Player Watch #40 Tyler Sonsie - Re-Signed For 2026

[Karp3_dm]

Can’t wait for his 1st over the head panic handball of the season straight to the opposition

And you praise him if he deserves it

 

[THE_GUN]

Can’t wait for his 1st over the head panic handball of the season straight to the opposition

We know

That new hole must be killing you , Go get stitches son Welcher

 

[Grrr]

You can't comapare the two. Sonsie has serious talent when it comes to foot skills on BOTH sides of his body. Conca was bog average with respect to kicking. Sonsie's main issue was understanding his role in the team and thus seemingly not getting into games. He understood his midfield role in the VFL and thus had no issues with his game there.

I reckon we are a bit harsh on Conca. His draft highlights were fantastic and early on he looked like a real player, but injuries really set him back and got between his ears.

In regard to Sonsie I thought when he first started he was going to be a running wingman. I remember likening him to Craig Bradley after his first few games, but he never developed his running game.

We thought he was a centre square mid because he played that way in the VFL, but a lot of good average players play inside mid at VFL level. Just not physical enough for that at AFL level.

He is not a half forward, no aerial game which you need unless you are quick. So back to the wing. It seems he has finally developed the running power to play the wing. We will find out if he is good enough or just one of those kids that comes in and plays well until the pressure builds and doesn't get much better.

 

[sante]

this is his biggest flaw to date, takes ages to scan the field and find a target, lets all the defense casually drop back then just pumps it long down the boundary. it's footy career suicide. if he can iron that out and be a genuine link man that keeps the ball moving and can cut them up with elite disposal he's a chance at turning it around.

The entire team does that over the past couple seasons. More about what’s happening up the field. Can’t single out Sonsie for it when everyone does it

 

[Drunken Wookie]

The entire team does that over the past couple seasons. More about what’s happening up the field. Can’t single out Sonsie for it when everyone does it

all players do it but with sonsie it seems like any time he takes a mark between the arcs he just lingers with it way too long. hes good in free-flowing play generally but he makes himself the outlet kick so often and then holds onto it for an eternity while defenders all get in front of him. its noticeable.

 

[Profop]

all players do it but with sonsie it seems like any time he takes a mark between the arcs he just lingers with it way too long. hes good in free-flowing play generally but he makes himself the outlet kick so often and then holds onto it for an eternity while defenders all get in front of him. its noticeable.

To be fair to him he didn’t have the most functional forward line to kick into

I think a lot of that would have been pressure on himself to make sure he didn’t turn it over because he knew he was battling for his list spot

 

[docko911]

I don’t get the myth that his kicking is elite . It may well be in a non pressurised situation but that hasn’t translated to afl matches. . The fact his first move is always to wait and go behind the mark is indication of someone who doesn’t trust his kicking and wants the down line line type scenario.
Hope I am wrong but he has shown nothing to suggest he’ll be a regular 150-200 game player.
Can’t see him being in any clubs list in 2028

It could be a confidence thing. He started well in 2022 but then got taken down a peg in 2023 and has never really looked the same.

It’s good to see him going well in preseason as he is not only on his last chance but we’ve also brought in an additional 5 players he’ll effectively be competing with for a bench spot. Add in fit 2024 draftees and he won’t be gifted any games this year.

 

[Ancient Tiger]

I don’t get the myth that his kicking is elite . It may well be in a non pressurised situation but that hasn’t translated to afl matches. . The fact his first move is always to wait and go behind the mark is indication of someone who doesn’t trust his kicking and wants the down line line type scenario.
Hope I am wrong but he has shown nothing to suggest he’ll be a regular 150-200 game player.
Can’t see him being in any clubs list in 2028

I think that those two things are different issues. It’s not that he doesn’t trust his kicking. He is trying too hard not to panic and wants to make the right decision as he knows his position in the team is not guaranteed. The more comfortable he is with believing he belongs at the level, the more freedom he will have to play instinctively.

 

[THE_GUN]

I just want him to make it so to laugh at people that bag young players

 

[tigerfan1961]

I reckon we are a bit harsh on Conca. His draft highlights were fantastic and early on he looked like a real player, but injuries really set him back and got between his ears.

In regard to Sonsie I thought when he first started he was going to be a running wingman. I remember likening him to Craig Bradley after his first few games, but he never developed his running game.

We thought he was a centre square mid because he played that way in the VFL, but a lot of good average players play inside mid at VFL level. Just not physical enough for that at AFL level.

He is not a half forward, no aerial game which you need unless you are quick. So back to the wing. It seems he has finally developed the running power to play the wing. We will find out if he is good enough or just one of those kids that comes in and plays well until the pressure builds and doesn't get much better.

He will make it, seems to have the drive and skills to get there imo. Lack of toughness is bulldust, he goes when he has to

 

[tigerfan1961]

To be fair to him he didn’t have the most functional forward line to kick into

I think a lot of that would have been pressure on himself to make sure he didn’t turn it over because he knew he was battling for his list spot

Beat me to it, spot on

 

[Forensi Tiger]

People got the same excitement with Reece Conca during pre season.

