AFL Player 30: Nate Caddy - Reports of groin tightness, restricted training loads for a few weeks - 20/11

[VelvetSledge]

 

[Blind Turn]

Goes again IMO. Lot to work with.

He hasn’t done enough to keep Jones out. It’s Harry’s spot to lose and he didn’t deserve to be suspended in the first place. Caddy needs to continue to earn his stripes.

 

[Schnitzengruben]

He hasn’t done enough to keep Jones out. It’s Harry’s spot to lose and he didn’t deserve to be suspended in the first place. Caddy needs to continue to earn his stripes.

Not like Jones has been in Coleman form recently and is irreplaceable. Was good early but last few games were meh. I'd give Caddy another go.

 

[Blind Turn]

Not like Jones has been in Coleman form recently and is irreplaceable. Was good early but last few games were meh. I'd give Caddy another go.

Jones has been doing a lot right. Especially his forward pressure. Did Caddy kick a goal tonight? He showed some real promise but he’s nowhere near the level being given by Jones this year. Brad Scott said it was a shame he was suspended as he’s been in really good form. That’s enough for me. Continuity at this stage is critical for Harry. Not so much for Nate who needs to be knocking the door down in the VFL.

 

[Schnitzengruben]

Jones has been doing a lot right. Especially his forward pressure. Did Caddy kick a goal tonight? He showed some real promise but he’s nowhere near the level being given by Jones this year. Brad Scott said it was a shame was suspended as he’s been in really good form. That’s enough for me. Continuity at this stage is critical for Harry. Not so much for Nate who needs to be knocking the door down in the BFL.

Preaching to the choir, I'm a big Jones fan. But I don't think he's a must return ASAP like a Ridley, Parish or Merrett are. If Caddy got another and Jones missed, I wouldn't lose sleep over it.

 

[Rick Ross]

Love Caddy getting a taste this week.

Most exciting draftee in years for Bombers.His X factor is going to go a long way.

All things being equal (no injuries) Jones rightly takes his spot back next week.

Can’t see how to fit Caddy in… but would love to see him go again.

 

[blitzer]

I liked what I saw from Caddy, he definitely has a crack and is a good target but I'd still bring Jones back in for him. This is only Caddy's first year as an 18 year old. He can still learn a ton just playing in the VFL. This is basically a make or break year for Jones and he's much more ready to perform week in week out.

Caddy will no doubt play a few more senior games by seasons end but realistically I don't think he's holding out any of Langford, Stringer, Wright or Jones in 2024. No doubt injuries/suspensions will come and its good to know he's ready should an opportunity arise.

 

[MarkJohnson#1]

Promising signs for sure. Got out worked by the bigger bodies which is to be expected at his age but I loved his competitiveness and did some nice clean pick ups which was impressive for a big guy.

 

[Happyskeret]

I don’t think Jones should be the only one under pressure.Wright deserves selection pressure too.

 

[doug85]

I don’t think Jones should be the only one under pressure.Wright deserves selection pressure too.

Tough crowd.

Was only our best player 6 days ago

 

[Happyskeret]

Tough crowd.

Was only our best player 6 days ago

Fair call. Personally I couldn’t believe he got 10 votes last week playing on a Rookie and Calders only got 2!

In my mind he wasn’t the best last week Calders was! But I accept the coaches know better than me!

 

[Sporno 4 Pyros]

Handy first game by Caddy…lots to like in that performance.
Think the cats will regret not taking him with Hawkins coming to an end and Cameron finishing up just as this kid should be finding regular form.

 

[Howard Moon]

Intensity is one thing but seemed to run under the ball nearly every lead, no nuance or ball judgement. Ended up getting tunnelled multiple times while trying to jump at balls already slightly past him, I reckon he's so used to using those long arms to pluck he's maybe in a habit of mistiming his lead and jump. AFL defenders will have him for breakfast currently but plenty to work with. If I recall, Harry used to do the same early days

 

[Call Me Cake]

I don’t think Jones should be the only one under pressure.Wright deserves selection pressure too.

