Player Watch #5 Jack Ross

[THE_GUN]

Hes 26 this year, he won't have much improvement left. Reckon hes going to be good depth for the most part, especially if McAuliffe can lock down a spot.

Well there are 2 ways to look at that and 1 is what you have posted

The other is with players like Hotton , Smillie , Lalor , Cumming , Grlj , McAuliffe , Campbell developing and making the team better then Jack Ross will be playing alongside a team with more talent across the team and the team improves which then give Ross more freedom to play an attacking game and improves accordingly

 

[tunksy]

Didn’t he finish the year playing midfield?

 

[Meteoric Rise]

Didn’t he finish the year playing midfield?

7 of the last 9 games Ross did mainly around 60-70% centre bounce attendances.

 

[LTT]

Taranto should play more half forward. Hopper is slow but has a good sidestep. I expect he will look better than ever when we finally have a balanced midfield around him.

Toranto forward would add a lot of experience and something different to our forward line

 

[tunksy]

7 of the last 9 games Ross did mainly around 60-70% centre bounce attendances.

View attachment 2506988

Hopefully that’s a sign of what’s come this year. He needs to play mid to take that next step.

Taranto we should try and push forward more often.
hopper doesn’t have another string to his bow.
No sub could work well with Prestia off the bench.

 

[Hoos]

I expect he will look better than ever when we finally have a balanced midfield around him.

By the time that happens he'll probably be ready to retire.

 

[docko911]

Disposal output and scoreboard impact needs to improve or he’ll be back dominating the VFL. I wonder if his output will improve as the team improves. He also did better in the second half of the year averaging over 20 disposals a game.

A bit unlucky that our other mature midfielders are slow and similar types to a degree.

 

[Sol23]

Depth player.
We don’t need him

 

[tiger_tough]

Depth player.
We don’t need him

We need depth though?

 

[THE_GUN]

You guys are funny

Jack Ross

5

Jack Ross

Age

25

Ht

187cm

Wt

87kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

16.2

4star

K

7.8

3star

HB

8.4

5star

M

2.2

2star

T

2.7

4star

CL

3.0

4star

D

13.7

3star

K

6.7

3star

HB

7.0

4star

M

1.7

2star

T

1.7

3star

CL

2.0

4star

D

17.8

5star

K

8.0

3star

HB

9.8

5star

M

2.6

3star

T

2.8

5star

CL

3.0

5star

plays every game this season coming up

 

[THE THIN MAN]

You guys are funny

Jack Ross plays every game this season coming up

If Jack Ross plays every game, it means the progression of the rookies has stalled.

 

[THE_GUN]

If Jack Ross plays every game, it means the progression of the rookies has stalled.

Why

Realistically we have 10 Rookies in positions Ross could play
Mid - HFF - Wing and with teams having to play 23 players every week and only 8-10 are KPP/Ruck that leaves 13-15 spots for Ross and if you believe all 10 of the 18/19 year old 1st/2nd year players are all going to pass a 25 year old 100 game player then we have a team that wins the flag in 1-2 years

 

[Sol23]

We need depth though?

Don’t need him in the ones.
Seen his best- won’t be winning a flag with him in the side.

 

[Sol23]

We need depth though?

Don’t need him in the ones.
Seen his best- won’t be winning a flag with him in the side.

 

[Hoos]

If Jack Ross plays every game, it means the progression of the rookies has stalled.

Or 2 or 3 older guys have fallen behind them.

 

[tiger_tough]

Don’t need him in the ones.
Seen his best- won’t be winning a flag with him in the side.

Thats garbage, his best is very good. There are comfortably worse players that play in flags every season.

2025 Reville
2024 Berry
2023 Markov, McCreery, WHE
2022 Bews
2021 Harmes, Spargo, Sparrow
etc etc etc.

He stacks up well against Jack Graham who would've been a 3 time premiership player if not for the shoulder injury. He is a versatile role player, every team needs them. Plus he is a model citizen.

 

[Moppey]

Not quite sure of that. He really hasn't locked down his position due mainly to the more experience players he has had to content against.

First part of career Edwards, Cotchin, Martin etc. He looked right at home in the middle in his first few matches before being shopped around the park looking for a position. Next part, Hopper, Prestia, Taranto.

He was finally played predominantly midfield the last half of last season and there were games where he was our best mid I thought. Hence I'm a bit bullish on him this year. Confidence has a big effect on players, and it looks like he and the coaches are starting to get that confidence.

He still has Hopper, Prestia, Taranto in front of him. They are all similar in many ways to Ross .Just no way we can play all four imo.

I continue to ask the question if those three are in front of him still and by most metrics they are its a fact we cant just fob off, then who does he play in front of as a mid? knowing full well we need pace a bit of explosiveness and players who can be damaging working from inside to out and do it well.

