Preview The breakout man

[Jesse G]

well i dont think Patrick Ryder at 25 has actually had a breakout season yet, very frustrating footballer... i guess now he never will , but i will take him again for the 5th year running. Surely he should be ripping this competition by part , has everythnig you would want as a footballer but lacks heart on occassion.

 

[Whispering_Jack]

well i dont think Patrick Ryder at 25 has actually had a breakout season yet, very frustrating footballer... i guess now he never will , but i will take him again for the 5th year running. Surely he should be ripping this competition by part , has everythnig you would want as a footballer but lacks heart on occassion.

You don't remember 2009 after Hille went down with his knee in the ANZAC game? His season was huge.

 

[Jesse G]

i do remember he was solid but never really went on with it.
frustrating player if you ask me , great one week average for 3.

 

[Andronicus]

I think Ryder does more than he gets credit for. Perhaps it's because expectations are so high, or perhaps it's because he is one of those guys that just looks like he isn't trying, but I think he gets a bit of a raw deal.

In the same way that when you watched Ian Thorpe swim, it always seems he could have been trying harder. Just appears to be cruising along, but the reality is probably quite different.

 

[hurlygurdy]

I think Ryder does more than he gets credit for. Perhaps it's because expectations are so high, or perhaps it's because he is one of those guys that just looks like he isn't trying, but I think he gets a bit of a raw deal.

In the same way that when you watched Ian Thorpe swim, it always seems he could have been trying harder. Just appears to be cruising along, but the reality is probably quite different.

Ryder as a ruck has been great. What we need now from him is to be a force in the forward line. Kicking goals, setting up play and giving opposition coaches headaches about who to play on him. He was that sort of player for us early in 2012, and we need him to really nail it consistently.

 

[kleanr]

Travis Colyer for mine.

He looked very exciting and promising for only a few games this year, improved dramatically on his disposal accuracy which was a big knock on him the year before. Has the pace and tackling pressure in his game, just needs to burn blokes off and finish with regular goals each week.

i remember the story when he broke his thumb just before the start of the season, walking into Hirdy's office to see his name on the starting 22 board. damn them injuries!

*must be stated i have a soft spot for Trav, seeing that 32 running around is a ripping sight

 

[Andronicus]

Ryder as a ruck has been great. What we need now from him is to be a force in the forward line. Kicking goals, setting up play and giving opposition coaches headaches about who to play on him. He was that sort of player for us early in 2012, and we need him to really nail it consistently.

Yeah I agree.

There is no doubt I'd like to see him go better, and I think there is potential to see him do some great stuff. I just think that some judge him a little harsher due to him making some things look effortless.

 

[TheOutsider1]

Always happy to hear an opposition fans perspective, cheers

What are you on about? I go for Essendon? Obviously somethings struck a nerve here. What was it?

 

[Doss]

What are you on about? I go for Essendon? Obviously somethings struck a nerve here. What was it?

I'd suggest nothing struck a nerve.

Your listed team of support is Adelaide.

 

[TheOutsider1]

I'd suggest nothing struck a nerve.

Your listed team of support is Adelaide.

Yeah Ignore that. Ive supported Essendon since Imma baby

 

[Doss]

Yeah Ignore that. Ive supported Essendon since Imma baby

Well, it's pretty easy to change it in your settings.

 

[Yoda_]

Going through the 'best 22' thread and a few posters agreed that we need improvement from the 20 - 30 listed guys.

Now the dust has settled, who is going to jump out of the shadows and push themselves into the best 22 in 2014?

For mine, ive narrowed it down to 3 Lauchlan Dalgleish, Alex Browne or Shaun Edwards.

Lauchlan Dalgleish offers something VERY different to anything else we have on our list. His speed and ability to break the lines at VFL level was outstanding, coupled with his outstanding, lethal left foot and it is easy to see why the TRB rate the likeable kid from North Ballarat.

Alex Browne is someone whom I have rated since very early on. Has the size, speed and power to both compete and have an impact at AFL level. Used predominantly across half back in the VFL, hopefully he can push for more midfield minutes and then push to the flanks at AFL level in 2014.

Shaun Edwards is the real wildcard it seems. Has shown some ability at AFL level but the plethora of talent at GWS forced him out. Dont know a great deal about him, but seems many rate his talent.

We can only hope that from these three that they can push up, however there are a bunch of guys also waiting in the wings. Could we see Jason Ashby, Travis Colyer, Corey Dell'Ollio, Will Hams, Kyle Hardingham, Elliot Kavanagh, Nicholas O'Brien or mature aged recruits Dylan Van Unen or Pat Ambrose force there way up the list?

Discuss???

 

[rines]

Like those 3 Yoda.. probably the 'pick' of the crop..

Personally I think Edwards is the one 'most likely' to raise eyebrows if given the chance.. has pace, skills and good footy smarts.. If he gets in good shape and gets an opportunity, may solve our forward pocket dilemna nicely..

