Player Watch #34: Liam McBean

[Rubber Hips]

Thats my point though, as fans I reckon we deserve an explanation.

Agree- McBean has hardly played a senior game.

Most would have thought that he would have got at least half a game this preseason...instead Chol got 3 full games as a rookie!

Whilst there may be mitigating circumstances as to why, it would be good for the club to come clean to supporters

 

[Rubber Hips]

You might be right about Dimma not rating Mcbean, coaches do get their favorites. Maybe he thinks there's not room for him and Vickery in the team and wants to explore other combinations.
I'd like to see him get his opportunity. i'm not totally convinced that he has all the tools required to play KPF at AFL level, but we'll never know if he isn't given the opportunity.

Like you CP...we won't know if he has or hasn't got the tools until he gets a go at senior level
NOB cup would have been ideal

 

[Rubber Hips]

I think it just comes down to structures, Bean is versatile, but he's not exactly quick, not like Chol who has the height, leap, speed and the versatility on the ground.

Bean isn't strong enough yet to play ruck, nor is he strong enough to play deep forward when Riewoldt roams out of the F50.

The club knows where he's at, they've been watching his good progression under our VFL team and would have a very clear view of where he's at.

Chol being the new rookie I think they just wanted to see what he had to offer before the real stuff started, they can identify his weaknesses under the AFL system and will send him to the 2s for him to work on those deficiencies.

I get the Chol love...but 3 full NOB games? We all know Chol is a fair way off at this stage
Dimma should have shared the love man

 

[MightyTiger]

I get the Chol love...but 3 full NOB games? We all know Chol is a fair way off at this stage
Dimma should have shared the love man

I don't think it has anything to do with love or favoritism, the club knows where the Bean is at, still very undersized for his height, and they know what hes capable of, Chol is a fresh face, who probably showed a little something in NAB1 for them to persist with to see if he would improve or if he would get found wanting a little.

Both will spend majority of the season in the VFL, both will need to hit the gym hard to gain size and both will need to keep improving.

People forget that improvement isn't linear, it's not something that just happens because someone hits a certain age, if the Bean, or anyone on our list isn't putting in the time and effort required as a professional AFL player then they will eventually be de-listed like the thousands of other talented footballers before them.

 

[Rubber Hips]

I don't think it has anything to do with love or favoritism, the club knows where the Bean is at, still very undersized for his height, and they know what hes capable of, Chol is a fresh face, who probably showed a little something in NAB1 for them to persist with to see if he would improve or if he would get found wanting a little.

Both will spend majority of the season in the VFL, both will need to hit the gym hard to gain size and both will need to keep improving.

People forget that improvement isn't linear, it's not something that just happens because someone hits a certain age, if the Bean, or anyone on our list isn't putting in the time and effort required as a professional AFL player then they will eventually be de-listed like the thousands of other talented footballers before them.

I get all of that
My point is...if McBean isn't up to it, then shed him from the list...it's a decent thing to do
Seems like we are keeping him on our list bc he's a BF fave.

 

[MightyTiger]

I get all of that
My point is...if McBean isn't up to it, then she'd him from the list...it's a decent thing to do
Seems like we are keeping him on our list bc he's a BF fave.

Don't think it has anything to do with him not being up to it, he came to the club as a 200+CM 80 odd KG kid, was always going to be a long term prospect, given we are pretty fortunate to have quality KPFs McBean was never going to be rushed into the seniors, the club will afford McBean a few more years yet to prove his worth.

 

[tunksy]

Freo will go for Hogan

Theyd be stupid not to. In a few years a reckon he will be the no1 forward in the game.

 

[TigerImposter]

Theyd be stupid not to. In a few years a reckon he will be the no1 forward in the game.

Agree he's a massive unit
Big strong mobile and a contested mark beast. Freo are going to retire the Pavlova and offer him the world.

 

[RememberRoyce]

Don't think it has anything to do with him not being up to it, he came to the club as a 200+CM 80 odd KG kid, was always going to be a long term prospect, given we are pretty fortunate to have quality KPFs McBean was never going to be rushed into the seniors, the club will afford McBean a few more years yet to prove his worth.

Agree to an extent....but how do we explain the Chol game time?

 

[Rubber Hips]

Don't think it has anything to do with him not being up to it, he came to the club as a 200+CM 80 odd KG kid, was always going to be a long term prospect, given we are pretty fortunate to have quality KPFs McBean was never going to be rushed into the seniors, the club will afford McBean a few more years yet to prove his worth.

Rushed...you can say that again

Come on MT give him a go..you've got contacts surely

 

[MightyTiger]

I don't think it has anything to do with love or favoritism, the club knows where the Bean is at, still very undersized for his height, and they know what hes capable of, Chol is a fresh face, who probably showed a little something in NAB1 for them to persist with to see if he would improve or if he would get found wanting a little.

Agree to an extent....but how do we explain the Chol game time?

 

[MightyTiger]

Rushed...you can say that again

Come on MT give him a go..you've got contacts surely

Unfortunately since TW days the clubs blocked my number.

 

[DrMike]

RFC Officials quote "have been named in squads for NAB Challenge - that's where it's at" Says a fair bit re how far down the pecking order Mcbean is - he's been available for selection but has been overlooked. While a rookie tall forward has played every game.