Me im looking at it from the point of view we need to play our highly talented and promising kids.

Lalor - is a monty, Just a beast and a player who brings others into the game he also looks menacing as a forward.

Hotton as a 40% mid 60% fwd is a monty imo. He is an ideal Bolton replacement.

Cumming what is not to like. Tough, real pace, wins his own ball and is a genuine forward threat when he goes there.
Should be great on transition and clearly can go from inside to out. Pretty clear we need to play this kid, he addresses all sorts of deficiencies. Imo the best live selection in last years draft.

Smillie yes he has been injured since we have had him. Imo he is going to make a few people eat humble pie.

McAuliffe Another who just cannot get a break with all sorts of injuries. Yet in his two interrupted seasons last year he matched Ross in most metrics and he does have that power and pace that we need and Ross lacks.

Im finding places for all 5 when fit weather thats as mids or mid/forwards or just a part of rotations.

Then we have our pick 8 in Grlj. Club are saying HB for now and he looks a genuine type to replace Dan Rioli. He could also start on a wing.

So on that note it brings us to the wing role a role Jack has played and done okay in.
Have held the belief that Seth Campbell has every attribute we need for a wing role. Huge tank, Great pace, evasive can break lines and kick a goal. Its staring us in the face but we aren't seeing it. This move accomadates the move of Algar into the 23 and addresses a serious midfield need.

Retschko well he has already shown what a running machine he is, not only in his preseason with us but last year in the vfl against men. i think if he stays healthy he is a monty for the wing role.

Last one is Algar he looked very good last year got a taste of seniors and must be developed in the ones as a forward for now.

All of these kids look better equipped for the roles Ross actually plays in Wing, Mid/Fwd and midfield.

The one thing i think we should be considering is if Ross plays instead of 33 year Prestia.

 

[Phar Ace]

Thats garbage, his best is very good. There are comfortably worse players that play in flags every season.

2025 Reville
2024 Berry
2023 Markov, McCreery, WHE
2022 Bews
2021 Harmes, Spargo, Sparrow
etc etc etc.

He stacks up well against Jack Graham who would've been a 3 time premiership player if not for the shoulder injury. He is a versatile role player, every team needs them. Plus he is a model citizen.

Anytime McAuliffe is fit, he is in front Jack Ross

 

[Grrr]

He still has Hopper, Prestia, Taranto in front of him. They are all similar in many ways to Ross .Just no way we can play all four imo.

I continue to ask the question if those three are in front of him still and by most metrics they are its a fact we cant just fob off, then who does he play in front of as a mid? knowing full well we need pace a bit of explosiveness and players who can be damaging working from inside to out and do it well.

Me im looking at it from the point of view we need to play our highly talented and promising kids.

Lalor - is a monty, Just a beast and a player who brings others into the game he also looks menacing as a forward.

Hotton as a 40% mid 60% fwd is a monty imo. He is an ideal Bolton replacement.

Cumming what is not to like. Tough, real pace, wins his own ball and is a genuine forward threat when he goes there.
Should be great on transition and clearly can go from inside to out. Pretty clear we need to play this kid, he addresses all sorts of deficiencies. Imo the best live selection in last years draft.

Smillie yes he has been injured since we have had him. Imo he is going to make a few people eat humble pie.

McAuliffe Another who just cannot get a break with all sorts of injuries. Yet in his two interrupted seasons last year he matched Ross in most metrics and he does have that power and pace that we need and Ross lacks.

Im finding places for all 5 when fit weather thats as mids or mid/forwards or just a part of rotations.

Then we have our pick 8 in Grlj. Club are saying HB for now and he looks a genuine type to replace Dan Rioli. He could also start on a wing.

So on that note it brings us to the wing role a role Jack has played and done okay in.
Have held the belief that Seth Campbell has every attribute we need for a wing role. Huge tank, Great pace, evasive can break lines and kick a goal. Its staring us in the face but we aren't seeing it. This move accomadates the move of Algar into the 23 and addresses a serious midfield need.

Retschko well he has already shown what a running machine he is, not only in his preseason with us but last year in the vfl against men. i think if he stays healthy he is a monty for the wing role.

Last one is Algar he looked very good last year got a taste of seniors and must be developed in the ones as a forward for now.

All of these kids look better equipped for the roles Ross actually plays in Wing, Mid/Fwd and midfield.

The one thing i think we should be considering is if Ross plays instead of 33 year Prestia.

I agree with you on all those points as far as young talent coming through.

I don't rate Hopper or Prestia (any more), and I think Ross is better than both because he is more effective per disposal. Taranto is probably the worst of the 3 disposal wise but works hard all over. All three have positive attributes of course.

But I also am realistic to know that they are ahead of Ross in pecking order, but not for me on a talent order.

