contributing to clearances is better than playing as a linkman in my opinion.
He's averaging over 4 clearances a game in the 6 games we've played so far.
Cmon fellas, its 1 game.
He was bloody outstanding, deserves alot of credit HOWEVER he was playing against complete nuffs. All those clearances were because Blake couldnt even contest at the centre square and Sandi just stop there and grabbed it and cleared it. Great tactic but it wont work against blokes who can at least halve the ruck contest.
VolgaBoatman
26 Apr 2008, 17:00
Sandilands was fantastic last night. He is starting to build a good rapport with Palmer as well. Unfortunate that Hase isn't there at the moment because he had a pretty good relationship with him as well.
Hopefully he can continue in that form for the next few weeks, and we'll start to get a couple more wins on the board.
What he can't do is be expected to man up on players like Cox and White when they are running around the ground like midfielders - better to have someone like Crowley do that. Make sure he plays to his strengths, which is in the clearances.
Belnakor
26 Apr 2008, 19:58
It reminded me of the game he played against Essendon in the elim final. He just dominated. And his marks weren't uncontested, 4 contested marks for the game, game high.
Belnakor
26 Apr 2008, 20:11
Ignore the nuff nuffs from other clubs. When you have people on the main board talking about the "most dominate rucking performance they've seen" you know Sandl had a ____ign good game :)
boodsyboy
26 Apr 2008, 20:59
One of the best games from a big man I have seen in a long time and not only his tap work in the ruck ,bad luck at the end but you never know Freo may have turned a corner and there is always next week good signs for you guys.:thumbsu:
Dont mean to rain on your parade.
But tonight he played on Blake a back-up at best, and a first gamer in the ruck.
Hardly stiff competition. But you still have to beat those put on the park.
that explains the hitouts but what does that have to do with the fact that he got more clearances then bartel, ablett, corey et al
it was a great game but it was just one game. He is developing in to a very potent weapon we just have to wait and not put pressure on him by expecting this week in week out
VolgaBoatman
27 Apr 2008, 23:34
Mentioned on tonight's 7 news that he will be added to the "Dreamteam" squad after that performance.
Not sure who else is doing well from a rucking point of view for the "Dreamteam" - I guess Cox, Hamish McIntosh Brendan Lade, so in with a chance.
Mentioned on tonight's 7 news that he will be added to the "Dreamteam" squad after that performance.
Not sure who else is doing well from a rucking point of view for the "Dreamteam" - I guess Cox, Hamish McIntosh Brendan Lade, so in with a chance.
Cox is injured
chook2734
27 Apr 2008, 23:37
it was a great game but it was just one game. He is developing in to a very potent weapon we just have to wait and not put pressure on him by expecting this week in week out
I dont' expect the stats to be the same, but I expect the effort and the intent to be the same. That was almost the perfect game from a big man. The bar has been raised - let him keep reaching for it, who knows what more he can achieve.
chook2734
27 Apr 2008, 23:38
Cox is injured
Hasn't stopped him lining up for the weagles.
Hasn't stopped him lining up for the weagles.
He came off badly limping this week
raffrox
27 Apr 2008, 23:53
Mentioned on tonight's 7 news that he will be added to the "Dreamteam" squad after that performance.
Not sure who else is doing well from a rucking point of view for the "Dreamteam" - I guess Cox, Hamish McIntosh Brendan Lade, so in with a chance.
I think this is awesome for Sandi.
He needs to believe that he can dominate week in week out (because he can).
Being in the squad for the game with the best talent in the league will hopefully help this.
chook2734
27 Apr 2008, 23:55
He came off badly limping this week
True, but I bet it doesn't stop him lining up on Friday, or for their game the week after the All Stars game. Anyone can see he's injured, but if he's fit enough to play every week there, why should he be able to drop out to get a week off? I don't want any of our players playing, least of all the three who have been selected and I'll be less than impressed if I see players from other teams pulling out while our players cop another trip to Melbourne for a game that means absolutely nothing to anyone.
summerthebat
27 Apr 2008, 23:57
Basically if he wasn't selected in the dreamteam squad it would be a ____ing joke!
He is currently ranked the 3rd best ruckman (Cox 1st, White 2nd), in statistical rankings in 2008.
He is currently ranked the 3rd best ruckman (Cox 1st, White 2nd), in statistical rankings in 2008.
Oh well he will bustle his way to at least 2nd place next weekend.
He has set a standard, now the challenge is to keep above that level. If he can maintain that standard for 5 + weeks, that is when we can start shouting his name for AA honours from the mountain tops.