Past 4. Lochie O'Brien

[Aphrodite]

 

[La Dispute]

He was poor today but that's just not correct.

Looked very good at times last year, finished the season off particularly well.

Which part?

 

[Jeremias]

Which part?

That he hasn’t looked up to it.

Correct today but certainly not at times last year.

 

[La Dispute]

That he hasn’t looked up to it.

Correct today but certainly not at times last year.

Yep - worded it incorrectly: didn’t look up to it today.

 

[branedotorg]

Been great the past few weeks, really brave and takes the game on.

Also shocked at his height, when he fills out he'll be a real handful to match up on with pace, gut running and height advantage on most wingers.

 

[tenderwarrior]

How do you see Lochie developing? From afar he seems to being taking his time to adjust to AFL footy. Do you think it is just a development thing, in that he will reach his potential in time, or do you have doubts that he can force his way into the best 22 long term?

 

[Love the Drake]

How do you see Lochie developing? From afar he seems to being taking his time to adjust to AFL footy. Do you think it is just a development thing, in that he will reach his potential in time, or do you have doubts that he can force his way into the best 22 long term?

Lochie suffered a bit of the second year blues early this year, but his last ten games under Teague were really promising.
Has a huge capacity as a two way runner and a lethal left foot. A few more pre-seasons and hoping he can progress to a high quality wingman in the Whitfield mould (not saying he’ll be that good, but has similar attributes).
Just turned 20 years old and has played 35 games in two years, including an apprenticeship in the backline.
Tracking nicely.

 

[ABigOlDoofus]

How do you see Lochie developing? From afar he seems to being taking his time to adjust to AFL footy. Do you think it is just a development thing, in that he will reach his potential in time, or do you have doubts that he can force his way into the best 22 long term?

He was always going to be a project. He has elite, elite running capacity and is a beautiful kick.

There are only 3 things holding him back at AFL level atm in my opinion, they are:

1. Ball winning ability. Towards the end of the year his disposals per game hadn't increased a huge amount from the start of the year, but the quality of those disposals did. For him to take the next step he needs to increase his disposals per game to up around 18-22 per game, which is a big ask but I think he's up to it.

2. Decision making. This is simply just because he's super young, in his second season, and was immediately chucked into the deep end. He doesn't make many bad decisions, he just sometimes struggles to make the best decision instead of a good one. Again, he'll get there.

3. Frame. Again, this just being his second year in the system, and him being a naturally skinny lad, he's massively out sized by older players. He's 184cm so he has a pretty nice frame to grow into, so he'll come good there.

So TL;DR, Lachie's taking his time to adjust to AFL level, but he's shown flashes of brilliance and most of his issues are just a result of being thrown into the deep end as a 19-20 year old when with most other clubs he'd being doing an apprenticeship in the VFL. IMO if/when we have a flag tilt he will have an important role, and is potentially a 200+ gamer for us all going well.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

20 disposals at 80% efficiency and 4 goal assists. Excellent game by LOB.

 

[Bic]

Has a weapon that Cottrell doesn't.

 

[Jamie007]

Played really well. Hope we don't get rid of him. Has a great attitude too.

 

[Arr0w]

I thought he had a good balance between zoning off and going when it was his turn

Looked really confident in hitting the right targets

 

[Blue Bloods]

Played really well. Hope we don't get rid of him. Has a great attitude too.

Yep, he has shown enough to get another year hopefully, was very good tonight

 

[Markyd]

That kick were he sliced through the Saints defence and hit Harry laces out was a gem!

 

[SurreyBlue]

Should have been playing and should be playing in front of players such as Cottrell, Gibbons, and Newnes.
Players that can use the ball and run on the outside are exactly what we have been needing.

 

[FRUMPY]

Has a weapon that Cottrell doesn't.

not hard to do

 

[FRUMPY]

thought he was good but also thought it was the type of game a fringe typ eplayer could exceed in. Was a very free flowing, non-physical game. Be interesting to see how he goes in a harder game (port/GWS namely)

 

[thylacine60]

seems to now be ready to take the next step - whatever has been worked on with him seems to have had the desired result - great job ignoring all the screams of play or sell........

 

[El Topo]

good for Lochie that Setterfield wasn't available for selection...

 

[PostPaolo]

First game in three years where he's had 20+ disposals in a match and more importantly used it well, hopefully another three of those performances for him to end the year.

 

[bluebaggerjuls]

all class today. What we have needed all year

 

[Crashy]

Earned himself the rest of the season in the seniors

 

[Malifice]

Has a weapon that Cottrell doesn't.

Thats what she said.

No but seriously was good tonight.

Add some mongrel to that left foot and we have a player.

 

[Mentallo]

I hope he can double up that performance next week.

 

[Inzy7]

Should be allowed to play every game until the end of the season and get a true idea if he will make it or not! off tonight i am amazed he hasnt been in our side

 

[thylacine60]

tonight's performance explained why he hasn't been in the side.............but, being amazed is fun too............fmd........