1AW Andrew Walker

[trueblue_91]

Has been progressing slowly but showing great signs. Great athlete and his disposal is getting better. Had another solid game today 20 pos and a goal.

When will Pagan let him paly in the midfield. I would like too see him be aloud to play on ball last 2 games.

 

[as0l0]

i think he threw him in there late in the game and 1AW looked a little lost. No doubt he will do well there, but will need some time to adjust.

 

[Lukesta63]

What I've been saying ALL season! Let the kid play on the ball all game,let him show off a bit.He loves taking a specky and going for a run.Pagan is stifling him....

 

[Jeremias]

Gun, is developing beautifully.

Once he fully matures, WATCH OUT!

Convinced he will one day actually hold onto one of those leaps for mark of the year.

Really happy with his progress-has heaps of potential and we are now starting to see it on a relatively consistent basis. Once he becomes more accustomed he will improve even more. Cannot wait for him to eventually be moved into the middle

 

[oaksy]

was expecting him to take kouta's spot next year when he retires. should still edge him out and hav kouta play in the forward pocket or something.

 

[RiCHii]

Convinced he will one day actually hold onto one of those leaps for mark of the year.

Mark of the year ? .. the way that kid flies i wouldnt be surprised if one day he holds onto it and everyone says its better than gary ablettes mark of the century !!

 

[a1118374]

Mark of the year ? .. the way that kid flies i wouldnt be surprised if one day he holds onto it and everyone says its better than gary ablettes mark of the century !!

not so sure seems like he bats it away most times, hopefully though

 

[HBF]

i think he threw him in there late in the game and 1AW looked a little lost. No doubt he will do well there, but will need some time to adjust.

Play him on the wing, where he can utilise his pace to his advantage. Imagine in a couple of years time having a centre line of Simpson, Murphy and Walker.

 

[doormat11]

Play him on the wing, where he can utilise his pace to his advantage. Imagine in a couple of years time having a centre line of Simpson, Murphy and Walker.

that says it all, Tex is going to be a superstar and we have to be patient with these young blokes. we need to snap up a couple of big defender types.......it's coming together.
RATHER DROP THE TIGERS GAME TO GIVE US A CHANCE NEXT WEEKEND

 

[HBF]

that says it all, Tex is going to be a superstar and we have to be patient with these young blokes. we need to snap up a couple of big defender types.......it's coming together.
RATHER DROP THE TIGERS GAME TO GIVE US A CHANCE NEXT WEEKEND

IMO, our midfield needs the most work, and this is why I hope we take Bryce Gibbs with our first selection in the November Draft. We've still got Hartlett and Bower that can play in defence.

 

[Punter_22]

I think the time has come for all of the knockers and disbelievers who crucified him on this website in the past 12-18 months to apologise.
Expectations set so high are hard to live up to.
Comparing him to other players in the same draft such as Adam Cooney, who was a ready-made footballer when he arrived at Bulldogs, is tough on the kid.
I think he has developed into a great defender this season and could be that running type of defender into the future.
Not every footballer, especially one so young, has the capacity to stop key forwards like Andrew has in matches this season.
With the way he has improved this season, there is no reason why he can not turn into a Leo Barry style of footballer, where he can play a defensive role, but also use his pace to set up attacking options.

 

[windows]

IMO, our midfield needs the most work, and this is why I hope we take Bryce Gibbs with our first selection in the November Draft. We've still got Hartlett and Bower that can play in defence.

Has anyone seen any evidence that hartlett can play in defence? I haven't seen it myself (and yes I have watched quite a bit). He was drafted as a key forward, we have tried to convert him and so far (yes I know all the injury excuses) it hasn't looked like working. Fair enough don't sack him yet, but for gods sake can people please stop listing him as one of our defenders? He can kick the ball a long way, and has a good attack on the ball, but his first step is slow, agility poor and does not read the play well. He is really a chf, and in this team that means he is also in something else - trouble.

 

[linchpin]

Has been progressing slowly but showing great signs. Great athlete and his disposal is getting better. Had another solid game today 20 pos and a goal.

When will Pagan let him paly in the midfield. I would like too see him be aloud to play on ball last 2 games.