Wright has been averaging 2 goals a game this year bar one. Think he's deserved a bit of leeway. Also draws the best defenders and has the highest HO win % in our team when chopping out in the ruck. Watch more footy.

 

[fishardansin]

roses are red,
violets are blue
some poems rhyme
Nate Caddy is playing his first game

Roses are red,
violets are blue
I'M GOING TO BREAK YOUR FACE

 

[ant555]

Out this week for Jones but in the future will come back in for Wright.

Not if we play 1 ruck.

 

[Call Me Cake]

 

[Petrify]

Am I the only one who thinks he's more like a Stringer type than a 2nd tall?

 

[fishardansin]

Am I the only one who thinks he's more like a Stringer type than a 2nd tall?

He's going to be better overhead. I see a Curnow type, who also has long arms!

 

[ant555]

Am I the only one who thinks he's more like a Stringer type than a 2nd tall?

Yes . He is a much stronger mark than Stringer.

 

[Travisty1331]

I liked what I saw from Caddy, he definitely has a crack and is a good target but I'd still bring Jones back in for him. This is only Caddy's first year as an 18 year old. He can still learn a ton just playing in the VFL. This is basically a make or break year for Jones and he's much more ready to perform week in week out.

Caddy will no doubt play a few more senior games by seasons end but realistically I don't think he's holding out any of Langford, Stringer, Wright or Jones in 2024. No doubt injuries/suspensions will come and its good to know he's ready should an opportunity arise.

I don’t think jones is an automatic in, in he’s last three games he’s had 5,7 and 6 touches and kicked one goal.

 

[doug85]

Fair call. Personally I couldn’t believe he got 10 votes last week playing on a Rookie and Calders only got 2!

In my mind he wasn’t the best last week Calders was! But I accept the coaches know better than me!

I thought he was our best. He was very good working up the ground taking contested marks too. I had Caldwell our second best player but Xerri was better overall.

 

[jannissary]

lots of potential - wasn’t firing on goal but he’s clearly ready to step up a level.

what stood out was his ability to draw players towards him

 

[The Donners]

Will be straight out for Jones.

I don’t think so.

 

[fishardansin]

If we're in it for the long term, then Caddy should get more than a few games this year. He was not overwhelmed by the moment and really cracked in. He showed a lot. It is a pity he missed those shots.

The problem we have is that we're desperate for a small forward. Menzies doesn't have the X-factor and Davey is still at least 2 more pre-seasons away from being physically capable to impact the game. We have to many tall options at the moment with Langford and Stringer as both mid sized players. Jones are Wright being mainstays, and we probably need to play 2 rucks because Goldy is too old, Draper is too injured and Bryan is too young.

Langford is the cream of the crop now. Wright is proven, despite having trouble getting back to his best since two injury setbacks. Given that two small forwards are necessary, one like Gresham who also impacts midfield and that dangerous forward we don't have yet, we can only play two of Stringer, Jones, Caddy and resting ruck.

If we were North, Richmond, or West Coast I'd play him nearly every week.

I think Essendon can afford to play him on and off this year and look at adjusting our list appropriately next year. Whether that is trading out Jones or Stringer or not. However, if Caddy is fit he should be a mainstay next year.

I still think our aim should be a deserved finalist next year and genuine contenders in 2026.

Long rant I know, but I really liked what I saw last night. I'd like to play him more, but I think playing the senior guys now helps us long-term because we have a better picture of who to trade and delist and our youth can build in the VFL where they have smaller match day loads to spend more time in the gym, and can focus on aspects of their game. They still need the occasional run in AFL to measure their development.

 

[The Donners]

He hasn’t done enough to keep Jones out. It’s Harry’s spot to lose and he didn’t deserve to be suspended in the first place. Caddy needs to continue to earn his stripes.

Jones hasn’t done enough for it to be “his” position. They are currently competing for the same position.

Regarding others who have said for Wright to be dropped for Caddy/Jones. You need your head read. Wright takes the number 1 defender, can play second ruck and kicked 4 goals just last week.