News 2020 Pre-season - New and Improved after Rd 1 with Rd2 in June. ***

[Pure_Ownage]

"....Steven the cut-price replacement whose best football is as damaging as West Coast-bound Tim Kelly...."

I don't think so, Jim.

Hes won 4 bnfs while getting tagged for a reason. His best is as damaging as TK. The question is at 30 and with his issues will we see that best or does he turn out like Mitch Clark.

 

[winty]

Hes won 4 bnfs while getting tagged for a reason. His best is as damaging as TK. The question is at 30 and with his issues will we see that best or does he turn out like Mitch Clark.

One big difference between Clark and Steven that I can see is that Steven has family support down here. Don't think Clark had any.

 

[cats_09]

One big difference between Clark and Steven that I can see is that Steven has family support down here. Don't think Clark had any.

Another differences dare I suggest is that I believe Steven wants to play and with Clark I'm not so sure if he necessarily wanted to play or it was more-so just wanted to play for the highest bidder

Don't forget that before Clark joined Melbourne, he was apparently only wanting to go back to WA so he could be closer to family - then Melbourne put in an offer & he chased the money

 

[Shai]

Another differences dare I suggest is that I believe Steven wants to play and with Clark I'm not so sure if he necessarily wanted to play or it was more-so just wanted to play for the highest bidder

Don't forget that before Clark joined Melbourne, he was apparently only wanting to go back to WA so he could be closer to family - then Melbourne put in an offer & he chased the money

Please don't do this concerning mental health, there are way too many factors that differ between the individual.

 

[cats_09]

Please don't do this concerning mental health, there are way too many factors that differ between the individual.

There's nothing in my post the refers to challenges faced by either player surrounding their mental health struggles

And I'm well aware of issues regarding the mental health struggles that individuals go through and that how one person deals with their issues will differ from another, and that there's no one easy "solution/remedy" - I know this from 4-years of studying psychology at uni, plus my own personal struggles, along with that of others I know

 

[Shai]

There's nothing in my post the refers to challenges faced by either player surrounding their mental health struggles

And I'm well aware of issues regarding the mental health struggles that indubitable go through and that how one person deals with their issues will differ from another, and that there's no one easy "solution/remedy" - I know this from 4-years of studying psychology at uni, plus my own personal struggles, along with that of others I know

Right but the 2 players you specifically mention both have mental health issues

However much study you've done, unless you've been in their position you do not know.

 

[cats_09]

Right but the 2 players you specifically mention both have mental health issues

However much study you've done, unless you've been in their position you do not know.

I also quoted a post which discussed both players, and that post had quoted another post in which both players were discussed - hence why my post was referencing the players being discussed. Would have been kinda weird if I quoted a post and then started talking about Danger and Shuey

And again, my post is not referencing the mental struggles of either player - surely we are allowed to discuss the positives and negatives of players past & present, even those who have/are struggling with mental health issues; or is it a case that once a player has gone public with mental health issues they can only be discussed in a positive manner?

As I also said, I have my own person struggles and (un)fortunately, I know plenty of others who have dealt with their own struggles also

And I'm still not sure what any of this has to do with my original post - which had nothing to do with the mental health struggles of either player

 

[Cataholic]

Another differences dare I suggest is that I believe Steven wants to play and with Clark I'm not so sure if he necessarily wanted to play or it was more-so just wanted to play for the highest bidder

Don't forget that before Clark joined Melbourne, he was apparently only wanting to go back to WA so he could be closer to family - then Melbourne put in an offer & he chased the money

Yep...... On the face of it, there seems to be more 'resolve' about Steven than there appeared to be with Clark.

Let's hope he breaks through the barrier.

 

[Cataholic]

I also quoted a post which discussed both players, and that post had quoted another post in which both players were discussed - hence why my post was referencing the players being discussed. Would have been kinda weird if I quoted a post and then started talking about Danger and Shuey

And again, my post is not referencing the mental struggles of either player - surely we are allowed to discuss the positives and negatives of players past & present, even those who have/are struggling with mental health issues; or is it a case that once a player has gone public with mental health issues they can only be discussed in a positive manner?