He played in the middle at times yesterday

He has had a very SOLID year. Let himself down with the hanger attempt and spilliing the ball in the goal square and a shocking turnover when he put French under the pump....

But he has been good in general.

 

[Free Willy]

Has anyone seen any evidence that hartlett can play in defence? I haven't seen it myself (and yes I have watched quite a bit). He was drafted as a key forward, we have tried to convert him and so far (yes I know all the injury excuses) it hasn't looked like working. Fair enough don't sack him yet, but for gods sake can people please stop listing him as one of our defenders? He can kick the ball a long way, and has a good attack on the ball, but his first step is slow, agility poor and does not read the play well. He is really a chf, and in this team that means he is also in something else - trouble.

Gee,
I bloody well hope he comes good or the 2004 draft could be a complete disaster.
As optomistic as I'd like to be with JR, the honesty is that if it were a top 10 pick at any other club we'd point the finger and laugh (multiple times).
I am fully aware of his "upside" & hope to hell it comes to fruition, but there are HEAPS of danger signs with JR.

All reports on Hartletts ability I thought up to now were quite promising, so lets hope he comes good - but I'd hate to see two recent top picks be totally wasted.

ps - On topic with this thread......... 1 AW - keeps getting better & better. Hard at it, gutsy & PACE !!!

 

[WalkerTexasRanger]

i think he threw him in there late in the game and 1AW looked a little lost. No doubt he will do well there, but will need some time to adjust.

I think it was Tony Shaw - who said on 3aw's coverage yesterday at quarter time that Carlton were dominating the midfield because of Walker and Kouta.

Then in the second quarter Pagan moved him back into defence as usual. Our best moves inside fifty in that first quarter came from Walker and Simpson runs. Two super quick young guns who are level headed in traffic and who both generally have beautiful footskills (especially considering the speed with which they are travelling when they pass).

Walker could be a really good defender because he is a superstar - but personally I reckon he is wasted down back, because he can hurt the opposition so much more in the middle of the ground.

 

[jj1978]

He should be made our next captain! Something about the kid that given the extra responsibility would make him thrive.

 

[as0l0]

^ almost want to agree with you about that

 

[Blah Blah Blue]

What I've been saying ALL season! Let the kid play on the ball all game,let him show off a bit.He loves taking a specky and going for a run.Pagan is stifling him....

Here is the classic example of supporters talking without any thought.

At this level 'showing off' is very dangerous and for someone still making a name for himself is a bit premature.
Like all Blues supporters I love the way AW is going about things and, yes, going for speckies and his runs, just absolutely thrill me.
He is however still to develope a rounded game 'offensive V defensive' when and when not to leap, punch and where to punch. We saw the punch to front of Richmond goal - goal to Richmond.

This is not to be critical of him [was probably our best player on Sunday] but to illustrate he is still young and still has stuff to learn.

And this leads to the real response to "Pagan is stifling him...." - Pagan is developing him! and if people cannot see this and appreciate this then please do not make these stupid statements.
Andrew Walker will be all the better as a player and Carlton Player purely because of of the way Pagan has developed him.
Add this to AW's natural ability and we really do have a star of the future.
And, yes, potential Captain.

 

[WalkerTexasRanger]

Here is the classic example of supporters talking without any thought.

At this level 'showing off' is very dangerous and for someone still making a name for himself is a bit premature.
Like all Blues supporters I love the way AW is going about things and, yes, going for speckies and his runs, just absolutely thrill me.
He is however still to develope a rounded game 'offensive V defensive' when and when not to leap, punch and where to punch. We saw the punch to front of Richmond goal - goal to Richmond.

This is not to be critical of him [was probably our best player on Sunday] but to illustrate he is still young and still has stuff to learn.

And this leads to the real response to "Pagan is stifling him...." - Pagan is developing him! and if people cannot see this and appreciate this then please do not make these stupid statements.
Andrew Walker will be all the better as a player and Carlton Player purely because of of the way Pagan has developed him.
Add this to AW's natural ability and we really do have a star of the future.
And, yes, potential Captain.

Yes great players need to have rounded games - as in defensive and offensive ability - but no one player is capable of playing every position on the ground. And playing deep in defence when you are a natural midfielder can stymie your growth as a midfielder.