I also have big hopes that EKav is going to step up this year and nail down a bench spot at least...

 

[Keystone agony]

From the very limitied footage ive seen of Edwards he doesnt seem to be a forward pocket type or the forward pocket people know the side needs.

Hes a 6'2 type who can cover the ground nicely. Im not sure those attributes really matchup with the forward pocket role on offer.

However, i guess if he can crumb to any ok standard, not fumble and apply pressure then hes probably as good as any we have. Id rather see him as a Wingman.

Maybe others who have seen more over preseason can comment if hes been training as a small forward with the forwards?

For me he is a flanker/wing. Are people getting sterotypical with the indigenous background and that meaning hes a small forward?

Personally i see similar physical attributes to Harley Bennell and the way he moves. Doubt he will be anywhere near as good.

 

[Big Fresh]

From the very limitied footage ive seen of Edwards he doesnt seem to be a forward pocket type or the forward pocket people know the side needs.

Hes a 6'2 type who can cover the ground nicely. Im not sure those attributes really matchup with the forward pocket role on offer.

However, i guess if he can crumb to any ok standard, not fumble and apply pressure then hes probably as good as any we have. Id rather see him as a Wingman.

Maybe others who have seen more over preseason can comment if hes been training as a small forward with the forwards?

For me he is a flanker/wing. Are people getting sterotypical with the indigenous background and that meaning hes a small forward?

Personally i see similar physical attributes to Harley Bennell and the way he moves. Doubt he will be anywhere near as good.

Yeah I'd like to see him play like Stephen Hill for us on the wing.

 

[Ambrosia]

We can only hope that from these three that they can push up, however there are a bunch of guys also waiting in the wings. Could we see Jason Ashby, Travis Colyer, Corey Dell'Ollio, Will Hams, Kyle Hardingham, Elliot Kavanagh, Nicholas O'Brien or mature aged recruits Dylan Van Unen or Pat Ambrose force there way up the list?

How could you leave out Gleeson? I genuinely think outside of Daniher he is one of the top young talents on our list. Every time of seen him he has impressed me in a different way. Weather it be poise, kicking skills, athleticism, strong overhead marking or plain old footy smarts I see him as someone who could be a very complete player.*

*May have just watched him in the right VFL games seeing as I only got down to a few.

 

[BrunoV]

How could you leave out Gleeson? I genuinely think outside of Daniher he is one of the top young talents on our list. Every time of seen him he has impressed me in a different way. Weather it be poise, kicking skills, athleticism, strong overhead marking or plain old footy smarts I see him as someone who could be a very complete player.*

*May have just watched him in the right VFL games seeing as I only got down to a few.

Found Gleeson to be very impressive too.

 

[BigJoeD_]

Kyle Hardingham in a high half forward type role?

I would like to see us make more use of his athleticism, in whatever capacity

 

[rines]

Yeah I'd like to see him play like Stephen Hill for us on the wing.

Yeah I wasn't thinking a traditional 'small forward' role.. but as a high HF.. could be in good combination with JD.. Edwards is very ground below his knees and can find his own ball.. He could be an ideal replacement for the Crameri (1st year) role

 

[Big Fresh]

Yeah I wasn't thinking a traditional 'small forward' role.. but as a high HF.. could be in good combination with JD.. Edwards is very ground below his knees and can find his own ball.. He could be an ideal replacement for the Crameri (1st year) role

I'd prefer him in the middle more. As it is, Zaharakis is our only pacy midfielder and I can see him getting tagged a lot next year so we could really use Edwards' run and carry/breakaway speed if Zaharakis is injured again or is being stifled.

 

[eth-dog]

With the best 22 looking like (as a general consensus):

Fletcher - Hurley - Baguley
Dempsey - Hooker - Hibberd
Stanton - Watson - Goddard
Zaharakis - Carlisle - Winderlich
Chapman - Daniher - Bellchambers
Paddy - Hocking - Heppell
Myers- J Merrett/Kommer - Melksham - Howlett

I think the next 7 (given that Merrett and Kommer are 22/23) need to be (for their careers some of them): Hardingham, Colyer, van Unen, Dalgleish, Browne, Kavanagh, Edwards

 

[The Dustbin]

Going through the 'best 22' thread and a few posters agreed that we need improvement from the 20 - 30 listed guys.

Now the dust has settled, who is going to jump out of the shadows and push themselves into the best 22 in 2014?

For mine, ive narrowed it down to 3 Lauchlan Dalgleish, Alex Browne or Shaun Edwards.

Lauchlan Dalgleish offers something VERY different to anything else we have on our list. His speed and ability to break the lines at VFL level was outstanding, coupled with his outstanding, lethal left foot and it is easy to see why the TRB rate the likeable kid from North Ballarat.

Alex Browne is someone whom I have rated since very early on. Has the size, speed and power to both compete and have an impact at AFL level. Used predominantly across half back in the VFL, hopefully he can push for more midfield minutes and then push to the flanks at AFL level in 2014.

