Player Watch #21: Matthew Jefferson

[Toump Ass]

Keep the faith boys and girls, big bag of sausage coming up for Jeffo soon.

 

[Lord Nev]

I'm not sure how many 'decent' KPFs haven't broken out by the end of their 4th year? Not even including superstar guys, but players like Darcy Fogarty, Peter Wright, Mitch Lewis, Joel Amartey all had at least one 20+ goal season at the end of their 4th year. I hope I'm proven wrong, but doubt Jeffo gets that.

Amartey kicked 5 goals for the season as a 22 year old in his 4th season. No previous season did he kick more than that.

Fogarty did SFA before his 4th season where he kicked 24. Are we expecting Jefferson to be as good as him though?

Lewis kicked 5 goals as a 22 year old in his 4th season. 1 season with 20, another sseason with 0, another DNP.

Wright is a completely different type of player.

 

[schmuttt]

Amartey kicked 5 goals for the season as a 22 year old in his 4th season. No previous season did he kick more than that.

Fogarty did SFA before his 4th season where he kicked 24. Are we expecting Jefferson to be as good as him though?

Lewis kicked 5 goals as a 22 year old in his 4th season. 1 season with 20, another sseason with 0, another DNP.

Wright is a completely different type of player.

I just went off AFL tables and counted the seasons. I'm not saying we will cut him end of year (Plenty to cut before that), but if we are to have any faith in him long term he needs to show SOMETHING in 2026.

 

[Lord Nev]

I just went off AFL tables and counted the seasons. I'm not saying we will cut him end of year (Plenty to cut before that), but if we are to have any faith in him long term he needs to show SOMETHING in 2026.

They don't include seasons where players were on a list but didn't play.

I just think we need to calm down on the 'pass mark' kind of stuff for Jeffo and maybe even JVR. Just need to see improvement, both are realistically 2-3 years off being at their peaks IMO. Neither are the freaks that you see like a Treacy or a Morris. That doesn't mean they get a free pass until then, need to see improvement, but it's not always going to be linear and it's not always as easily quantifiable as 'be best 23' or 'kick 40 goals'.

 

[Gysberts2Bate]

Players still develop in the VFL. They are in an AFL system doing preseasons. Its a cop out to say his career has been hampered because he wasn’t gifted games early in his career. Might as well say we've ruined Bailey Laurie's career too.

A better comparison would be Shannon Neale, who played 5 games in his first three years before cementing spot in the side in year 4.

Nah Laurie is just crap.

No one is saying that we've ruined Jefferson's career. Clearly if he was ready to breakout earlier he would have played much earlier. I'm just saying that his next 10-15 games will probably be more revealing of his actual capacity than his first ten, and if he doesn't show anything by then I'll be a lot happier to write him off lol.

At any rate I thought Sunday was probably his best game so hopefully he's trending up.

 

[schmuttt]

They don't include seasons where players were on a list but didn't play.

I just think we need to calm down on the 'pass mark' kind of stuff for Jeffo and maybe even JVR. Just need to see improvement, both are realistically 2-3 years off being at their peaks IMO. Neither are the freaks that you see like a Treacy or a Morris. That doesn't mean they get a free pass until then, need to see improvement, but it's not always going to be linear and it's not always as easily quantifiable as 'be best 23' or 'kick 40 goals'.

If Jeffo isn't best 23 end of year on the same list as JVR/Mihocek/Kentfield/Johnson he will never be best 23. Again I'm all for giving him the opportunity, but he is in a bottom 4 KPF group.

 

[Lord Nev]

If Jeffo isn't best 23 end of year on the same list as JVR/Mihocek/Kentfield/Johnson he will never be best 23. Again I'm all for giving him the opportunity, but he is in a bottom 4 KPF group.

Nah, I'm not into the absolutes with developing players despite how simple they make it for some to validate their arguments. I just want to see improvement from him this year. Too early for 'best 23 NOW or never will be' IMO.

 

[Topkent]

If Jeffo isn't best 23 end of year on the same list as JVR/Mihocek/Kentfield/Johnson he will never be best 23. Again I'm all for giving him the opportunity, but he is in a bottom 4 KPF group.

Yeah come on, I'm sure people were saying Weiderman is just around the corner from breaking out as well. Sometimes the eye test is still very useful in key forwards, they either have something there to work with and need more strength and confidence or they're a tall guy benefiting from it

Everyone with eyes can see JVR has more to his bag than Jeffo. Jefferson is a bit of a mark without pressure kinda forward like a Westhoff, but with way less ability around the ground

 

[Topkent]

I'm guessing on who started the get in a KPF as well discussion, why would that even be a subject if we have two currently developing nicely? That would mean you don't have faith in them doing so

 

[Lord Nev]

Hi TopKent

For when you sneak a look at this, I thought I'd answer for you.

Nowhere did I say I expect Jefferson to carry our forward line one day, and I'm also on record as saying I'm not sure JVR will ever be the main guy. This is why I reckon we should go for a good quality KPF end of next year, one who is good enough to be our number 1. Doesn't have to be a Coleman contender.

Also, as previously mentioned so I'm sure you saw it, that would be 4th on my list after KPD, lock down defender, and burst mid. Nice to have a mystery chat as always. Hope you're well.

