Player Watch #10: Colby McKercher - Rd9 AFL Rising Star Nominee

[ferball]

It's the old "AnYoNE cAn GeT cHeAp ToUcHeS oFf the BaCkLinE" argument. Even though there is only like a handful of players who actually can get 30+ consistently playing back there.

Yeah its a crap argument. Good players get those numbers Colby is the latest of a bunch. So many players get sweet FA off the backline.

 

[harper2bastinac]

Anyone annoyed that mckercher hasn’t had a rising star nom after the last two weeks needs to chill, his day will come sooner then later

 

[Disco Dew]

It's the old "AnYoNE cAn GeT cHeAp ToUcHeS oFf the BaCkLinE" argument. Even though there is only like a handful of players who actually can get 30+ consistently playing back there.

Correct. Put Sleevo back there and he’d probably break his ribs doing a sick bunny hop or some s**t and have no touches

 

[big_e]

Anyone annoyed that mckercher hasn’t had a rising star nom after the last two weeks needs to chill, his day will come sooner then later

Yeah, this.

There's a pattern with Rising Stars. A few big names get nominated early, then there's a couple of months where they pick out players with one-off or breakout performances, because those guys may not perform at that level again.

Then the consistent, but under the radar, guys get nommed later.

It'll come.

 

[domiroo]

I know the Dears. Can we please respect the late Paul Dear by spelling his name correctly?

Sorry but what’s spelling someone’s name wrong got to do with respect for someone who passed away ? I’m sure it happens quite often..

 

[HBFlanker]

Probabyl still wins it to be honest.

Harley has played about 5 good quarters for the year so far.

 

[Event Horizon]

Personally I can't wait until we move him out of the backline. I don't think it's well suited to his game.

 

[swaeney]

Personally I can't wait until we move him out of the backline. I don't think it's well suited to his game.

Would love to see him on a wing, but Scott can’t play back and we kind of need his running if Sheez is moving up the ground.

 

[Swallow_Wood]

I understand the need to play him off half back but would also love to see a shift in position, though to a high half forward role, sweeping around contests in the forward half, like boomer used to do. His evasiveness, speed and killer boot would be really useful in that particular role.

 

[Jonnoo]

30 touches at 90% DE is exactly what we need off HB, particularly if we also want to push Sheez mid/forward.

 

[Flawed Genius]

He'll be very good for a very long time.

 

[DEVO]

30 possessions for the third game in a row, but still won't get the Rising Star nomination.

 

[Midas]

Superstar. Great game and better be Rising Star Nom this week

 

[William Caresser]

Was one of very few for us who kept on running all game long. Genuinely looked like our fittest player in game 9.

 

[justroyal]

30 touches at 90% DE is exactly what we need off HB, particularly if we also want to push Sheez mid/forward.

I just can’t help but feel maybe it should be him pushed to the mid.
Unless we have someone else lurking who can rack up similar stats and allow McKercher to run through the ground more. I guess that could have been Goater. But McKercher also seems wasted down there, where we saw where we need him the most. Ripping that corridor up.

 

[Jazny]

Superstar. Great game and better be Rising Star Nom this week

But... but... Walter kicked 2 easy goals from the goal square and have a match rating of 2.0 which is way harder to do than rack up 30 disposals 3 games in a row in defense.

 

[Paddy_Mac]

One of our better kicks already, which makes me think, do AFL players ever get better at kicking? I’m starting to think no.

 

[roos_fanatic08]

One of our better kicks already, which makes me think, do AFL players ever get better at kicking? I’m starting to think no.

Some improve their decision making but it’s really hard to change a kids kicking technique. Once it’s developed it’s generally hard wired

 

[roos_fanatic08]

It’s criminal the lack of attention he is getting when it comes to rising stars. Playing in an under siege backline, desperately trying to create run and carry off half back.

Has been so impressive especially over the last month. Once he matures he is going to be an absolute weapon through the midfield.

 

[roos_fanatic08]

Out of all eligible rising stars who have played more that 3 games Kerch leads:

• Avg Disposals
• Avg Kicks
• Avg Meters Gained

Additionally he ranks:

• 5th avg intercepts
• 3rd avg uncontested possessions
• 2nd avg effective disposals
• 4th avg rebound 50’s.

All of this in a position that isn’t his most natural.

The media can talk about cheap possessions all they want (the same way they did with Sheezel), but you still have to have the footy IQ to get the ball in your hands.

 

[Jazny]

Out of all eligible rising stars who have played more that 3 games Kerch leads:

• Avg Disposals
• Avg Kicks
• Avg Meters Gained

Additionally he ranks:

• 5th avg intercepts
• 3rd avg uncontested possessions
• 2nd avg effective disposals
• 4th avg rebound 50’s.

All of this in a position that isn’t his most natural.

The media can talk about cheap possessions all they want (the same way they did with Sheezel), but you still have to have the footy IQ to get the ball in your hands.

Do those averages include the game he got subbed out in the first quarter?

 

[memoryofmchale]

One of our better kicks already, which makes me think, do AFL players ever get better at kicking? I’m starting to think no.

Yes, they do. I’ve completed some analysis using Champion Data before. Usually, their kicking regresses upon entry and gradually improves. However, if it regresses they tend not to last long.

 

[giantroo]

Finally

 

[giantroo]

 

[Dingster]

Well deserved Colbs. His season is building every week.