And Tim Gepp

 

[Truetiger]

We know

That new hole must be killing you , Go get stitches son Welcher

It’s funny that those who criticise him most likely struggled with under-16s. He achieved this level unlike all of us, demonstrating some talent. Up to him from here

 

[THE_GUN]

It’s funny that those who criticise him most likely struggled with under-16s. He achieved this level unlike all of us, demonstrating some talent. Up to him from here

I like to support all the players that we draft until the club decides they are no longer worth persisting with and cut them
The recruiters drafted these kids for a reason and thats talent then its upto the coaches to develop them to become the best they can become as a afl player and the coaches see these kids every day and see how they are developing but we see them 2 hours at game time only without knowing what role they were instructed to play.

I only ever really wanted 1 player gone and always wanted him out of Richmond but had good reason which i wont get into.
60 years old and have seen enough kids come and go and patient with the development process

 

[Karp3_dm]

I just want him to make it so to laugh at people that bag young players

 

[Grrr]

He will make it, seems to have the drive and skills to get there imo. Lack of toughness is bulldust, he goes when he has to

When I said not physical enough it’s not about going or not but you need speed if you are not strong over the ball why is not his go. More of a linking type. Big year for him.

 

[Sol23]

He will make it, seems to have the drive and skills to get there imo. Lack of toughness is bulldust, he goes when he has to

It’s blatantly obvious he doesn’t like the hard stuff and definitely doesn’t go when it’s his turn as you claim.
He’s a pretender and if that doesn’t change he won’t make it.

 

[tigerfan1961]

It’s blatantly obvious he doesn’t like the hard stuff and definitely doesn’t go when it’s his turn as you claim.
He’s a pretender and if that doesn’t change he won’t make it.

Bulldust Mate, but that’s your opinion which I totally disagree with

 

["The Roar Is Back"]

this is his biggest flaw to date, takes ages to scan the field and find a target, lets all the defense casually drop back then just pumps it long down the boundary. it's footy career suicide. if he can iron that out and be a genuine link man that keeps the ball moving and can cut them up with elite disposal he's a chance at turning it around.

Unfortunately he is probably below average in most traits which are critical in today’s game .
Pace , evasiveness/ agility , one on one contests , marking .
I don’t know the guy , but he comes across as being likeable enough .
If he fails he won’t be the first nor last that hasn’t been able to transform elite junior form into playing against men , happens at all levels

 

[GhostofJimJess]

I just want him to make it so to laugh at people that bag young players

That's the thing though, they are free to bag the bejesus out of a player, sound in the knowledge that if he does come good, they will still get to enjoy the proceeds of this player's good work, just like the rest of us.

Receipts are very rarely kept on here. A "sacrilege scoreboard" would be a useful addition to these boards to make the habitual baggers accountable down the line for all of their gobshyting of our players.

 

[THE_GUN]

View attachment 2519103

Oh what could of been "If only he had another 5 games'

Harshly treated

 

[Grrr]

Oh what could of been "If only he had another 5 games'

Harshly treated

Going back a bit now. Started with Jayden Post from memory, and it was another 6 games.

 

[HumanMeatball]

Would be a nice bonus if he does. I just wouldn’t bank on it

 

[sregit]

That's the thing though, they are free to bag the bejesus out of a player, sound in the knowledge that if he does come good, they will still get to enjoy the proceeds of this player's good work, just like the rest of us.

Receipts are very rarely kept on here. A "sacrilege scoreboard" would be a useful addition to these boards to make the habitual baggers accountable down the line for all of their gobshyting of our players.

This is absolute rubbish. It’s okay to dislike certain players on our list. I’ve bagged MRJ, Hugo, Ryan and Sonsie and there are a couple more on our list I’m still a little down on. The reason is because I don’t think these players have what it takes to make it in the AFL as good contributing footballers for the Richmond football club. Do I want them to fail, absolutely not. As they’re on the list I’d be rapt if they became quality contributors and good AFL footballers, however, I don’t see these players who I have labelled as list cloggers making it. I feel they take games from more deserving youngsters yet they have not staked a position in our top 23. Fringe players are always debated and it seems that if you call out a player as not good enough you’re called a hater or habitual bagger. This would be a very dull site if we didn’t have debate and disagreement.

Over the years some of the players I’ve bagged have made it. I’m very okay with that.

 

[of unsound mind]

It’s blatantly obvious he doesn’t like the hard stuff and definitely doesn’t go when it’s his turn as you claim.
He’s a pretender and if that doesn’t change he won’t make it.

I also clearly see that he doesn’t like the hard stuff. He is trying now, but you can see his trepidation when he does go in, it’s not natural. When he has the ball under pressure in afl games he rushes disposal. Panic merchant might be too harsh but he is at times, which makes it look like he doesn’t have the skills talked about. He does have great skills, but has to find that confidence, poise and mental strength to be willing to take the hit. Maybe with a more mature body and confidence from his training intensity? Haven’t written him off just yet, if it all clicks he’d be an asset. Clock at quarter to midnight!