Player Watch #34: Jack Graham

[TigerImposter]

Conca ahead of JG what a load of cow shit. Jack Graham has three goals in a Grand Final with a medal and the physical strength and presence of Sampson. Massive upside in this bloke and he's just walked onto the park.
Whereas Conca is a run of the mill player which are mass produced in the industry.

 

[balmainforever]

Why are people so worried about the number of possessions Jack had.
Mitchell had 38 and had 66% effectiveness.(none of which never really hurt us)

 

[JAKLAUGHING]

Don't bad mouth the Conca...

 

[Morro]

Conca ahead of JG what a load of cow shit. Jack Graham has three goals in a Grand Final with a medal and the physical strength and presence of Sampson. Massive upside in this bloke and he's just walked onto the park.
Whereas Conca is a run of the mill player which are mass produced in the industry.

Conca second only to Graham for
Pressure acts and tackles. He's going well.

Can't have 2 sets of rules for judgement.

Conca far better last night and
I think that was the assessment.

I think we are all huge fans of graham, relax brooooo

 

[Morro]

Why are people so worried about the number of possessions Jack had.
Mitchell had 38 and had 66% effectiveness.(none of which never really hurt us)

Almost all inside

He's a gun

 

[TigerImposter]

Conca second only to Graham for
Pressure acts and tackles. He's going well.

Can't have 2 sets of rules for judgement.

Conca far better last night and
I think that was the assessment.

I think we are all huge fans of graham, relax brooooo

Can’t compare the two mate as JG plays a different role to Cuddles .
JG was awesome last night with his hard inside body work and is far more valuable to us. Go and watch the Port game what happens when Graham is missing.

 

[Morro]

Can’t compare the two mate as JG plays a different role to Cuddles .
JG was awesome last night with his hard inside body work and is far more valuable to us. Go and watch the Port game what happens when Graham is missing.

I agree we are better with him.

I love him

But he was missing last night. Couldn't get near it.

 

[Grizza]

You sure? He had no impact on the game, barely sighted and only 7 posessions

I used to want Jack dropped because he often has low output, but my mind has completely changed over the course of the season.

I have heard recently that the coaches ask Jack to protect the corridor and that is literally all they want him to do. It doesn’t matter if he touches it or not. He needs to be there to cover space, stifle opposition ball movement, tackle, apply pressure, offer a physical presence and provide support in contests.

Against the Bulldogs, we were exposed in the middle. This is partly due to our self-preservation mode but I also think it’s because Jack was asked to play Lambert’s role (more attacking). I knew once Lambert came back into the side Jack’s numbers would drop. He has proven he can get off the leash and find the footy when he needs to but I’m certain that’s not what he’s asked to do in these games. He plays as a defensive mid.

We’re also not your typical football side. We don’t put up high possession numbers. We are direct and our game plan is based on gaining territory and creating turnovers from pressure. Jack contributes to that. Would we rather him have 30 pointless touches on the half back line like Shane Savage or contribute to what is an integral element to our highly functional game plan?

We are so much better with him in the side because he effectively plays a role and the whole side benefits from what he does. It might not look pretty on paper, but neither do a lot of things we do. Back the coaches in on this one.

 

[TigerImposter]

I agree we are better with him.

I love him

But he was missing last night. Couldn't get near it.

I have to disagree that Conca was better.Out of approximately 300 voters on BF Graham got four votes, whilst Conca got one . With JG I look at his work off the ball as well. This is something you can’t appreciate unless you see him live. His work is immense and unbelievable for a kid his age.
I swear the guy is 26yo and played 200 games of AFL equivalent football on some planet unknown to the human race.

 

[TigerImposter]

I used to want Jack dropped because he often has low output, but my mind has completely changed over the course of the season.

I have heard recently that the coaches ask Jack to protect the corridor and that is literally all they want him to do. It doesn’t matter if he touches it or not. He needs to be there to cover space, stifle opposition ball movement, tackle, apply pressure, offer a physical presence and provide support in contests.

Against the Bulldogs, we were exposed in the middle. This is partly due to our self-preservation mode but I also think it’s because Jack was asked to play Lambert’s role (more attacking). I knew once Lambert came back into the side Jack’s numbers would drop. He has proven he can get off the leash and find the footy when he needs to but I’m certain that’s not what he’s asked to do in these games. He plays as a defensive mid.

We’re also not your typical football side. We don’t put up high possession numbers. We are direct and our game plan is based on gaining territory and creating turnovers from pressure. Jack contributes to that. Would we rather him have 30 pointless touches on the half back line like Shane Savage or contribute to what is an integral element to our highly functional game plan?

We are so much better with him in the side because he effectively plays a role and the whole side benefits from what he does. It might not look pretty on paper, but neither do a lot of things we do. Back the coaches in on this one.

