Past #32: Mason Wood - 65 NM games/76 NM goals - delisted end '20 - SSP selection for STK '21 - GL Mase

[Viper2Jester]

Not for the first time showed some genuine exciting signs.

Must stay in.

 

[r_boy]

We have unrealistic expectations of him.

I think with 100 games this kid will be an absolute beast of a high half forward.

He's probably in a group of 5 players in the side yesterday, with ball in hand, I thought who would create a goal scoring opportunity with a great pass to a leading forward with good vision when they had it in space. The others would be Harvey, Higgins, Wells and Dal Santo. He's in the above group that would consistently hit those targets 75%+ of the time. We need that sort of delivery forward of center.

When you couple that with his contested marking, natural goal scoring and endurance. He should (and deserves) at least a 4-5 game stretch.

We are shooting ourselves in the foot if we don't pump as many games as possible into him this year. Forget life after Petrie/Waite, he will make us a better side NOW when he becomes comfortable with his position in the side.

I agree with you but his contesting of the ground ball and his pressure of the ball carrier needs significant work. It is not AFL standard right now and if he wants to remain in the side come finals we need it to improve.

 

[scooby1279]

i have always thought he will be better then Garner, just hope he gets same chances as Garner has been getting. Gives our team a different dimension as Wood can move to a wing also.

 

[Pykie]

i have always thought he will be better then Garner, just hope he gets same chances as Garner has been getting. Gives our team a different dimension as Wood can move to a wing also.

If you combined Garners attack on the contest and man, with Woods natural skill set and athleticism you'd have the best medium forward going around.


As it stands, we need to keep the half backs honest.

If Woods working up and back getting 15-20 a game and taking marks deep, he will definitely be keeping them honest.

 

[the big lebowski]

Positive signs,as per usual in his AFL games. Also has much to work on, as per usual.

 

[RoyalBlue]

Has to stay in. The signs he showed were just immense.

 

[nelroo]

Needs to look no further than Waite and how he goes about it. Waite is the benchmark for pressure as a forward.

 

[Horizons_00]

He will only get better playing among players like dish and Waite

Leave him in. He tried all day and I see a lot of potential

 

[Dan]

The game he had over the weekend is about good as its gonna get when share a forward-line with Petrie, Waite & Brown.

 

[King Corey]

Looked nervous, but you can see the class. Needs to recognise he is a beautiful long kick and not look for the short option though.

I get that the defensive efforts and intensity aren't always there, but I think with some guys you give a bit more leeway than others purely because they have that natural ability, and by putting games into them the potential reward is far greater. Wood is a guy that we need to be getting as much senior footy into as possible, as he has everything to be a really dangerous floating third tall.

This is almost exactly what I've been saying too.

It struck me that if you just promote blokes on work ethic you'll get a team full on Tim McGenniss' and Max Warrens'. No offence to them.

You have to make some concession for natural talent and try/hope to rectify their shortcomings.

Mason Wood can be a serious player for us in Ryan O'Keefe / Gunston roles if we get it right.

 

[czero]

I agree with you but his contesting of the ground ball and his pressure of the ball carrier needs significant work. It is not AFL standard right now and if he wants to remain in the side come finals we need it to improve.

Interestingly he was 3rd best for north in contested disposals (with 10).

 

[Hannem]

And to think Wellsy still hasn't kicked a goal.

The great thing is he doesn't need to when his inside 50's are pure sex.

 

[Viper2Jester]

I agree with you but his contesting of the ground ball and his pressure of the ball carrier needs significant work. It is not AFL standard right now and if he wants to remain in the side come finals we need it to improve.

Dal Santo has played 300+ games and his pressure of the ball carrier and defensive intensity has always been substandard.

Not sure why a young rookie is held to higher standards just to stay in the side, when like Dal clearly he brings other quality attributes to offset that.

 

[nelroo]

Dal Santo has played 300+ games and his pressure of the ball carrier and defensive intensity has always been substandard.

Not sure why a young rookie is held to higher standards just to stay in the side, when like Dal clearly he brings other quality attributes to offset that.

I know what your saying but why should we just accept it as a weakness?. Why cant we expect more from him to me a more complete player? Just cos Dal is not strong in this area doesn't mean Wood or anyone should get an automatic leave pass IMO

 

[coopers pale]

This is almost exactly what I've been saying too.

It struck me that if you just promote blokes on work ethic you'll get a team full on Tim McGenniss' and Max Warrens'. No offence to them.

You have to make some concession for natural talent and try/hope to rectify their shortcomings.

Mason Wood can be a serious player for us in Ryan O'Keefe / Gunston roles if we get it right.

For some reason he reminds me of a taller Mark LeCras, smooth moving, strong marking and with a very clean kicking action.

 

[CBSlogger]

Thought he was ok at the game with a few standout moments. Marking ability stood out 3-4 times, which he can continue to expose given the tough match-up his endurance / height presents.

We need to look at him as a 9-gamer, in his first senior game in a long while. Massive, massive upside.

 

[archereleven]

Could be a very good forward or a great wingman i believe...

His running ability should dictate the latter...

 

[Whereitallbegan]

9 game veteran, needs to pull his finger out!

 

[nicko74]

Stays in. Get as many games into him as possible. His skills look first class. Defensive side will come with exposure to this level.

 

[KillaKanga]

By 9 games Daw had kicked a bag. Get rid of

 

[Thewlis Dish]

I agree with you but his contesting of the ground ball and his pressure of the ball carrier needs significant work. It is not AFL standard right now and if he wants to remain in the side come finals we need it to improve.

it's not nearly as bad as is made out.

 

[D23D]

Dal Santo has played 300+ games and his pressure of the ball carrier and defensive intensity has always been substandard.

Not sure why a young rookie is held to higher standards just to stay in the side, when like Dal clearly he brings other quality attributes to offset that.

I agree. The experienced player has more 'runs on the board' so in a rough patch they may get a bit longer to get out of the hole.
But standards should be mandatory for all, all of the time.

 

[The Nostradamus]

Elite endurance, good leap and hands but it's his versatility is what I like most.

I like the Ryan O'Keefe comparison a previous poster made

 

[Viper2Jester]

I agree. The experienced player has more 'runs on the board' so in a rough patch they may get a bit longer to get out of the hole.
But standards should be mandatory for all, all of the time.

Agree also but NDS and Boomer (and others) have regularly disregarded "team rules" (if Scott applied them that is) regarding defensive application.

I watched NDS in Hobart against Melb - his defensive running and attention was frankly, pathetic. He coasted around looking for space/kicks, and we leaked goals because of it. If he was dropped based on your 'standards', I would support it.

Wood has very obvious positives and I think will be a player. If it is ok for other senior players to be deficient defensively (don't think Wood is that bad actually) then i'm not sure why he should be excluded purely on that basis.

 

[D23D]

Agree also but NDS and Boomer (and others) have regularly disregarded "team rules" (if Scott applied them that is) regarding defensive application.

I watched NDS in Hobart against Melb - his defensive running and attention was frankly, pathetic. He coasted around looking for space/kicks, and we leaked goals because of it. If he was dropped based on your 'standards', I would support it.

Wood has very obvious positives and I think will be a player. If it is ok for other senior players to be deficient defensively (don't think Wood is that bad actually) then i'm not sure why he should be excluded purely on that basis.

We wont win a premiership without adhering to strict standards. End of