Shaun Edwards is the real wildcard it seems. Has shown some ability at AFL level but the plethora of talent at GWS forced him out. Dont know a great deal about him, but seems many rate his talent.

We can only hope that from these three that they can push up, however there are a bunch of guys also waiting in the wings. Could we see Jason Ashby, Travis Colyer, Corey Dell'Ollio, Will Hams, Kyle Hardingham, Elliot Kavanagh, Nicholas O'Brien or mature aged recruits Dylan Van Unen or Pat Ambrose force there way up the list?

Discuss???

Good stuff Yoda.

Out of the three I am picking Dalgleish, for reasons already mentioned. Hopefully he can develop into (and more polished) a Isaac Smith/Clinton Young type. Massive upside, exciting year ahead for him and us supporters.

Not sure if Browne can break into the seniors after playing an entire VFL season last year - not in the best 22. I wonder what role/position Bomber has for him in 2014.

Agree with Edwards, could be anything or we could just bust on him.

How exciting is this year going to be? I am pumped just writing about it.

 

[rines]

I'd prefer him in the middle more. As it is, Zaharakis is our only pacy midfielder and I can see him getting tagged a lot next year so we could really use Edwards' run and carry/breakaway speed if Zaharakis is injured again or is being stifled.

Edwards won't play middle this year.

Also there is going to be no room in the middle for many more names, I can even see a guy like Zaka being pushed to HF or Wing.. Zaka also won't be tagged.. Watson, Stanton, Goddard, Heppell will all get the nod before him.. and you simply can not afford to tag more than 2 players (unless you are Ross Lyon coached) without losing your offensive capability (which Freo does).

 

[Big Fresh]

Edwards won't play middle this year.

Also there is going to be no room in the middle for many more names, I can even see a guy like Zaka being pushed to HF or Wing.. Zaka also won't be tagged.. Watson, Stanton, Goddard, Heppell will all get the nod before him.. and you simply can not afford to tag more than 2 players (unless you are Ross Lyon coached) without losing your offensive capability (which Freo does).

Stanton is the only one who might cop a tag ahead of Zaharakis. A tag will hardly inhibit players like Watson, Goddard and Heppell. Outside players like Stanton and Zaharakis are extremely damaging when left to run free but can suffer badly when tagged. Note that Stephen Hill is tagged more often than Fyfe, Mundy or Barlow. In the first half of the year Zaharakis was more damaging than Stanton so I expect him to cop tags more regularly. If he's kept quite we have no dash or zip in our midfield - I think his injuries late in the season have been one of the big reasons we've faltered in the past two seasons. Edwards looks like good cover for Zaharakis assuming he can find enough ball.

 

[rines]

Stanton is the only one who might cop a tag ahead of Zaharakis. A tag will hardly inhibit players like Watson, Goddard and Heppell. Outside players like Stanton and Zaharakis are extremely damaging when left to run free but can suffer badly when tagged. Note that Stephen Hill is tagged more often than Fyfe, Mundy or Barlow. In the first half of the year Zaharakis was more damaging than Stanton so I expect him to cop tags more regularly. If he's kept quite we have no dash or zip in our midfield - I think his injuries late in the season have been one of the big reasons we've faltered in the past two seasons. Edwards looks like good cover for Zaharakis assuming he can find enough ball.

I understand the theory.. the 'untaggable' player.. to me there is only one truly untaggable player.. and that is GAJ but even then.. let him run free at your own peril.

I have no quarrel with ranking Zaka so highly.. my past posting will show that I am a huge wrap for his talent and can only nod enthusiastically in agreeance that his injury has definately hurt the team... he could possibly become the best of our outside mid's for sure!!!

Having said that.. I still think that any team would circle Watson 1st, 2nd and 3rd in terms of priority.. yes you may not stop him, BUT if you let Jobe have time and space.. he will carve you up every day of the week.. and when Jobe went down.. our weakness was once again exposed.. in that Watson is a clear leader at getting the ball out.. the inside work if you will.. we still struggle for clearances against top midfields unless Jobe does 70% of the work... so there is little chance teams will stop tagging Watson in the near future..

IFF you were looking for a second tag.. then I would suggest that, as I said previously, you would worry about Heppell and Stanton and probably Goddard before you went looking for Zaka.. especially as Zaka will damage you with 15 possessions.. which is the hardest type of player to tag in reality..

Taggers are most effective against accumulators, distributors or 'run and carry' guys.. I would suggest that if we review the end of season tapes, Zaka will be tagged for less than 10 minutes total in the entire season..

All up though.. it is a GREAT problem to have.. that in reality, hopefully, by the end of the season we will have a Geelong scenario (who do you tag out of Bartel/GAJ/Corey/Enright/Selwood/Chapman/Johnson etc etc).. where you have probably 5 guys that should have tags...