Player Watch #17: James Stewart - Groin injury, not running yet. couple of weeks once he starts running - 23/4

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Just remember.... This stud of a third tall we picked up on the cheap was passed on by Collingwood who are now paying Mayne 4-5 times what we're paying Stewart to sit in the seconds.

Really jollys my rogers.
Ben Reid,Stewart,Moore,Fasolo,Elliot

Not a bad forward line lol Magpies.
 

BrunoV

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I really liked his game vs Collingwood. He's not a star and I doubt he ever will be however as a third tall he is very handy. If I was to give an optimistic projection for where he could get to I would be looking at a guy like Tom Lynch for Adelaide. That guy that can kick a few goals and serve as an important link man with his hard running.

His mobility is impressive (it was like a giant Fantasia was out there as he ran down the ground and kicked that running goal) and he's also a very nice shot at goal. Probably the most reliable of all our forwards. He's been pretty much good for 2 goals a game and being a tall with his mobility and endurance allows us to play 3 talls which means he gets a mismatch most weeks.

Contested marking isn't really his go except on his really good days but I reckon as he gets more experienced he will get better at his body work particularly against smaller players. I'm sure working alongside Hooker will help in that area. This is an area that will likely take him a few years to really develop. To his credit though I don't recall his opponent marking a whole lot either - so even if he isn't dominating at least he's helping the ball get to ground level.

I do agree on the selfless calls - I remember a particular marking contest where he was basically slightly forward of where the ball was going to land and Daniher was behind and as he realised Daniher was in a better position he subtly blocked his direct opponent to allow Daniher the free launch at it. Those sorts of plays are really important to getting a forward line to work effectively.
I sound like a broken record, but this isn't going to happen, as there is effectively no contested marking in his game. That's OK though, think he is playing really well in his current role.
What I'd say in response to this is that we've not really put him to the test as a tall forward.

On the lead, he'll be a match for any key defender though he's not going to take pack marks.

He's the perfect type of player to hold back and give some space to because he'll almost certainly create a mismatch.

It's hard to see how his hands get better if he's not practicing under pressure.
 

yodellinhank

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What I'd say in response to this is that we've not really put him to the test as a tall forward.

On the lead, he'll be a match for any key defender though he's not going to take pack marks.

He's the perfect type of player to hold back and give some space to because he'll almost certainly create a mismatch.

It's hard to see how his hands get better if he's not practicing under pressure.
Did he play as a leading forward in the JLT?
 

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Pweter

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Bad kicking is bad footy.

The massive positive is he kept his head up and was a big contributer. He recognised his radar wasn't on so kept working hard and brought others into the game instead.
 

Yoda_

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Bad kicking is bad footy.

The massive positive is he kept his head up and was a big contributer. He recognised his radar wasn't on so kept working hard and brought others into the game instead.
This, so much this.

A player can often drop the head when they know there specific field of expertise isn't working but he worked hard to contribute in other ways.

That kick to Colyer leading back to the square was sheer brilliance
 

Darealrath

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His hands were better tonight..took a few good grabs.
That's what surprised me the most - maybe there is key forward potential in there...

Had 21 touches but I felt like he went missing for a long period in the middle. Not sure if that's a positive or a negative.
 

Yoda_

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That's what surprised me the most - maybe there is key forward potential in there...

Had 21 touches but I felt like he went missing for a long period in the middle. Not sure if that's a positive or a negative.
Would be great to have the ability to keep our structure (FF, CHF) if/when Joe goes into the ruck. Is such a luxury having 2 blokes up near 2m tall agile enough to have an impact of a small.
 

Towno78

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Bad kicking is bad footy.

The massive positive is he kept his head up and was a big contributer. He recognised his radar wasn't on so kept working hard and brought others into the game instead.
Dunno. Twice in the last taking a shot was by far the best option by him, but he wouldn't.
A good game none the less.
 
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The work he does around loose ball and contests is excellent, he had 10 contested possessions tonight equal 2nd on the ground with Myers.
If he improves his contested marking and cashes in on set shots (usually not a bad shot for goal) be perfect 3rd tall.
 

blitzer

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This bloke has been an absolute steal for what we gave up for him. Having the 3rd tall structure is really advantageous if they are mobile enough and we are fortunate enough that ours are. A lot of teams simply do not have 3 good defenders that are key position height and even if they do - it only takes an injury or two and they are playing short.
 

TheGrizz

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If he had kicked straight it would have been a complete game.

Was brilliant in link up and his disposal inside 50 was really good for a guy his size
 

ghostdog

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The work he does around loose ball and contests is excellent, he had 10 contested possessions tonight equal 2nd on the ground with Myers.
If he improves his contested marking and cashes in on set shots (usually not a bad shot for goal) be perfect 3rd tall.
So much agreement. Really cracks in hard at contested ball, putting in extra efforts. Only 23 and with a lot of upside. I get the impression he feels like he has a lot of doubters to prove wrong.
 
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