McBean is probably a known quality. As in they know he's not ready (most likely his tank) so they want to see which of the new recruits can make a difference.

 

[JazMac]

McBean is probably a known quality. As in they know he's not ready (most likely his tank) so they want to see which of the new recruits can make a difference.

Just guessing, but maybe the club told him to hit the weights over summer and come back with x amount of extra muscle if he wants to play 1s. If my guess is right, then it looks like he didn't make the required target. I look forward to finding out the reason at some stage.

 

[Tigersman]

What's all this about McBean not being ready so he wasn't played?

It's a bloody nab challenge game and we played plenty of guys that clearly aren't ready for senior footy. That's what nab is partly about. It's the perfect platform to give a key forward under development a taste of the action. We actually played him in the ones last year so it's not like he is completely unprepared.

There's something not right here.
How could he have slipped so far out of calculations that he's behind first year rookies for all three games?

It would make more sense if he was returning from injury ( like yarran) or has returned in such poor shape he was removed from calculations as punishment

 

[CHIMP MAGNET]

so mcbean isnt being played and mckenzie has taken leave

the two great white hopes seem to have hit it off together

 

[DrMike]

Just guessing, but maybe the club told him to hit the weights over summer and come back with x amount of extra muscle if he wants to play 1s. If my guess is right, then it looks like he didn't make the required target. I look forward to finding out the reason at some stage.

He has a lot of work to do, we've always known that. He's also only 21 and sitting behind Vickery and Riewoldt in our pecking order so has plenty of time. Not really a big deal if he cops whatever feedback the club game him and uses it to achieve good things.

 

[Del65166]

What's all this about McBean not being ready so he wasn't played?

It's a bloody nab challenge game and we played plenty of guys that clearly aren't ready for senior footy. That's what nab is partly about. It's the perfect platform to give a key forward under development a taste of the action. We actually played him in the ones last year so it's not like he is completely unprepared.

There's something not right here.
How could he have slipped so far out of calculations that he's behind first year rookies for all three games?

It would make more sense if he was returning from injury ( like yarran) or has returned in such poor shape he was removed from calculations as punishment

Agree ~ could have been named in the ruck instead of either Ivvy, or played instead of Ty~ especially against Port.

I mean I don't reckon his game against Essendon was that bad. If McBean gets virtually no taste of senior footy, how will he be able to adapt to it when he gets the chance.

Dimma's going to desperate to make sure the team's performance is better than last years. For that reason new players who address deficiencies will get first crack at spots in the team. Menadue, Ellis, Townsend, Yarran, Astbury, Hampson, Rioli, and the like will be ahead of McBean.

Who knows what will happen with injury but for McBean to be considered Ty Griff & Astbury would all have to be unavailable you'd think.

 

[Football Tragic]

He's contracted atm but if he starts to feel he has not chance of breaking into our AFL side we will lose him and I believe that will come back to haunt us. He's needs to feel like if he works his butt off and does everything he's asked to do that he will be rewarded. Gifting a completely raw rookie 3 NAB games and offering McBean none is a slap in the face imo.

 

[Hank Heavenly]

have been told by a really close source to him that he is not exactly rapt by his treatment from the club, now whether thats justified or not is not the question, just thats how the kid feels.

Told you this months ago....

My reading into it is this... The club have asked him to do X. He thinks hes done enough to meet whatever X is, the club doesn't.
Rather than bust his boiler to go well past X to prove to them he's ready, he has had a bit of a sulk and done nothing extra.

 

[tigerz18]

by the bye round, we will see where McBean stands. It seems they are giving Griff and Vick as many chances to be the support acts to reiwoldt. But if Mcbean has a good start to the year, and still isnt getting a game in the seniors, then he may be gone at the end of the year. McBean needs to play minimum 10 games this year, or kick at least 45-50 in the VFL to stay at the club. Though if he does that, we'd be able to trade him for a 2nd round pick easily.

 

[Bojangles17]

did he play in the intra club, thought I read somewhere he was injured

 

[Ralll]

Told you this months ago....

My reading into it is this... The club have asked him to do X. He thinks hes done enough to meet whatever X is, the club doesn't.
Rather than bust his boiler to go well past X to prove to them he's ready, he has had a bit of a sulk and done nothing extra.

This is pretty much my view as well.
To which i have pulled out my arse without any actual evidence...But considering the club has given us nothing to go by thats about all we have..

 

[theflea]

Why wasn't McBean given an opportunity during the NAB Cup? Did he play the first game and was completely underwhelming?

I really think McBean could be a star forward for us. He has a skill set that is very unusual. He actually reminds me strongly of Buddy - tall but not a powerful mark yet amazing below his knees and a excellent crumber. He is killing it in the VFL and in obviously a class above at that level so the only thing I can think of that is keeping him out of the side is better tall forwards in the side already and/or his lack of defensive pressure (?).

What is his story?

Imo he is nothing like buddy, and isn't his athletic type which is holding him back.

 

[tropicaltiger]

mild case of Osteitis pubis would not surprise me, summer tracks might have something to do with it, you cant put on 6 kg and be twice as fit as last Pre Season.... without something causing a problem in a lot of instances, the lad is still probably growing too.