 

[danster168]

Nah Jeffo ain't it. happy to cut my losses personally and focus on Kentfied/Johnson.

 

[melbun]

Apart from anything else Jefferson's kicking for goal needs to improve.

 

[00Stinger]

kind of think he is Michael Newton

Michael Newton

Age

39

Ht

193cm

Wt

91kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

10.4

3star

K

7.9

3star

HB

2.5

2star

M

4.3

4star

T

2.4

4star

G

1.3

5star

No current season stats available

D

8.0

2star

K

6.8

3star

HB

1.2

2star

M

3.6

4star

T

1.4

4star

G

1.6

5star

MK2

Will have some flashes that keep the selection committee sucked into persisting with him but ultimately can't see him making it to 50 games

 

[Gysberts2Bate]

kind of think he is Michael Newton MK2

Will have some flashes that keep the selection committee sucked into persisting with him but ultimately can't see him making it to 50 games

Different era but Juice was way ahead of Jefferson for scores and touches I reckon, even playing in a much worse side.

 

[Lord Nev]

Different era but Juice was way ahead of Jefferson for scores and touches I reckon, even playing in a much worse side.

Juice is dominating local footy lately funnily enough.

 

[Bluelegs]

Circling back to the debate about needing another key forward. I'm fine with continuing to try and find one through the midseason draft/rookie draft etc. North got Cooper Trembath through the midseason draft who is flying and Treacy came through the rookie draft. There are guys out there who can come in and have an impact.

Want to see what Kentfield can do but don't see any harm in rolling the dice with those last couple of spots on the list.

 

[Topkent]

Circling back to the debate about needing another key forward. I'm fine with continuing to try and find one through the midseason draft/rookie draft etc. North got Cooper Trembath through the midseason draft who is flying and Treacy came through the rookie draft. There are guys out there who can come in and have an impact.

Want to see what Kentfield can do but don't see any harm in rolling the dice with those last couple of spots on the list.

I don't mind using lower picks to try and improve the listikd that, definitely don't want us burning draft capital for one which I think we agree with

 

[Lord Nev]

Circling back to the debate about needing another key forward. I'm fine with continuing to try and find one through the midseason draft/rookie draft etc. North got Cooper Trembath through the midseason draft who is flying and Treacy came through the rookie draft. There are guys out there who can come in and have an impact.

Want to see what Kentfield can do but don't see any harm in rolling the dice with those last couple of spots on the list.

Definitely agree there's some gems out there, just look at Disco.

They're rare though, and just think we've burned enough draft capital and list spots on key forwards who don't pan out to be very good. Would much rather go after one who has already proven they can play at the level. We've got enough meh key forwards already.

 

[Bluelegs]

Definitely agree there's some gems out there, just look at Disco.

They're rare though, and just think we've burned enough draft capital and list spots on key forwards who don't pan out to be very good. Would much rather go after one who has already proven they can play at the level. We've got enough meh key forwards already.

Reckon every year we're seeing more guys come in off the mid-season draft and become part of the best sides at their respective clubs. Done a lot for the guys who slip through the cracks after going undrafted.

Hopefully Campbell hangs it up and we can have a couple of cracks this year. Don't really see a downside.

 

[Lord Nev]

Reckon every year we're seeing more guys come in off the mid-season draft and become part of the best sides at their respective clubs. Done a lot for the guys who slip through the cracks after going undrafted.

Hopefully Campbell hangs it up and we can have a couple of cracks this year. Don't really see a downside.

I'm absolutely keen on seeing what we can unearth in the MSD. I just reckon in terms of key forwards; we've had a procession of ordinary ones over the last few years and we need to just bite the bullet and trade for a good one (next year).

Much rather go for a key defender and a lockdown small (pending what's available) in the MSD.

 

[Demon Attack]

Yeah we keep picking forwards with these late list spots for some reason. Johnson, Kentfield, Henderson, Cross... Grab some big angry ****ers who play backline.

 

[danster168]

he's not a competitor. not too many players that aren't competitors make it.

 

[Lord Nev]

he's not a competitor. not too many players that aren't competitors make it.

Rubbish. This is purely based off him not appearing to be an agro old fashioned key forward.

Jeffo is currently (for us):
#1 for tackles inside 50.
#3 for forward 50 ground balls.
#6 for hard ball gets.
#2 for contested marks (only behind Gawn).

He's also ranked above all of JVR, Pickett, Chandler, Melksham, Culley & Langford for offensive one on one wins.

 

[melbun]

Rubbish. This is purely based off him not appearing to be an agro old fashioned key forward.

Jeffo is currently (for us):
#1 for tackles inside 50.
#3 for forward 50 ground balls.
#6 for hard ball gets.
#2 for contested marks (only behind Gawn).

He's also ranked above all of JVR, Pickett, Chandler, Melksham, Culley & Langford for offensive one on one wins.

Number of games for those stats is ???

 

[Lord Nev]

Number of games for those stats is ???

He's played 3 games. But these are all averages and they indicate that the 'not competitive' tag is rubbish IMO. Not saying he's a superstar by any stretch, or playing amazing, but he's been doing a lot of those competitive things while in the team.