McAuliffe is going to come up against the same thing, but he has more points of difference to Ross so might bump in front.

But Ross is now seasoned and can also play through the wing or half forward as part of his rotations, another plus that other than Taranto perhaps don't have.

As far as our youth goes, I have some reservations about playing Lalor on ball. Would like to nurse him somewhat through this year on account of last years injuries. So maybe not much through the midfield. Smillie is probably in a similar boat. Hotton is willing and adds the pace/Bolton effect, but part time mid right now. Cumming we will have to wait ans see, could surprise or just do what most first year kids do and work his way into the season.

As much as they are all going to have moments in the middle, I still think Ross is quite a way above them right now.

Nothing is set so we will see.

 

[tiger_tough]

Anytime McAuliffe is fit, he is in front Jack Ross

I'm a big McAuliffe fan but that probably depends on what position. If its for a pure mid then yeah, half forward or wing Id have Ross ahead.

 

[Phar Ace]

I'm a big McAuliffe fan but that probably depends on what position. If its for a pure mid then yeah, half forward or wing Id have Ross ahead.

Yeah, I'm talking pure mid. Ross is more versatile this far.

 

[Yze does it]

Thats garbage, his best is very good. There are comfortably worse players that play in flags every season.

2025 Reville
2024 Berry
2023 Markov, McCreery, WHE
2022 Bews
2021 Harmes, Spargo, Sparrow
etc etc etc.

He stacks up well against Jack Graham who would've been a 3 time premiership player if not for the shoulder injury. He is a versatile role player, every team needs them. Plus he is a model citizen.

Add McIntosh to that list.

Ross, Gibcus, Sonsie, Miller played in the finals loss. Ross on the wing & Sonsie were OK. Gibcus just ran & Miller was back up ruck.

Ross, Hopper & taranto are all 186/7. Prestia fit plays mid.

Ross can play wing OK. I'd rather see him on one wing. Retscho/Sonsie/Trainor

Maybe Ross is traded.

Next flag team. FMD, 14 kids in. Lynch cooked, Nank cooked gunna be a while

 

[THE_GUN]

Ross is a starting 23 player every day of the week and anybody that thinks he wont play every game in 2026 if available is
DELUSIONAL

 

[sregit]

He still has Hopper, Prestia, Taranto in front of him. They are all similar in many ways to Ross .Just no way we can play all four imo.

I continue to ask the question if those three are in front of him still and by most metrics they are its a fact we cant just fob off, then who does he play in front of as a mid? knowing full well we need pace a bit of explosiveness and players who can be damaging working from inside to out and do it well.

Me im looking at it from the point of view we need to play our highly talented and promising kids.

Lalor - is a monty, Just a beast and a player who brings others into the game he also looks menacing as a forward.

Hotton as a 40% mid 60% fwd is a monty imo. He is an ideal Bolton replacement.

Cumming what is not to like. Tough, real pace, wins his own ball and is a genuine forward threat when he goes there.
Should be great on transition and clearly can go from inside to out. Pretty clear we need to play this kid, he addresses all sorts of deficiencies. Imo the best live selection in last years draft.

Smillie yes he has been injured since we have had him. Imo he is going to make a few people eat humble pie.

McAuliffe Another who just cannot get a break with all sorts of injuries. Yet in his two interrupted seasons last year he matched Ross in most metrics and he does have that power and pace that we need and Ross lacks.

Im finding places for all 5 when fit weather thats as mids or mid/forwards or just a part of rotations.

Then we have our pick 8 in Grlj. Club are saying HB for now and he looks a genuine type to replace Dan Rioli. He could also start on a wing.

So on that note it brings us to the wing role a role Jack has played and done okay in.
Have held the belief that Seth Campbell has every attribute we need for a wing role. Huge tank, Great pace, evasive can break lines and kick a goal. Its staring us in the face but we aren't seeing it. This move accomadates the move of Algar into the 23 and addresses a serious midfield need.

Retschko well he has already shown what a running machine he is, not only in his preseason with us but last year in the vfl against men. i think if he stays healthy he is a monty for the wing role.

Last one is Algar he looked very good last year got a taste of seniors and must be developed in the ones as a forward for now.

All of these kids look better equipped for the roles Ross actually plays in Wing, Mid/Fwd and midfield.

The one thing i think we should be considering is if Ross plays instead of 33 year Prestia.

Why is Alger being stereotyped as just a small forward? I’d like to see him trialled in a wing role. Has pace takes a grab, building aerobic capacity. It would allow us to send RalphSmith back to the twos.

 

[Hoos]

The one thing i think we should be considering is if Ross plays instead of 33 year Prestia.

And I think he should, but we've seen what the club does with the premiership guys who are past it.

They just keep getting games.