Quality post.

 

[Cdog71]

I used to want Jack dropped because he often has low output, but my mind has completely changed over the course of the season.

I have heard recently that the coaches ask Jack to protect the corridor and that is literally all they want him to do. It doesn’t matter if he touches it or not. He needs to be there to cover space, stifle opposition ball movement, tackle, apply pressure, offer a physical presence and provide support in contests.

Against the Bulldogs, we were exposed in the middle. This is partly due to our self-preservation mode but I also think it’s because Jack was asked to play Lambert’s role (more attacking). I knew once Lambert came back into the side Jack’s numbers would drop. He has proven he can get off the leash and find the footy when he needs to but I’m certain that’s not what he’s asked to do in these games. He plays as a defensive mid.

We’re also not your typical football side. We don’t put up high possession numbers. We are direct and our game plan is based on gaining territory and creating turnovers from pressure. Jack contributes to that. Would we rather him have 30 pointless touches on the half back line like Shane Savage or contribute to what is an integral element to our highly functional game plan?

We are so much better with him in the side because he effectively plays a role and the whole side benefits from what he does. It might not look pretty on paper, but neither do a lot of things we do. Back the coaches in on this one.

Post of the year

 

[CholEstrol]

JG was awesome last night. If any doubts put the highlights reel away and go back and watch the work off the ball.
Reece was also very good. Played his team role very well.
They both lead the tackles again which shouldn't be underestimated - particularly in finals.

 

[wart101]

Fair points guys, but 7 posessions for a mid is unacceptable.

I agree he really needs to work on that

 

[tropicaltiger]

I have to disagree that Conca was better.Out of approximately 300 voters on BF Graham got four votes, whilst Conca got one . With JG I look at his work off the ball as well. This is something you can’t appreciate unless you see him live. His work is immense and unbelievable for a kid his age.
I swear the guy is 26yo and played 200 games of AFL equivalent football on some planet unknown to the human race.

That's because Reece was pick 6 and Jack mid 50's.... subconsciously the higher draft pick is more harshly judged, most do it as default, some do it just to be spiteful.

 

[TigerImposter]

That's because Reece was pick 6 and Jack mid 50's.... subconsciously the higher draft is more harshly judged, most do it as default, some do it just to be spiteful.

Seriously I can’t believe I read this. You need a break if you believe this.

 

[Morro]

If any other mid had 7 posessions we would be up in arms

I love this kid but **** me so many on here have double standards.

 

[Cdog71]

He’s a defensive midfielder and he’s relentless

 

[Infamy]

Tough as nails.
He would play the prelim on 1 leg after also losing both his arms and head haha.....

Tis only a flesh wound

 

[Drunken Wookie]

Needs to take a page out Liam Shiels book to get to the next level be that defensive player but also have an offensive impact. Is an important player for our system to function for sure.

 

[balmainforever]

Needs to take a page out Liam Shiels book to get to the next level be that defensive player but also have an offensive impact. Is an important player for our system to function for sure.

Here is another midfielder who had nearly 30 touches at 50% effectiveness.

Know your role and work within your limitations. Haven’t seen JG ever try to do something that we think he can’t do.

 

[Drunken Wookie]

Here is another midfielder who had nearly 30 touches at 50% effectiveness.

Know your role and work within your limitations. Haven’t seen JG ever try to do something that we think he can’t do.

I seriously hope both Graham and the coaches are working to expand his game beyond being a mindless tackling machine.

 

[cairo tiger]

gotta agree with this, JG has youth on his side to be a bloody good player but right now i have Conca a whisker ahead of JG.

They do different jobs- conca needs to get more of it- for me I want Loyd instead of Conca

 

[tropicaltiger]

They do different jobs- conca needs to get more of it- for me I want Loyd instead of Conca

Respectfully disagree, i think they both play similar and vital roles in our structures, cant tell from tv that much, but would suggest both arnt on the field together all that often % wise, or on the pine together either (you rarely see them in the same frame combining) with dimma maybe preferring one off, one on with the mid rotations, maintaining intense defensive pressure without being too dour. macintosh in that mix as well except hes given a bit more licence to run.

 

[Tony Stark]

I seriously hope both Graham and the coaches are working to expand his game beyond being a mindless tackling machine.

If thats his current role and it makes us a better side then who really cares. He has shown in the VFL and a couple of AFL games where his role was changed that he can accumulate alot of disposals so no concerns from me.

 

[tropicaltiger]

If thats his current role and it makes us a better side then who really cares. He has shown in the VFL and a couple of AFL games where his role was changed that he can accumulate alot of disposals so no concerns from me.

Agree watching viney maul, maim and shutdown selwood/danger and yablett and still pick up a handy 20 odd was delightful and JG workin on doin same had my mouth watering.