As I also said, I have my own person struggles and (un)fortunately, I know plenty of others who have dealt with their own struggles also

And I'm still not sure what any of this has to do with my original post - which had nothing to do with the mental health struggles of either player

Mental health is a term that surrounds a person with immunity once used. No-one dares discuss or question it, and especially not with any negative connotation.

 

[geelong_crazy26]

Poor comparison. Rooke kicked goals when he played in the forward line. Averaged 4 to 5 times more goals per game then Atkins in his forward years. Rooke also could help with marking contests where Atkins is useless.

Lol atkins has played one season.

 

[Seeds]

Lol atkins has played one season.

Thats why we use averages. And he is 24. Not a kid.

 

[David the Cat]

Yes...he's 24....

Best football should be right around the corner. Thanks for pointing that out.

 

[cats_09]

And it's amazing what can happen once an individual becomes a full-time athlete and how much being able to focus on their sport versus external career & sport can help them develop their game. And it seems that a second pre-season is very much helping Atkins with that:

Atkins’ rise has coincided with the transformation of his body from that of a part-time footballer to a professional athlete, something not lost on Dangerfield.

“When Tommy first arrived at the club, he was obviously in our VFL program for a while which is different to an AFL one because it’s a full-time gig in the AFL, he had an accountant’s body and now I think he has a footballer’s body,” Dangerfield says.

“It’s nothing against accountants,” he continues with a smirk.

 

[Spearman]

I hope Atkins has a good, productive season, if for nothing else the cultural impact it could have on the younger and on the brink players. Here's a guy who was given an opportunity that he clearly has dreamed about and relishes, and has responded to so proactively. Need all players to feel this way, no complacency; desperation, ambition, and just a bit of cockiness.

 

[David the Cat]

I'm sure Seeds will point it out....but this photo says it all....

I mean, he can't even clap properly.

 

[Warhorse]

Atkins is a depth player at best, a list clogger at worst

 

[cats_09]

Good on Blitz being able to have a laugh at himself:

 

[CatToTheFuture]

Good on Blitz being able to have a laugh at himself:



View attachment 797899

That is fantastic

 

[year of the cat]

He's becoming a phenomenally overrated player now.

Has been for a while.

 

[Down at K Park]

Atkins is a depth player at best, a list clogger at worst

Every team needs role players. It’s impossible to have a team of 22 superstars.

 

[Warhorse]

Every team needs role players. It’s impossible to have a team of 22 superstars.

Agree. Role player is still a great outcome for a rookie pick

 

[thejester]

Unsurprised to see that video mention more midfield time for Atkins - think he played his best footy there, like Parfitt seems to be able to create space in congestion. It's also interesting how much they mentioned his improved fitness, maybe that will improve his output up forward?

 

[00VicWard001]

Another differences dare I suggest is that I believe Steven wants to play and with Clark I'm not so sure if he necessarily wanted to play or it was more-so just wanted to play for the highest bidder

Don't forget that before Clark joined Melbourne, he was apparently only wanting to go back to WA so he could be closer to family - then Melbourne put in an offer & he chased the money

And then Geelong supposedly helped his partner get into a course at Deakin....

 

[dazbroncos]

Atkins is a depth player at best, a list clogger at worst

And hes pretty bloody good at doing it so far.. let’s hope it continues. Not everyone is gonna be a rd1 pick and star at all the champion data categories.
I’ll take a balanced team with some hard nut 1%er defensive types over the team full of me me me types everyday day of the week thanks

Go Catters

 

[Strange Cat]

Unsurprised to see that video mention more midfield time for Atkins - think he played his best footy there, like Parfitt seems to be able to create space in congestion. It's also interesting how much they mentioned his improved fitness, maybe that will improve his output up forward?

He could be a tagger that we badly need, if his fitness has improved he could be a great inclusion in the middle