Player Watch #49 Kaleb Smith

[Bojangles17]

Can someone care to enlighten me as to why Smith has copped a pasting in the game day thread?

He’s played 9 games, a handful of those as a sub and missed the entirety of his first season injured.

He actually got his hands on the footy last night and did some nice things. I’m genuinely confused as to how he is judged so harshly?

I saw a few things I liked from the kid , ffs he’s barely played senior footy so lay off with the blow torch ,,, he’s light on his feet not unlike shorty , not afraid to have a dash . Our rebound was pretty decent last night , smashed in clearance but lead the i50s , smitty played a part in that

 

[Del65166]

Lions game he was equal 2nd fastest 31.9km/h.
20 y.o.& is our only "small" depth. A few mistakes but not the lone ranger. No rush to delist. Surely Young, Colina, Bauer out the door first.

 

[wegetpumped]

Lions game he was equal 2nd fastest 31.9km/h.
20 y.o.& is our only "small" depth. A few mistakes but not the lone ranger. No rush to delist. Surely Young, Colina, Bauer out the door first.

Bauer what happen to this kid was taking marks kicking goals for fun he is a complete turnaround and delist wouldn't surprise, Colina yeah not sure why we keep persevering when OHB has overtaken him and Ryan easily. Young is another Miller pretty good but gets crucified. But I think Blight if he ever plays again and Gray have overtaken him but great backup.

 

[tiger_tough]

I think there is plenty to work with in Smith. Hope we give him a few more full games in a row to see what hes got.

 

[Meteoric Rise]

I think there is plenty to work with in Smith. Hope we give him a few more full games in a row to see what hes got.

Still concerns me he isn't stepping in enough defensively. Around 6 full games worth of AFL level game time now for 2 tackles and 24 pressure acts total. Not writing him off at 20yo with his difficult history at the club but this is a key area he needs to improve.

 

[Yo Yo Ma!!!]

His disposal is very questionable for both handballs and kicks. they tend to be loopy and high, and provide no advantage to a receiving player on the outside release. Been very evident that the quicker pace in AFL catches him out with his timing and I hope that he might fix that up soon. He has the ability to defend and get the ball, but whats the point if he is constantly putting receiving players under pressure with hospital disposals and hand balling behind running players.

 

[tiger_tough]

His disposal is very questionable for both handballs and kicks. they tend to be loopy and high, and provide no advantage to a receiving player on the outside release. Been very evident that the quicker pace in AFL catches him out with his timing and I hope that he might fix that up soon. He has the ability to defend and get the ball, but whats the point if he is constantly putting receiving players under pressure with hospital disposals and hand balling behind running players.

His disposal at VFL level is fine at worst. I don't think hes had the chance to settle in and get used to the pace of AFL yet. Same as McAuliffe, who is a very neat user by foot but hasn't shown it in the ones yet.

 

[fargothegreat]

His disposal at VFL level is fine at worst. I don't think hes had the chance to settle in and get used to the pace of AFL yet. Same as McAuliffe, who is a very neat user by foot but hasn't shown it in the ones yet.

If he's playing a role across half back, his skills need to be a lot better than "fine".

 

[tiger_tough]

If he's playing a role across half back, his skills need to be a lot better than "fine".

At worst I said. Which is okay when you pick the right option.

Valstuins are just okay. Shorts have been shit for 2 years. Banks is playing half back and rated below average....

 

[fargothegreat]

At worst I said. Which is okay when you pick the right option.

Valstuins are just okay. Shorts have been shit for 2 years. Banks is playing half back and rated below average....

Banks pulled off some ripper kicks on the weekend. He's clearly a good user, as they make an extra effort to get the ball in his hands.

Shorty used to be a good kick. I think he's just gotten a bit lazy and bombs it long to a contest rather than looking for a leading target.

 

[Meteoric Rise]

Banks pulled off some ripper kicks on the weekend. He's clearly a good user, as they make an extra effort to get the ball in his hands.

Shorty used to be a good kick. I think he's just gotten a bit lazy and bombs it long to a contest rather than looking for a leading target.

Lots of players can look iffy with their disposal and decision making when they first play at AFL level. In most cases they improve pretty sharply as they get their sea legs.

 

[bryan wood]

His disposal is very questionable for both handballs and kicks. they tend to be loopy and high, and provide no advantage to a receiving player on the outside release. Been very evident that the quicker pace in AFL catches him out with his timing and I hope that he might fix that up soon. He has the ability to defend and get the ball, but whats the point if he is constantly putting receiving players under pressure with hospital disposals and hand balling behind running players.

I have no idea if he will make it or not… but at the moment who does he kick to … who if busting their gut to make options … look at our forward line on the weekend … babies everywhere

He’s a baby as well ….he’s fast and seems like a decent kick … if he doesn’t improve his tackling / handball we’ll move to the next in line

That’s what the next 3 years are about
We found 1 in Seth … found 1 in trainor Armstrong … lalor a given … I have high hopes for juddy …just need to keep finding them over next 3 years

Then BANG

 

[Grrr]

Lots of players can look iffy with their disposal and decision making when they first play at AFL level. In most cases they improve pretty sharply as they get their sea legs.

Hugo was horrid. Not great now but not bad. Shedda couldn’t hit the side of a barn. Mansell still carries the legacy of his early days. For a “crap” kick he kicks some great goals. Smith has a good kick overall, just getting up to speed tempo wise.

 

[Drunken Wookie]

looks like a footsoldier type at this stage, okay enough at the level but has no real weapons. we should be able to find more talented/better suited players pretty quickly while we're raking in top end kids.

 

[Sol23]

Needs time
Maybe play on the wing

 

[Grrr]

looks like a footsoldier type at this stage, okay enough at the level but has no real weapons. we should be able to find more talented/better suited players pretty quickly while we're raking in top end kids.

A tad early. Just had a 20 possession game, so let's see how he goes. Took Banks 20 odd games before he got 20, Brown 24. He has very good speed and good endurance, did a good defensive job on Cameron vs Brissy and Kako, so that's a few good attributes.

 

[Morro]

Lots of players can look iffy with their disposal and decision making when they first play at AFL level. In most cases they improve pretty sharply as they get their sea legs.

Not to mention when they are delivering to kids at the other end, it looks even worse.

 

[lizard man]

I like the look of this kid

 

[Barnzy]

Has become more important with the knee to Judson. Is in the same archetype of the smaller, agile and fast running type. He's quick and is slowly finding more of the ball.

Not sure he has the class by foot or smarts ultimately long term but happy to persist. Maybe try him on the wing when Short comes back.

 

[DustinsGuns]

Not sure of the appeal. Small back flanker who doesn't seem to have the confidence to use the footy well. Suspect he goes out for Shorts once he's fit.

 

[tiger_tough]

Keep playing him

 

[Tiger_4_Life]

Stood up stronger than balta

 

[lalorGOAT]

Not bad

 

[59Stanley]

Um no he is not afl standard and never will be. Terrible skills and slow decision making. Papers stamped

 

[el_simo]

Yeah don’t see this guy making it.