If your argument was logically consistent (and don't get me wrong I think it is a pretty good argument), then Stevens' defensive game would also improve as a result of his forays in defence.

It is valuable to play true forwards in defence for long periods of time, because they learn the flipside of their game, but midfielders require different skill sets, and wasting Walker deep in the backline only serves to shake his confidence. He is better served playing off HB where he can afford to break away with attacking runs. Playing in the last line of defence requires a player to often ignore instincts to attack the ball and it is more important to instead remain accountable to your player. If Pagan rotated Walker through the HB line and midfield only, then I could see your point. But I suspect that his reasoning for throwing Walker down back is more a consequence of the fact that we have a gaping whole in defence and Walker's natural talent is being used as a temporary stop.


Walker is developing well despite Pagan, not because of him.

 

[HBF]

Has anyone seen any evidence that hartlett can play in defence? I haven't seen it myself (and yes I have watched quite a bit). He was drafted as a key forward, we have tried to convert him and so far (yes I know all the injury excuses) it hasn't looked like working. Fair enough don't sack him yet, but for gods sake can people please stop listing him as one of our defenders? He can kick the ball a long way, and has a good attack on the ball, but his first step is slow, agility poor and does not read the play well. He is really a chf, and in this team that means he is also in something else - trouble.

Yes he was drafted as a forward, but he has the ability to play at both ends. With Fevola, Kennedy, Fisher and Waite, it's going to be pretty difficult for another tall to get a look in there. Even 4 talls is 1 too many.

I've only seen Hartlett play once in defence, and he looked pretty comfortable back there. I really hope he can stay injury free as I just have a feeling he could be something pretty good for the Carlton Football Club.

 

[btdg]

Walker, if he improves his kicking substantially, could possibly be an AFL standard half-back flanker at some stage in the future once he learns to read the game well. Doubtful he could ever be a good winger or midfielder because his disposal is simply too poor - decent wingers need to be able to kick goals and hit targets in crowded forward-lines, and he just can't do it with his spoon kicks.

I think based on that assessment its fair to say he's been a bit of a disappointment. Then again, his draft seems pretty week after Cooney (who was a standout anyway, and the clear no 1 pick), and at least he can hold a position at the top level.

 

[marcmurphy3]

Walker, if he improves his kicking substantially, could possibly be an AFL standard half-back flanker at some stage in the future once he learns to read the game well. Doubtful he could ever be a good winger or midfielder because his disposal is simply too poor - decent wingers need to be able to kick goals and hit targets in crowded forward-lines, and he just can't do it with his spoon kicks.

I think based on that assessment its fair to say he's been a bit of a disappointment. Then again, his draft seems pretty week after Cooney (who was a standout anyway, and the clear no 1 pick), and at least he can hold a position at the top level.

I disagree. Yes last year and early this year his disposal was disgraceful but recently he has really improved and will definately make it as a midfielder. I would be very disapointed if he played his whole AFL career on the half back flank.

 

[btdg]

I disagree. Yes last year and early this year his disposal was disgraceful but recently he has really improved and will definately make it as a midfielder. I would be very disapointed if he played his whole AFL career on the half back flank.

Did you see the Richmond game? Missed targets several times. Watching him, I'd almost say that its a physical trait restricting him. The same body that makes him so quick and athletic just isn't cut out for kicking the ball accurately. As long as he plays within his limitations he'll be fine - but I reckon we should settle for having a decent half-back flanker and be happy with that. He's never going to be a superstar, but he could be very solid, and thats something we can't say about too many players

 

[BlueWorld]

And this leads to the real response to "Pagan is stifling him...." - Pagan is developing him! and if people cannot see this and appreciate this then please do not make these stupid statements.
Andrew Walker will be all the better as a player and Carlton Player purely because of of the way Pagan has developed him.
Add this to AW's natural ability and we really do have a star of the future.
And, yes, potential Captain.

Pagan believe that all midfielders first need to learn defensive skills so they know how to be accountable. He doesn't want any more Nick Stevens!!!

 

[OZBomb]

Pagan believe that all midfielders first need to learn defensive skills so they know how to be accountable. He doesn't want any more Nick Stevens!!!

Good call, I'm begging Nick Stevens to clench his fist and spoil a ball just once.