Player Watch #32: Tom Sparrow

[Gysberts2Bate]

Tell you what, that goal he kicked in that minute, he roosted it from 50 off about 2 steps with 4 blokes around him.

I remember when he was drafted he looked like a poor man’s Dangerfield from his highlights package but Danger never had that in his game.

You’d hope if you’re an opposition fan next year that his opponent keeps him a tighter leash than they did in that play. It must have been a set play the way he creeps up from half forward to receive that handball out the front of the centre square. I know they Dogs were a bit shell shocked at that stage but no respect shown from whichever defender was meant to be marking him, he was in a paddock.

 

[Pedantic]

You’d hope if you’re an opposition fan next year that his opponent keeps him a tighter leash than they did in that play. It must have been a set play the way he creeps up from half forward to receive that handball out the front of the centre square. I know they Dogs were a bit shell shocked at that stage but no respect shown from whichever defender was meant to be marking him, he was in a paddock.

Caleb Daniel was his man, he had to leave Sparrow to pressure the ball carrier (Oliver from memory?) otherwise we just would have strolled into the 50. So not really Daniel's fault, the issue for the Dogs was how easily we left the stoppage which caused an overlap.

 

[Gysberts2Bate]

Caleb Daniel was his man, he had to leave Sparrow to pressure the ball carrier (Oliver from memory?) otherwise we just would have strolled into the 50. So not really Daniel's fault, the issue for the Dogs was how easily we left the stoppage which caused an overlap.

Yeah I more meant that I think if he was considered a more dangerous forward the opposition would stick to him. Like it’s fair enough that Daniel did that bc Sparrow doesn’t have more of a reputation but if he continues to develop like this you’d think he wouldn’t have it so easy.

 

[schmuttt]

Tell you what, that goal he kicked in that minute, he roosted it from 50 off about 2 steps with 4 blokes around him.

I remember when he was drafted he looked like a poor man’s Dangerfield from his highlights package but Danger never had that in his game.

As much as I dislike Dangerfield he has plenty of monster goals over his career.

 

[Gysberts2Bate]

As much as I dislike Dangerfield he has plenty of monster goals over his career.

Yeah he ****s teams up in basically every single way as a forward

 

[SugarHealey]

Said before the finals I had a feeling he was built for them.
He does important things. No dinky crap possessions in the finals.

Love him

Big game player. Must keep.

 

[LeverPuller]

Of 14 touches he had 6 score involvements. Huge.

 

[Topkent]

Won some big clearances early. He's the man.

 

[SugarHealey]

Of 14 touches he had 6 score involvements. Huge.

He had way more impact then just 14 touches. His pressure was fantastic.

 

[LeverPuller]

He had way more impact then just 14 touches. His pressure was fantastic.

Oh totally agree but shows the sheer damage of his touches too - the only non-forward who had a better possession:score involvement ratio was Jackson. Even Petracca with his 15 didn’t have as good a ratio. That shit is elite.

(For the record both BBB and Fritsch had higher but it’s easier when you are the ones drilling the goals)

 

[Gysberts2Bate]

Can imagine that both he and JJ will spend more time on ball next year and Sparrow, who has a much higher ceiling, will explode.

 

[RedmanWasHere]

If Sparrow makes what he did in the GF his norm, it'll be quite delicious for Dees fans.

Him and Bowey tag teaming in slicing the opposition apart is something I'll need to focus on from next season on.

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

He is 100% Dane Swan

Dane Swan

Age

42

Ht

185cm

Wt

93kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

26.9

5star

K

16.4

5star

HB

10.4

5star

M

5.9

5star

T

3.1

5star

CL

5.4

5star

No current season stats available

D

12.0

3star

K

7.0

3star

HB

5.0

4star

M

3.0

3star

T

1.0

3star

lite. Im convinced. Ive watched the game three times now and I absolutely see it, his composure with the ball is fantastic.

If he improves his tank I can see him getting more midfield minutes , he could be amazing moving forward. I can also see a world where he can rest at full forward and play him one out in the goal square and be a tough match up for the opposition, hes already so strong thru the hips, reckon he has the potential to become an upper body beast too, a genuine match winner.

 

[LarryDavidNeitz]

Goes to show we shouldn't judge player's disposal too harshly in their first 10 games when they're still getting the pace of the game and feeling the pressure.
Doubt he'll ever be the highest ranked kicker of the ball but his ball use in the second half of the grand final was unreal. Great to have mids who know how to bang through a goal, that one-stepper from 52m was absolutely elite and less than 10% of players could have done it.

 

[Topkent]

Can imagine that both he and JJ will spend more time on ball next year and Sparrow, who has a much higher ceiling, will explode.

Only problem with this is Oliver and Viney are next to useless outside the midfield. Trac can pay HF but I don't see JJ establishing himself. Probably still don't rate him as an onballer.
I think he should be on a wing if one of the others gets injured.

 

[CWaffles]

Was critical of the kid in his first few games but my lord he has come a long way since then! looks so composed and building nicely. Another big pre season to build his tank and he will cement his spot in the side next year.

 

[schmuttt]

He is an actual monster of a kid. Is bigger in the body than all our mids except Petracca already.

 

[Dory_77]

He is an actual monster of a kid. Is bigger in the body than all our mids except Petracca already.

This, very big lad. Really impressed by his kicking throughout the finals. Smart user who set up several goals and can bloody roost them off half a step (did it v Lions during the season too). Very good option on HFF/as a 4th/5th mid rotation.

 

[Jibroni]

Good Adelaide Hills boy just like yours truly. Loved his 2nd half of the season and is def. a keeper.

 

[The Dr]

Built like a truck, kicks like a mule and will only get better.


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[stEdy]

His kicking action is pure - long, straight, travels quickly.

Did a tonne of great work on the inside too. Clean as. Got better as the finals heat got turned up.

I backed him in after those big grabs against the Cats in R23. Kid just has it. Fluffed a few of his kicks due to nerves in that game but he barely made a mistake throughout the whole finals series.

 

[Jamurp]

Kicked a monster goal v Brisbane from off a step outside 50 earlier this season too, then does it again in the most crucial time in a grand final, immense.

 

[SugarHealey]

Oh totally agree but shows the sheer damage of his touches too - the only non-forward who had a better possession:score involvement ratio was Jackson. Even Petracca with his 15 didn’t have as good a ratio. That sh*t is elite.

(For the record both BBB and Fritsch had higher but it’s easier when you are the ones drilling the goals)

Yep absolutely, he has that ability to see ahead, that vision to see and kick to position of advantage, that draws the player to the kick position.
Eg; kicking long across the face of goal to the fat side, advantaging BBrown for his mark and goal.

He somes up the situation extremely quickly. this makes him a big game player. I think we have a top player in the making.

 

[SugarHealey]

Only problem with this is Oliver and Viney are next to useless outside the midfield. Trac can pay HF but I don't see JJ establishing himself. Probably still don't rate him as an onballer.
I think he should be on a wing if one of the others gets injured.

I can imagine a scenario of Brayshaw and Sparrow switching on-ball and wing.

 

[danster168]

I think Sparrow is definitely ahead of Jordon. Jordon is a little vanilla to me but Sparrow has mongrel about him and I agree with his kicking. it's bloody arrow straight.