AFL Player 1: Andrew "Pidge" McGrath (vc) - The skip we didn't know we needed

[Beerfish]

Contract Status: Unrestricted Free Agent 2030
My Boy Draft 2024: Pick 13, Vindicater

 

[mike14]

I still feel he's got another level to reach, but not sure he's going to get there in the current environment. Who at the club is teaching him the 'craft' of the midfielder that will help him round out his game?
It seems that a lot of our players plateau just a little earlier than they should.

 

[Lore]

$750 fine for striking Walsh apparently. Anyone remember it?

Andrew McGrath, Essendon, has been charged with Striking (Fixed Financial Sanction) Sam Walsh, Carlton, during the fourth quarter of the Round Four match between Essendon and Carlton, played at the MCG on Saturday June 27.

In summary he can accept a $750 sanction with an early plea.

Based on the available evidence, the incident was assessed as Striking (Fixed Financial Sanction). The incident was classified as a $1250 sanction as a first offence. The player can accept a $750 sanction with an early plea.

Match Review: Bomber, Eagle offered one-game bans

The Match Review Officer has released his findings from Saturday's games in round four

www.afl.com.au

 

[citizen-erased]

I still feel he's got another level to reach, but not sure he's going to get there in the current environment. Who at the club is teaching him the 'craft' of the midfielder that will help him round out his game?
It seems that a lot of our players plateau just a little earlier than they should.

Cara?

 

[Bjchan13]

$750 fine for striking Walsh apparently. Anyone remember it?

Match Review: Bomber, Eagle offered one-game bans

The Match Review Officer has released his findings from Saturday's games in round four

www.afl.com.au

I think it was before a ball up, one of those kinda half punch half push things to the chest

 

[Vander18]

McGrath will play 200 games and probably captain club - he will have a very good career. I don’t think he’ll ever be a superstar and that ok. Not his fault he was pick 1 and also worth noting that he will still be right in the mix to be the best player from that draft.
What we can reflect on is the factor of luck....the fact is the year we had the number 1 pick there was no real superstar in the draft. It really hits home when you watch Rowell and realise he just has that something extra..... That rare comprehensive combo of all the required elite physical and mental traits.

Personally I think Pigeon will end up just that level below the absolute best in the comp. One caveat - if we left him back he’d be an absolutely elite defender rather than a good to very good midfielder.

Would also love to see what he can do forward - seems better suited to spending fine there than Parish. Robert Shaw always raves about what he could do there.

 

[yaco55]

Not to blow your own trumpet or anything

It's a discussion forum - McGrath's kicking is being widely discussed and I am re-emphasising my arguments - I even remember criticising his poor kicking in Round 1 in which it was suggested I was being harsh.

 

[11kgm]

i still say at the time we needed Taranto a big game player or McLuggage outside class

he will be a good player but never get to elite

 

[eDPS]

Nice to see we have come to an understanding that the 22 year old won’t get any better from here even though he has improved since last year aswell

 

[Ambrosia]

Seems more like poor decision making then poor kicking to me.

 

[windyhill]

Brownlow 2021 or 2022.

 

[Bjchan13]

Seems more like poor decision making then poor kicking to me.

At times since he's been a midfielder, absolutely down to decision making. But he seems to be learning and improving pretty quickly which is good.

 

[yaco55]

Seems more like poor decision making then poor kicking to me.

It is poor kicking when under any type of pressure - McGrath's kicking is still only average when he has free air.

 

[quotemokc]

 

[Nuggs Bunny]

Not sure what's worse, the instant long bomb to the square or the fact there's five other muppets that just jogged on right by without the slightest inclination to call for it short or run and make space.

 

[quotemokc]

Not sure what's worse, the instant long bomb to the square or the fact there's five other muppets that just jogged on right by without the slightest inclination to call for it short or run and make space.

Its not like we have players that lower their eyes anyway.

 

[qwertyboy]

Great first half but need to really sort out his water pressure

 

[eDPS]

So clean at ground level, hasn’t fumbled once despite the slippery conditions

 

[citizen-erased]

>Clug......

 

[IHurley]

A player that will probably never win a match for you but I don't mind that.

Brilliant hands, excellent pressure and good endurance (that probably still has another couple of years of improvement).

He's a big part of the reason we are becoming a good pressure side but unlike Smith he racks up possessions.

 

[eDPS]

A player that will probably never win a match for you but I don't mind that.

Brilliant hands, excellent pressure and good endurance (that probably still has another couple of years of improvement).

He's a big part of the reason we are becoming a good pressure side but unlike Smith he racks up possessions.

He did it multiple times in his 18s year no reason he can’t at AFL level

 

[Vindicater]

A player that will probably never win a match for you but I don't mind that.

Brilliant hands, excellent pressure and good endurance (that probably still has another couple of years of improvement).

He's a big part of the reason we are becoming a good pressure side but unlike Smith he racks up possessions.

I agree with this.

Will probably never be "worth" the number one pick but I think will end up being a player we did not "waste" the number one pick on.

If that makes any sense.

 

[NAB777]

Perfect conditions for him last night. Has been basically this good since game 1...the question will be whether he goes up a step.
I think he is as good as McCluggage & Taranto...and I think we actually got the best player in that draft anyhow...at 22.

 

[Zach Package]

Clean, clean, clean

 

[carnthedons]

Building. I’ve said it before but he’s the anti-Langford. Andy gets rid of the ball before he needs to, Kyle holds it too long.

Very clean, able to basically get out of any situation in a GAJ way rather than a pendles way. Just wish he’d take a little longer to make the right decision.

 

[cobra land]

Building. I’ve said it before but he’s the anti-Langford. Andy gets rid of the ball before he needs to, Kyle holds it too long.

Very clean, able to basically get out of any situation in a GAJ way rather than a pendles way. Just wish he’d take a little longer to make the right decision.

Good call carnthedons, he has more time than he thinks and sometimes it's like a hot potato in his hands. It's almost like he still hasn't picked up the pace of the game, once he realises this he will become an A grader.